Now, Wukong had secretly broken the Bundle's power. Inside it, he was as though inside an ordinary magic treasure, untroubled and free to move.
Wukong had intended to wait until Ao Tu fell asleep, then find a chance to get out and rescue his master and fellow disciples.
Ao Tu, however, did not know the Bundle's power had been broken. He thought that if he kept Wukong inside, Wukong would certainly be unable to escape. With Tang Sanzang and all his disciples captured and no one able to rescue them, another crowd of Bodhisattvas and Buddhas would come along.
In that case, he would be better off letting Wukong out, which would allow him to prolong the obstruction.
So, after the feast, Ao Tu summoned some lesser demons, had them fetch ropes, and took Wukong out of the Bundle. They tied him up and imprisoned him with Tang Sanzang and his disciples.
Wukong was actually unharmed when he came out of the Bundle, but seeing that Ao Tu meant to imprison him with Tang Sanzang and the others, he turned the scheme to his own advantage. He pretended to be too weak to resist so that he could rescue them.
Two lesser demons carried Wukong into the Buddha Hall where Tang Sanzang and his disciples were imprisoned and dumped him on the floor.
Seeing him, Tang Sanzang hurriedly called, "Wukong! Wukong!"
Bajie and Sha Wujing also called, "Eldest Brother! Eldest Brother!"
Seeing that the lesser demons had not left, Wukong continued to feign unconsciousness and made no response.
Sha Wujing said, "What's happened to Eldest Brother?"
Bajie said, "He's probably dead!"
Hearing this, Tang Sanzang could not help weeping. "My disciple, ever since you entered the Chan Forest, you have protected me on the great road west. We master and