The Prisoners Are Released

Journey to the West 102 The Prisoners Are Released

Lady Kou ran into the courthouse early the next morning. With tears in her eyes, she told the judge that she had lied the day before. “ The Tang Monk and his companions are innocent. ” Lady Kou sniffed. “ Please release them. ”

The judge nodded. “ I was going to release the prisoners this morning. ” He explained how the Wandering Spirit had visited him the night before. Lady Kou gasped. “ My husband visited me last night! We must release the prisoners at once. ” They hurried to the Tang Monk’s cell. A guard swung open the cell door.

“ I’m glad to be out of there, ” said Wujing. “ Me too, ” said Bajie with a yawn. “ The beds were very uncomfortable. ” Lady Kou bowed to the Tang Monk. “ I framed you for killing my husband, ” she said. “ Please forgive me. It was a terrible thing to do. ”

“ That’s right! ” shouted Wukong. “ It was a really terrible thing to do! ” The Tang Monk put his hand on the monkey’s shoulder. “ Don’t yell, Wukong. ” He looked at Lady Kou. “ We forgive you. The squire was a kind man. His death is a terrible tragedy. ” Wukong rubbed his chin. “ I can probably bring him back to life. ” Lady Kou and the judge were shocked. “ Can you really do that?” asked Lady Kou.

The Tang Monk smiled. “ Yes, he can. Wukong brought the king of the Black Rooster Kingdom back to life. ” He turned to the monkey. “ The sage Laozi helped you that time. Will you ask him for help again?” “ No, ” said Wukong. “ Laozi doesn’t really like me. I’ll go to the Land of Darkness and talk to the Judge of the Dead instead. ”