Episode 7 "Kouten"
You two were so lively a few days ago...
Then again, all good things must come to an end.
What the heck is wrong with Sanzo and Gojyo?
I believe it's most likely altitude sickness.
It appears that the altitude is already around 3,500 meters in this area.
Can't you go a little slower?
I would appreciate if those who cannot even walk would stop giving orders.
I don't feel bad at all.
It's probably pretty bad unless you have a very strong constitution.
And let's not forget Sanzo is a normal human.
However...
Jeez, Hakkai!
I'm terribly sorry. It appears that even though I'm part demon, I'm reaching my limit, too...
Seriously?
You must be the Genjo Sanzo party!
To think that bounties from the east would come this far west!
Seriously?
They're all pretty helpless like this...
Hakuryu, can you move?
I'll keep them busy for a while,
so while I'm doing that, floor it in reverse and get as far as you can.
Duck, kid!
Huh?
You okay?
Yeah, thanks.
You guys aren't from around here, are you?
We're on a journey,
but the guys with me are a bit...
Did they get altitude sickness?
It's pretty dangerous around here.
With your companions in that state, you're asking for trouble.
Hassan!
This guy's robes... Could he be...
A Sanzo priest?
Yeah, he is.
But isn't he too young?
He could be a beggar disguised as Sanzo-sama.
Don't touch me.
We're going to lead them back to headquarters... Carefully.
Hey, are you sure about this?
We have some medicine that helps with altitude sickness back at our temple.
More importantly, who are you guys?
The Kouten corps.
We're Sharak Sanzo's support squad.
Wow, it's like some secret base.
I can walk.
Are you okay now?
That medicine really did work quite well.
It tasted so bad I wanted to rip my tongue out, though.
We've brought them,
Sharak Sanzo.
A woman?
San...
I'm Sharak Sanzo, 28th in Arhat.
I'm Genjo Sanzo, 31st in China.
Welcome to the west. I welcome you, Genjo Sanzo party.
Sanzo priests are so...
Don't say it.
So our zealous priests are a little overzealous...
A dad joke? Really?
I've pretty much tracked down the source of the negative aura.
So the Gyumaou resurrection experiment is the cause?
Yeah. As the highest ranking priest in the west,
I would prefer to take some soldiers and march right into Houtou Castle.
But I was strictly ordered by Sanbutsushin to stay put
and protect the humans here from the demons.
And how are things here in the west?
Well, it's exactly how it looks.
A few nights after the incident,
larger towns were attacked by the demons and destroyed.
Only small, remote settlements managed to avoid that fate.
Even further west from here is a dangerous area populated by demons.
The humans live cowering in fear of the next attack.
They barely leave their settlements.
We protect their lives and livelihoods.
By patrolling the area, we're able to maintain peace and order.
The Kouten Scripture I protect is the one that governs defense, after all.
The journey from Chang'an must've been rough.
It's pretty impressive that you made it all this way alive.
Does this temple also get attacked by demons all too frequently?
This building is protected by an unseen barrier
from the Kouten Scripture, so the demons can't come in.
The same goes for the surrounding villages.
Sharak Sanzo's able to project a barrier that big with just her power alone?
That's pretty impressive.
Well, she uses mediums, too.
Mediums?
It's sort of like dealing with radio waves.
She uses the altar fittings placed in each villages as receivers,
and sends out holy power from the Kouten Scripture using the bell in this shrine.
Thanks to that, demons aren't able to set foot in the settlements around here.
I see.
So that's why Sharak Sanzo can't leave the area...
There are five Founding Scriptures of Heaven and Earth in total.
Because my predecessor, Koumyou Sanzo, held both the Maten and Seiten Scriptures,
there should've been four Sanzo priests in this generation.
One of them was devoured by a demon in the desert.
The Uten Scripture that was his charge is now in the hands of Gyumaou's followers.
I've heard that the Seiten Scripture that was stolen when Koumyou Sanzo died
has also fallen into their hands.
Which would mean that there are currently three Sanzo priests alive.
But the remaining priest, Ukoku Sanzo who possesses the Muten Scripture,
resides in Houtou Castle as a biotechnologist
and is aiding in the Gyumaou resurrection project.
What?
The true reason he's aiding the demons is unknown,
but one thing is for certain...
He's an enemy.
Which would mean the only scriptures that haven't fallen into Gyumaou's grasp are...
The Maten Scripture in my possession and your Kouten Scripture.
That's it.
It is said that having all five Founding Scriptures would be enough power
to create a new world...
I see.
So the reason that the demons are so persistently coming after this scripture
isn't just because they want to destroy the barrier
that protects this temple and the surrounding villages.
So long as Ukoku Sanzo is on Gyumaou's side,
they'll be able to invoke the power of the scriptures they've gathered.
Regardless of what Ukoku's true motive is,
we need to protect these, no matter what,
so we do not shame the title of Sanzo.
About two years ago,
the Sanbutsushin told me they'd sent the heir of the Maten Scripture to subjugate Gyumaou.
A monk ten years my junior, the youngest to hold the title...
Not to mention that the Seiten Scripture he was supposed to inherit
from his predecessor was stolen by demons...
I was wondering what kind of unreliable greenhorn he'd be, but...
Good work.
It appears that you've been on one hell of a journey, Genjo.
Things are just getting started.
That's...
What's taking Sanzo so long?
I'm sure they've got a lot to talk about.
And I'm sure this is the first time they're both facing another high-ranking priest.
Moreover, isn't this the first time our beloved Sanzo-sama's been alone with a woman?
Can I go take a peek?
Don't you dare.
Sharak Sanzo has transcended gender.
There's no way that she'd do anything impure...
Now, now...
You know it's when those rough-around-the-edges girls
show a bit of cuteness that really gets you.
Well... It's not like I don't get what you're saying—
We can hear you, you shitty, pervy water sprite.
What the hell are you agreeing for?
Ah, are you done with your meeting?
Does being a high-ranking priest obligate you to be high-handed?
Your followers are rather amusing, Genjo.
You can have them if you want, but they're less reliable than shit.
What?
I was just thinking how great it is that we made it here.
What?
So what do you plan to do now?
I'll give you anything we have that might help you on your journey ahead,
be it weapons or food.
Then I'll request some food for now and a map of the area.
Hassan.
We have a recent map of the area, but it's hard to say how accurate it actually is.
The geography of the region has changed because of the incident,
and we haven't been far west since then.
That's plenty, although I'm hoping we could ask to spend the night here, as well.
Why don't you rest two or three days?
You should probably take plenty of the altitude sickness medicine with you, as well.
You want me to drink more of that crap?
Is it that gross?
You wanna try some?
Stiff
Even Hakkai's smile froze for five seconds after he just had a sip of it.
Yeah, I'm good.
No, we'll be happy to take some.
If we're unable to fight again, we'll be sitting ducks for sure.
Sharak-sama!
There are flames rising up from Osk Village, south-southeast from here!
A fire?
But there's something suspicious around the flames.
It's possible that the demons started the fire from the outside.
Hey, out of the way.
Could we ask for one of you to lead the way?
All right. I'll—
Sharak!
Go.
Sanzo, get in the back.
Poor little Sanzo-sama.
The road looks a bit rough, so I can't guarantee your safety.
I'm not too familiar with either guarantees or safety.
That's good to hear.
Damn her...
Come on, let's go!
How dare they put up this stupid barrier!
I guess we'll just have to barbecue them from the inside—
Huh?
You've got some nerve coming into my territory.
Hope you're prepared for the consequences, you little worms.
Goodness, I can actually hear the theme from Battles Without Honor and Humanity.
A-Apparently Sharak Sanzo herself came to greet us...
H-Hey, that guy...
Could he actually be the bounty from the east...
Genjo Sanzo?!
Well, aren't you quite the celebrity, Genjo?
Sadly.
Who cares? We've got two Sanzos and two scriptures.
We're about to get our money and eat flesh that'll give us eternal life.
How lucky can we get?!
Well, then...
You just keep chasing that pipe dream right into hell!
Hey, now... It's gonna get ugly if you forget about us over here.
Sharak, use this opportunity to save the villagers inside.
I'll leave this to you.
Damn it...
Am I not enough Sanzo for you? Talk about picky.
Are you all right?
Sharak-sama!
Sanzo-sama is here!
Everyone, head out of the village!
The demons are being taken care of as we speak.
I ask that the men carry those who are old or can't walk.
Don't cry. Just concentrate on getting out of here alive.
Sharak-sama,
there are so many wounded...
Is my squad not here yet?
Who else can't move? Hurry!
Sorry, there's one more over here.
Got it!
Let's go. I'll lead the way.
Make sure you hold on to the children and cover them as you move.
R-Right...
The villagers are already heading this way.
There's no end to this.
Take care of them in one blow, Sanzo.
Don't order me around.
Om manihatsumeiun...
Makai Tenjo!
Ra sati unu is!
We've managed to evacuate all of the victims who lost their homes in the blaze.
We've also put the fire completely out,
so we will start repairs in the morning.
Good work. I'm counting on you all.
I told you to rest, yet I ended up putting all of you to work.
We're all in the same boat.
Business as usual.
It's true...
that with my power, I'm limited to just protecting the villages around here.
It seems they've caught onto that.
If it were just a quick technique, it'd be one thing,
but I'm sure you're pushed to the limits if you're consistently
invoking the power of the scripture.
I would like to set more receivers around the area and spread the barrier
through this whole territory,
but...
In the end,
you're concerned that would feed into people denying that demons exist at all.
If this were natural selection, it'd be one thing...
But since this situation is entirely man-made,
I just can't accept that one side being completely eliminated is what's best.
I'm definitely relieved
that the last remaining high-ranking priest is a decent person.
Right, Sanzo?
Why are you asking me?
Or, really, isn't it a bit confusing that there are two Sanzos?
It's basically like a job title, right?
Well, it's sort of like we've been calling him department chief or section chief.
At least call me president or chairman.
It'd be a bit awkward to start calling you "Genjo" now.
So what about Gen-san?
Lame!
Gen-san is going a bit too far, so how about Gen-tan or Gen-pyon?
Do you want me to split all three of your heads open?
Honestly...
Your followers are really something, Genjo.
Unfortunately.
Pardon.
We're about to hand out rice to the victims, but would you like to join us for dinner?
Yup! I'll go!
If there's anything I can help with, please let me know.
Don't trouble yourself. You're our guests.
Once I'm done, let's have a drink. I've got some good stuff.
Sharak, do you have a moment?
Really?
I'm dry as a bone!
Do you guys have cola, too?
Well, we have been only drinking butter tea lately...
What were you talking to Genjo Sanzo about earlier this evening?
The scriptures.
You know that by combining the individual powers
of the Founding Scriptures of Heaven and Earth,
you can create new techniques, right?
Sort of... It's not like I've seen it done.
Neither have I.
In order to prevent unknown powers being invoked accidentally,
the Sanzo priests are spread out throughout the land.
Earlier today, we coincidentally happened to invoke ours at the same time,
though we kept somewhat of a distance...
So you realized it, as well?
Yeah. It was subtle, but it was as though our scriptures resonated with each other.
The Maten Scripture and the Kouten Scripture...
I have no idea what kind of techniques
could come to be from their intertwining.
The powers of the Founding Scriptures of Heaven and Earth
are not always guaranteed to work positively.
Meaning we should follow tradition and avoid invoking them at the same time.
It appears so.
Although, I do sort of want to see what'd happen.
What?
Nothing. You just said what I was thinking first.
You said you were going to go help restore the village in the morning, right?
If you don't have enough men, I'll...
Move.
What if I say no?
I've told you time and time again not to look at me as a woman.
And I've told you my feelings over and over.
I don't care if you're a high-ranking priest or a demon.
You're so strange.
So you like Sharak?
Oh, sorry. I got lost looking for the bathroom and heard a familiar voice, so...
I-I see... The bathroom is just...
Hey.
If you're worried about Sharak and our Sanzo, I don't think they're like that.
"Like that"? You...
I've been with Sanzo since way before we started on this journey.
And we're definitely his friends, but...
Sanzo priests are extremely alone at times...
I think the same goes for Sharak.
I know that Sanzo hasn't met any other high-ranking priests like himself
who've gone through the same pain and hardships and could understand all of that...
So I'm really glad we came here.
Genjo Sanzo has some good followers.
I've known Sharak ever since she was training, and I've been in love with her since then.
Right now, I thought I'd be satisfied with just wanting to protect her
in any way possible because she's a high-ranking priest...
But in the end, as a man, I got jealous of the one person she can actually talk to.
I'm a failure as a follower.
Goku sure is taking a long time. I need to take a piss, too.
Well, this building is built in a unique way, so he might've gotten lost.
Well, guess I'll just have to go look for him...
Are you all right?
What the...
It's been a while since the last time I drank.
Gojyo...
Huh? What's up?
No, it's nothing. Don't mind me.
When did that...
Don't hate me...
I didn't have any other choice.
Huh?
What's wrong?
The Kouten Scripture's barrier...
has been broken?!
It begins.
Episode 8 "Barrier"
Episode 8, "Barrier."
Watch without fail.
Lettering: Hoshi Soichiro
Ura Sai
Ura Sai.
Ice
Ow!
Damn, that hurts!
Ice
Ow!
You're late!
Off we go!