Chapter 1,071: Massive Construction Projects, Monks Forced into Hard Labor / Chapter 1,071: Massive Construction Projects, Monks Forced into Hard Labor ...

At the city gate, the two soldiers holding spears gave them a fierce once-over before finally letting them pass.

The five pilgrims from the west saw the gate open and were about to go through when they suddenly noticed a notice posted on it.

Sun Wukong was the first to spot it. He strode over and stood there reading it.

Tang Sanzang and the others grew curious as well and followed him over.

The notice read:

The king has issued an edict. The entire kingdom shall revere Daoism. All Buddhists shall be treated as heretics who spread nonsense and mislead the people. To uphold righteous law and promote the Daoist teachings of the three Imperial Preceptors, all Buddhists shall be arrested and forced into hard labor as penance.

Any monk who attempts to escape hard labor shall be killed without exception!

Anyone with a shaved head or bald scalp shall likewise be treated as a monk, lest some monks change into lay clothing and quibble over their words.

"Tch! This is outrageous! Even if they revere Daoism, there's no need to treat monks like this! It's utterly inhuman—simply appalling!"

Sun Wukong scratched his ears and cheeks in fury.

"Why is it like this? I've never seen a country like this before."

Tang Sanzang raised his head toward the notice and frowned, puzzled.

"Hmph!" Fahai gave a faint smile. "In my view, this trip to Chechi Kingdom won't be so easy."

The group then walked into the city. Once inside, they saw a country filled with exotic charm. Both sides of the broad street were lined with buildings of peculiar styles, but one structure ahead stood out above all the rest.

It was a Daoist temple. It seemed to have countless worshippers coming and going, and three large characters were written