As it happened, Tang Sanzang and his disciples were fortunate enough to have the Grand Preceptor speak up on their behalf, allowing them to withdraw from court without incident.
Back at the Courier Station, Tang Sanzang was still shaken. He told Wukong and the other two what the Scorpion Demon had whispered in his ear.
All three were startled.
Wukong said, "I thought that monster wanted to marry you, Master. Now it seems she wants to eat you."
Bajie said, "That delicate Queen is such a beauty. How can she be a man-eating demon?"
Sha Wujing said, "That Queen is a monster in disguise. She might well have eaten the real Queen!"
Tang Sanzang said, "What are we to do? That monster has taken the Passbook too."
Sha Wujing said, "Master, I think we should leave this place of trouble first, then decide what to do next!"
Tang Sanzang said, "It would be good to hide for a while. Otherwise, that monster will drag me off to marry her. She even said she would eat my flesh!"
Wukong looked outside and said, "There's no hiding now. Look!"
They all looked outside. Female soldiers guarded the entire area outside the Courier Station, one at every step. They looked out back and found it was the same there.
Bajie said, "This is bad. Now we can't escape."
Wukong looked around and said, "They're guarding this place tightly enough. They've surrounded us front and back, left and right."
Sha Wujing said, "Eldest Brother, you've never feared any demon or monster before. Are you afraid of these few mortals?"
Wukong laughed. "They're all women. It wouldn't be proper for me to lay hands on them! Let Bajie do it!"
Bajie said, "They're all women. It wouldn't be proper for Old Pig to lay hands