The information that 'Ennin is alive' seemed to have reached Japan because his apprentice, Shokai from Mt. Hiei, came to China to meet him.
「円仁が無事生きている」という情報は日本に伝わっていたらしく、比叡山から弟子の性海が円仁を迎えに唐にやってきて、師と再会を遂げる。