Now, Wukong was caught red-handed by Ao Tu as he ate watermelon.
Ao Tu swung the Wooden Staff wildly at him, while Wukong dodged this way and that.
Bajie snickered.
Sha Wujing glanced at the leftover watermelon rind at his feet and silently kicked it far away.
Tang Sanzang stepped forward to mediate. "Old Benefactor, please don't be angry. We can talk this over."
Ao Tu held the Wooden Staff and said, "Talk this over? What is there to discuss with a melon thief? Let me hit him! Hit him!"
Wukong easily dodged the Wooden Staff and laughed. "Old Benefactor, why are you accusing an innocent man without distinguishing black from white?"
Ao Tu said, "Accusing an innocent man? How have I falsely accused you?"
Wukong said, "I didn't steal this watermelon."
Ao Tu said, "If you didn't steal it, what's that in your hand?"
Wukong glanced at the watermelon in his hand and explained, "Someone gave me this."
Ao Tu said, "I chased you all the way here and saw you eating my watermelon with my own eyes. Still trying to deny it? Give me back my watermelon!"
Wukong turned helplessly to Tang Sanzang. "Master, look at this. Old Sun can't even clear his own name."
Tang Sanzang said, "Old Benefactor, you've misunderstood. Wukong really didn't steal this watermelon."
At this, Ao Tu looked Tang Sanzang up and down. "Who are you? Why are you speaking up for him?"
Tang Sanzang bowed. "Old Benefactor, this humble monk has come from the Great Tang in the Eastern Land and is bound on the Journey to the West to fetch the scriptures. These are all my disciples."
Ao Tu said, "So you're their master?"
Tang Sanzang said, "Indeed."
Ao Tu said, "Then you were the one who ordered them to steal