Journey to the West, Chapter 101, Arrested This is ridiculous, said the Tang monk.
Why are we under arrest?
Soldiers were bringing the travelers back to the town.
You robbed Squire Ku's house last night, said one of the soldiers.
What? cried Bajie.
We would never rob somebody, especially not the squire.
He was kind to us.
You had all the stolen items, replied the soldier.
You also had the two horses that were stolen from his stable.
We got everything from the real robbers, said the Tang monk.
We were going to return it all to Squire Ku.
The soldier laughed.
Oh, you got everything from the real robbers.
Tell me, where are the real robbers now?
Wukong sighed.
I let them go.
The soldier laughed again.
Oh, that was very kind of you.
Wukong could tell that the soldier didn't believe him.
By now they had reached the town.
A crowd of people had gathered to watch.
The soldiers brought the travelers into the courthouse.
The judge frowned at the monk and the others.
Lock them up.
This is a mistake, the Tang monk pleaded.
We can't go to jail.
We're making an important journey to visit Buddha.
The judge shook his head.
Buddha doesn't allow killers in the Western Paradise.
Killers? said Wu Jing.
What are you talking about?
You killed Squire Ku, said the judge.
The Tang monk's face went pale.
The squire is dead?
The judge narrowed his eyes at the monk.
Yes, and Lady Ku saw you do it.
The travelers were shoved into a jail cell, and the door was slammed shut.
The Tang monks started to cry.
This is terrible.
Bajie made a fist.
Lady Ku framed us!
Yes, said Wu Jing, nodding.
But why?
I'll find out tonight, promised Wukong.
Thank you, Wukong.
The Tang monk looked grateful.
We must prove our innocence.
That night, Wukong turned into a bee and flew out of the jail and to Squire Ku's house.
He found Lady Ku mourning over a coffin.
The monkey changed back into himself and hid behind a curtain.
Imitating the squire's voice, he said, My lady, it's me, your husband.
Lady Ku's eyes went wide.
Husband, is it really you?
Yes, said Wukong.
Why did you tell the judge that the Tang monk and his companions killed me?
Lady Ku hesitated.
I was angry with them.
You wanted them to stay here, but they insisted on leaving.
That was an insult to us.
You have done a terrible thing, thundered Wukong.
The walls of the house shook, and Lady Ku trembled.
The monkey continued.
Tomorrow, you must tell the judge that the Tang monk and his companions are innocent.
If you don't, I will haunt you for the rest of your life.
Tears poured from the woman's eyes.
I will talk to the judge tomorrow.
I promise.
Please don't haunt me.
Wukong flew back to the courthouse.
He saw the judge sitting at a desk reading some papers.
Wukong flew over the roof.
Then he turned into an enormous spirit body and lowered one foot.
When the judge saw the giant foot, he gasped.
The papers fell from his hands.
Wukong's voice boomed.
I am the Wandering Spirit, and I was sent here by Buddha.
Lady Ku lied to you.
The Tang Monk didn't kill Squire Ku.
The monk is on an important journey.
If you don't free him and his companions, I will lower my other foot.
Then I will stomp all over this town until there is nothing left.
