Legend of the Demon Cat

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Is the melon sweet?

W ho's there?

Me.

May I have some?

Looking for me?

Over here.

Come. I'll pay for my meal.

There's money buried under that tree.

Dig it up, it's yours.

I'll be back.

The Master is home.

Yunqiao

Chunqin

Hurry

I have to tell you...

There really was buried treasure?

That sound

I've heard it in my dreams.

In the 21st year of the emperor's reign,

the Japanese monk Kukai came to Chang'an

for an exorcism.

How long has he been like this?

His eyes haven't shut for a week.

Please begin.

Scribe Bai-

Present.

Write:
"The emperor died of illness."

Write

Master Kukai-

The emperor's death must be kept secret.

Go, and it'll be as if you were never here.

Oh!

Wipe your shoes.

So I'd come to cure the emperor's disease.

But that was no ordinary illness.

Master Kukai-

Scribe Bai

Why didn't you say anything?

The imperial physician said

he died of illness.

No illness keeps a man awake for a week.

I'm the scribe, I must keep exact records.

I can't write anything I'm unsure about.

How long have you been a scribe?

Three years. Why?

The emperor's pet cat is black, yes?

In three years, I never saw a pet cat.

When I kowtowed I got fur on my hands.

True. Only cat fur is this fine and soft.

What are you looking for?

Pawprints?

Not only did a cat enter the palace,

it was near the emperor's bed.

A cat was involved with his death?

What's this?

The Emperor is dead. Li Song is next.

Who's Li Song?

The prince, the next emperor.

He'll be back tomorrow.

Who?

The cat.

We'll have to buy more fish.

Nothing too big. He only eats the eyes.

(Death to he who uses this.)

This was part of the old palace.

What's that noise?

Careful.

Huh. Just a cat.

It's a time of mourning. Stay alert.

C'mon, let's go.

Master Kukai

Scribe Bai

You're right, there's a cat in the palace.

You saw it?

No. The night patrol told me.

And another strange thing...

Go on.

Chen Yunqiao, an imperial guard,

had a talking cat at his house.

Where'd you hear that?

His servants were gossiping.

Too bad I'm leaving.

It's none of my business now.

And you, will you report it?

It's none of my business, either.

I'm finished. I quit!

I've retired to devote myself to poetry.

I'm a poet.

I've heard Chang'an is full of poets.

I'm different.

I could have been a high official.

I chose not to.

But why be a lowly scribe?

That's for my poetry too.

Only a scribe stays in the palace,

seeing the emperor's every move.

Like a eunuch, minus the inconvenience.

Your poem is about palace life?

Yes. No more questions. I'll say no more.

What's the poem called?

Song of Everlasting Sorrow

So it's a love poem.

I told you, I'm not talking.

Who's it about?

The emperor, right?

So you needed to understand him.

Enough!

His love had to be a concubine.

Explain, why you say "had to be"?

He didn't pick his empress. Forget servants.

Who else is there?

Clever!

You're too kind.

You're right.

It's about the emperor's love for a lady.

Is it finished?

Not yet!

When it is, history will remember me.

But don't tell anyone yet!

Was Li Bo the greatest Tang poet?

Li Bo lived a long time ago.

He was lucky- it was a golden age.

Have you heard of Bai Juyi?

He is the greatest poet of today!

Oh? When will you introduce me?

Bai Juyi is very full of himself.

He makes his own rules,

lives for poetry, and sees no one!

Kukai, what's up with you?

Why rush back to Japan?

Why did you really come here?

To study with Abbot Huiguo at Qinglong Temple

but I couldn't get a foot in the door.

Kukai, it's not just you.

Qinglong is the home of Tantric Buddhism.

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