Two weeks later news reached Lu Bu's ears that Cao Cao was making an attack on Wan Castle. At first, he thought nothing of it until Chen Gong urged him to attack from behind. Making a temporary alliance between Zhang Xiu and himself. Talks were already underway between an alliance between Lu Bu and Yuan Shu. A topic of conversation during these talks was the idea of making they're children marry. A topic that unsettled both LingQi and Mitsuko whenever they would hear the conversation whether publicly in meetings or the whispers of the common soldiers. LingQi loathed the idea of marrying someone whom she never met, however if this was the will of her father she will abide. Mitsuko on the other hand absolutely hated the idea of this though she would not admit this publicly…no matter how much she wanted to vent. Without Pang Tong helping her to calm down nothing would stop her to express how she feels.

'That son of a bitch how dare he! He shouldn't willingly be doing this.' Mitsuko vented in her private quarters with Pang Tong there. She paces down her quarters anxiously

'I understand how you feel but you must remain calm. Remember these are only just lengthy talks at the moment and there are one of many topics to discuss. Potentially she may not even get married off at all.' Pang Tong explained however that didn't help Mitsuko too much.

'Still though, he shouldn't be doing this after what he put her through. Unfeeling bastard!'

'Oh of course, I agree completely however due to his…nature he simply will not listen to us in this scenario. After all, this is just for his political gain and cares little for Yuan Shu, his previous allies should tell you that.' Lu Bu had various warlords side with him initially when he first started his journey. However once he claimed Xia Pi he slowly but surely started to abandon them when they were attacked similar to Wu Zi. Thus Lu Bu developed a reputation among the others as a betrayer, however warlords such as Yuan Shu and Zhang Xiu still wanted to keep diplomatic ties with him due to wanting to use his might for themselves.

'I know and whatever I do or say about this may make things worse and not better…I just...' Mitsuko stops herself as she sits down on her bed and looks at her hands before suddenly clenching her right hand into a fist as hard as she can.

'I just hate being so damn powerless to change anything.' Pang Tong walked over to Mitsuko and puts his hand on her shoulder. She looked up as he chuckled with his eyes closed. Mitsuko released her fist as soon as Pang Tong puts his hand on her.

'My lady, allow me to assure you, you are anything but powerless however. In this circumstance, no amount of power can overcome this. It is like a man breaking his body upon a gate, no matter how hard he tries he cannot overcome it and that's not because of a lack of strength. We just simply need to find the best way and time to use that power.' Pang Tong walked away a few steps before turning back.

'Besides I think when the time is right you'll be the only one able to help her.' They suddenly hear a war horn.

'Well looks like they're starting to depart, should we see them off?' Pang Tong questioned Mitsuko who sighed.

'Sure.' She picked up her scythe and exited the room. As she went on to the and caught some of the army just leaving through the main gate. The main part of the army would attempt to attack Cao Cao from the rear as he was going to attack Zang Xiu under the advice of Chen Gong. Only a small garrison would remain in the castle with several officers such as Mitsuko and her officers, LingQi and a couple of other non important officers. Pang Tong saw Chen Gong that almost pass through to the gate and gave him a wave. Chen Gong spotted him and looked away pretentiously with an arrogant smirk on his face. He suggested that Mitsuko and her forces would remain as a garrison force to Lu Bu which he agreed with. What he didn't anticipate was for LingQi volunteering to stay behind aswell, something Lu Bu didn't have a problem with in the slightest. Chen Gong thought this didn't matter too much all things considered. When the main army left and the main gates were closed, the castle itself looked pretty abandoned compared to a few seconds ago.

'Hey Mitsuko.' She looks around to see Zang Ba and Wu ZI walking towards her.

'Looks like we're going to hold the castle while they get to play heroes.' Ba announced, looking slightly dejected at this.

'You seem surprised, remember Chen Gong doesn't really like us …or well me that much.' Mitsuko chuckled softly.

'Even so, you'd think lord Lu Bu would utilise our ladies strength more.' Wu Zi commented on Mitsuko's strength.

'Sadly, it doesn't seem that way. I suppose in the end it doesn't really matter of the reasons, the fact is we're defending the castle so we need to do a good job…after all can't give our superiors a reason to dismiss or dislike us further.' Pang Tong did his signature chuckle.

'Speaking of which, what's the likelihood of someone launching an attack on us?' Mitsuko questioned Pang Tong who had an inquisitive look in his eyes.

'Hmm, given his reputation I'd expect it to be pretty high. Though I wouldn't expect a numerous force as they wouldn't expect our force to be the defenders. Though they'll still outnumber us for sure.' Pang Tong deduced.

'Is that right? Well we better get prepared then. I'll sort out the troops personally.' Mitsuko carries her scythe over her shoulder and sped past her officers and hurried to her troops.

'Hey is she ok?' Zang Ba questioned.

'Of course she is, however the potential wedding of LingQi has understandably affected her. She's probably just trying to keep herself busy to prevent herself from thinking about it. I wouldn't worry about her too much.'

'Indeed. Still I'm surprised that lady LingQi decided to voluntarily stay back. Normally she would be eager to prove herself in battle, much like lady Mitsuko.' Wu Zi responded.

'I had an inkling she would stay but not voluntarily. I consider this good progress.'

'How so?' Pang Tong remained silent as soldiers walked past them.

'If you do want to continue this conversation I would suggest we do so privately. Besides I think our lady will need our assistance.' Pang Tong chuckled as he led the way to follow Mitsuko after taking a sip from his flask hidden in his robes.

That night LingQi was up and trained more vigorously than ever before. As she executes her final strike, she starts to wipe sweat from her brow and sighs out of exhaustion. However she heard footsteps that she recognised was not Mitsuko's. She turns around sharply with her blade ready to cut down the potential enemy.

'Hey hey, don't worry its only me I am of no threat.' Pang Tong exclaims jovially. LingQi sighed and retracted her weapon.

'What are you doing up this late? It isn't like you.'

'Glad to see you aswell. Hehe. I just wanted to go out for a stroll, is that so wrong?' He asked as he takes a swig of his flask.

'Not necessarily…but it is still suspicious.'

'In that case I am lucky you are the one that has found me then and not some strict superior who would consider ordering my execution.' Pang Tong chuckled. LingQi couldn't really understand why he's out here tonight of all the nights.

'Is Mitsuko ok?' She questioned curiously.

'Oh yeah she's fine, I think she just overexerted herself with the training she did with her troops. I suspect she'll be back to normal tomorrow.'

'I see…' She couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed at her lack of presence regardless.

'Still, I am surprised to see you up at night training. I would've thought you needed the rest more than anyone.'

'I don't have time to rest for too long.' She responded.

'Perhaps…but surely you realise that you could've gotten more proficient in a real battle rather than simply swinging your pikes around at the air.' Pang Tong chuckled yet again.

'Hmph, so that's what this is about then?'

'Not particularly.' LingQi looked at him suspiciously.

'I mean it. Though I can't hide my curiosity of your decision, ultimately it is up to yourself whether or not you indulge in it. So I won't ask you to share your thoughts with me. As I said I just simply came out for a stroll.' Pang Tong smiled behind his veil gleefully with his eyes closed at LingQi which confused her.

'Well it has been fun but I'm going to continue on my stroll. Have fun with your training.' Pang Tong turns around and starts to walk away. Something inside LingQi stirred up as he walked away, like she just realised something.

'Wait!' She demands. Pang Tong stopped as instructed and turned around.

'Oh? Is there something else you would discuss?'

'Yes…there is. Tell me…do you have any idea what's troubling Mitsuko?'

'Hmm? Well as I said it just seemed to be overexertion on her part. She will be ok by tomorrow.'

'No its not just about tonight. This has been going on for a good while now. I know something is off with her and wish to know what exactly it is.'

'Are you sure you aren't just overthinking things?'

'No I am certain. She's hiding something but I'm not sure what.'

'What makes you so sure?' Pang Tong questioned.

'Her eyes. They tell a story.' LingQi simply answers. She paused almost as if she's trying to prevent herself from saying her thoughts. Though it was very difficult to prevent them from escaping.

'Though I don't know what kind. Sometimes I do doubt myself and wonder if what I see is just my imagination. But whenever I lay eyes on her I'm convinced what I see is real. That's she's concealing some secret and its making her suffer.' She remembers that night of the banquet…seeing Mitsuko so frightened and pained while refusing to tell her what was the matter…it hurt her. LingQi didn't know how or why but it hurt to see her like that. To see that suffering and feeling powerless and unable to help made her feel more helpless than she ever felt. She collapsed onto the floor exhaustedly, Pang Tong sat next to her.

'If its not her eyes its those nightmares she has. I know you noticed the same thing I have.' LingQi stated as a matter of fact as Pang Tong did a quieter chuckle than normal.

'I may have noticed something is slightly…off with her every now and again, unfortunately she hasn't really disclosed anything to me though so I can't give you the information you desire.'

'I see.' LingQi sounded disappointed as she looks down at the ground and found her right hand clenching into a fist tightly, taking a hold of the blades of grass that appeared between her fingers. Once she lets go she realised she already plucked them out of the ground.

'I am curious though.'

'Of what?'

'Of why you're asking me this? Surely you have the greater bond with her.' LingQi was confused by this.

'What do you mean? You spend time with her more than I do, you advise her and help her every step of her way. If there was anyone she would tell about her problems I thought it would've been you.' Pang Tong laughed jovially at this.

'Are you trying to mock me?' LingQi started to regret ever starting this conversation.

'No my apologies I did not mean to cause offense I just couldn't help myself.' Pang Tong composed himself promptly.

'While I may be flattered that you think such a thing, ultimately you're wrong.'

'How so?'

'Well for a start, how long you spend with a person isn't necessarily a measure of how strong your bond is, its merely but a factor and in certain situations is almost ignored completely. You really believe I can see the things about her that you can see when you look at her?'

'Of course. Are you saying you can't?' LingQi looked bewildered that there's something even Pang Tong can't see.

'Not in the slightest, the only thing I see when it comes to my lady is what everyone else can see. I can only see what everyone else can, I cannot see into her soul like you can.' He explains. LingQi was speechless and looked at the ground again, not sure of what to make of the situation.

'May I ask then…is this why you stayed behind?'

'Hmph, I thought you said it was my decision whether or not I would disclose that.' Pang Tong did his signature chuckle.

'I did…but I can still ask the question regardless hehe.'

'Of course you can. But yes that was a factor of my decision.' Satisfied with her answer Pang Tong was about to leave however LingQi unexpectedly continued to speak.

'You see…before Mitsuko I never had anyone who I could call a friend. Only servants really and because I was my fathers daughter I was not really allowed to be with the other children. Now that I met Mitsuko though…after seeing what I see in her eyes…I can't simply abandon her. I have to help her in someway, the same way she helped me.' LingQi looked down at her fist she kept clinched. As she opens up several blades of the grass fell through her fingers.

'Are you sure you should be telling me this? I mean this is me after all.' Pang Tong chuckled, LingQi glances at him before failing to conceal a smirk from him.

'Maybe not. However Mitsuko trusts you and you haven't done anything detrimental to her yet…so I think maybe its time I should try to do the same.' Pang Tong laughs heartily at this.

'Haha! I see. I am glad my lady has a friend like you then looking out for her. Well then I'll leave her in your care then.' Pang Tong stood up and began to walk away.

'Hey what do you-'

'Oh but I must mention.' Pang Tong turns around interrupting LingQi.

'If you do plan on helping her, you can't really afford to overexert yourself. After all if you're too tired to help her, who will aid her then?' Pang Tong chuckled as he walked away from her and returns to his quarters. Leaving LingQi alone with only her thoughts to occupy her.

'Hehe, that went even better than expected. Your closer than I thought to breaking those shackles of yours. My lady you have done quite a bit of work and helped her progress considerably. If this continues you will be able to obtain Xia Pi and make your stake in the conquest of the land sooner than expected. Though I do wonder what secrets do you conceal? Ahh its not my place to worry about that though. I'll entrust that Lady LingQi will assist you in that matter. When all the pieces are put in place, that is when the rise of the serpent will begin.'

'She really cares about her doesn't she?' Pang Tong looked to his right and found diamondback hiding behind a wall with his shroud hiding the bright diamonds.

'Hehe of course she does. Its only natural after all.' Pang Tong walked to Diamondback hiding behind the wall.

'Maybe…the previous incarnations didn't have friends like her.'

'Well just goes to show how special our lady is then no?'

'Hehe, that is true. Still…I am concerned about her. She has a direct blood tie with the warrior lord. Do you really think she will choose our lady over him? I hear humans value that sort of thing.' Diamondback responded. Remembering the previous encounters he and his demon brethren had with humans before

'Hmm, it is a rather tricky situation for her I must admit. However I have faith she will make the right choice.'

'How can you be so sure?'

'Simple, she's at least starting to trust me so now its my turn to return the favour. Besides when you hear her talk about lady Mitsuko, do they sound like the words of a betrayer to you?' Diamondback released a hiss as he contemplated this.

'Maybe not, but a betrayer will fake their words to please their master until it is easy to stab them in the back.' Pang Tong chuckled at this.

'You have much to learn about humans my demonic friend, you need to understand the little things about us.'

'The little things?' he looked at him puzzlingly, unsure what he meant.

'Yes, but that's a lesson for another time. For now lets rest. I forsee a busy day tomorrow for us.' Pang Tong replied as he walked to his quarters away leaving Diamondback by himself. He tilts his head at him as he walked off, unsure the meaning of his words were. He then peeked over the side of the wall to look at this LingQi yet again. It was difficult to believe this woman would forge a bond with Mitsuko. Before Mitsuko, the previous incarnations of Orochi simply gave way for him who then proceeded to do as he wishes. However Mitsuko hasn't. instead she developed bonds with other humans. It was a very different incarnation than what he was expecting…especially when he assimilated the memories of the mystics body. He could remember the determination and ferocity in her eyes that were similar to the past.

Through his observations she her own person, forged her own bonds, did things her way. Thinking back, he did begin to understand where Dodomeki came from. Though he could not just sit back like those two, he will be of some use to Mitsuko regardless of who she is, regardless of Orochi. Regardless of what the other two say. She helped him wake up and that is all Diamondback needed to convince him to serve as Mitsuko's blade. He only hopes Pang Tong is correct about LingQi joining Mitsuko when she starts her path of conquest. He felt because of the bond Mitsuko had with her…if Pang Tong can trust her to choose the path…can he? Should he even bother and treat her and everyone else with suspicion? Diamondback didn't know…however what he did know was that he will protect Mitsuko and obey her orders till the day he dies.