Kougaiji had to do his stepmother's bidding in order to save his hahawe* who was cursed in by Gyokumen Kyoshu to remain as a stone statue on the pillar. Gyokumen has questioned Kougaiji's capability of obtaining Sanzo's kyomon* which was vital in reviving Gyuumoao. Gyokumen threatens that if Kou is not capable of obtaining the kyomon, his hahawe will be stuck on the pillar forever.
Meanwhile, Sanzo-ikkhou had to pass a desert in order to get to the next town. On their way there, they were attacked by a youkai who releases poisonous gas. He was easily defeated by the Maten Kyomon's demon purifying power, but not before he poisoned Sanzo. Before Sanzo's companions could make a move to rush him to a doctor, Kougaiji appeared before them and demanded a fight. This time however, he was alone. But what Sanzo-ikkhou did not expect was that the prince was having a device that will increase his power but not without certain side effects. As Sanzo-ikkhou refuse to comply to Kou's demant to hand over the kyomon, they resolve to fight. If Sanzo-ikkhou wins, they get Kou's hiryuu* which will enable them to fly to the next town to get Sanzo treated quickly but if Kou wins, he will get Sanzo's kyomon.
Kougaiji tuvo que hacer las órdenes de su madrastra para salvar a su hahawe *, quien fue maldecido por Gyokumen Kyoshu para permanecer como una estatua de piedra en el pilar. Gyokumen ha cuestionado la capacidad de Kougaiji para obtener el kyomon * de Sanzo, que fue vital para revivir a Gyuumoao. Gyokumen amenaza con que si Kou no es capaz de obtener el kyomon, su hahawe se quedará atascado en el pilar para siempre. Mientras tanto, Sanzo-ikkhou tuvo que atravesar un desierto para llegar a la siguiente ciudad. En su camino hacia allí, fueron atacados por un youkai que libera gas venenoso. Fue fácilmente derrotado por el poder purificador del demonio de Maten Kyomon, pero no antes de que envenenara a Sanzo. Antes de que los compañeros de Sanzo pudieran hacer un movimiento para llevarlo a un médico, Kougaiji apareció ante ellos y exigió una pelea. Esta vez, sin embargo, estaba solo.
