It's a very dramatic, very charged moment. Which Koumyou, of course, has to immediately ruin by flashing one of his dopier smiles.

"...People like priests?"

This is news to him!

Of course, a Sanzo can't go anywhere on his world without people clamoring for his attention. For teachings, for wisdom, for him to chant mantras that he never really memorized. But he's never taken that as anyone liking him.