Lu Bu's army emptied Puyang castle and marched towards Dingtao where Wu Zi is being held. The army halts and rests as the night took the place of the day with Dingtao barely on the horizon. Save for a few soldiers stuck on patrol duty everyone is sleeping for the battle tomorrow. On the outskirts Dodomeki and Gyuki overlook Dingtao with Gyuki standing and Dodomeki sitting on the chest he carried. Dingtao was a city without walls while being on a smaller scale compared to Luo Yang or Jian Ye. There are two main castles where the officials and the warlord reside in: Dingtao castle and Juye castle though they were larger than the other standard building though they didn't compare to the size of a true castle like Puyang. Wu Zi was being seiged at Dingtao castle though Juye castle seemed relatively untouched so far.

'So that's where tomorrow's battle will take place? Gyuki asks.

'Yep that's it. I'm surprised we don't see normal citizens act as dead decorations over the place.' Dodomeki replies.

'Well he is human despite what other humans say, it's not like they are resisting against him.'

'Perhaps...still I'm kind of disappointed by his lack brutality. Oh well no matter.' The two stay there in silence for a moment before Gyuki asks something.

'So this is where she's going to suffer her first loss?' Dodomeki nods.

'Yep that's it.'

'Are you sure we should stand by idly waiting for that to happen?'

'Yes, besides I think it will be good for her to know how defeat feels like.'

'Maybe...but still it feels wrong to not help her when we know she'll lose without our help.'

'You don't have to like it, hell I don't even like it myself but we keep through to our orders...though this was quite quick for him to respond I wonder why he responded this quickly.'

Just then they both hear a small grunt before being followed by a cheery voice.

'Perhaps I can answer that for you...once I get up that is.' Gyuki recognises his voice.

'It's the strategist hold on.' Gyuki walks over to the edge and pulls up Pang Tong by the back of his robe and places him on the ground. Pang tong immediately dusts himself off.

'Ahh thank you very much I appreciate it.' Pang Tong thanked him though Dodomeki wasn't too thrilled to see him.

'What are you doing here strategist?'

'Me? I'm just a simple strategist doing a bit of a reconnaissance for my lady is all. When I was walking I saw two very strange shadows that I thought I'd investigate.' He responded as he tips his hat down slightly as Dodomeki sighs.

'So how much did you hear?'

'Oh I didn't hear anything at all, especially not the part where you were going to let her lose the battle on purpose and not assist her.' Dodomeki storms up to Pang Tong and begins to lose his cool over his tone of sarcastic voice. He thought that the strategist was alluding to him and Gyuki being disloyal to Mitsuko which touched a nerve.

'Listen here strategist you have no idea what's going on here but despite what you think we are not being disloyal to her!' Gyuki puts a calm hand on his shoulder and Dodomeki sighs realising that he was out of line and refines himself. Pang tong simply chuckled in response.

'You misunderstand me. Sure I do not understand your reasoning but I can tell that you are indeed loyal to her which is all I need to know at this point. However there is a reason I'm actually here, I implore your assistance.' He bows respectfully as the demons look at him with confused expressions.

'What do you mean our assistance?'

'Well normally I would disagree with the fact we would lose the battle. The fact of the matter is our lady's lord isn't exactly one suited to leadership and as a result will more than likely think of his own lust for battle and charge straight in. That's why Cao Cao struck as early as he did to provoke the mightiest warrior. He'll definitely have some traps waiting in the wings.'

'So how do we come in? If you ask us to reinforce you I'm afraid we can't do that.' Dodomeki replies.

'No not reinforce. He'll more than likely leave the main camp vulnerable to attack and as a result we'll have to retreat and leave Yan Province. Though Cao Cao is not a man to let his enemies run away feely if you get my meaning.'

'You want us to clear an escape path for you.'

'Yep that's correct.'

'Apologies but we can't. We've been ordered not to interfere with her.'

'Of course and I respect that however think about this. Is it fair to let her die because her lord is rather incompetent? Sure you can risk it but it only takes one arrow to put her out of commission...is that really fair especially given the fact she's being ordered and the punishment for disobeying is normally death? Ahh but I'm rambling I'm sorry I will let you get back to what you were doing. Do think about my suggestion though.' Pang Tong starts to climb down as the demons start their discussion.

'That strategist has a silver tongue that's for sure.' Dodomeki responds as he turns his sights to back to the city.

'But its not like he doesn't have a point though. Maybe we should at least secure the escape route.'

'We can't we've been ordered not to interfere. Besides with the mess we'll make they'll be sure to be suspicious.' Dodomeki replies as he hunches over the edge contemplating.

'They can be suspicious all they want but it's not like they'll find us. I know you don't like staying idle when she goes into battle without us just as much as I do.'

'it's not about what I want is it though? We've been ordered not to interfere when she goes into battle. Lord Orochi never would've ordered us not to without good reason. Even if we don't like it.'

'But normally he would have some sort of control now right? I may not be that smart but I know that this time is different and you know it.'

'Of course I know it...that's why its better to obey orders and not interfere, no matter how much we want to since she's not fully developed yet.' Gyuki can't help but be saddened by this news and moaned softly. Dodomeki sighs fearing he'd regret this.

'However...its possible they could have some mystic involvement. I think its fair to say it's a cause for investigation at the very least.' Gyuki pipes up with interest and unable to contain his joy as he jumps up and claps his hands.

'Yeah that's right, we should go investigate just in case. We can't have them interfering right?'

'Hehe indeed we can't have that now so we better kill them all just to be sure. Come on lets go examine their formation from there we can pinpoint where the ambush will take place and annihilate them.' Dodomeki starts sprinting towards the castle with Gyuki happily following him. Unbeknownst to them the fledgling phoenix himself did not fully retreat back and was standing on the ledge below them chuckling to himself as he overheard everything.

'Ha ha Pang Tong you did it again. Still though they seem very fond of this "lord Orochi" but will happily serve Mitsuko when the time is right for her...hmm I may have to probe Gyuki for more information. But just them helping out is good enough for now. I should get back...big today tomorrow and all that.'

As soon as the sun hit their tents the army packed up and marched towards the county. Mitsuko noticed that Pang Tong seemed happier than usual as he whistled almost all the way. As they enter the city and setup the main camp in one of the larger buildings in the city close to the castle where Wu Zi is being under siege. As the soldiers finish setting up the camp when the sun is at its highest in the sky, Mitsuko walks up to Pang Tong who was still whistling to himself.

'You seem more cheery than usual.'

'Oh do I? Sorry, I just have a decent feeling about this battle is all.'

'Really? Why is that?'

'Call it a hunch I have.'

'Ok then...well you have any advice going into this battle?' Mitsuko couldn't tell but Pang Tong was slightly taken aback by that.

'Oh you actually want my advice?'

'Well of course why wouldn't I?' She questions wearing a confused face as he clears his throat.

'Well in that case I recommend you place your unit on the rear guard.'

'Are you expecting trouble?' Mitsuko asks.

'That's a good question should we expect trouble?' Ling Qi questions as she comes in sight of both of them.

'Kind of. Cao Cao is a man of intellect and he doesn't attack recklessly. He'll have something up his sleeves which is why we should stick to the rear guard for the moment.'

'Then we have to-' LingQi was interrupted as a messenger came sprinting through the building to find Lu Bu. The gang follow him to where Lu Bu is with Zhang Liao and Chen Gong to his sides as the is on his knees delivering the message.

'Lord Wu Zi's unit is surrounded by Cao Cao's forces at Dingtao Castle. He won't last much longer unless we send help immediately!' He yells with a panicked voice.

'I understand.' Lu Bu nods and summons his trusty sky piercer which is being carried by two lowly soldiers who struggle to keep it in the air. As they are about to deliver his halberd as all of a sudden Chen Gong interrupts the exchange as he pipes up with his own advice.

'Wait! Cao Cao's defences will be better prepared for us than at Puyang. As I said before once we save lord Wu Zi from death we should fall back and implore Yuan Shao for reinforcements my lord.' He begged for his lord to see some sense however Lu Bu didn't listen as he thought he didn't need anyone else's help. He grabs the halberd with one hand and slams the bottom polearm on the ground making a loud thud silencing his strategist.

'We have you, myself and Zhang Liao that's all we need.' He responded arrogantly as Mitsuko rolls her eyes.

'Nice to know we're appreciated right?' She whispers to Pang Tong as they continued. Chen Gong held his head in his hands in panic as he walks around

'Well yes that is true but still we may need to-'

'Therefore, all we need to do is scatter his army just like last time. I'll cut through anyone who stands in my way!' Lu Bu interrupted as he mounts his prized possession the red hare. Zhang Liao and Chen Gong also mount up though Chen Gong looked almost distraught by Lu Bu's lack of an intellectual approach to this battle he just hoped things wouldn't go too badly.

'Open the gate we'll drive out Cao Cao's army out of Yan Province for good and his head will be mine!' He declares as the soldiers cheer and the doors open. Lu Bu recklessly charged out of the gates and headed towards Wu Zi's unit with his army following closely behind him. However LingQi clutched her chest as she became worried for her rather arrogant father.

'Father...' She softly speaks out loud before sighing. She closes her eyes for a moment and steels herself as she inhales and exhales for the battle to come. She picks up her weapon and follows her father into battle. Mitsuko picks up her weapon as well but watched as she saw LingQi run after her father. Even in the seemingly sea of soldiers she was still very much noticeable...at least to Mitsuko.

'Poor girl following in her father's footsteps all the time. Maybe in time her eyes can be opened.' Pang tong whispered to himself. Mitsuko didn't hear what he said.

'What was that?'

'I said we better get a move on as well, even though I recommend the rear guard I'm sure you don't want to be on guard duty with the main camp.' Mitsuko smirks at this.

'Ha not if I have anything to say about it.' She responded as she follows the main army as Pang Tong chuckles to himself before joining her. Little did they know they were being watched by two scouts of Cao Cao's army.

'Ahh they left, excellent we should tell the ambush party to get ready for when they funnel to our side.' One stated as the other one nods. They stealthily made their way out and go off to join the ambush party hiding in the path behind Dingtao castle. Halfway though one of them carried on marching unaware of the other one's absence as he started to daydream about the future.

'If we can defeat that brute here then surely we can achieve peace before long. And I'll finally be able to return to my field with my loving wife and able to see my son grow up to be a fine young man. What about you?' He looks to his side finally realising he's not there. He looks behind him to see him seemingly collapsed. He rushes over to his partners body to see check up on him only to find his neck twisted backwards. He fell back with fear and starts crawling backwards before coming to an unsuspected halt. He fearfully looks up and sees Dodomeki's helmet blocking the sun. He quickly attempted to crawl away before being grabbed by the throat and hoisted in the air making him look in his glowing golden yellow eye.

'Wait...please don't. I have a wife...a son as well!' he spurts out before Dodomeki tightens his grip due to his annoyance choking him.

'I need information. Where is the ambush party?'

'What ambush I don't GHURK!' Dodomeki tightens his grip further interrupting him before loosening it.

'I won't ask again. Tell me where this ambush and this escape path for their army is and I won't kill you and make your wife and child a widow and an orphan!' He threatened as his gauntlet enters his field of vision thirsting for blood. Fearing for his life the soldier spilled the beans.

'Ok ok, behind Dingtao castle there's a back gate that leads out of the city and into Xu province. We plan to ambush them there to at the very least thin their numbers before they retreat.' Dodomeki smirks beneath his helmet.

'Thank you for your assistance, now your life has no meaning to me anyway.'

'Hey wait I-GYURK' He was cut short by Dodomeki's arm running through his body. He removes the arm that's now drenched in blood and drops the corpse as it makes one last raspy sigh before expiring. He climbs up on a small hut next to a wall. Over that wall Gyuki was hiding making sure not to make a noise.

'Did you hear all that?'

'Yeah behind the castle along the path to Xu Province right?' He repeats to make sure he heard it correctly.

'Good, go to the path and strike from the rear of the ambush I'll work on the front.' Gyuki nods as he makes his way there as Dodomeki climbs down and stealthily makes his way to the castle.