The Vermilion Bird possessed the pure Vermilion Bird Flame, while the Scorpion King carried the Power of the Red Flame and Power of thunder and lightning. Although their rank could not compare to the Vermilion Bird Flame, the combination of the two, with the thunder-fire enhancement, held formidable power that could not be underestimated.
After a bout of battle, both parties realized they couldn't do anything to each other. However, what exasperated the Scorpion King was that while the Vermilion Bird couldn't harm him, his army of Red Scorpions couldn't withstand the Vermilion Bird's attack.
The Vermilion Bird evidently noticed this too, so it simply stopped targeting the Scorpion King and instead focussed on the scorpion horde.
