Saiyuki (最遊記)

If it ain't Ukoku-han!

Long time no see, Hazel. How have you been?

You've grown up.

You've even become the graceful man.

Oh, quit it. That part of ya

has never changed, Ukoku-han.

Ah, Gat. Remember what we talked about before?

This is Ukoku-han.

Dr. Sanzo Ukoku.

When I was younger,

he used to stay with us in the church for two weeks.

He taught me about other continents, about Shangri-la,

and many other things.

You came all the way here just to see me, didn't you?

What're ya talkin' about? Ya didn't even leave a trace.

Oh, by the way...

How is Bishop Filbert?

Master... is gone.

Ten years ago, by a monster he couldn't defeat.

Oh... I didn't know.

Sorry to hear that...

What a shame.

We were so close to getting into town without any incidents.

It's more trouble than it's worth to have them come after we've entered the town.

I'm starving!

I'm tired of hearing that monkey talk.

Sanzo and the group! Your lives and that scripture

are mine!

I'm tired of hearing that line too.

Monk! You don't have to

deal with them!

Please enter the premises here!

But...

Just come!

Hakkai.

As if I'll let you!

In the end, the demons will reach the town.

Hey, beyond this is...

Forget it. We'll just wait till they leave.

Next time, that scripture is mine!

Huh?

They backed out.

What's going on?

This town is protected by a holy power.

A holy power?

Wow.

This town's huge!

What do you mean, "holy power"?

This town used to be threatened by demons, too.

Since Soushin-sama became the head of this town a few years ago,

demons couldn't set foot

in these premises.

The barrier the head put up protects this town.

Barrier? But we're here just fine.

Ah!

So, that's what it is.

There's nothing to worry about then.

Indeed.

A town inaccessible to demons...

Doesn't that seem dubious to you?

I mean, we got in just fine.

But the monsters that attacked us

couldn't do the same.

Well, you guys are out of the norm for demons.

Maybe this weak barrier doesn't affect you.

Oh, whatever.

It means we get a good night's sleep, right?

Sanzo, I know it's a little late to ask this, but...

What?

It's about the Tenchi Kaigen Kyoumon.

You're seriously asking that now?

I'd heard of it, but...

I don't know much.

Well, originally, only Sanzo heirs

can tell you more about

the scripture, after all.

Tenchi Kaigen Kyoumon not only has

Maten, which I have, and Seiten,

but there are also Uten, Muten, and Kouten.

The ones chosen to be the guardians

of these fives scriptures are called the Sanzo Priests.

Just as the Maten has the power to purify evil,

the other scriptures also have different abilities.

Every single one of them

possesses tremendous power,

But apparently, we can combine them

to create even more advanced techniques.

In fact, I'm not even sure I've seen

the other scriptures' powers with my own eyes.

Wow, you can combine their powers?

That sounds interesting.

Not really.

The Tenchi Kaigen Kyoumon is said to have been used

in the creation of this world....

If all five are in place,

I can't even begin to imagine what will happen.

That's why the Sanzo priests consciously went to different places

to make sure the five don't

come together.

I see.

Is a cheeky priest like him

even allowed to have two of that dangerous thing?

I mean, it's not the priests who are great.

It's the scriptures, isn't it?

I can hear you. Besides, the Tenchi Kaigen Kyoumon's power

can only be harnessed by Sanzo...

What's wrong, Sanzo?

No, it's nothing.

To think Bishop Filbert was killed...

Hazel, what do ya pray for every day?

I dunno either. No matter how much I pray,

neither my mother nor father comes out.

Hey, Master,

does God really exist?

He does.

God is right here in everyone's heart.

Master...

That's why, Hazel. Pray to yerself, okay?

You'll be able to see a lot of things then.

Master was a really good exorcist, but...

I guess he was too kind. He let his guard down.

That may be true, but not me. Monsters and humans

are incompatible beings... Believing this,

I've made it all the way to Shangri-la. But on the way,

I met a nasty bunch.

Now, I'm a little confused as to whether it's right or not...

By the way, what happened to

the demon that killed Filbert?

I think it fled. For some reason,

my memories from that time are fuzzy.

I seem to remember being attacked.

And that Master was even killed...

It must have been a monster with incredible power.

Yeah... There's also a monster

with that much power here in Shangri-la.

It's even said that it's the source of all evil.

Hey, Hazel.

Have you ever heard of the Great Sage Saiten?

You know,

this town is so noisy that you guys look like mobs.

Excuse me...

Hmm?

Is he perhaps

Priest Sanzo?

You got the wrong guy.

Don't be a pain in the ass.

What can we do for you?

Oh, well, we heard Priest Sanzo

is here in town, so we wanted to say hello.

Especially Soushin-sama.

He's the Taoist who saved our people from the demons and is the head of this town.

It is truly an honor to have you, Priest Sanzo,

the highest ranking priest in Shangri-la,

stop by our town.

I heard this town is bounded by the barriers

so demons can't set foot in this place.

Two years ago, I happened to drop by

and performed a spell on the town,

which led to my becoming the head of the town.

You must be awfully powerful

to be able to shield a town as huge as this.

Oh, not at all.

After all, today's monsters

are no different from human if you control their power with a device.

Haha, I see, that's for sure.

However, if you're as skilled as I am,

you'll be able to tell at a glance

whether you're human or not.

Well, don't worry about it.

The festival will be held this evening. Please

enjoy our town at your leisure.

Thank you.

A festival? That sounds like fun!

Let's go.

Oooh, awesome!

Even the back alleys are crowded.

So, what do you think about the head?

There's something fishy about him.

He sounded like he knew what he was talking about,

but I bet he can't even tell we're demons.

Anyway, I can tell he's hiding something.

It's just...

In fact, this town is flourishing,

maintaining a peaceful balance.

No matter what that Taoist is up to

is none of our business.

Oh, you babes are twenty?

Yup!

- What about you? - Pops, how much for this?