Saiunkoku Monogatari II Episode 9 – 地獄で仏に会う (Be a Godsend in One’s Distress)

Major plot developments happen in this episode as the [almost] ‘entire picture’ of Eigetsu’s past (with Yougetsu’s) has been revealed. Things however doesn’t go all smoothly as both Eigetsu and Shuurei are faced with different problems throughout the course of this mission. The title “Be a Godsend in One’s Distress” refers to how Ensei was able to be of valuable help to Shuurei when they were already in a great pinch, and it will also reflect what is to come in the later episodes as we see who will be this ‘godsend’ to Eigetsu’s life.

Screenshots

Summary

The episode starts by making us have a glimpse of Riou who leaves things in the hands of this silver-haired boy… which is a mystery yet to be revealed to us.

It’s been ten days since Eigetsu left for Sekie Village, and now he’s doing his best to help out the people by preparing medicines to make them regain their strength and be able to survive until Shuurei and the doctors arrive. Eigetsu assures them that help from Kiyou will be coming soon, and so all of them have to do their best until that time comes. Everything Eigetsu has done for the people of Sekie has cast away all their doubts they had about him, completely gaining the trust of these people. As Eigetsu helps out an old lady drink her medicine, she can’t help but wonder how he could always keep on smiling despite the situation they’re in, to which Eigetsu says that it’ll be better to smile in these kinds of situation since it’ll allow them to become stronger and be able to regain their health faster. The old lady apologizes before heading to sleep, as a little boy and girl looks intently at Eigetsu.

Eigetsu heads outside the place where the patients are sheltered, and once again remembers his promise with Doushu to keep on smiling except in times of sadness. Just then, the little girl named Shuuran approaches him, asking whether someone will really come to heal her mother and grandmother from their sickness, and Eigetsu reassures her that a woman will come soon, bringing with her the doctors who will save the people. Eigetsu’s words make Shuuran think that this ‘woman’ is the said cause of the disease in their village, but Eigetsu corrects this, knowing that there’s no one to blame for the disease, and it’s this woman who’ll save the people instead. As Shuuran cries in Eigetsu’s arms, he sees a guy (wearing the same outfit as the one in the cult) who looks like Doushu, and decides to follow him, asking Shuuran to inform the others that he’ll head out for just a little while.

And then we see a flashback of Eigetsu’s life before… Ten years ago, Eigetsu was just a four-year-old child with no one to take care of him. His parents even tried to kill him to lessen the burden he had on their impoverished family, by wounding his stomach with a knife. Eigetsu unconsciously runs out of their house despite the serious wound he had, when he finally collapses, and Doushu picks him up to help save him. Doushu however was also powerless to do anything to save the young Eigetsu, when the spirit of ‘Yougetsu’ appears and questions the reason behind Eigetsu’s existence (seeing how he simply died and nothing happened in his life). Yougetsu thinks about how foolish and boring humans are, ridiculous yet interesting as they are. But nevertheless, Yougetsu decides to give young Eigetsu a chance to live again, since it’s been a while since he has done something like this. He asks Eigetsu if he still wants to live, and Eigetsu tells him without doubt that he wants to live more, making Yougetsu grant him this wish, but only allowing him to live for twenty more years.

With this, Yougetsu coexists with Eigetsu (who was still ‘Getsu’ then), anticipating just how he will live with the remaining days of life given him. ‘Eigetsu’ was the name given to ‘Getsu’ since he was merely a shadow of the one who brought back his life, who gave himself the name of ‘Yougetsu’. And so Eigetsu comes back to life, surprising Doushu who was able to witness this miraculous scene. Since then, Doushu was the one who took care of Eigetsu, and loved him dearly. There was one time when Yougetsu appeared, bewildered by the sight of Doushu smiling at him, thinking that he probably mistook him for ‘his cute’ Eigetsu. Doushu however is well aware that the one in front of him is no other than Yougetsu, the one who saved Eigetsu, which he already heard from Eigetsu himself. Yougetsu wonders just how stupid Doushu is for still being able to say such things despite the fact that Eigetsu has already died once, and Doushu expresses his joy that time, knowing that it was Yougetsu who gave him life. Yougetsu lets out a sigh, warning Doushu that the more he (‘Yougetsu’) appears, the more Eigetsu’s life will become shorter. Doushu understands this, and remains grateful to Yougetsu because he wouldn’t have been able to meet Eigetsu if not for him. Yougetsu gets tired of talking to Doushu because of all this ‘stupid’ talk (but didn’t seriously mean this).

There was yet another time that Yougetsu appeared, when Doushu and Eigetsu were picking up medicinal plants. Contrary to what Yougetsu was thinking however, Doushu isn’t affected one bit with the sight of him and even smiles at him, despite knowing how his appearance will someday cause Eigetsu’s death. Doushu then remarks how he considers both Eigetsu and Yougetsu as his cute children, embarrassing Yougetsu who couldn’t believe how he can be treated as ‘someone’s child’, when he was able to live far longer than him. Doushu knows this, and then talks about how Eigetsu already knows how to make his own decisions even if he’s but a child, showing how ‘age’ isn’t really what’s important, but rather being able to live happily while one still lives (or being able to choose to live one’s life happily). Doushu considers Yougetsu as the one who bestowed him this happiness, happiness in both his own life and Eigetsu’s. Yougetsu asks Doushu to show him (or tell him) how Eigetsu will live this life he gave, informing him that he’ll come out whenever Eigetsu drinks wine from that time on, and reminds him not to forget that Eigetsu’s life lies in his hands.

Just then, Eigetsu speaks out, assuring Yougetsu that he’ll certainly do his best for the sake of everyone’s happiness, and for the sake of Doushu and his own happiness as well. The time came when an illness struck Seika village, sparing no one else’s lives but Eigetsu and Doushu’s. But not long after, Doushu passes away as well, prompting Eigetsu to once again seek Yougetsu’s help to save Doushu – by giving half of his life to him, making Yougetsu feel anguish knowing how this greatly reduce the little time Eigetsu only has to live. Back to the present, Eigetsu is now lying wounded in a cave with his hands tied, captured by the Jasenkyou. As Eigetsu gains consciousness, he wonders for a moment if he’s still alive, then remembers what he did earlier of running after the guy who looked like Doushu, when he was suddenly struck on the head and couldn’t remember anything else that happened after that. Eigetsu looks at the floor and sees these mysterious inscribing, when the guy he saw earlier comes and he finally realizes that this person is not Doushu.

Meanwhile, Kourin who could no longer bear Eigetsu’s ‘selfishness’ (doing things as he pleases) decides to head to where Eigetsu is, reprimanding him to stop doing things for his own self-satisfaction, and demands him to be safe because she won’t forgive him if something happens to him by the time she gets there. In Koren, an extremely urgent letter arrives for Ensei from Shuurei, making him immediately run off to go somewhere (to meet up Shuurei who is on her way there). Ryuuren on the other hand is wandering around Sa Province when he suddenly stops and contemplates on not having noticed Eigetsu’s presence sooner, as though sensing what has happened to him, then immediately goes to where Eigetsu is.

Back to Sekie village, Shuuran is crying outside the shelter as she waits for Eigetsu’s return. The little boy named Riou sees her and reprimands her to quit waiting for Eigetsu (or she’ll die from freezing), and Shuuran wipes away her tears as she faces him and lets out a smile while pretending that she stopped hoping for Eigetsu to come back. Riou couldn’t believe how Eigetsu could just run away and abandon them in the situation they’re in, but Shuuran defends Eigetsu, knowing he can never do such a thing. Shuuran still remembers Eigetsu’s words that he’ll just be going out for a little while, and is certain that something must have happened to him so he still hasn’t come back. Riou remarks that it’ll be good if things are really like that, but with Eigetsu not around, the situation has gone back to the way it was before Eigetsu came, with everyone once again feeling down and depressed. Riou remembers Eigetsu telling them about a woman who will come and save them, but wonders if it’ll already be too late once she arrives. Shuuran tells them that they can’t simply stand around and wait for them to come, they have to make their move as well so they’ll be able to meet the doctors sooner.

Shuuran is serious about this decision, especially after recalling how they never took any actions before. Eigetsu travelled all the way from a distant place, while all of them simply wailed and wept as they wallowed in their sorrows. Shuuran says that they should do something about this, considering that the lives at stake here is no other than their own family. Riou however thinks this is absurd, scorning at the fact that they can actually do something at such a cold weather, and asks her if she intends to bring the patients all the way down the mountains. Nevertheless Shuuran believes this is possible since they still have stretchers and medicines left, and tells Riou that the best time to do this would be now. With this, Shuuran asks Riou to inform everyone about this so they can already proceed with this plan, since there’s not much time left for them. Riou is reluctant to agree with this, seeing how hasty of a decision this is, making Shuuran decide to simply do this on her own and bring her mother with her. Riou sees how determined she is to do this and asks her to wait since he’ll help her out.

Shuurei together with everyone else are still on their way to Koringun, with Shuurei already getting dizzy as they’re riding the horse with such a fast pace. She turns to Sai Rin, and gets amazed by how well she handles herself throughout this travel, remaining calm and composed despite this speed in horse riding. They finally arrive in Sa Province, and Shuurei can’t believe it took them only eight days to get there, considering how it took them a month before (for the appointment of being the governor). Shuurei turns to Shuuei and thanks him for listening to their unreasonable request (she requested from the Uringun to have the two generals (one of which is Shuuei) accompany them in travelling until they reach the border of Sa Province), and Shuuei smiles back at her, remembering how she was the one who actually requested to have them join this ‘practice’ for their horsemanship, so this is nothing but a mere ‘practice’.

Shuuei remarks how Shuurei will certainly become a great political figure, and then thinks about how the road ahead of them will be even more difficult, knowing that they’re entering this province where rumors about Shuurei have already become widespread. But Shuurei has already prepared herself even before embarking on this journey, with the people now believing that the disease will not cease if she doesn’t offer herself as a sacrifice. It’s for this very reason that Shuurei had to go to Sa Province, in order to dispel these rumors against her. As they enter the Sa Province however, they were denied entrance by the guards despite carrying the flag of the Imperial Army with them, making Shuurei decide to head inside without being accompanied by them. Shuuei refuses to accept Shuurei’s decision, demanding the guards to let them into the gates since they can clearly see how this is an order from the emperor himself. The guards reason out that they can’t afford to have Sa Province suffer because of the presence of Shuurei, and orders them to behead / kill Shuurei if they want to enter into the gates.

With Shuurei being the main cause of not permitting them enter into the province, they were running out of ideas on how to get pass this, when one of the archers (whose name is ‘Kou Kanshou’) suggest to Shuuei to let him hit the guards with his arrow, telling Shuuei of his confidence in his abilities to kill them all. Shuuei thinks that they can’t afford to waste their arrows just for this, considering that they just want to ask permission for their entrance. Much to their surprise, Ensei arrived just then and knocks down all the guards at the gate, and Shuurei runs up to his arms in delight and excitement to finally see him. Ensei gets bashful at the ‘passionate welcome’ she gave him, then orders Sai Shou to open the gates for them, who expresses his surprise that they arrived much earlier than they thought. Shuuei hands Ensei a sword from Seiran, surprising him that this was the very sword given to him by the emperor, the sword Kanshou. Ensei wonders just what came into Seiran for him to hand this to him, since he knows well that he’s not good in handling a sword.

They head inside the province, and the archer Kanshou tells Shuuei that he gets a terrible feeling from this mission, knowing how dangerous the place Shuurei and the others are headed to. Kanshou however, understands why Shuurei decided to refuse the dispatch of the Imperial Army and even go as far as disobeying this order from the emperor - to protect Shuuei and the other ones in the army as well, knowing how valuable their lives are. Kanshou thinks that being a government official is a great thing, seeing how they have this power to protect all their lives from danger.

Preparations for the treatment of the patients are being made as tents are being set up for the doctors and the housing of the medicines. Shuurei takes notice that Ensei is carrying Kanshou with him, and wonders just what he intends to do with it. Ensei explains that the reason why Seiran gave this sword to him is for it to become a substitute in his behalf, and remarks that Seiran seemed to have grown up a little. Ensei adds that if Seiran forced himself to accompany Shuurei, he’ll certainly give him a beating. Ensei then asks Shuurei of her resolve to head to Koringun (and to Sekie village itself), asking if she was able to witness a devastating scene where people die one by one in front of her own eyes. Shuurei comments on how Ensei is relentless as usual with his words, and assures him of this, since she was able to witness the same scene before during the battle for the throne in Kiyou. And contrary to that time, they now have the necessary doctors and medicines to treat the patients there, and thus such ‘preparation’ (of her heart and mind) is no longer necessary (considering how much more devastating the scene she witnessed before).

Ensei then promises Shuurei that he’ll protect her no matter what in behalf of Seiran, making Shuurei wonder what’s gotten into him that he became this cool all of a sudden. Finally, Shuurei asks Ensei to promise him another thing before they head to Koringun – for him not to hesitate to behead her if she’s ever found out to be the real cause of the disease, knowing that there’s probably a deeper meaning as to why this ‘Senya’ leader of the Jasenkyou is doing all this.

Thoughts

It’s great to have finally seen Eigetsu again in this episode, and especially see the ‘entire picture’ about this past revealed in this episode. Way back the flashback was shown with Eigetsu’s parents ‘trying to kill’ him, I was thinking that Doushu was able to prevent him from being stabbed (which was too much of a coincidence). Now that I’ve seen how the young Eigetsu has indeed suffered in the hands of his parents, can’t help but make my heart feel anguish at the sight of him dying because of his parents’ own doing…

Now about ‘Yougetsu’, I don’t know if it will be mentioned later on (or if what I’m going to mention now is a HUGE spoiler), because the novel already mentions who he is (but still not much info elaborated yet). But in any case, here goes a spoiler about him:
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I still find it a mystery as to what Yougetsu is doing on earth that time… observing people? And perhaps what made him set his eyes on Eigetsu is the predicament he’s in (with his own parents trying to kill him)…

But since we already had all these flashbacks about Eigetsu’s past, the unveilment of how Yougetsu bestowed him life didn’t come as a shock anymore. What I found surprising was seeing little Yougetsu’s stubbornness and embarrassment at the way Doushu interacts with him I’m just a bit confused… because in this episode, Yougetsu tells Doushu that he will appear when Eigetsu drinks wine only after that time he talked to him… and since he was already appearing and switching back and forth with Eigetsu, I can’t help but wonder that perhaps Yougetsu used to have control over when he will appear in Eigetsu’s body. But then after all that has happened with Doushu, Yougetsu finally decided to ‘step back’ and let Eigetsu live as he wishes, summoning him only when he’s needed. Now with what Yougetsu told Doushu that Eigetsu’s life diminishes the more that he appears, explains clearly why he told Kourin before to stop making him come out if he still wants Eigetsu to live more. It’s not because of the ‘alcohol’ content per se, but the fact that Yougetsu’s appearance affects his life span.

In any case, I admire Yougetsu much much more than before now, not simply because of him being a ‘supernatural’ being, but by his personality and nature. Throughout the years he coexisted with Eigetsu, he has grown to love him and see how great of a person he is, hence the pain he felt when Eigetsu decided to give half of his life to Doushu.

Now regarding the ‘captivity’ of Eigetsu, it’s not surprising how he will end up like this knowing that the land he is in is the territory of the Jasenkyou. Eigetsu might have been reckless when he run after the Doushu-looking guy, but it really can’t be helped given Eigetsu’s situation, especially seeing this hope that perhaps Doushu is alive (considering that he didn’t really ‘see’ him die). It’s just sad to see how Eigetsu will be lying in captivity this way, making me all the more wonder if Shuurei will still be able to see Eigetsu alive and well. To think that Eigetsu only has a little time left, and then this…! I wonder what the Jasenkyou intends to do with him… Kourin for sure will be able to see Eigetsu, and I can’t wait to see this couple again. I’m not gonna say anymore with regards to Eigetsu and Kourin’s meeting, but I assure you it’s going to be one touching scene (as expected from these two).

From what Ryuuren showed in this episode, I think it’s all clear how he possesses this ultra-sensory perception of some sort (that must be the skill of the true ‘Ran Ryuuren’). Remember how he left in episode 1, telling Kokujun that he had ’something else’ to do? I’m thinking it has something to do with this… Perhaps he was already sensing something about Eigetsu, then headed to Sa Province. But then Eigetsu was already captured by the Jasenkyou before Ryuuren finally realizes what Eigetsu’s been doing. It’ll be really interesting to see what role Ryuuren would play in resolving this matter with the Jasenkyou…

We’ve already seen Shuurei’s determination to head to Sa Province and resolve this matter regarding the disease and the Jasenkyou, but I certainly didn’t expect that she will boldly ask Ensei that request… This certainly shows how prepared Shuurei is to face ‘death’ as the consequence of being the cause of the disease (if ever it’s found out to be true), but wouldn’t this be really painful for Ensei considering how Shuurei will die in his hands?

Ensei kicks ass, as usual, and leaves up to his reputation of getting pass each and every ‘checkpoint’ through ‘brute force’. I can’t help but wonder how Shuurei and the doctors would’ve been able to enter the province if not for their help… but then it’s all part of ‘fate’ and ‘destiny’, and it’s not really a matter of mere coincidence since they were already awaiting Shuurei’s arrival with the information she gave in the letter. As Ensei also mentioned in this episode, Shuurei certainly gave him a ‘passionate welcome’… she was even more excited than when she went back home to Kiyou and see his father and all the other people there. I don’t really think of Shuurei’s gesture as a ‘romantic’ gesture, but I can’t help but feel ’something’ about it (And no… I’m not rooting for Shuurei x Ensei ><)

New characters are introduced in this episode, in the person of Shuuran and Riou (oh, the much more confusing names… add Shuurei and Ran Shuurei… then ‘Shuuran’ >< I’m already making mistakes in typing their names… ^^;;; ) First off, about Shuuran… she is one great addition to the [now huge] cast of Saiunkoku, as I can see Shuurei in her ^^ She has such a strong personality despite her age, and to think that witnessing all these things (especially with Eigetsu) has made her determined to do something to help out the people in their land who are suffering from the disease. She’s far more headstrong than the adults there, and I really admire her for that (she’s like a ‘little Shuurei’ ^^). And another spoiler thing to anticipate would be this meeting of Shuurei and Shuuran… it’s going to be such a sweet scene. If I’m not mistaken we’ll see that in the next episode

Now regarding Riou… having him the name ‘Riou’ in itself, already makes him much of a mystery. And to think that we were shown a scene in the beginning with Hyou Riou asking this boy to act like a spy of some sort, and if one will look closely, this boy is without doubt, the ‘Riou’ who is now in Sekie (who sure is one ‘cold’ kid… pretty much like Hyou Riou as well). This is yet another one of those anime foreshadowing techniques, since I still haven’t seen Hyou Riou appear throughout the entire volume 9 of the novel (the start of which is covered by this episode)… but I really have this strong hunch that this boy we saw at the start and ‘Riou’ is one and the same, which makes you wonder what it is that Riou is planning… o_O

Much about the Jasenkyou is yet to be revealed to us… and so far we still don’t know the truth about ‘Li Senya’. I’m still not sure if ‘Li Senya’ is the one who took Eigetsu into captivity… It’s going to be one big revelation in the future episodes… the thing that lies ‘deeper’ behind all this.