Chapter 04 - His God

His God is the fourth chapter of Saiyuki.

Summary
While traveling on foot through the rocky terrain of a mountain pass, the Sanzo-ikkou come across a grand temple and request lodging for the night. They are initially refused entry until one of the monks identifies Genjo Sanzo as a Sanzo priest due to his distinctive robes, sutra, and chakra. Honored by a Sanzo's visit, the monks welcome the ikkou inside. The abbot informs them that Koumyou Sanzo had also payed a visit to this temple ten years ago. Although Sanzo is more than welcome to spend the night, the monks are reluctant to allow the rest of the ikkou to stay, considering them unworthy outsiders, until Sanzo identifies them as his servants.

After being provided with a lavish vegetarian meal and taken to a room to rest, a young apprentice monk named Yo is assigned to attend to the ikkou's needs. Yo expresses his high regard for the Sanzo priests and how overwhelmed he is by this once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet one.

Meanwhile, the abbot and the other monks at the temple express amongst themselves how fortunate they are to be blessed by a visit from two generations of Sanzo priests.

When Yo later discovers the Sanzo-ikkou smoking, drinking, and playing mah-jong, he confiscates their cigarettes and alcohol. The ikkou ask whether there has been any yokai activity at the temple, and learn that the temple is completely unprepared to defend themselves if an attack were to happen, relying on nothing but faith to keep them from harm's way. The ikkou realize that they must not stay long as their presence may draw yokai assassins and endanger the temple.

Shortly afterwards, their fears come to pass as a yokai assassin breaks through the walls of the temple and declares that he has been sent by Kougaiji to kill the Sanzo-ikkou. The assassin begins to kill the temple monks while Yo cowers in terror.

Meanwhile, Sanzo has been summoned by the abbot who requests that Sanzo honor them with an extended visit. Sanzo refuses the request and offers a blunt rebuke when they insist. Just as Sanzo is about to take his leave of the abbot, a panicked monk brings news of the yokai attack.

Up in the Heavens, Jiroushin questions Kanzeon Bosatsu about the motive behind sending the Sanzo-ikkou west by land rather than via the Heavenly Highway. Kanzeon initially responds this is the best way to build the ikkou's skills and solidarity to prepare them for their goal, and then brushes aside this remark to say that it's simply because this way is more fun.