Months have passed since that skirmish with Yuan Shu. They returned to Xia Pi to little fanfare by the people, they missed their benevolent lord Liu Bei but they dare not invoke the wrath of the demon. Word had spread of their victory and the might of their army however word was also spread about Mitsuko. Soldiers that saw her fight and saw her duel with Sun Ce spoke of her strength aswell as her magnificent armour that helped her stand out. Due to her fighting style, her weapon and her armour the soldiers started to refer to Mitsuko as 'the Serpent general.'

Word began to spread of her when the army returned to Xia Pi and the soldiers continued to spread the word of her strength. Word also spread of Mitsuko incorporating Wu Zi's troops into her own increasing her personal force. This combined with her might made more people start to recognise and respect her as a superior or in some cases an equal. Due to her newfound fame Mitsuko found herself being requested to take some more responsibilities, under the suggestion of Pang Tong she accepted.

However when the first lot of paperwork came through to Mitsuko she was overwhelmed with it all. However Pang Tong insisted that he should take responsibility for this instead of her.

'Wait are you sure you want to do this? You don't have to this all was assigned to me you know.' Mitsuko states holding up numerous scrolls as she was in her room.

'Ahh don't worry about that, you have certain people that can help you do simple administration work like that. Just focus on yourself and the more important aspects and let someone like me worry about the menial tasks.' Pang tong insisted.

Mitsuko sighs a breath of both relief and defeat.

'Well if you're sure.'

'I am my lady, do not worry I do this out of my own free will.' Pang Tong chuckles.

'Well thanks I appreciate it, I'm not sure what I'd do without you.' She laughs slightly as she hands him the scrolls.

'You would've been fine...you just wouldn't have done it as stylish.' Pang Tong laughs as claims the scrolls. Shortly after he distributes some of the work to people he deemed loyal to Mitsuko to get the work done faster as she dealt with the more important matters. He was happy to help her in any way that he can, even if it does mean doing administration tasks like this that bored him to no end.

One day while returning from his newly found duties he bumps once again into Zang Ba who has also finished for the day.

'Ahh it seems we meet again. I was hoping we would.'

'Oh really? Why would that be?' Pang Tong chuckles at his enthusiasm knowing the reason already.

'I wish to avenge my defeat and learned from my mistakes and I will defeat you at GO!' he declares pointing at him in a dramatic fashion. Pang Tong chuckles at his enthusiasm yet again. However he sees an opportunity has presented itself to expand Mitsuko's influence. He smirks underneath his mask.

'Is that so? Well seeing as I have finished everything I needed to why don't we play a game right now?' He questioned.

'That's what I'm talking about. Come follow me.' Zang Ba leads him to his room which is very Spartan and very similar to Mitsuko's room. They sit at a small table with a GO board. Zang ba sets up the board as Pang Tong waits silently. About a minute later the pieces were set and the board was setup.

'Ok seeing as I am the honourable sort I will allow you to go first.'

'Oh I'm very grateful, I promise the first time was just a fluke.' Pang Tong chuckles as he puts the first piece down on the board.

'I'm sure.' Zang Ba replied wary of his tricks as he put his piece down in response.

A few minutes into the game Pang Tong started to make his first true move.

'My friend would you mind if I asked you something...personal?'

'Of course not, as I said before any friend of Mitsuko is a friend of mine. Please say what is on your mind.'

'How kind of you...may I ask how you feel about the current situation we are in at the moment?' Zang Ba paused before responding like he was hesitating.

'I think things are going quite well so far. Sure we had a few setbacks but they are bound to happen.' He answers as he puts down his piece.

'I see. And what do you think of our lord?'

'What is there to say? I mean he is the mightiest warrior in the land. You'd be a fool to challenge him in combat and not stand with him.' Zang Ba stated proudly. Pang Tong nods feigning agreement.

'Here here. Mitsuko also feels the same way.' He responded, Zang Ba became silent once more, hesitating to probe further into this. They played quietly for a couple of minutes as Ba worked up courage.

'Speaking of Mitsuko you served under her for a while now what do you feel about her?'

'Well what can I really say? She's strong, capable, though not the most experienced. However her willingness to listen to other people and consider their proposals is a most welcome trait as I'm sure our lord Lu Bu also exhibits.' Pang Tong smirks under his mask as he finds Zang Ba averting his gaze away from him. Unable to answer this question with a sound yes with pride in his voice he previously exhibited.

'Yeah of course.' His voice was shaky like someone that would waver to an enemy in battle.

'I hear that she's making a bit of a name for herself since the last battle.'

'Oh yes very much so, the magnificent amount of strength she displayed proved that she can get the job done. It may have taken a bit of time, but now people are starting to notice her like lord Wu Zi.'

'Ahh yes I've heard of that, it is strange for someone of his former position would willingly become an officer of someone like her...not that I'm insulting her or anything please do not get the wrong idea. It is just unusual that someone with fame and soldiers would willingly serve someone with no name and barely any followers.'

'True but Mitsuko did aid him and his men back at Dingtao maybe he's the honourable sort? I mean without her support its hard to imagine him making out of that battle alive.' Pang Tong suggested as he places yet another piece down clearly winning both battles.

'I suppose so. May I ask why she aided him when everyone else aided our lord?' Ba questioned curious of Mitsuko's decision.

'Well I suggested that to stay there since he would've easily been overwhelmed with numbers. She listened to what I had to say and made the decision to stay, of course shortly after they were attacked. Though she didn't have any ulterior motive or anything she just wanted to help her ally.' Pang Tong saw the surprise in his eyes and chuckles slightly.

'I see...so she actually does listen to her followers then and in turn helped saved his life...'

'You seem surprised like this, is this not the same behaviour that our lord also expresses?' Pang Tong could see him getting more and more anxious as if he could see the conflict he himself is having. Despite being alone he looks around to check if anyone else was listening to this conversation

'Well not particularly. I don't know if I should say more.' He whispers fearing others may listen in.

'Please do not worry about that. I'm sure we are the only ones. Please speak your mind, I can keep secrets I promise. Besides its not good to keep things like to yourself.' Pang Tong did his signature chuckle which does help calm Ba down slightly.

'Well...just between you and me...I think he's more concerned with personal glory than that of his forces, the fact that at that battle he left Wu Zi without any reinforcements to defend a position is...concerning.'

'Really? Surely sacrifices must be made right?'

'Not when they don't amount to anything and still leads to a defeat!' He raises his voice however apologises soon after.

'My apologies I only mean I would prefer to not serve someone for them to cast me aside. I mean he treats his most loyal officers like nothing, like Gao Shun.'

'Really? That doesn't sound becoming of a leader.' Pang Tong replied further fuelling the flames of rebellion within him.

'It really isn't...truth be told ever since that battle I began to have doubts about lord Lu Bu. I also know a few officers have the same doubts but they are far from the majority of opinion.'

'is that so? Hmm have you considered say changing allegiances?' Pang Tong whispers feigning ignorance of his fears.

'No not at all. Even if I did I'm sure he would be enraged and slay me there and then before I got far with that red hare of his.'

'I suppose so, still serving a lord you have doubts about who won't listen to you would not be the best for you, after all you owe it to yourself to be at least be satisfied with your lord right?' Pang Tong places another piece on the board.

'I suppose...still I'm not really sure of what to do at the moment, I doubt he'll change and listen to people though...especially his strategist.' Ba responded, remembering how Chen Gong attempts to try and talk to Lu Bu however he disregards his opinion.

'Hmm that does seem likely...I may have a solution to this problem of yours.'

'Really?'

'Yeah. Rather than switching your allegiance to a lord from the outside...maybe someone more...unexpected and on the inside?'

'On the inside what do you mean?'

'Well if its on the inside you don't really have to travel anywhere so you will be spared the demons wrath and he won't be non the wiser or anyone for that matter.'

'I guess but where am I going to find a lord worth serving on the inside?' He questioned hoping to get an answer from him as he does his signature chuckle.

'Maybe what you're looking for is not a lord...but perhaps a lady.' Zang ba was confused by this before he got what he was saying.

'Wait you mean Mitsuko don't you?'

'Now that you mention it I would consider her a contender for your choice. Its not like your spoiled for choice are you?'

'I know but still...do you really think that's a good idea?'

'Are you implying that my lady is not worth serving?' Pang Tong inquired and raised his eye at him in which he quickly shook his head while shaking his hands.

'No no it is just that...she has gotten attention from other officers...and not in a good way. She would need to be more careful in the future.'

'Could you care to elaborate a bit more on that?' he questioned knowing the answer but wants to hear him say it anyway.

'Mitsuko's new found fame caught the attention of other officers, while some are impressed others are less so. When they heard about Wu Zi's submission to him a few begin to get wary of her. Whether out of jealousy or stubborn loyalty I couldn't tell you.' Pang Tong chuckles yet again, he knew that people began to speak about her and that would influence others in both positive and negative ways.

'Is that so? Well I don't believe they will be a threat at least for the moment so we will be fine.'

'How can you be sure? What if they do make a move on us then what?'

'Leave that to me I have a couple of plans in preparation.' Pang Tong chuckles with a hint of menace in his voice and eyes.

'Plans...you already knew didn't you?' Ba asked stunned by his intellect.

'I may have had an...inkling lets say. But rest assured they won't be bothering us any time soon. After all we are all on the same side so they would do well not to try and divide the force.'

'Even so...what is Mitsuko's ultimate goal then? Surely not to protect herself against jealous officers right?' Zang Ba questioned with the fires of rebellion started to burn away his previous doubts?

'hehe indeed not I imagine however she can't make a move without certain resources as I'm sure you're aware.'

'Make a move? What move...wait you don't mean-'

'Indeed, we rebel and take control of Xia Pi for ourselves and then will begin the rise of the serpent.'

'Wait...why are you telling me all this? I still haven't decided yet...and what you speak...overthrowing the demon. Do you really think we can do that?' Fear started to overcome Ba once again doubting Mitsuko's small force.

'Because my lady trusts you and so do I. besides you said you had doubts before of our lord right? Why continue to serve him when you made your feelings certain that he isn't the correct lord for you to serve?'

'I...' Zang Ba desperately tried to find words to counter his argument however there was nothing he could say to prove to him...and himself that serving under such a lord is correct.

'And what of the daughter? She is friendly with Mitsuko...too friendly.'

'Perhaps but I believe that our lady will be able to secure her loyalty.'

'How can you be so sure? She's probably the most loyal officer in the army to her father.' Pang Tong could only chuckle at this once again.

'Because she now knows that she doesn't have to be shackled by her bloodline, the more time she spends with Mitsuko the more she understands this. Ultimately I'm confident she will make the right choice.'

'You thought of everything haven't you...you can be terrifying you know.'

'Hehe consider it a small talent of mine. However another one is being good at this game.' Pang Tong places the final piece of the board completely surrounding ba's pieces without him knowing it.

'What no way!' he stares in shock of him.

'Do not worry you did better this time I'm sure you can get me again next time.' Pang Tong chuckles as ba sighs in defeat.

'So what is your decision?' Be became silent pondering everything however he could not see the smirk on Pang Tong underneath his veil as if he already knew what it was.

'You make good points and you are right, I cannot continue to serve a lord like Lu Bu...me and my men will join you and Mits-I mean the serpent.' The large man went down on knee in front of him in complete loyalty making up his mind.

'Excellent I'm glad you made the right decision but best not to declare that to her just yet...you should wait until the next battle.'

'The next battle? Why?'

'Because it makes more sense after she proved herself in battle once again. In the meantime try and tell the others in the minority about her a bit more. I think they may need a bit of a push first and when they see you bow to her the others are more inclined to do so. Plus it gives us a bit more time to gather what we need.'

'I understand, yes that makes sense.'

'He he well I must take my leave, my apologies for taking up so much of your time.' He bows apologetically.

'Please do not be so formal we are now comrades in arms now yes?'

'Haha indeed we are.' Pang Tong exits the room and makes his way back. The evening sun was set and the night has come out making the city almost deserted once again. However he stops in his travels and turns around to see the streets deserted and the whistling of the wind as it blows past him.

'You know...the point of trying to sneak on someone is to not be seen or heard and you've broken both of those rules. But do not worry I was playing a friendly game of go but we lost track of time.' Pang Tong did his signature chuckle and kept on walking. Meanwhile a familiar well dressed young man with a moustache and goatee grasped in scroll in his hand in anger as he watches the fledgling phoenix walk off.

'The arrogance of that hermit...there is more to him that meets the eye...I must found out what it is he and that damned serpent woman are up to.'