Chapter 28 - Sandstorm

Sandstorm is Saiyuki's twenty-eigth chapter.

Summary
The Sanzo-ikkou drive Jeep through a desert shortcut, complaining of the heat and blowing sand. They see a boy walking and stop to ask how long it will be before they reach the end of the desert. The boy tells them that the desert has grown since their map was made, and offers to bring them back to his village to stay the night. Sanzo figures the spread of the desert is another effect of the Minus Wave.

As Sanzo removes his cloak, revealing his robes, the villagers tell the Sanzo-ikkou that they are no longer welcome to stay. A year ago another sanzo priest had stopped to spend the night at the village, and when the desert yokai heard about it they attacked the village to eat the sanzo priest. Sanzo asks the village boy to tell them the way to the desert yokai's lair.

Meanwhile, at Hoto Castle, Kougaiji and Dokugakuji are on their way to the desert to search for one of the cosmic foundation sutras which is supposed to be there. Ni Jienyi stops to talk with them, asking them if they want to know the truth about that a fleeting paradise Togenkyo really is. He tells them that every taboo is rooted in tradition, revealing that all those born from intercourse between a human and a yokai will be unable to reproduce and that "an abnormality brought about by mixing science and yokai magic would call to them through their very DNA." He also leaves them with a warning: "If you care for something, don't let go of it."

As Ni leaves, Lirin and Yaone come running up to Kougaiji. Lirin accuses Kougaiji of leaving without her again, and Kougaiji placates her with the promise of bringing her back something to eat. As Kougaiji remembers Ni's warning, he thinks to himself that it goes without saying, because the ones he cares for are all that he lives for.

Elsewhere, Ni says to himself that there is no truth, and all there is is what he can touch with his own hands. In one hand, he squeezes his bunny doll.

Back at the desert, the ikkou have arrived at the spot where the yokai lair is said to be hidden under the sand. Sanzo reveals that the reason he wanted to come here is to search for the sutra that belonged to the eaten sanzo priest. He wants to find it before it falls into the hands of Gyumaoh's people. Suddenly, the ikkou begin to sink into the sand. Jeep desperately attempts to grab hold of Hakkai by the sleeve, but Hakkai tells him to let go so as not to be pulled under as well. Soon, all four have disappeared beneath the sand, leaving a distressed Jeep alone to circle the sky above.

Meanwhile, in the heavens, Kanzeon Bosatsu and Jiroushin play a game of shogi when Kanzeon questions the latest move.