Xuanzang had originally been an eloquent debater. Within a hundred miles of Chang'an City, no one could out-argue him on Buddhist doctrine.
Otherwise, the Tang Emperor Li Shimin would not have chosen him for this journey to the Western Heavens to seek the true scriptures.
Yet now, faced with the words of three demons and a mortal, he was rendered speechless, unable to say a thing.
He could not refute the facts.
After a long while, Tang Sanzang finally lowered his head helplessly. A long sigh drifted from him, as though he were repenting before the Buddha.
"My Buddha is merciful, but why have these novice monks committed such sins?"
"Buddha, have you ever opened your eyes to look upon this world? Have you ever seen that all living beings suffer? Have you ever seen karma intertwine?"
The monks mistreated the common people. That was the cause.
Cart Slow Kingdom Three Oddities abused the monks. That was the result.
Buddhism placed the greatest emphasis on karma. Every cause bore a result; every sip and every peck was ordained by Heaven.
You reaped whatever you sowed.
The monks of Cart Slow Kingdom were suffering so miserably now entirely because they had brought it upon themselves by abusing the people of Cart Slow Kingdom in the past.
Tang Sanzang had no way to defend them either.
"Tang Sanzang, you are a scripture seeker bound for the Western Heavens, going there to obtain the Threefold Canon and save all living beings."
"Since that is so, do not waste time here. Have the king replace your Travel Permit, then leave the kingdom."
"As for these monks, they bear sins upon them. They must naturally cleanse themselves of their sins in Cart Slow Kingdom before they can regain their freedom."
Tang Sanzang remained silent for