As she confronted Chusho Sa, Shurei flatly refused any engagement with Sakujun.
However her flower bud hair pin still remained in the hands of Sakujun, and she had no idea as to the whereabouts of Eiki Hyo.
Luckily, she did have a good idea where Kokujun san might be.
Hey, Boss, that’s you, isn’t it?
How did you guess?
I kinda sensed it.
So, what did you find out?
It was just like you suspected there's an unusual shrine at the edge of the residence courtyard.
I thought as much.
How’d you know miss Shurei?
In the rich residences it is customary you have a shrine for the Eight Colored Enlightened Ones.
Since having one of those shrines is so common , a lot of people just ignore them.
I get it. I understand now.
that's where the entrance to the basement must be.
the only thing is, there are a lot of guards in front of it. What'll we do?
they're holding the selection ceremony tonight.
The guards will be busy with the gate and main building.
If security’s ever gonna be light, today's the day.
Huh, but ? Ah... sorry, but tonight really isn't a good time for me.
huh?!
I've already accepted another assignment for tonight. So, if you'll excuse me.
Hey, Wait a second , Shorin! Oh, Great...!
Well if that’s the case, then I’m just gonna have to go there by myself .

No Use Crying Over Spilt Milk

You need to be at the selection ceremony soon.
why are you sitting here drinking, and not even getting ready?
It’s Because I don't feel like going.
You really have no motivation to do anything, do you?!
It’s just that this is the very last day that I’ll be able to spend together with you, To me, that’s more important.
Honestly!
Hey, would you do my hair up for me?
Look, I'm not your personal maid, okay. Why not ask somebody else to do that for you?
I only want you to do it.
Could you do my hair and make me some tea as well?
All right. Since it’s the last time.
You seem sort of quiet today.
Have you had too much to drink?
Are you not feeling well?
No, that’s not it. I have a very strong stomach when it comes to alcohol.
Now that you mention it, I don't believe I've ever seen you drunk before
That’s very true.
All right, I'm done.
If you're not going to the selection ceremony then you should try to get some more sleep.
Here, I'll pour a little hot water for you.
I'd really prefer Gan Lu tea.
Not happening.
Why not?
Because.
Wait a sec, The shelves look a little different.
There’s a lot more empty space.
Ah? Gan Lu tea's the only kind of tea leaf you have?!
It’s only fair, since You rejected an engagement with me so bluntly, I don't think it’s asking too much to let me save a little sweet thought from you, especially now, since you’re leaving.
He’s gotta be kidding? he wants to drink Gan Lu tea that badly?!
Here. Have some hot water.
Are you worried about me?
Well, yes, you’re acting even more strangely than normal, so I am a bit concerned.
You're very kind. Then I'll drink it.
There. I’ve had some, now I'd like you to make some Gan Lu tea for me.
No way.
You've been drinking wine, And a lot of it.
If that wine mixes weirdly with Gan Lu tea in your stomach, you could end up making yourself sick.
Just have the hot water today and get some decent rest okay?
I don't care I don't mind if I get sick.
This is going to be the very last day, I can have you make tea for me.
Now, come on.
If you don't brew any Gan Lu tea for me, then I’m afraid I’m going to die.
That's something a child would say.
geeze, I guess it can’t be helped.
Say, do you remember the promise you made?
Of course. I'll return your flower bud to you.
You seem awfully busy at the moment, so come back here after you’ve finished everything else.
You know, I wouldn't mind having it back right now.
In fact, I insist you return it at this minute .
Don't spoil my dreams now.
Dreams, do I have one?
Hey, What's the matter?
No. It's nothing.
Okay then.
I still wonder will it be all right?
Why not? It was an official invitation that the Sa Clan gave us.
We can just hold our heads high and go in the front gate.
okay.
Anything could happen during the selection ceremony.
You take care of matter on that end.
Got it. As for you, make sure that Shunki's safe.
The people from the Sa Clan all know what she looks like.
So you’ll have to be careful .
I know!
Fortunately, it's a new moon tonight.
It’s the Perfect night for sneaking in.
Well then, shall we join the celebration ?
yeah.
Kansho?
Bakuya?
Ryuki. You're a man, so that should keep Bakuya a little quieter when you use it.
That Bakuya and this Kansho are yin and yang, the same sword put into two parts by the member of the Hyo Clan.
It's said that if they're forcibly separated from each other, they put up resistance.
But they say that Bakuya possesses a woman's nature within itself , and for that reason, it will grow quiet if it’s wielded by a man.
Of course, It may still be difficult for you.
If Bakuya is female, then Kansho must be male.
It's a reflection of your great skill, you’re able to keep Kansho under control, brother.
The origin of the twin swords is
Exorcism .
If the swords that were forged for the purpose of obliterating demons, are now howling...
Lady Shunki. From here on, I feel I would be heading in a different direction than you’re going.
This sword’s gentle towards women. It will definitely protect you.
Please take it.
I’ll be fine, Even without this sword with me...!
You, Identify yourself! come out of there!
What's going on?
Over here!
Is that them?!
What is it? Lady Shunki?
Wh-What are you doing? I don’t understand
Hey, who is that?
Wait, wait a second , this girl is...!
Why, of course.
I completely forgot that she was a blood relative of the clan that created you in the first place.
Whether it’s her or My Lady, the embarrassing fact still remains that the women are by far the stronger.
Now...
I will do what I have to do.
Listen to me, Shunki. You must Promise me that you'll only use that power for the sake of one person, and one person alone.
Keep your power locked away and use it for the sake of that one special person whom you'll meet one day.
Muster all your effort and go forth to save that fool whom you love.
Just as I once did in the past.
There it is.
Guards?
In that case...!

The Story of Saiunkoku

But I have evidence! You have to let me through immediately!
We can’t do that.
We’ve been specifically ordered by lord Chusho not to let anyone through.
There’s someone in there, isn’t there?
No, There's no one inside here!
If There's nobody in there, then what's the problem? Let me through!
No way! The divine punishment!
Are you nuts or something ?
Divine punishment comes from the gods, not the eight color enlightened ones!
What are you saying?!
She's being a pain. Just take her!
Huh?
What?!
Lady Shurei Hong.
Please keep your ears covered with your hands until I say it's all right.
Why are they moving, I can’t stop?
you rank-and-file guards, lose consciousness and remain asleep until I command otherwise!
What?! What the heck just happened here?!
Don’t worry, It's all right now.
It is a great honor and pleasure to finally meet you at last, lady Shurei.
My name is Shunki Sa.
Lady Shunki... But I’ve been told that you are unable to speak.
No, it's not that I couldn’t speak.
I simply made the choice not to.
It’s The words that come out of my mouth, they contain the power to force people to do whatever I might say.
As you can imagine, it’s extremely dangerous.
And That's why, in order to hide this power from people, I kept my voice sealed away.
Who would've guessed it was something like that...!
Well, I have no idea what that is, but I'm pretty sure it isn’t good.
Come on.
That man...!
It’s Great Uncle Chusho?
I can't believe someone like him could have…
I'm not gonna die here, I've come this far, just a little further, and everything will be within my grasp.
Lord Chusho. I've come to deliver the item you were promised.
Here is the ring that marks the bearer as the head of the Sa Clan.
What's the meaning of this?
Normally It is the pride of a merchant to meet any request from his customer, no matter how big
However...
This is one request I could not meet, As a member of the family that has confronted generations of Sa Clan tyranny, and a clan of proud government officials determined to uphold the law without yielding to others, as a member of the sai clan, this is my response to your request.
All the mayors and officials of Sa Province have already entered Koren, bringing with them the evidence to condemn the Sa Clan once and for all.
What?
In particular, officials Ensei Ro and Yushun Tei have already began to make their move.
They have put a stop to the anticipated riots you instigated in koren, before they even began.
The official military officers of Sa Province have joined those of the Merchants Guild, they will descend onto the gathered Clan members to formally arrest everyone of them.
So I suppose you’re intending to tie them up in ropes?
Go ahead and try binding corpses and drag them away!
What did you say?!
It's getting [risen] to the time of the selection ceremony.
All those fools who were obsessed about how pure the family line was, or how we became tainted by blood from outside the clan, they were all nuisance.
I was planning to use the ceremony to clean house!
Just like him , just like my older brother, Enjun did!
You're not serious !
Quick, we have to hurry, We must notify Governor To and Lieutenant Governor Ro immediately !
Wait a moment !
Lord Chusho Sa.
Once details of your crimes are made clear, I'll decide what will become of you.
If you have any pride as a member of the Sa Clan, please wait right here.
I’ll Finish what I have to do first, before I have you arrested.
I'll get a doctor.
You mustn't move.
We can arrange for a doctor. But, it may already be too late!
Yes, I know that, But still...!
Thank you very much, lady shurei
You've shown concern for Great-Uncle Chusho even to what maybe his very last moment.
I want to thank you for your kindness and compassion, Governor Hong,
Lady Shunki.
Governor Hong.
I have to admit You've made a magnificent start of being governor of this Provence.
Mr. Sho Sai, will you please attend the selection ceremony?
I'll be going along with lady Shunki.
Very well. Here, please take this.
Governor To had me hold on to it for you.
With this Seal returned to your hand, you'll be a governor of Sa Province once again both in name and indeed as you should be.
Thank you very much for bringing the seal back to me, Mr. sai
And I own you an apology for suspecting you. I'm sorry.
It was only right, You wouldn't be doing your job properly if you believed everyone and anyone so easily.
You should be especially cautious of greedy men like me.
Well Then, good luck to you.
We'll be sure to catch up with you later.
Well, I guess that means you and I should get going too. Are you ready?
This is what I came here to do, from the very beginning.
What is it, lady shurei?
I’m not sure.
Elder Brother Enjun. If only I had been blessed, or a little more luck and talent like you.
You fool.
you think it was only luck and talent, did you think Enjun climbed that high on that alone?
What? Who the heck are you? And how do you know anything about my elder brother enjun or me?
Well, at this point in time, I don't really care who you might be.
If Enjun had had his much luck and talent as you thought, then he would never have had to struggle so hard in his life.
over thorns, on red-hot iron or through frozen snow, he was the type of man who would willingly walk barefooted through it.
I’ve never known any other man as foolish as he.
If there was anything he possessed in abundance, it would be the true kindness of his heart and his unwavering perseverance.
Even if he were covered in wounds he would never utter a single complaint.
He wouldn’t even glance down at them, but would proceed down the path that he himself believed in.
Elder Brother...!
The hour’s grown too late, Enjun no longer has time left to spare with you.
That's why I've come in his request to see your final moments in this world.
On back dark day, you saw everything, didn't you?
Are you really unable to remember what Eiki said to him then?
This isn’t your fault! Don’t you understand ?
And None of this is your fault!
Why is it necessary for you alone to carry everything on your shoulders Enjun!
You were mistaken from the very beginning.
There's no way that someone like you who never tried to understand anything, could ever surpass Enjun.
Even though that idiot tried with all his heart to protect everything.
But I... but I...!
En... jun... bro... ther...!
There's no use in crying over spilt milk, is there?
It's all too late now.
All because you insisted in doing the unnecessary but right thing to the very end, Enjun...!
The start of the selection ceremony for the head of the Sa Clan was drawing close.
As every person on all sides, ran headlong toward their respective goals, Shurei and Shunki began to follow the dark path before them in search of Kokujun Sa.

Next Episode

We're in the courtyard shrine of the Sa Clan, where the Eight Colored Enlightened Ones are supposed to be worshipped.
Is Kokujun locked up inside here?
I have a really bad feeling about this, but all right, I'm going in