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Hou Ken
Chinese Pang Nuan
Kanji 龐煖
Biographical Information
Status
Deceased (Slain)
Marital Status Single
Age Presumably in his 40s
Gender Male
Eyes Red
Hair Dark Brown
Skin Brown
Distinction Scar from the Left Side of the forehead going down to the Right Cheek
Long inky hair
Sharp eyebrows
Relatives Master Hou (Father)

Madame Hou (Mother)

State Zhao
Location Unknown (Anime)

Shukai Plains (Death Place)

Professional Information
Classification Bushin
Cavalry
Occupation Martial Artist
Great General
Affiliates Zhao Military
Ri Boku Army
Hou Ken Army
Coalition Army
Three Great Heavens
Military Rank Great General
Equipment Glaive
Media
Japanese VA Masaya Takatsuka
English VA Kamran Nikhad
Appearance
Manga Debut Chapter 108
Anime Debut Episode 26
Game Debut Kingdom: Ikkitousen No Tsurugi!
You'll probably find my answer hard to believe. Hou Ken...Represents us and all of mankind.

Ri Boku to Kaine during the 15th day of the Battle at Shukai Plains.

Hou Ken was a martial artist known as a Bushin, a path seeker of the martial path that was a part of a mysterious tribe of path seekers who wanted to end all wars and was a member of the State of Zhao's Three Great Heavens as their first great. He was the hated archenemy of Qin Great General Ou Ki and an enemy of Shin of the Hi Shin Unit, who he fought in multiple duels before their final confrontation that resulted in the Bushin's death during the final day of the Battle at Shukai Plains.

Appearance[]

Hou Ken was a muscular man with a large build who has long black hair and a scar across his face, there are tattoos on his forearms, and he wears a large, poncho-like cloak that goes up to his knees in length.

Personality[]

Hou Ken was very aware of anyone's martial 'potential' and is even willing to kill those as young as Shin and Kyou Kai in spite of them being children just because they might one day be a threat to him. To him, there can only be one being that the heavens fear and that person is him. His daunting presence inspires fear in men, causing them to freeze up when they come face to face with him.

Hou Ken was also quite pragmatic and accepted beating Ou Ki when the great general was shot in the back by Gi Ka in spite of Ou Ki destroying his glaive. He also always speaks in old Chinese as seen saying "Thou" on many occasions. The closest thing he has to a friend is in the form of the Zhao great general Ri Boku who has been able to convince him to become involved with the affairs of the warring states.

History[]

As a baby, Hou Ken was the son of a couple of benevolent chi healers who did nothing but help the poor townsfolk along their travels. As his parents were practicing their craft and healing the ill, an unnamed Bushin emerged from the surrounding forests and killed them both, kidnapped their baby while reaping the life of every single person that crossed his path on his way out of the village. Nothing is known about the gruesome training that the child Hou Ken would receive from his master, but when he reemerged as an adult, he had the same tattoo on his forearm that his kidnaper did and wielded a very similar glaive while wearing practically the same outfit.

In 255 B.C. while in the middle of training and honing his skills by decapitating and fighting tigers deep within a forest, Hou Ken came across a severely injured young Zhao soldier by the name of Ri Boku. As the young soldier was laying on the ground while on the brink of death, the Bushin initially threatened him with his blade as it so happens to all and any who cross his path, but Ri Boku had completely lost his will to live just as he had lost everyone he cared about. Hou Ken then spared him, saying that voices of the earth whispered to him that fate had brought them together, for it was Ri Boku who would be his guide to find the "Answer" the Bushin sought. Later, Ri Boku woke up to find himself somehow healed of his injuries and wondered to himself if that man he saw was even real. However, the doubt soon dissipated as soon as he witnessed the trail of the corpses of his pursuers, mercilessly slain by Hou Ken.

Years later, Hou Ken appeared during the night of conquest of Bayou to fight Kyou, one of the Six Great Generals, as her presence drew him out of his training. Hou Ken easily cut through her elite bodyguard soldier before Kyou herself arrived on the scene. She was killed by him in combat as she wounded him, and Hou Ken was, in turn, severely wounded and nearly killed by an enraged Ou Ki who gave him a scar across his face before his body was riddled with arrows. After the Qin army had left, Hou Ken was believed to be dead and left amongst the dead. But he somehow survived his massive blood loss and crawled off the battlefield to recuperate and do more training as his might was nowhere near that of the man who just defeated him. It took him 3 years to recover from his wounds and he took another 6 years to train before he was approached by Ri Boku to be involved in Zhao's future plans against the state of Qin.

Story[]

Battle of Bayou Arc[]

Hou Ken is first seen arriving at the Zhao royal capital of Kantan where he is given command over the state's army by King Tou Jou to devastate the Qin. He sets off from Bayou with his generals when he hears that Ou Ki is coming with an army to fight their forces. They arrive at Bayou at the same time that Ou Ki's forces do, and he asks Chou Sou why the Qin general does not attack. After the first battle, he retreats to the headquarters to rest leaving the Zhao strategist in charge of the army.

Appearing at night in the campgrounds of Kan Ou and Roku O Mi's armies, he began to massacre the nearby troops. As he makes his way around the camp, his path crosses with those of the Hi Shin Unit and he cut down several of them instantly. After declaring himself a calamity of the heavens, he continued to kill more Hi Shin Unit members until Shin arrives to stop him from killing Bi Hei. He blocked all of Shin's attacks and dodged that of Kyou Kai's before stating that they were the ones who summoned him, and he would take their lives despite their age.

Hou Ken then attacked Shin, knocking him unconscious, when the two attempt to use a pincer maneuver against him and faced off against Kyou Kai who begins the Priestess Dance. After blocking her attacks, he noted that she was one of the "god summoners" and declares a competition to see which of them is the rightfully chosen warrior of the heavens. Though Kyou Kai scored a minor blow, he slowly began to match her pace, commenting that it had been a long time since anyone had made him bleed. Seeing Kyou Kai reach her limits, he went on the offensive, but she manages to dodge until the recoil from her technique caught up with her and slowed her down. She yelled at the rest of the unit to run, but he cut down several of them, stating that none shall leave until the battle is finished.

Seeing Man Goku arrive on the scene, he was attacked by Kan Ou's forces and started killing all nearby Qin. By now, Shin had recovered, and he and his unit devised a plan, which allowed him to land a blow against Hou Ken. He moved in for the kill but was hit in the stomach by the end of Hou Ken's glaive. Kyou Kai tried to stop him from killing Shin and was knocked down as well, after telling them that they were mere offerings to his "god", he attempted to strike down Shin, only to be blocked several times by Bi Hei, Bi Tou, and Taku Kei. After this, the Hi Shin Unit took that opportunity to retreat with their leader, and Hou Ken returned to the HQ.

Hou Ken appeared at the Zhao camp and was greeted by General Chou Sou. When Mou Bu's army storms the Zhao HQ, he came face to face with the Qin vice general before retreating, luring the enemy forces into a trap along the way. He leaves some of his men to engage Mou Bu's troops before seeing General Ou Ki appear with his army to assist the Qin vice general. Seeing the Qin general tearing through Zhao troops, he threw a spear at him and misses, killing 3 Qin soldiers in the process, before both armies give way for the two to duel.

They started to fight, and though at first, it seemed like Ou Ki's strength had waned in the nine years since Kyou's death, his wrath was brought out and they continued fighting. To his amazement and bewilderment, was being beaten back by Ou Ki, whose strength begins to overwhelm his own. Ou Ki was about to deal the final blow when he stopped in light of Ri Boku's army arriving on the scene.

As they continued their fight, inflicting serious wounds on one another, both Hou Ken and Ou Ki were at a stalemate until the Qin general broke the blade on Hou Ken's weapon. Ou Ki was about to deliver the finishing blow when an arrow from Gi Ka pierced his back, halting him in his attack which allowed Hou Ken to pierce through his chest with his broken glaive, inflicting a fatal wound. After the battle, he stated that he still didn't feel like the victor and retreats to the mountains for more training.

Sanyou Aftermath Arc[]

A few years later, Hou Ken was approached by Kei Sha who convinced him to accept the command of their army and invade the state of Yan. He personally killed Yan's Great General Geki Shin and ended the war in a day. He told Ri Boku that it was boring, but Ri Boku reassured him that it was just the beginning of a greater battle.

Coalition Invasion Arc[]

Hou Ken wasn't present during the attack on the Kankoku pass but was secretly sent as part of Ri Boku's army, which used a mountain passage that leads to the middle of the southern pass to Kanyou, bypassing Qin's defenses. He appeared when Duke Hyou broke through Ri Boku's Ryuudou. He engaged in a dual with Duke Hyou and killed him. However, in the process, Duke Hyou had found out who Hou Ken was. Hou Ken was a buffoon who would never feel the strength that flowed through men from the battlefield and would never understand why he was defeated by Ou Ki. The battle continued, which ended in Duke Hyou's death and Hou Ken's broken arm.

The Bushin made another appearance in the last days of the Battle of Sai. He meets with Ri Boku and tells his fellow Great Heaven that the "heavens" had begun turning their attention towards the city. Ri Boku, seeing Hou Ken's gaze, recommends that the Bushin could climb up the ladders to see for himself. As he stares at the city, Hou Ken brushes Ri Boku's suggestion off while saying that he doesn't the luxury of joking around considering the situation and leaves. On the eighth and final day of the battle, as the Yo Tan Wa Army attacks the Zhao Army and Hou Ken attacks the Mountain warriors. He starts begins making his way towards Yo Tan Wa's position while cutting his through her army but he is stopped in his tracks by Shin. Noting that Shin had encountered him three times and lived, he stated that he cannot allow him to survive and engages him in a duel. During the duel, both Hou Ken's and Shin's horse fell. They clash on the ground with Hou Ken landing the first strike but despite serious injuries, Shin managed to wound Hou Ken twice, stabbing him in the chest and cutting him on the face exactly where General Ou Ki scarred him as well years ago. Hou Ken retaliates by striking him in his face but is rendered shocked by the sight of Shin rising from the ground while heavily injure to continue the duel. Hou Ken, injured and coughing blood, thinks to himself on just what exactly all these military warriors are. After that, Hou Ken retreats with Ri Boku and the rest of the Zhao army, saying that he would remember Shin's name.

Western Zhao Invasion Arc[]

Years later, Hou Ken is seen in the wilderness by himself once more honing his skills in a forest some distance away from the Battle at Shukai Plains. On the 9th day of the battle, the Bushin sensed Shin using General Ou Ki's Glaive as he instantly takes the life of Zhao general Gaku'Ei in a single strike. As he felt the Shin's strike tapped on, he roared in rage as the memories of his late nemesis resurfacing in his mind.

Days later on the 14th night of the Battle at Shukai Plains, the Bushin suddenly appeared at Qin's left-wing position, killing all who stood in the way to the command tent. He had traveled far and hoped to find Shin to drown Ou Ki's legacy in a pool of blood and severed anybody in his way. However, Shin was actually at the opposite side of the Qin army, fighting at the right-wing. The left-wing HQ being mauled by Hou Ken was not manned by the Hi Shin Unit, but by Mou Ten and the Gaku Ka Unit. During the bloody affair, Ko Zen who was among those who had perished delaying Hou Ken's advance he managed to surprise the Bushin by stabbing him in his leg in his final moments shocking the Bushin and everyone present. After killing Ko Zen and realizing he was at the wrong place to find Ou Ki's heir, Hou Ken then disappeared into the surrounding forest once again.

On the 15th day, the Bushin reappeared on horseback among the Zhao ranks as they were being stomped by Shi Ryou and her cavalry. Hou Ken single-handedly stopped the Qin momentum, obliterating the cavalry vanguard and roaring with such anger that made all of their mounts unwilling to move ahead, even under the whip of its riders. He then ordered the soldiers of Zhao to take him to where Ri Boku was, which they sheepishly complied with. As Ri Boku was summoned to meet him, the Bushin told the Zhao general that he had come for the "Answer" that was promised to him by Ri Boku a long time ago. Ri Boku replied that he was the one to guide the Bushin to his Answer, but the one who held it was none other than Shin, of the Hi Shin Unit.

As the Hi Shin Unit broke through the Zhao's defenses in the left flank and charged straight to Ribo Ku's Headquarters, Hou Ken once again stood alone against the Qin, this time on foot but still dismembering the Hi Shin cavalrymen in the vanguard, including veteran Kyo Gai and several riders of Duke Hyou who immediately tried to avenge their former master. Hou Ken would certainly have killed Ga Ro and Gaku Rai too if it wasn't for the timely intervention of lieutenant Kyou Kai.

By using all her breath at her Priestess Dance, Kyou Kai moved her sword in a chilling speed, slashing Hou Ken's body multiple times but still unable to deliver a decisive blow. In a supreme effort, she was able to cut two fingers from his left hand, making it harder for her opponent to manipulate his glaive and for a second there, the Qin thought she would kill him, but Hou Ken scoffed at her ability, stating that while she was a mere "god caller", he was a host for a god himself, he was a Bushin.

Hou Ken managed to grab Kyou Kai by her ankle and slams her repeatedly to the ground like a rag doll. However, even as she suffered from each blow, the lieutenant of the Hi Shin Unit still had enough fight in her to stab him in the forearm, enraging the Bushin, who then beat her even harder and tossed her aside like nothing. Her limp body is then caught by Shin as he arrives at the scene and watched in anger at the sight of his comrades butchered all around before the feet of Hou Ken.

Final Showdown[]

With the arrival of Shin, Hou Ken is sent into a mad rage once he saw the young commander was carrying Ou Ki's Glaive. The Bushin attacked the captain of the Hi Shin Unit with such ferocity that the blow threw him aside to a place filled with Zhao cavalrymen - who immediately jumped at the chance of killing him, but Hou Ken would have none of it however as he cuts through them with the same ruthlessness as he had done to the Hi Shin soldiers up until that moment. Chased by Hou Ken, Shin focused on dodging his mighty attacks.

Shin and Hou Ken start to go at each other again and again, but every time they crossed blades Shin is repealed by the Bushin's might. In one of those confrontations, Shin finally managed to withstand Hou Ken's strength, as they both locked blades surprising everyone in the vicinity since no one had come not even close to resist Hou Ken since the start of the 15th day. But not even Shin could hold for long, and he was eventually overpowered one more time, escaping death by blocking a blow to his body in the last second (a blow that crushed his armor and created a gushing wound to his chest). To the astonishment of the crowd gathered around the duel, Shin instantly rose to his feet and renewed his attack.

If Hou Ken was already puzzled by Shin's inhuman tenacity he became even more so after a half-dead Shin was able to not only stop his swings but unbelievably push him back. The path seeker then saw Ou Ki's form looming behind Shin and ended their stalemate by knocking Shin down with a kick to his wounded ribs, following with vicious strikes with his glaive while the young captain had his back to the ground. As Shin defended himself as best as he could against Hou Ken's relentless onslaught, the Qin soldiers decided to interrupt the duel and save their captain, but the men and their mounts were instantly stopped by the Bushin gaze, which was so alien that they simply couldn't move.

No matter how hard Hou Ken struck, Shin was slowly and painfully rising. At this point, the usually silent Bushin inquired his enemy about why he was so persistent, and what he really was after all, to which an annoyed Shin replied "For fu*k's sake...How Many Times...Do Have I to tell you this? A Great General of the Heavens!!" - meaning that the combined strength of all his fallen comrades and vanquished foes were gathered within him. The pair then went after each other's heads once again, but this time evenly matched. As Shin began pushing forward against Hou Ken, the Bushin responded with a flurry of blows making several strikes at his opponent's arms and armor, dropping him to his knees. In a surprising twist, instead of losing consciousness altogether, Shin delivered a huge upwards attack, this time dropping Hou Ken to his knees for the first time.

The Zhao and Hi Shin soldiers were speechless. The combatants were both exhausted and, on their knees, when Shin began to hallucinate, talking like he was answering to his dead comrades who were there to lend him their strength. As they stood up, a drowsy Shin belittled Hou Ken saying that since the Bushin was all alone, his blows had no weight at all. Hou Ken's answer initially came in the form of such a powerful attack that sent Shin to his knees again, but he also lectured Shin saying that the relationships he championed were exactly what's wrong with humanity, chains that keep mankind from moving forward, and that he, as the Bushin, was there to break those chains.

As Zhao Great General Ri Boku, Kaine, and his nearby commanders watched the duel from afar, he pondered that Hou Ken was a person who aimed to elevate mankind to a higher existence by demonstrating his superhuman might, but since he could not defeat Ou Ki, and since he's not being able to squash Shin, that could mean only one thing: no matter how desperately one struggles and tries to claw their way upward, man cannot transcend itself. Even as Hou Ken reached the pinnacle of martial might through individual effort, there was a strength diametrically opposed to that of the path seekers in the likes of Shin and Ou Ki - a strength that stems from all of those who have come and gone in their lives, woven like cloth from the legacies they passed down to them. In the end, the Answer that Hou Ken so fervently sought created a Contradiction that could only mean that the path seekers had been wrong all along.

The duel raged below the Zhao HQ's vantage point, Hou Ken and Shin hammered each other in a bloody frenzy. The soldiers of the Hi Shin Unit shouted with encouragement, but even when Shin managed to create an opening in Hou Ken's guard, he was too weak to take advantage of it. After receiving so much punishment Shin eventually slipped into a semiconscious state while he kept fighting as a man possessed. Every time he fell to his knees, he would come back striking harder and harder. As he grows even more perplex, Hou Ken begins to realize he could actually have been wrong all along, and that the path he had chosen to walk in order to elevate mankind had never even existed in the first place.

But ever true to himself, Hou Ken brushed the self-doubting thoughts aside from his mind and once more crossed blades with Shin. This time, however, his blade broke, shattering into pieces. Instantly, Hou Ken used his momentum to turn around using his cape to block Shin's line of sight and lunged his shattered glaive backward aiming straight at Shin's exposed torso but the captain of the Hi Shin Unit narrowly dodged that fatal stab and brought his glaive down while howling Hou Ken's name. Despite having lost two of his left hand's fingers during his duel with Kyou Kai, Hou Ken still managed to use his glaive's handle to block the full blunt of Shin's strike. However, Shin's pressure was just too much, and the blade slowly came closer and closer to Hou Ken's body until it finally touched his left shoulder.

When a small trickle of blood came from the wound in his shoulder, Hou Ken looked into Shin's eyes and screamed his final words "You! ... You, and them!", right before he received a fate that he himself had delivered to so many of his opponents as the handle of his glaive completely breaks in two with him finally being cleaved in twain. In his final moments, Hou Ken would finally find the "answer" to his path as he saw the memories of his parents, Madame Hou and Master Hou.

Abilities[]

You could say he's pure to a frightful extent. A crystallization of martial skill.

Shou Bun Kun telling the court about the mysterious Hou Ken.

STATS
Strength 100
Leadership Absolutely none
Intelligence I am not stupid
Experience A
Bushin degree: 100!

STATS
Strength 100
Leadership Absolutely none
Intelligence I am not stupid
Experience A
Bushin degree: 100!

STATS
Strength 100
Leadership Absolutely none
Intelligence I am not stupid
Experience B
Bushin degree: 100!

STATS
Strength Over 100
Leadership Absolutely none
Intelligence I am not stupid
Bushin degree: 100!


As a Bushin, Hou Ken was one of the greatest warriors introduced in the series. He was able to slay multiple Great Generals with his martial prowess alone and defeat Kyou Kai in her deepest forms of dances. His martial ability was so vast that he was even compared to a natural calamity, rather than a single martial artist. As a member of Three Great Heavens's second generation, his prowess was recognized to be the greatest in the Zhao Military and the courts of Kantan.

Physical Abilities[]

Glaive Mastery: Hou Ken was one of the greatest wielders of the glaive in the series. With tremendous mastery, he could instantly cut through multiple armored soldiers with one swing and defeat powerful warriors, such as Kyou of the Six Great Generals and Duke Hyou. He could block multiple spears thrown at him in directions but redirect them to kill those nearby or stop the rain of arrows by spinning his glaive with dead bodies acting as his shield.[1][2] He also claimed to be superior to Ou Ki in terms of technique, but was unable to overcome him due to the General's lack of weight and power.[3]

Master Combatant: Hou Ken was shown to be a combative genius in fighting. During his night raid of the Kan Ou Army's campgrounds, he single-handedly fought and survived Kyou Kai's Priestess Dance by reading and predicting her moves while skillfully blocking her finishing attacks until she ran out of breath[4]. Withstood Shin's sword strikes and overwhelmed him after also gauging his ability to be inferior when he and Kyou Kai pincered him.

Immense Strength: Hou Ken's strength was completely monstrous even for a Bushin, he could throw a spear with enough strength to kill 3 grown men as well as overpower entire units single-handedly. It has been revealed in the second statistic sheet that Hou Ken's martial strength is Over 100, this puts him as one of the strongest men in the series. Even without a weapon, he was extremely formidable due to his pure brute strength, having killed a tiger with his bare hands and crushing a Yan soldier's helm-clad head into pulp with just one hand.

Immense Speed: Hou Ken's massive frame belies his supreme speed and reflexes as he could match Kyou Kai's lightning-fast agility.[5] He also outlasted Kyou Kai when she used her Priestess Dance to its furthest extent.[6] He was able to follow her movements and block some of her attacks when she was using the same technique that beheaded 5 assassins in the blink of an eye.

Immense Endurance: In addition to his speed and strength, Hou Ken's immensely robust constitution granted him the tenacity to survived massive wounds that could kill ordinary men. Such as a volley of thousand arrows, falling off a cliff, and being cut across his face by Ou Ki.

Immense Durability: Hou Ken's body was also extremely durable and resilient to damage, that only the strongest fighters were capable of injuring him.

Houken-chi-strike

Hou Ken using the Chi Strike.

Chi Manipulation: As a Bushin, Hou Ken had the ability to indefinitely manipulate his Chi in order to achieve a level of strength on par with Clan Shiyuu's Priestess Dance but without a time limit. Kyou Kai commented that he gives off a sensation of a Shiyuu utilizing her chi.[7]

  • Chi Strike: He could also use a technique where he hits opponent with back end of his glaive in order to send his chi inside his opponent's body and destroy them from within.[8] When used on Shin it was strong enough to seriously wound the young man and nearly kill him.[9]
  • Healing Techniques: Similarly, to his parents, Hou Ken seemed to be capable of using his Chi for healing purposes. This was showcased when he healed a nearly dead Ri Boku during their first meeting.[10]
  • Chi Sense: Hou Ken had the ability to sense the chi of other people. He claimed that the presence of a powerful warriors is what "summons him".[11]

Leadership[]

Since not walking the "path of a general", Hou Ken didn't possess an ounce of commanding skills and only led an army with the assistance of military officers like Ri Boku or Chou Sou. Despite this, he was given the position of one of the Three Great Heavens, his title and monstrous strength boosting the morale of any Zhao Army. However, in truth he did not care for any soldier in his fold, causally killing soldiers that angered him or were in his way during a duel.

Tactical Abilities[]

Despite being called "not stupid", Hou Ken did not walk the path of a military officer and did not have any knowledge nor interest in military tactics. His way of operating often revolved around attacking an enemy's HQ on his own during the night in order to slay any opponents he considered worthy.

Duels[]

  • vs Kyou: Won
  • vs Ou Ki Round 1: Lost
  • vs Shin Round 1: Won
  • vs Kyou Kai Round 1: Won
  • vs Shin Round 2: Won
  • vs Ou Ki Round 2: Won
  • vs Geki Shin: Won
  • vs Duke Hyou: Won
  • vs Shin Round 3: Interrupted
  • vs Kyou Kai Round 2: Won
  • vs Shin Round 4: Lost (mutual kill)

Gallery[]

Vol58colorpage
Hou Ken on Vol.58's color page.
Vol15back
Hou Ken on Vol.15's back cover
Hou Ken Master
Hou Ken's kidnapper and nameless master, moments before slaying his parents.
Baby Hou Ken
A Baby Hou Ken cries as he's being taken away to become a Bushin.
Hou Ken and his Generals
Hou Ken with his Generals after destroying Zhao Cities#Baou.
Skill block
Hou Ken deflecting the volley of arrows with corpses.
Hou Ken kills Yuu Gi
Hou Ken killing Yuu Gi.
Ou Ki VS Hou Ken
Hou Ken dueling General Ou Ki.
Houken Stabs Ouki
Hou Ken stabs Ou Ki.
Houken kills a tiger
Hou Ken training in the mountains.
Hou Ken Slashes Down The Great Trees
Hou Ken shows his power by slashing down some massive trees.
Hou Ken Kills Geki Shin
Hou Ken slays Geki Shin.
Duke hyou loses an arm
Hou Ken severs Duke Hyou's arm.
Shin charges Hou Ken
Hou Ken confronted by Shin.
Shin vs Hou Ken at Sai
Hou Ken having his second duel with Shin of the Hi Shin Unit.
Houken-chi-strike
Hou Ken defeats Shin.
Shin Strikes Hou Ken's Face
Hou Ken's face being struck by Shin.
Hou Ken wounded by Shin
The Bushin would forever carry the scars inflicted by Shin.
Roar of the Bushin
The roar of the Bushin.
Chapter 621 Cover
Hou Ken and Kyou Kai duel each other for the second time, at the Battle at Shukai Plains.
Hou Ken loses his fingers
Hou Ken loses two of his left hand's fingers during his duel with Kyou Kai.
Hou Ken vs Kyou Kai 02
The enraged Bushin

matching Kyou Kai's sword play speed.

Hou Ken vs Kyou Kai 03
Even at a disadvantage, Kyou Kai was able to wound Hou Ken even further.
Hou Ken vs Kyou Kai 04
At last, Hou Ken's might prove too much for the "god caller" of the Hi Shin Unit.
Hou Ken vs Shin - Shukai Plains
Angered at the sight of Ou Ki's Glaive, Hou Ken savagely attacks Shin.
Hou Ken VS Shin 001
Hou Ken overpowering Shin multiple times.
Hou Ken VS Shin 002
Hou Ken and Shin, evenly matched.
Hou Ken VS Shin 003
Shin recovers from a near-fatal blow and smashes Hou Ken.
Hou Ken VS Shin 004
Hou Ken's final moments.
Hou Ken VS Shin 005
Cleaved in twain.
Chapter 628 cover
Hou Ken's final moments.

Hou Ken Character Design anime S1
Hou Ken's character design anime S1
Hou Ken's War Horse anime portrait
Hou Ken's warhorse.
Episode 26 portrait
Hou Ken infiltrates Kyou's camp/
Episode 30 portrait
Hou Ken confronts the Hi Shin Unit/
Shin And Hou Ken's First Meeting anime S1
Hou Ken meets Shin/
Shin Cuts Down Hou Ken anime S1
Hou Ken cut down by Shin.
Hou Ken Strikes Shin With The Back Of His Glaive anime S1
Hou Ken strikes Shin with the back of his podao.
Hou Ken Vanishes Into The Forest anime S1
Hou Ken vanishes into the forest.
Mou Bu Slays Hou Ken's Double anime S1
Hou Ken's double slain by Mou Bu.
Episode 35 portrait
Hou Ken confronts Ou Ki.
Hou Ken anime portrait
Hou Ken in season 2 of anime.
Hou Ken Strikes Geki Shin anime S2
Hou Ken strikes Geki Shin.
Hou Ken Slays Geki Shin anime S2
Hou Ken slays Geki Shin.

Quotes[]

It was as if a natural calamity had descended upon them. In the face of that overpowering violence...There were those that could not even stand...Those that ran away...And those that could not move.

—Narrator

The "violent god" that resides within me will not allow the existence of any other powerful warriors."
Soldiers, Armies, Zhao, Qin...You are all insignificant. The only thing of import is that right here, there are two beings which the Heavens fear, apart from me...there is one more. Even if the heavens were to split and the earth were to sunder...That cannot be allowed!! I AM THE BUSHIN, HOU KEN. COME OUT AND FACE ME, O'ENEMY OF MINE.

—Hou Ken to the Kyou Army

The ability to read an opponent's moves...Obviously does not belong exclusively to you.

—Hou Ken to Kyou Kai

Though, I may have let my down my guard down, nevertheless, A most incredible pair of children you two are. For mere offerings to my "god"...You have done well.

—Hou Ken on Shin & Kyou Kai

Hou Ken was originally a path seeker who had discarded all worldly desires, but after the event of nine years ago, he became an entity of vengeance. A path seeker who has veered off the path is a contradiction. It is only when Hou Ken fights selflessly that his original form is revealed. So long as he can achieve that state once again, he should be invincible.

Ri Boku to Kaine

I finally understand the rumors of you being known as the "manifestation of violence.

Kei Sha on Hou Ken

Just this once, I will allow you to live. However, I shall remember your name, Shin.

—to Shin

YOU!! YOU AND THEM...!!!

—Hou Ken's final words to Shin as the Bushin is cleave in half.

Trivia[]

  • Hou Ken was based on a real historical Zhao general Pang Nuan.
  • Hou Ken is similar to Lü Bu, whose great skill as a military commander is replaced with pure martial skill. The only difference between Hou Ken and Lu Bu is that fact Hou Ken stayed loyal to Ri Boku while Lu Bu is infamous for his many betrayals.
  • Hou Ken was still chasing Ou Ki's shadow as his targets while training had the great general's face on them.
  • Hou Ken shares the same Japanese VA actor, Masaya Takatsuka, with Bi Tou and Ban You.

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Officials
City Lords
Citizens
Military
Great Generals
Three Great Heavens
Generals
Commanders
Soldiers
Affiliates


Characters
Ai
Royal Palace
Royal Family Rou Ai - Queen Mother

Government Chou Kou - Ko Reki
Generals Current
Han O Ki
Former
Wa Tegi

Commanders Han Roki - Ha Mui - Bu Tai
Royal Palace
Royal Family Formerly
Shou Hei Kun

Government Shun Shin Kun
Great Generals Kan Mei - Ka Rin

Generals Formerly
Rin Bu Kun

1000-Man Commanders Haku Rei - Kou Yoku
Han
Royal Family Ou Ou ‡ • Ou AnNei
Prime Minister
Officials
City Lords
Citizens
Military
Great Generals
Generals
Commanders
Strategists
Affiliates
Jo
Residence
Leader Jo Elder

Civilian Shuu (Jo)
Qi
Royal Palace
Royal Family Ou Ken
Military
Generals Ganmo
Qin
Royal Family Current
Ei Sei - Queen Mother - Rei - Rui
Former
Boku Kou - Sei Kyou - Sho - Sou Jou

Government Current
Ri Shi - Ryo Fui - Sai Taku - Shi Shi - Shou Hei Kun - Shou Bun Kun
Former
Ketsu Shi

Royal Harem Amin - Chou Kou - Kou - Rou Ai - You
Great Generals Current
Mou Bu - Tou
Former
Chou Tou - Duke Hyou - Mou Gou

Six Great Generals:
Ko Shou - Kyou - Haku Ki - Ou Ki - Ou Kotsu - Shiba Saku

Generals Current
Do Mon - Heki - Kan Ki - Kan Ou - Ou Sen - Roku O Mi - Ryuu Koku - Shou Kaku
Former
Dou Kin - Ei Bi - En Ka - Koku Gou - Ra Gen - Rin Bou - Ryuu

5000-Man Commanders Ou Hon - Shin

3000-Man Commanders Kyou Kai

2000-Man Commanders Mou Ten

1000-Man Commanders Curent
Hoku Shu - Gaku Rai - Kaku Un - Kan Jou - Ogiko - Ran Dou
Former
Baku Koshin - Jou Han - Kaku Bi - Tai Un

100-Man Commanders Chu Tetsu - Den Ei - Den Yuu - Hai Rou - Kyo Gai - Ryuu Sen

10-Squad Leaders Bi Hei - Ro En - Ryuu Yuu - Seki - Suu Gen - Taku Kei

5-Squad Leaders Former
Batsu Ken - Bi Tou - Bun Ketsu - Hou - Kyou Ji - San Ka - Yuu Gi

Strategists Ka Ryo Ten - Kai Oku - Mou Ki
Mountain Tribe
King Yo Tan Wa

Elders Chouga Elders

Warriors Ba Jio - Fuji - Rankai - Shunmen - Tajifu - Toji
Wei
Royal Family An Ri † • Kei Bin
Prime Minister
Officials
City Lords
Citizens
Military
Great Generals
Fire Dragons of Wei
Generals
Commanders
Strategists
Affiliates
Yan
Royal Family Sho † • KiEn Tan
Prime Minister
Officials
Citizens
Military
Great Generals
Generals
Commanders
Strategists
Affiliates
Zhao
Royal Family Bu Rei † • Tou Jou † • Yuu BokuKaEarl Chou Ki † •
Prime Minister
Officials
City Lords
Citizens
Military
Great Generals
Three Great Heavens
Generals
Commanders
Soldiers
Affiliates

References[]

  1. Chapter 143 Page 14
  2. Chapter 145 Page 14
  3. Chapter 166 Page 10
  4. Chapter 142 Page 2
  5. Chapter 621 Page 13
  6. Chapter 142 Page 8
  7. Chapter 140 Page 7
  8. Chapter 149 Page 11
  9. Chapter 146 Page 6-7
  10. Chapter 623 Page 11
  11. Chapter 140 Page 4
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