Matters which concerned rampaging youkai were, arbitrarily, his problem. "Now listen, I've instructed the people to put out their fires and hide out in the valley west of here taking minimal belongings. They should be all cleared out in about two hours or so. The town will then be deserted and the youkai will most likely go for the slower caravan moving southwards which left around the time you started meditating. They cannot get there without passing first through the town. I think we can handle them, don't you think?"

But Sanzo was busy grinding his teeth. "Fuck you."

"Now, now. You should start to be nicer to me. I may not be Hakkai, but that doesn't mean I'm worth any less." Tenpou chided as he went over and put a patronizing hand over Sanzo's head, petting him as if he were some student of his. "You know that Three Aspects debit Card you have?" He stopped. Sanzo glared. "When I go back, I can cut the Sanzo's account with just a simple order and you and your predecessors will have a good five hundred years to learn how to earn your wages right. Wouldn't you like that?"

Tenpou's hand tightened at the hair that brushed against Sanzo's neck as if pulling an imaginary ponytail.

"Or..." the marshal continued, pretending to ponder.

"Or." said Sanzo through a clenched jaw, his trigger finger twitching like mad.

"Or, maybe I won't. I could also have a word with the Three Aspects about guaranteeing vacations to the men in your line of work. After all, you need your rest...humans are so...so frail..."

It was enough provocation to send a bullet buzzing past his ear and into the air. Before he had time to think any second thoughts, Tenpou was grabbed by his collar in a brutal hold.

"Listen you..."

A bloodcurdling screech filled the air, cutting off the monk's impending threat.

"So now they know we're here. It's all quite convenient really. I'm doing my job, and you're getting your friend back. There won't be any more need for you to meditate yourself over to his side. Isn't that fair? " Tenpou commented, oblivious to how close to death he was at that moment. He paused. "Isn't it what you want, Genjo Sanzo?"