Episode 6: Rancorous Exchange（呪符の怪獣）

On their way to another town, the foursome stumbled across dead bodies of demons covered with Rikudo talismans. Genjo Sanzo found the talismans very familiar...

Inside an inn, a waitress told the foursome that a monk named Rikudo had recently rescued the town from demons by exterminating them with his talismans. Sanzo found the description very familiar to someone he knew. In his thoughts, he sees Gojyo seducing the waitress. Annoyed, he hit Gojyo with the paper fan. Soon, the two fell into a quarrel.

At night, Sanzo had memories of his past. He was actually child who was found abandoned by the riverside. A high priest by the name of Komyo Sanzo found him and adopted him as his own and named him Koryu. During his brought up in the Kinzan temple, Koryu was often named as ‘Kawamono’ (river thing) or ‘demon’ by the other monks who were jealous of him because of his status as Komyo Sanzo’s personal student at his young age. Still, Koryu made friends with a monk named Shuei, who was also a skilled talisman master. Unlike the other monks, Shuei believed Koryu was a special person despite Koryu’s disbelief in gods. As a token of their friendship, Koryu gave Shuei his bead necklace (the only possession that was with him when Komyo Sanzo found him). Then, one night, on his way to Komyo Sanzo’s room, Koryu experienced something that he thought that would never happen.

Genjo Sanzo (Koryu) woke up, sweating in cold fear. Hakkai was there with him. Like Genjo, Hakkai hate the rain because the rain brought them bad memories. Suddenly, a scream was heard coming from the kitchen. The foursome arrived at the scene and thrashed up the demons. From nowhere, Rikudo talismans flew onto the demons’ bodies and turned them into ashes. Genjo immediately recognized Rikudo as Shuei. However, he sensed an evil presence in him.

Hakkai, Goku & Gojyo decided to return to their rooms when Rikudo (Shuei) stopped them because he felt their demon presence. He was about to attack the trio when Genjo Sanzo stepped in. Rikudo was rather shocked to see him but he recovered quickly and criticized Genjo for traveling with demons, as they were the ones responsible for Komyo Sanzo’s death 10 years ago. Then, he told him that what had happened after his disappearance.

10 years ago, the monks in Kinzan temple held a meeting during which, Koryu (Genjo Sanzo) reported to them that the demons killed Komyo Sanzo during their failed attempt to steal the Sutras of Heaven & Earth. However, the monks disbelieved him and though that he was the murderer. Shuei instantly defended Koryu, who remained very calm. Removing his headband, Koryu revealed his charka mark on his forehead. The night of Komyo Sanzo’s death, Komyo Sanzo had decided that Koryu to be his successor with his new name, Genjo Sanzo. Upon seeing the charka mark, the senior monks declared Genjo Sanzo as the 31^st Toa Genjo Sanzo and heir to the Heaven & Earth Sutras. After the declaration, Genjo secretly left the temple with the Sutras. As soon as he left, a group of demons attacked the Kinzan Temple, killing all the monks. Shuei was nearly left for dead but he used the forbidden Araya talisman to relieve him.

Removing his sleeve, Shuei showed the Araya talisman that was deeply rooted on his chest. Though Shuei was revived, he had to kill demons in order to cease the painful side effects of the Araya talisman but it didn’t matter because the townspeople see him as a savior. Genjo Sanzo cursed as he realized that Shuei was completely possessed by the Araya talisman. The foursome decided to leave the inn.

While running in the streets, Shuei attacked them. As Hakkai, Goku & Gojyo fought Shuei, Sanzo stood by watching. He remembered Komyo throwing orange paper planes in the blue sky & his comments on how the 2 contrasting colours enhanced each other. Deep in his thoughts, Sanzo confessed to himself that he never felt so helpless on the night of Komyo’s death as well as tasting the failure of being unable to protect him.

The trio seemed to have a hard time with Shuei. Sanzo came to a decision to kill Shuei with his handgun. Goku objected because he felt that Sanzo shouldn’t kill his friend, Shuei. Due to the distraction, Shuei came from behind and threw his staff at Goku. Sanzo pushed Goku away and took the fatal blow. His actions shocked Hakkai, Goku & Gojyo completely.

As Sanzo lost conscious, he heard the trio calling out to him. top

*****

Episode ７: Good night（黄昏の別れ）

Shuei (now possessed by the Araya Talisman) threw his staff at Goku. For some reason, Sanzo pushed Goku aside and took the blow…

At the sight of Sanzo bleeding, Goku went berserk and had flashbacks of his past. One of them was a man who looked very much like Sanzo. In the midst of his madness, Goku’s headband broke into pieces, allowing Goku to transform in his true demon form. Hakkai recognized Goku’s demon form as Seiten Taisei (Goku’s name in his previous life). The demon Goku pouched on Shuei and attacked him. As Hakkai healed Sanzo, he told the stunned Gojyo to deal with Goku before he gets out of control. Sanzo was still alive and luckily for him, his vital organs were unharmed but there was one problem.

Goku nearly had Shuei torn into pieces if it wasn’t for the bead necklace (the very same bead necklace that Genjo Sazno gave Shuei) that mysteriously glowed on its own. Using the opportunity, Shuei retreated, vowing to return to kill the foursome. Then, Goku (still in his demon form) turned on Gojyo & attacked him. Gojyo held onto Goku in hopes to return him into his normal self. At that moment, a bright golden light shot down from the sky and onto Gojyo and Goku. A ring of golden light descended from the skies and placed itself onto Goku’s head, returning Goku to his original form. Goku fell into Gojyo’s arms, unconscious. From behind the surprised Gojyo & Hakkai, a barefooted woman appeared – it was the goddess of Mercy, Kanzeonbosatsu.

Kanzeonbosatsu explained to Gojyo & Hakkai that Goku’s demonic control device was made of the materials that a god could only produce. Turning her attention on the unconscious Sanzo, Hakkai told her that Sanzo’s wounds were healed but he had lost a lot of blood. Kanzeonbosatsu smirked and suddenly kissed Gojyo. Licking her lips, she told Gojyo that she had absorbed some of his blood & energy (Gojyo instantly became weak and collapsed onto the floor). Lifting Sanzo’s head, she kissed him. After healing Sanzo, she told Hakkai if they wish to repay her, they must stop the revival of Gyumao. (The strange thing about her is that her shadow is shaped like a bird & she called Genjo, Konzon Douji)

Later, Hakkai found Goku sitting on a chair, watching Sanzo sleeping. Goku told Hakkai that he had no memories of his berserk state, including memories of his previous life. All he could remember that he did something very terrible and was locked up in a rock prison in Mt. Gogyo for years till Sanzo came and freed him. Goku then blamed himself for being useless and causing Sanzo’s condition. Hakkai comforted him and succeed in cheering him by saying that he was going to do the cooking. Delighted, Goku ran off to the kitchen. After he left, Hakkai told Sanzo (who was awake the entire time) not to reopen his wound, as he didn’t want him to have the same wound as he has.

After resting for some time, Sanzo prepared to leave. Outside, Gojyo quietly told him to use the window instead through the door, as Hakkai & Goku would definitely prevent him from going. He also told him that the beads that Sanzo had given to Shuei were the last resorts that had kept Shuei from being fully possessed by the Araya Talismans. Sanzo told him to mind his own business and left.

In some parts of the forest, Shuei could hear someone calling his name. Running through the forest, he sees Sanzo sitting on a rock, chanting. In the midst of their fight, Shuei’s necklace broke and Sanzo could see Shuei struggling against the Araya talisman’s control over his body. In the end, Sanzo forcefully shot him. Shuei dies with a smile on his face.

Sanzo then remembered Komyo talking about the birds that were flying to the north. Komyo believed that the birds weren’t exactly truly free creatures because they always must find a place to rest their feet. Therefore, the meaning of true freedom was to have a place to return to. Tired, Sanzo walked out of the forest to find Hakkai, Goku & Gojyo waiting for him inside a jeep.

Meanwhile in heaven, Kanzeonbosatsu commented that no matter how many they reincarnate, foursome were exactly the same as they were 500 years ago. top

*****

Episode 8: Confront（死を占う男）

For the past 3 days, the foursome had been attacked by Kougaji’s assassins. Meanwhile, in Tenjiku, Gyokumen Koshu wants to know when would Kougaji obtain the Genjo Sanzo’s Sutra of Heaven & Hell.

Gyokumen Koshu explained to Kougaji that (based on Dr. Ni Jen Yi’s research) in order to revive Gyumao, they need all the 5 Sutras of Heaven & Hell, which were the key elements in balancing the order of life. So far, Gyokumen Koshu had obtained one Sutra (which originally belonged to the late Komyo Sanzo). In exchange for Kougaji’s services, Gyokumen Koshu was willing to let him have his mother freed from a stone-binding spell as long as she becomes Gyumao’s only wife.

Kougaji returned to the room where his mother was held prison in the stone-binding spell. Deep down inside, he felt that the foursome had something special that he didn’t have. Yaone came in, panting. She told him his younger stepsister Lilin was missing. Dokugakaji came in and reported that one of the Hiryus (dragons used for transportation) was missing as well. Kougaji became worried and believed that Lilin had overheard his conversation with Gyokumen Koshu and had gone in search of Sanzo.

As for the foursome, they had arrived in a town. While walking along the streets, they came across a mysterious fortune-teller by the name of Qing Yi Se who told them that they were destined to die, especially Hakkai. Pointing his finger at Hakkai, Qing described him as hypocrite because Hakkai had committed great sins in his past.

Suddenly, a huge crab creature appeared and started destroying the town. Hakkai turned around and found Qing missing. Hakkai suspected that Qing could the one responsible for the crab creature. Just when the foursome was about to attack the crab creature, Lilin appeared and killed the creature.

Meanwhile, Kougaji, Yaone & Dokugakaji traced Lilin’s whereabouts to the outer rims of the town. Dokugakaji commented that though Lilin was Kougaji’s stepsister, Kougaji did really care about her. He then revealed a bit of his past – his father had a mistress and eventually, he had a younger brother who had red hair. In Dokugakaji’s opinion, Kougaji had a slight resemblance of his younger brother. Dokugakaji told Kougaji to live his own life and no matter what path he chooses, he would always be by his side.

Delighted at her victory, Lilin faced the foursome who was too stunned because Lilin was just a little girl (Gojyo described her as a female version of Goku). Lilin was furious and wanted to attack when Sanzo stopped her and offered a meat bun, which Lilin happily accepted (dumbfounding Hakkai & Gojyo).

Then, Kougaji, Yaone & Dokugakaji appeared. Kougaji demanded to have his sister. The foursome obliged very much as Lilin jaunty waved. However, Goku wanted to have rematch with Kougaji and the two ended up fighting. Yaone fought Hakkai after greeting each other very formally. Sanzo & Lilin stood by watching. While Gojyo fought Dokugakaji, he had a shocking discovery that Dokugakaji was actually Sha Jien. Dokugakaji told him that he had devoted his life in serving Kougaji (who took him in years ago without questioning). Gojyo replied that he too felt towards Sanzo and the others.

While they were fighting, Qing was watching them.

*****

Episode 9: Lethal Trap (戦いの宴)

The mysterious fortuneteller Qing Yi Se was watching Sanzo & his gang fighting against Kougaji & his followers…

While fighting against Goku, Kougaji was having inner struggles and fought very poorly. Then, he questioned Goku on what basis does he fight for. Goku replied his reason for fighting was for himself. Kougaji was shocked by his answer but quickly understood what Goku meant. Unlike him, Goku had immense self-confidence and freedom, thus, allowing him to have no hesitation in his battles whatsoever. Kougaji realized that he must break free from his worries and concerns about his spell-bounded mother.

Meanwhile, Qing was having his eyes set on Hakkai whom he called him Cho Gono. Then using Shikigami talismans, he summoned an even bigger and larger crab creature. Strangely (or rather stylishly), Goku & Kougaji decided to work together. While Goku distract the creatures, Kougaji will summon a creature from the demonic dimension to destroy the crab creature. As he planned, Kougaji called upon a fiery demon that burnt the crab creatures to ashes instantly.

Later, Kougaji decided to depart after promising Goku to have a rematch. After they left, Sanzo felt Kougaji was not the mastermind behind the revival of Gyumao but someone else who had greater influential and power. In Tenjiku, Gyokumen Koshu was informed of Kougaji’s activities including Lilin’s safety. Gyokumen Koshu was rather pleased because she needed Lilin for the revival of Gyumao.

Before the foursome continued their journey, Hakkai found something on the ground. Picking it up, the object crumbled to dust, showing a tile craved with the word, ‘sin’ on it. Hakkai collapsed frightened, recalling Qing’s words. top

*****

Episode 10: Fake the Face （偽りの救世主）

In a village, an elder was telling the children a story of a man with a red charka on his forehead & sutras upon his shoulders, who had come to rescue a village when it was attacked by demons. The name of the man was Sanzo …

Coincidently, the foursome happened to be at the same village where the story was told. While sightseeing, they accidentally bumped into a kid. The kid looked up and saw Sanzo. Remembering the story, the kid excitedly shouted, ‘Sanzo!’ At the outburst, the villagers immediately surrounded the foursome.

Inside a house, the villagers told the foursome that Sanzo (not Genjo Sanzo) had rescued their village from demons 400 years ago. Since their ancestors weren’t able to thank Sanzo, they made a promise to welcome any Sanzo who comes to their village. After hearing this, Genjo Sanzo was about to leave when the Goku & Gojyo held him & shut him up. Taking the opportunity or advantage of Sanzo, the trio (Goku, Gojyo & Hakkai) requested the villagers to provide them with food (especially meat dishes), women and alcohol.

When the villagers left, Sanzo sighed because he knew that the villagers would demand him to preach some sutras to them (which he hates the most). The trio seemed to be comfortable with the idea when 4 strangers appeared, claiming to Sanzo, Goku, Gojyo & Hakkai. Immediately, the foursome burst into laughter at the sight of the imposters. However, the villagers were confused and couldn’t tell which group was the imposters. So, they decided to put the foursome into jail.

In jail, Goku complained of hunger despite Sanzo’s relief to be spared from preaching. Hungry, Goku asked the guard to give him some food. When he was denied, Goku spontaneously pulled the bars and let himself out. The guard freaked out at the sight. Before he could escape, the foursome caught him and made him bring them food, cigarettes and alcohol. As for the 4 imposters, they were given the ‘best hospitality’ in the world (that is puny sized vegetarian meals). Still, the 4 imposters decided to continue to con the villagers as much as they could. However, a demon materialized in their room and cast a spell over them.

Back in jail, the foursome had already sensed the demon’s presence. To confirm their suspicion, the jail guard had fled for his life after being chased by 4 zombies (who were the 4 imposters). After a short fight, the foursome knocked the zombies unconscious. Unknown to the demon, Sanzo had sneaked up behind him. Using the Sutra of Heaven & Hell, Sanzo caught the demon in its grasp and killed him. When the villagers saw Sanzo with the Sutras (as spoken in the story), they finally realized that he was the real Sanzo.

Once the demon had been killed, the 4 imposters returned to their human self. The foursome warned them not to imposter as them again. As for the villagers, they wanted to thank Sanzo but he rejected their offer. The reason that he killed the demon was not for them but for himself.

On a road, the 4 imposters bumped into Kougaji & his group (Yaone, Doukagaji & Lilin). Still hadn't learnt their lesson, the 4 imposters boastfully claimed to be Sanzo & his followers… (You know what will happen next!)

*****

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