Starry Sanzou-chan Goes to Ancient India

1)
Mashu enters the control room and finds Roman holding a paper scroll, which he says is an ancient book.

>Roman: “Old books have such a nice smell. It’s so charming… [Deep smelling noises]”
>Mashu: “I see, so in short, these are the kind of goods the doctor has a fetish for. My apologies for barging in. From now on, I’ll pretend not to have seen anything.”
>Roman: “I’m not that much of a bibliomaniac! I just got asked to move this from the warehouse! It’s something rumoured to have belonged to an important person and got brought into Chaldea.”

It was Da Vinci who asked him to fetch it, and Mashu guesses that it might be as a summoning catalyst just as you walk into the room.

>Mashu: “Good day, Senpai. It looks rather gaudy, doesn’t it?”
>Protagonist: “So what smell does Mashu like?”
>Mashu: [Blushing] “From what point were you listening? Ahhh, but it’s true. Even though I’m young and inexperienced, I like this sort of thing. It’s a smell I’d like to grow fond of. The smell of the earth, the smell of grass, the smell of freshly-baked bread. Fou-san has a bit of the smell of the sun. A-and Senpai’s room… sometimes… mumblemumble…”

Roman apologizes for interrupting, but he says the room’s systems suddenly activated by themselves for some reason, and Mashu realizes that the summoning mechanism suddenly booted up.

>Roman: “This is completely backwards Leonardo! Stop this experiment at once!”

The Ley Shift mechanism kickstarts itself even though you’re not inside the Coffin, and everyone panics as you are suddenly sucked in by the transfer.

>Protagonist: “I should really have a good talk with Da Vinci-chan after this…”


You awake somehow pinned beneath a boulder, and ??? asks you if you’re okay.

>???: “’Where is this?’ North of Loulan, west of Hami, on the limits of the great Tang Country, where Gaochang begins…”

Meaning north of Taklamakan Desert, northwest of ancient China.

>???: [Still going] “…where the mountains reach the heavens, at the foot of the Mountain of the Five Elements, and below a very heavy-looking rock.”
>Protagonist: “…are you playing with me?”
>??:”Eh? But you’re so calm that you didn’t seem like a normal person. On the other hand, you don’t seem like an evil spirit either. Alright, prepare yourself! No doubt, you’re one of the partners I’ve been looking for! This meeting must be the Great Buddha’s guidance! I am Genjou Sanzou! And you are!?”
>Protagonist: “Humanity Continuation Guarantee Agency FENIS CHALDEA’s Master.”

The other choice is giving your name in a rough-sounding manner (“Ossu! I’m [Name]!) which, not coincidentally, happens to be the way Son Goku introduces himself in Dragon Ball. Anyhow, Sanzou decides to first get your from below the rock.

>Sanzou: [Fuck you I'm not translating this Chinese shit. It's some prayer to Buddha]!
>Sanzou: “Alright, you okay? No wounds? Need a bandaid?”
>Protagonist: “I’m alright.”


She introduces herself, and it’s just like in Journey to the West: she’s a novice monk sent by the Tang emperor to retrieve the holy sutras from India. You actually cut her off just as she’s going to explain the last part and say it for her, which takes her by surprise.

Turns out she was lost her way, was attacked by evil spirits, her horse got eaten by monsters and she’s been wandering and fighting by herself for days.

You spend a while explaining her who you are, where you’re from and all the stuff about Grails and Singularities, which she finds interesting. She believes Buddha brought you here through time to help her

>Sanzou: “So? Do you have a way to go back? Some tool to fire a rescue flare?”
>Protagonist: “Nope.”

Since you have nowhere to go (and she clearly needs help badly) she graciously offers to make you her disciple.

>Protagonist: “So long as I’m Disciple Number One.”
>Sanzou: “Alright, no problem! You’re my first disciple! Yaaaay!”

She then says that she’s got some faint memories of having already made this trip before, but that she somehow can’t remember anything concrete and believes there’s a meaning to you both being here. She says that this might be a “simultaneously arising cause”, that is, a cause that arises at the same time as its result, which is a principle of Karma mentioned in the Abhidharmakośakārikā. In any case, she’s roped you into being her bodyguard.

>Sanzou: “So… uhm, so you should start calling me Master!”
>Protagonist: “Don’t push it, Sanzou-chan.”
>Sanzou: “[Pouting] Such an insubordinate disciple won’t make it to Nirvana!”

Anyhow…

>Sanzou: “Ready now, to the lands of Xitian and the far-away India! GO WEST! GO!”

Back in Chaldea, Roman and Mashu are trying to wake you up (remember, Ley Shift is only spiritual, your body is still there.) Mashu asks him to at least send her to whatever coordinates you got flushed to, but he has no idea what those are, so he can only promise to do all he can to find you and bring you back.

2)
Sanzou suddenly recovers some of her memories as you walk, and she recalls that she once had three disciples.

>Protagonist: “Those were… A monkey, a pig and… a Kappa?”
>Sanzou: “Kappa…? Kappa… I don’t know what that is… Kappa… Kappapa…”

The other option is to say “Black Panther, Puppy and Glasses,” which she finds even more confusing. If I have to guess what that means:  http://imgur.com/92mzDbc

>Sanzou: “But, a monkey… if it’s a monkey… Son… Son Goku! My reliable first disciple!”
>Protagonist: “There was a previous disciple?”
>Sanzou: “Ah, sorry. I made you my first disciple, so saying that was wrong. But this is a problem. A big problem. ”

She remembers Son Goku, Cho Hakkai and Sha Gojyo (Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing in Chinese) and talks about how she has now once again granted companions by Buddha and how mysterious her travels always are.

>Protagonist: “You’ll have to make do with your new First Disciple.”

She blushes and scolds/encourages you to not think so lightly of the whole thing, but finally agrees that you probably should get more help if you’re to make it to India.

>Sanzou: “Like… Cho Hakkai maybe…”
>???: “Buhiii~ Buhiii~”
>Protagonist: “Buhi?”
>Sanzou: “That’s…! That’s a pitiful pig’s voice!”
>Protagonist: “Could it be Cho Hakkai!?”

You go check…

>David: “I’m squealing~ I’m squealing a lot~”
>Protagonist: “Ah. Yep, that’s a pig for sure.”


>Sanzou: “This guy is David… isn’t he? He’s trapped under a rock just like you.”
>David: “Oh no no, I’m the handsome Cho Hakkai. You’d expect to find me in a place like this, wouldn’t you?”
>Sanzou: “You know him? So he’s a member of Chaldea too?”
>Protagonist: “You know, it’d be fine if we just left him…”

She refuses though, does the Chinese incantation thing and frees him. David happily thanks her and whines a bit about how he was ostensibly crying out for help, though you don’t seem to buy that he was in so much trouble.

>David: “It really hurt! I assure you! That way I get to claim damages afterwards!”

In the legal sense. He’s acting injured in order to sue for cash.

>David: “Ah, no, better be prudent about that matter for now. You must be Genzou Sanzou… you are even more beautiful than I had heard. That dress is so glamorous, it might even be fit for a wedding. Perhaps this meeting was predestined?”
>Sanzou: “Eh? This is Kesa granted to me by Nyorai… it’s not a wedding dress…”

He wants to marry her so he wants to enlist as Cho Hakkai, though she’s not really receptive. He says that there’s actually one more guy under another rock nearby, but that his pride refuses to let him cry for help, which David thinks is silly.

>Protagonist: “You could use some pride yourself…”


It turns out to be Li Shuwen.

>Shuwen: “I thank you for releasing me from that predicament. I’m called Li Shuwen, a simple uninteresting assassin. From here on, I will be Sha Gojyo of the Three Disciples.”
>Protagonist: “That okay, Sensei?”
>Shuwen: “Ha. For a Servant, there’s no difference between performing a song and dance or a Chinese opera. Why would I refuse a request from a wise and famous monk? Not to mention, I get to meet the great Genjou Sanzou that I learned about in children’s tales since I was a child. I could not be more pleased.”

Sanzou thanks him for his politeness, saying that she’s happy to have him on board.

>Shuwen: “Of course, for Master’s sake, I will offer you the decapitated heads of what enemies we encounter.”
>Sanzou: “De-decapitated!? A freshly severed head? No no no no, pointless killing is forbidden! Forbidden!”

You are suddenly surrounded by wild beasts, and Shuwen asks Sanzou if it’s okay to fight in self-defence. She allows it, though she asks that you try to drive them off rather than killing, which makes him amused at her benevolence.



After the fight, Shuwen says that as the disciples are assembled, it’s time to set out.

>David: “Should I carry you? I don’t have a ponytail though…”
>Sanzou: “I will abstain from that as much as I can. But at least for carrying the luggage… eh?”

You hear some trampling footsteps.

>Protagonist: “That huge red form… a horse?”
>Sanzou: “Red? Could it be!? The most famous horse born in the lands of Tartary! Could we bring him along?”
>Protagonist: “If it’s Master’s request!”

So you go and catch the Red Hare!

>Lu Bu: [NOISES]!

Nope, it’s Lu Bu.

>Sanzou: “…….Let’s go back home. We saw nothing. No West.”

>Shuwen: “Instead of Red Hare, it’s the rider that showed up. Oh well, it might be fine. If you don’t mind, just climb up, Master.”
>Sanzou: “No way, no way! This horse is too scaaaaary!”
>Protagonist: “…Is that a scroll in his hands?”

>Sanzou: “These… these are the lost sutras! You’ve been protecting these alone in this wasteland?”
>Lu Bu: [NOISES]!
>Sanzou: “Sorry for shouting before, you’re a splendid follower! And a horse! You’re kind of scary, but this is also part of discipline! Lend me your shoulders, o splendid Red Hare!”
>Lu Bu: [NOISES]!
>David: “Piggy backing!? Wait, there is a better follower for that here!”
>Sanzou: “Ahhh, it’s comfortable up here. Are you by chance used to carrying people on your shoulders?”
>Lu Bu: [NOISES (While blushing)]!



David protests some more, but then you turn to the scroll Lu Bu was carrying. Turns out he got it from some monsters, and he says that there’s supposedly a lot more of them (Sanzou can somehow understand him.)

>Sanzou: “Suspicious. Very Suspicious. And Cho Hakkai is annoyingly loud.”

Not really sure, but apparently the scrolls are from the Sui dynasty.

>Sanzou: “Goku! Gojyo! Dahakkai! Be glad! I shall give you my first command!”

She mangles David’s name on purpose and commands you to gather all the scrolls you can on your way to India.

>Sanzou: “Shed all complaints and differing opinions! You will right your ways after I put the kinkoji on your head and give you a sermon! I will forgive no opposition!”
>Protagonist: “Is Sanzou-chan perhaps an Oni?”

The Kinkoji is the golden headband put on Sun Wukong to make him obedient, by the way.

>Shuwen: “Kakakaka! Yes, that’s the Genjou Sanzou I know! Beating down the heretics who bar her way and even beating down the heretics who convert, a perfect beauty that perplexed even the heinous three beasts! Prepare yourself, Master, this is the true Master Sanzou. There is no enemy that may escape!”

And so you set out.

3)
For context: this chunk deals with the Golden and Silver Horned Kings from the original story. Look for them here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Journey_to_the_West_characters
The important bit to note is that there’s only the Golden Horn (Kinkaku) and Silver Horn (Ginkaku) in the original. You’ll see why I mention this later.


>Kinkaku (Stheno): “That pitiful T’ang monk who knows not of fear has stepped into our Lotus Cave, Ginkaku.”
>Ginkaku (Euryale): “That cute and delicate T’ang monks has been lured to our Flat peak Mountain by the scent, Kinkaku.”

As usual, whenever Stheno and Euryale refer to one another, the appellative (in this case, Kinkaku and Ginkaku) has “watashi” written on top, signifying that they see each other as themselves.

>Stheno: “Let us melt the men to the marrow of their bones. We’ll tease and torture then and then drink them whole. Will we Ginkaku?”
>Euryale: “Yes, Kinkaku. But if it is a woman, we should courteously play with her before gently drinking her up. Tehehe~”
>Stheno: “Ahhh, the waiting is painful… I am waiting anxiously, so impatiently…”
>Stheno/Euryale: “…Still, this role really fits us perfectly, doesn’t it?”



>Sanzou: “We keep walking and walking yet there’s nothing but wastelands. We’re going along a caravan path, so there should be some oasis now and then! And yet there’s nothing but mirages! My throat is dry, my stomach is empty! Ohh, great Buddha, are you go out shopping or what!?”

While she whines, you start chatting about how you seem to be reliving the story. Shuwen wonders why only Sanzou was summoned while the rest of you are stand-ins, and he asks her if she recalls having collected the sutras.

>Sanzou: “Uhmmm, I remember. I don’t recall why, but I got separated from Son Goku and the others. All three left me.”
>Shuwen: “Oh?”
>David: “A dismissal after the term ended? So it was downsizing. Cool and dry, huh?”

He uses a lot of corporate language. Basically, he implies she fired them when their role was over.

>David: “But I won’t blame you, Master. After all, a manager’s got to be practical. I won’t be made to resign though! You have to fatten the pig before eating it!”

That last phrase is a saying, which in this case means helping someone so you can draw greater profit from them afterwards.




Sanzou mostly ignores David’s ramblings, saying she just feels bad without them around despite your attempts at calming her.

>Sanzou: “It’s a really bad feeling, like a palm blow to the stomach…”
>Shuwen: “I told you so, it’s because you haven’t eaten. Though there’s nothing but animal blood to drink…”
>Sanzou: [Cringing] “Please stop that.”

Lu Bu suddenly points at a cave nearby, and you move towards it while you talk.

>Sanzou: [Turning to you] “Say, who is Mashu? You were calling that name while under the rock. An important person for you?”
>Protagonist: “My very important Kouhai / Someone I got separated from and want to re-join.”
>Saznou: “…ah.”
>Shadowy Figure: “…”


>Sanzou: “A sweet scent… the smell of fruit… No doubt, this is a food wharehouse! As expected of my best disciple, your nose, no, your intuition is great! Itadakimaaaaaasu!”
>Lu Bu: [DISPLEASED NOISES]!
>Sanzou: “Eh, what, a trap? That peach is rotten?”

Lu Bu is basically Lassie.

Stheno seems more amused than anything at the fact that you dodged the trap unlike in the original story (where Sanzou was captured and it was up to Son Goku to save her and the others) and welcomes you to the Lotus Cave.

>Euryale: “I got tired of waiting, but that monkey should be good to drink once we extract the moisture.”

For those unaware, these characters in the original had a magic gourd and vase that could absorb people if they called your name and you answered, and once inside would and melt them into liquor. So this is unlikely to be a double entendre about sucking you off. Probably.

>Protagonist: “It’s the probably really evil Gorgon Sisters!”
>Shuwen: “They called it the Lotus Cave, so those must be the Golden Horn King and the Silver Horned King…”
>David: “It really fits them way too much. How sad. These two are not good, they got carried away in their role and went back to being goddesses who bring calamity on humans.”
>Shuwen: “I can guess their names I suppose. Master, I shouldn’t need to say this, but if it’s Kinkaku and Ginkaku, we need to watch out for ‘that’. If you answer when they call your name, you’ll be sucked up in and instant and have your life drained away.”

Euryale says that they have no need for Noble Phantasms, since their poison will be enough.

>David: “It’s true. This cave is itself the gourd’s pond. If we were to fall onto the water’s surface, we’d be as good as flies. You wish to defeat your enemies without putting yourselves in danger. How unscrupulous! You should be ashamed, evil women!”
>Stheno: “It’s not lack of scruples, it’s laziness. But then, you give off a similar smell.”
>David: [Grinning] “Do not provoke me, Lady, else I might fly into a rage. Fighting individually here would be dangerous, so I will leave the rest to those in charge of combat and fall back, buhi. Go, Aniki! Have at them!”

Brave Sir David ran away~ Bravely ran away~ When danger reared its ugly head, he bravely turned his tail and fled~

>Shuwen: “Alright! If it’s Journey to the West, killing demons is a given! These Kinaku and Ginkaku don’t look well-trained at all, Red Hare-dono and I are more than enough!”
>Lu Bu: [NOISES]!
>Stheno: “Idiot. Our delicate selves would not risk blistering our hands with spears or bear blades stinking of metal.”
>Euryale: “There is enough food and water here, as well as the sutras you seek,”
>Stheno: “Now, in one gulp, dissolve and melt and fuse them together…”
>Stheno/Euryale: “DOUKAKU!”

Meaning “Copper Horn.” No, there’s no such character in the original.

>Medusa: [Blushing uncomfortably] “Eh……. Uhm, yes, I’m Doukaku.”
>David: “Alright! Doukaku-chan is outside my field of expertise! Go and defeat them without holding back!”
>Shuwen: [Depressed] “No, I might be a fighter but not a demon. I can’t bear watching this kind of sad sisterly love. Honestly, I just feel deflated. Master, can’t we help this Doukaku somehow?”
>Sanzou: “No, I get it. That’s how these monsters are. They are taking advantage of our weakness. Besides, my stomach is at its limit! We must steal their food! GO! For starters, punish that big girl there!”
>Protagonist: “Can’t help it if it’s to protect the Master.”


After the fight, you finish scarfing down their provisions…

>Sanzou: “Alright, I’m full, I’m full! Kinkaku and Ginkaku ran away, but oh well. They didn’t do anything especially bad, so we can spare them.”
>David: “What a wise judgement. What matters no is taking care of the spoils of battle. Ahh, please leave the handling of their treasures to me.”
>Medusa: “I surrender. Please do with me as you wish.”
>Sanzou: “How great, I converted her even though she’s a monster! …wait, the weight of your misdeeds is zero? Uhm, should I make you do ten thousand Indian Squats, or copy the Heart Sutra by hand ten thousand times… You’re pretty fit, so the hand-copying would be a better punishment maybe.”
>Medusa: “I’ll do the hand-copying then. Ah, it’s a manuscript. I’m not very good with those.”
>Sanzou: “Done! Then I’ll give you a letter of introduction to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda’s book collection! Make sure to study it well!”
>Medsua: “Thank you very much, this turned out the best way possible for me.”

Shuwen still feels bad for her but agrees that it’s better than where she was before and you hand Sanzou the collected sutras. Sanzou is happy with how you all performed and now more confident in having you as her disciples. Medusa likes working with old books anyway so this is probably no punishment, and you continue on your way to India.

4)
It’s the Red Boy, Kougaiji this time, so if you want to know the background: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Boy

You finally make it out of the desert, and Sanzou says that it’d be fine if you could just skip past all the traps in your way since you already know what they are from the story. David predictably agrees, though Shuwen wonders if that’d would really be okay given that they’re supposed to be tests laid down by Buddha.

>???: “Waitwaitwait, WAIT!”
>[Mordred comes running]
>Mordred: “You’re Priest Sanzou and her crew, aren’t you!? I will not let you continue past this point!”
>Protagonist: “A really messy kid just showed up…”
>David: “Well, it’s one form of beauty. Let’s ask about the kid’s origin, shall we?”
>Mordred: “I’ll tell ya, you bastards! I’m the lord of the Fire Cloud Cave in Withered Pine Valley! I am the Boy Sage King, Kougaji! Oh, I gave away my own name! Bah, it’s no problem though!”

Sanzou asks her why she’s getting in the way, and Mordred answers that she wants to offer your heads to please her father, whom Shuwen guesses must be the Bull Demon King.

>Mordred: “Don’t just casually address Father like that! Father is the Great Sage Who Pacifies Heaven, the Nine-Headed Bull Demon King!”
>Mordred: “Wuaaaa, I went and spilled that too! Oh, well, Father is way cool!”
>Protagonist: “Gonna break up another family huh…”

Shuwen points out that the Red Boy ought to be using tricks and disguises to capture Sanzou, but Mordred replies that she doesn’t give a shit about messing up the plot since she won’t lose to you. David guesses that the boss will be Arturia, though he wonders what colour it’ll be this time.

Sanzou seems to like Mordred at a glance because of her “bravery”, “disciplined stance” and “gallantness” (i.e., they’re both brute meatheads) but says she’s still gonna beat her up for standing in her way and reform her later so they can be friends.

>Mordred: “No way, is that how you make friends!? Too bad though, I don’t hold back even for friends. I’m the Bull demon King’s beloved son, Kougaiji!”

After the fight, Mordred tosses you the sutras she was carrying and tries to retreat.

>Sanzou: “Wait up, Kougaiji! No, Mo-gaiji!”
>Mordred: “Mo-gaiji!?”

Sanzou asks her where she’s going, and Mordred replies that she can’t go back home after losing to you, so she’s just gonna lay low.

>Sanzou: “If you yearn for your father so much, why not go back home?”
>Mordred: “Wha-I don’t yearn for nothin’ I reaaaaaaaaaaaally hate my Father!”
>David: “Ah, so you ran away. You were planning to defeat us to have an excuse to go back. But if your father raised such a goddamn annoyi-Sorry, I mean tender-hearted child, surely no gift would be necessary. You will surely be welcomed warmly.”
>Mordred: “I’m getting annoyed just hearing you say something that nice. But, even if Father is so cool, Mother is… If you underestimate her, she’s like a dump truck with broken brakes.”

She warns you that her mother has her father under her control, and tells Sanzou to watch out and not get involved with her if you can.

5)
Chapter 5: “That mountain looks really interesting!”

>Sanzou: “Everyone! That mountain looks really interesting!”

Well, there it is.

>Protagonist: “You have an awful way of rising flags.”

Shuwen notes that after the Red Boy, you should be reaching your greatest obstacle in the Flaming Mountains, but suddenly stops as he feels you’re being followed by someone, though Sanzou takes it lightly.

>Sanzou: “Or rather, this should come in handy. Let’s lose whoever it is among those mountains!”

So off you enthusiastically go.


The enthusiasm lasts very little though as it’s super fucking hot inside and David keeps whining about how he’s weak to the heat. Even Shuwen’s sluggish too and musing about the flames are hot enough to melt iron.

>Protagonist: “It’s like hell on earth.”
>Sanzou: “Of course! This mountain is really interesting!”
>Lu Bu: [NOISES]!
>David: “Master, he said ‘even if it’s interesting, that’s not the point’!”
>Sanzou: “You all lack discipline! Very well then, time to earn some discipline points! We follow the Buddha’s guidance, so get used to facing trials and tests! We will never reach India if we cannot get past this mountain range!”
>Protagonist: “The point being!?”
>Sanzou: “Be at ease. Monster attacks aside, I foresaw these flaming mountains. Thanks to the trials I have faced during these travels, I have learned how to move freely over these flames.”
>Shuwen: “Ahhh, the discipline of fire-walking.”
>Sansou: “The fires of this mountain spill onto earth from the Eight Trigram Furnace in heaven. This is a test from Buddha. Once I have crossed them, these flames will disappear!”
>Protagonist: “Wouldn’t that be nice…”
>Sansou: “Alright take a good look! I’ll cross over in no time!”

She breathes deep and focuses for a moment, and then leaps ahead.

>Shuwen: “There she goes. She’s running on top of the flames for certain.”
>David: “Could it be that she can actually do it for real? But, speaking as a roasted pig, what about that? She’s certainly running, but there’s fire and smoke coming out, isn’t there?”
>Shuwen: “Uwha! Can’t believe I didn’t notice that!”
>Protagonist: “Run, White Dragon Horse! Bring our Master back!”



>Sanzou: “Haaa… haa… I thought I was entering Nirvana… If it hadn’t been for Nyorai’s robe, I would have been burned to cinders…”
>Protagonist: “So? Was it interesting?”
>Saznou: “Uhhh, this mountain isn’t interesting at all…”

Still, Sanzou says that this mountain isn’t anything like the Flaming Mountains she knows, and Shuwen starts asking her what she means just as you get a transmission from Chaldea.

Mashu: “Senpai… Senpai..! Thank heavens! Doctor, doctor! Come to the control room at once!”

The link is unstable and she has to be quick, so David tells the rest to step back and let you talk by yourself (he seems to be trying to give you some privacy) and Shuwen agrees, but suddenly you’re attacked by the monsters that had been pursuing you.

>Protagonist: “I leave it up to you, Lower Disciples!”


Mashu and the rest still haven’t figured out what’s going on, but it’s seems there’s a serious difference in the time flow. You’ve already been traveling for a month since leaving Tartary, but it’s only been four days in Chaldea. Roman then tells you there’s a Servant signature nearby surrounded with enormous amounts of magic energy, possibly a magician carrying out experiments, so you go investigate.

>Helena: [Laughs in Russian] “Welcome to the eternal fires of Sanat Kumara! Here in the Cauldron of Dagda, I’ll boil you down as if you were jam!”
>Protagonist: “A UFO!?”

After the fight, David wonders who the hell summoned her here, but Sanzou just waves it off as being another of Buddha’s trials. And yes, before you ask, that was literally the entire role Helena had. Two lines total.

Mashu is surprised to find out Genjou Sanzou is a woman, but the connection begins to fizzle and Roman only manages to say something about telling Sanzou that you yourself are somehow the key to all this.

David wonders when you’ll be able to communicate again, noting that you can’t set the Summoning Circle without Mashu with Shuwen pitching in to talk about how you can’t go back to the beginning now. Sanzou wonders if you’re all having second thoughts about the trip, but David says that Shuwen won’t care so long as there’s strong opponents and he doesn’t mind either, so they turn to ask you what you think.

>Protagonist: “I’m decided to finish this story on a Happy End!”

Sanzou cheers up, but Shuwen suddenly calls out as he senses someone.

>???: “Flaming Mountains. Therefore. Ordeal.”
>David: “Oh, a new face. At least it’s someone not from Chaldea.”
>Protagonist: “TwintailChina’s Grand Appearance?”
>Sanzou: “…ah…You… Ahhh, I need to remember already! How irritating! I feel a violent sense of Déjà Vu, like my chest is contracting…”
>???: “Impossible. Cannot remember. Those memories. In these sutras.”
>Sanzou: “…!“
>???: “Genjou Sanzou. Pitiful. Once virtuous monk. Now lowly mediocre woman. Sparing not one’s life for a worthy cause. Being not the bearer of great benevolence. Shortcuts to India. There are not. Know this. Saying it plainly. No Longer. Worthy of being. Master of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.”
>Sanzou: “Wha…!“
>???: “Chat. Over.”
>[She leaves]
>Protagonist: “TwintailChina seemed angry.”

She speaks all spaced and cut like that.

Shuwen guesses this means Sanzou’s memories are blocked until you get all the sutras and then says he can guess that girl’s identity.

>Shuwen: “A spear shrouded in flame - Kasensou, the Flame-Tipped Spear. A pair of bracelets – Kenkon, the Rings of Heaven and Earth. And the appearance of a child. The way of speaking is a bit different but… Most likely, it is the Marshal of the Central Altar, Crown Prince Nezha. The one said to be on the same rank as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Son Goku.”

Sanzou is shocked, but Shuwen’s already thinking of fighting since he’s interested in someone who is in herself a living Noble Phantasm (he uses the word ‘Paopei’ in ruby.)

>Protagonist: “Sensei’s bad habit again…”

David says you won’t get to collect any of the sutras this time since Nezha took them, but Sanzou suddenly remembers the name of an item that she realizes should let you get through the Flaming Mountain’s fires.

>Sanzou: “That’s the Palm Leaf Fan! The human-eating woman’s Noble Phantasm!”
>Protagonist: “Human-eating woman…?”

6)
“Palm Leaf Fan” is read “Bashyousen.” That’s gonna be important towards the end of this one, so keep it in mind.

In order to cross the Flaming Mountains, you first need the Bashyosen, held by the man-eating demon woman of Palm Leaf Cave.

>David: “The most famous and beautiful princess in the world, known as the Iron-Fan princess. I wonder how beautiful that married woman’s face is. Older married women aren’t bad at all, hmm. Or maybe she’s beautiful because she’s married…”
>Sanzou: “Hey! Don’t go getting excited about someone else’s wife! Control yourself! Anyway, I couldn’t have imagined meeting her on this trip...”
>Protagonist: “Based on what Mo-gaiji said…”

FLASHBACK

>Mordred: “Anyway, ANYYYYYYWAY! Mom is scary!”


YO DAWG, I HEARD YOU LIKE FLASHBACKS SO WE PUT A FLASHBACK IN YO FLASHBACK

>Shadowed Figure: “Kougaiji-san.”
>Mordred: “Hya! Sorry, mom! I ate some potato chips!”
>Shadowed Figure: “I will correct you. And it’s not ‘mom’, it’s ‘Mother’. Now let us sever that evil tongue.”
>Mordred: “I’m sorry mom! But please don’t cut it!”
>Shadowed Figure: “You have permission to go out at night and not return ‘til morning… but have you washed your hands?”
>Mordred: “I did! I washed them with soap for about five seconds! Then I dried them with the Bashyousen!”
>Shadowed Figure: “I have ascertained the reason for the mess in the bathroom. Bacteria must have been spread all throughout the castle. I wish you would use some disposable towels instead… What about rinsing while on your trip?”
>Mordred: “Of course! I’ll do it for two seconds while drinking cola! Hey, listen to my beautiful voice! Our voices sound alike! Must be because we’re parent and child!”

Yes, they’re both voiced by Sawashiro.

>Shadowed Figure: “Kougaiji-san. What is that bruise on your cheek?”
>Mordred: [Startled] “J-just a scratch! Nothing more! With just a bit of spit…”
>Shadowed Figure: “A thorough correction is needed. To the medical office. Mother will cure you personally.”
>Mordred: “Whaaaaaaaaaa! Please, mom! I don’t want to wash my face with the oxide buckeeeeeet!!!”

If you pay attention in the second and third-to-last lines, she actually does have a bit of spit on her face.

FLASHBACK OVER

>Shuwen: “Like being tortured by the Guominjun…”
>David: “I wonder why so much zeal in upbringing. Isn’t it better to leave it alone and let them grow up carefreely?”

Yeah, let’s all listen to David on child-rearing.

>Man-Eating Demon Woman (Nightingale): “’Rejected’ & ‘Go back home’.”
>Sanzou: “No room for negotiation!?”
>Nightingale: “I have never heard of a sick person coming from those flaming mountains. Those flames must therefore have a powerful sterilizing effect.”
>Protagonist: “But nobody lives there.”
>Nightingale: “I cannot let you interfere with my work. I use the Bashyousen for several things, so I will not be able to lend it to you just so you can extinguish the flaming mountain.”
>Protagonist: “Where’s the Bull Demon King?”
>Nightingale: “The Bull Demon King… My spouse is not in this castle. I wonder where he’s gone off to… Kougaiji then ends up imitating that chaotic behaviour. Even my firing hammer can’t put out those flames…”
>Protagonist: “I-it’s not good to hit your children!”
>Nightingale: “My child-rearing method is correct! That’s why I allow my son to have some independence!”
>Protagonist: “So you just tolerate it.”
>Nightingale: “Have you come to make me angry? I am always exasperated. This world is unsanitary. Disease runs rampant through the streets. But! The companions you travel with are beyond help! Attracted by the lust for food or wisdom, you wander selfishly from place to place digging up the remains of dormant diseases and awakening them once more. You must be me spreading a pandemic as you walk as though you were sowing it on the fields!”
>David: “It’s not like that, I’ve only ever thrown away some dumpling leftovers by the road! It’s a favour to the wild animals.”
>Nightingale: “The chef with the red cape said that ‘the pig is a very useful domestic animal. The only part you can’t use is its scream.’ Let us test those words. Do not worry, I am a nurse. I am used to screams of agony, so feel free to let out a scream that could tear the heavens.”

David chickens out again, saying he's no good with women that don't go for smooth-talking, so you fight.


Having “borrowed” the fan, you head back to the mountain.

>Sanzou: “This is… the Bashyousen? It’s different from what I heard… looks more like a holy sword. I wonder if it’s okay for a monk to hold edged weaponry… Oh well, it should take forty nine swings to fan out the flames of this mountain, but she said this was an EX-rank tool so just once will do.”
>Shuwen: “She also gave us the sutras she was holding without hassle. I wonder if this Bashyousen might not be an imitation.”
>David: “We’ll know if it’s fake or not after one swing.”
>Sanzou: “True enough, here I go! EX--------CALIBASHYOUSEN!”

Woosh.

>Sanzou: “Amazing, it worked! The flames have gone out! Wait, s the flame walking was pointless? That’s said, but oh well.”

And so you continue, with only the Bull demon King left to deal with.

7)
Scene opens already at the Sky Scrapping Cave, the court of the Bull Demon King.

>Bull Demon King (Lancer Arturia): “I am the one whose fame resounds as thunder throughout the Heavens, the eldest of the sworn brothers who form the Great Demon Kings. I am the Nine-headed Bull Demon King. You may refer to me as the Bull Demon King from now on. Cease your bowing and be at ease.”
>Sanzou: “…Yes, your majesty.”
>Shuwen: “…”
>David: “…”
>[BOOB CLOSEUP]
>Protagonist: “So… the ‘cow’ part is because of…”
>Arturia: “You… Where are you looking? My mouth is higher up.”

>Artoria: “You have travelled far all the way from distant China and over the Flaming Mountains. Truly a difficult journey. I have heard that you also took care my son, Kougaiji. No, there is no need for you to fear, I meant those words literally. Feel free to laugh at me as an unworthy parent.”
>Sanzou: “No, of course not. Ah, that’s right. This is from Your Majesty’s wife… Uhm, we were rather insistent in borrowing it. It’s the Excalibashyousen. As it belongs to you both, please take it back.”
>Artoria: “My thanks again. Then, let us get to business.”

She says she has the sutras that originally belonged to Sanzou, as well as those held by Nezha, who had dropped by earlier. She presents the sutras to Sanzou and announces her journey is over. Sanzou is surprised, but Artoria says it is Buddha’s will, as he had sealed Sanzou’s wisdom and memories regarding the Five Senses inside the six sutra scrolls.

>Artoria: “The Five Senses are ‘Sight, Voice, Smell, Taste and Touch.’ That is, the sources of attachment born from the Eyes, Ears, Nose, Tongue and Body. Ah, but I am probably preaching to the choir telling this to a monk.”
>Protagonist: “One, two, three, four, five… and the last scroll?”
>Artoria: “The Sixth Scroll held the Mind. That is, that which binds the spirit.”

So Sanzou’s gonna get her enlightenment back and re-ascend to Buddhahood, except she protests, saying that she hasn’t gotten to India yet and that her disciples would be left behind. Arturia says that following her re-enlightenment and return to Chang’an, the rest of you will continue to India, where you’ll find a way to go back home.

>Sanzou: “The place I should return to… my home, Chang’an… No! I will continue my journey! I am not done yet! Recovering the sutras is not enough!”


Seeing that she still has attachments left, Arturia tells her not to worry, because she will “blow those away in one swing of her Excalibashyousen.” Seeing that this is her fight, Sanzou then tells you to stand back so as to not bring Buddha’s anger upon you as well.

>Shuwen: “Master… You whom I look up to as a guide…. If you believe this old man is the kind of companion who’d wisely consider the consequences of challenging a powerful enemy… well, you’re dead wrong.”
>David: “Right. We’re Servants. To begin with, we have no place to return to. We will be extinguished when we return to the Throne of Heroes. Chaldea is the exception, but we can’t go back there either. There’s a place I’d like to go back to, but… well, let’s just fight and enjoy ourselves ‘til we collapse. What say you, big fellow with the horse ears?”
>Lu Bu: “[AGREEING NOISES]!”

There’s a bit of a pun there: the “horse’s ear” part is likely a joke regarding the saying “Reciting Buddha’s wisdom to a horse’s ears”, which basically means wasting one’s time giving advice to someone who won’t get it. He’s making a joke with the fact that Lu Bu is the horse, and also the last guy who’d give a shit about danger.

>Sanzou: “…and you? My foolish first disciple, what will you do? You are different from these Servants. There is someone precious you must return to, isn’t there?”
>Protagonist: “Do you really need to hear it?”
>Sanzou: [In a sobbing voice] “Uhhh… these… disciiiiipleees… [Grinning] You are truly a bunch of dumb followers who know no fear!”
>Arturia: “This is my last warning! You are turning against the will of Buddha!”
>Protagonist: “Alright! To the west! To the west!”


After the fight…
>Arturia: “I… I AM NOT A BAD GUY! I just asked for one thing in return for obeying the Buddha’s commands! Whenever I’m dining with the man-eating woman, the table cloth, the cutlery, the napkins… Pretty much everything is smeared with the stench of disinfectant! The cooking is some tasty normal British family food, but it spoiled each and every time! Ahhh, how sorrowful…”
>Protagonist: “So she’s terrible with meals…”
>Arturia: “Ah... uhm, sorry for flying off the handle. I will give you one warning, Genjou Sanzou. You journey from here on is not guaranteed. You will no longer have the Buddha’s protection.”
>Sanzou: “That’s alright, Bull Demon King. You think my faith would waver from something like that? Alright, the real trip starts now!”
>Arturia: “Very well. Then, Priest, Disciples, I wish you good luck.”

8)

>Sanzou: “The land of Gandhara is so wiiiide~ And over there is the Indian Mandara~”
>Protagonist: “We’re practically there, aren’t we?”
>David: “Eh, India? I thought we has been going to Rome all this time.”

>Sanzou: “What are you mumbling for, look! The river, the large golden river! We’ve finally mad eit, it’s our long-sought Ganges River!”
>[Camera pans over the pristine shores, beautiful sunset, and Indian Servants scowling your way]
>Sanzou: “Eh!?”
>Protagonist: “Namaste! It’s the overpowered 5-Star Indian tag-team!”
>David: “Gatekeepers? This is bad. They’re looking at us as if saying ‘Buddhism? Like I give a damn’.”

>Nezha: “Those two are the guardians of the spirit world.”
>Sanzou: “Nezha. So you’ve come.”
>Nezha: “Already understand. You should have. Genjou?”
>Sanzou: “…yes, I understand, Nezha. Those two great demigods are the incarnation of my own fear. The inexhaustible anxiety of the me that sought the outside world. I was summoned as a Servant of Chaldea. But… the me that ascended to Buddhahood rejected the summoning.”

The ascended Buddha can’t get involved in the whole mess with humanity’s destruction, so instead the summoning ended up manifesting the incomplete Sanzou from before her ascension. The summoning experiment was Da Vinci’s of course, so this is all Leonardo’s fault.

>Sanzou: “I don’t want to be separated from my disciples. I don’t want to die a lonely death… But even if I’m alone, no matter how many times I must take this trip, I will do so over and over again. Son Goku may not be here, but…”
>Nezha: “Assist Genjou. Me too.”
>Sanzou: “Nezha, you!? No, that’s not necessary! You are Buddha’s messenger, come to close this old and broken scroll. Or maybe, you are a lens from which to see Buddha’s presence even in this fake world. You understand, don’t you?”
>Nezha: [Reluctantly] “Understood. I will fall back. Chat. Over.”

>Sanzou: “She went. Could it be she was also summoned as a Servant?”
>Protagonist: “Of course. Maybe to fill in the China quota?”
>David: “I won’t lose to that slit’s suggestiveness though!”
>Sanzou: “Alright, let’s end the last of our tribulations! I will not stop no matter who the enemy is! Sorry everyone, but please stay with me until death! Crossing this huge river is our last trial!”


After the fight, Mashu manages to contact you again and says they’ve managed to hook the ley Shift onto your location, but that you must return quickly before they lose you.

>Sanzou: “This must be Buddha’s guidance… or maybe just your own luck? The…”
>Shuwen: “Just in time. Your holiness Sanzou, you shall remain in this Nirvana and then head to new lands.”
>Sanzou: “Yes, I thank you for your advice. Sha Gojyo… Li Shuwen. Your spear is a match for the Sha Gojyo I know. Your calm composure has aided me in my moments of anguish throughout this journey.”
>[Shuwen disappears]
>David: “I’m next. To tell you the truth, we believe in different gods, but. Humans are granted opportunities by God. Humans then learn from other humans. Therefore, because our different beliefs, this has been a learning experience. I’m grateful for this rare chance. Ahh, I’ll be depositing the treasures I’ve been gathering in your name. Next time we meet, I’ll throw you a great celebration, buhi.”
>Sanzou: “Alright, I’ll look forward to it. Cho Hakkai… the fearsome King David. No matter what dilemma you’re faced with, no matter the circumstances, you always deal with them without panic or confusion. I can’t imitate your way of doing things, but I’ll remember your face next time I’m in trouble.”
>[David disappears]
>Lu Bu: [NOISES. While smiling. With a little star at the end]!
>Sanzou: “Ehh, ah, ehh, uhm, yes yes! (I don’t get it, but he’s giving me an intense handshake.) It felt great to ride on you, next time I’ll prepare a saddle!”
>Lu Bu: [NOISES. While looking doubtful. Then disappears.]


>Sanzou: “Now then… If by Buddha’s guidance I manifest as a Servant in the future… I’ll make you my disciple once more!”
>Protagonist: “I’ll be your First Disciple once more then, Master!”
>Saznou: “Hah, so shameless. You have many precious people in Chaldea, don’t you? To bear the task of preserving humanity, you’re really a splendid greenhorn, but there’s some good sides to that. I will not say goodbye then. Instead I’ll recite the Sutra of Gratitude to ensure your good health.”
>Sanzou: [INDECIPHERABLE CHINESE SHIT]

I can’t actually find which sutra is ありがたいお経, though I’m pretty sure the lines she recites are from the Heart Sutra.

>Protagonist: “See you again, Master!”

>Mashu: “Senpai!”
>Roman: “Ahh, by a hair, by a hair. If we had failed, Mashu would have been mashumashu’d.”

Don’t ask. I have no fucking clue. Roman then storms off to go scold Da Vinci for getting you all involved in this.

>Mashu: “Then, would you like some tea? I found some precious Chinese tea stored along with those scrolls. We should call this ‘[Your Name]’s Journey to the West’ then. What an adventure it must have been.”

Aaand that’s all.