Wukong transformed into a young Daoist priest and poked his head out of the bushes before emerging.
When the Daoists working there saw him, they hurriedly told Wukong to go back, saying this was no place for a Daoist.
Wukong said, "How is this no place for a Daoist? Explain yourselves."
The working Daoists said anxiously:
"Young Daoist, run! If you don't run now, you won't be able to escape!"
Wukong said, "I'm not leaving, not leaving. I won't leave until you explain."
The working Daoists grew terribly anxious at his words.
Just then, a monk overseeing the work looked over and spotted Wukong.
"Aha! A Daoist who slipped through the net!"
Hearing this, all the overseer monks rushed over and seized Wukong.
Wukong said, "What are you doing? Why are you arresting me?"
An overseer monk said, "Why? Because you're a Daoist!"
Wukong said, "You're arresting me just because I'm a Daoist? Whose law have I broken?"
The overseer monk said, "The law of our Wuji Kingdom! Our sovereign has decreed that you wicked Daoists usurped his kingdom and seized his throne, committing the grave crime of rebellion. Making you work is letting you off lightly!"
Wukong listened in bewilderment as an iron pick was thrust into his hands and he was shoved toward the mine.
As he mined, Wukong thought, If that overseer spoke the truth, and these Daoists really committed the grave crime of rebellion, treating them like this would be understandable.
But he could not listen to only one side of the story. Once the overseer monks had moved away, Wukong questioned a Daoist working beside him:
"Daoist, what exactly happened here? Those of us who cultivate the Dao ought to live secluded in the mountains and forests, devoting ourselves to arduous cultivation. Why do those