Genjo Sanzo, Son Goku, Cho Hakkai, and Sha Gojyo press on with their journey west toward India, still charged with stopping the resurrection of the demon Gyumao. Along the way they meet a lone guardian the Minus Wave seems to have passed over, along with the band of children in his care; that same wave is turning peaceful youkai violent across Shangri-La. Reload picks up directly after the original Saiyuki, deepening the fear and mistrust the phenomenon has spread through the land, including inside the group itself.