The detachment of the black mountain bandits approach the camp stealthily being careful not to make too much noise. All were equipped with swords and axes, thirsty for blood. Leading them was the scout that was captured before. They overlook the camp the camp and see a couple of torches with their flames flickering in the darkness outside of some makeshift tents. One of them who seemed to be the leader wearing basic bandit attire though a vertical scar runs down his left cheek walk next to the scout with a suspicious look on his face as he examines the camp.
'Are you sure the camp is resting? We don't want them to be prepared you know.' His voice was hoarse and rough as he grips his large crude axe tightly. The scout simply nods. As he arrived at his band he came to the leader and gave him a note with strangely neat handwriting on a scroll. It advised that he suffered a head injury as he hit his head on some rocks which made him only speak in groans temporarily. The leader was suspicious of this by how he didn't meet his gaze. Though he just let it go and followed him.
'Right. You may as well stay here, don't know how bad your injury can get when it comes to fighting so stay here.' He ordered the scout who nods while avoiding his gaze almost ashamedly. The leader turns to his bandit vagabond unit behind him who look eager.
'Lets go, time to cut off the head of this serpent, lord Zhang Yan demands it!' They all raised their weapons silently in unison. They all march towards the camp stealthily as no one dared to even whisper during this ambush. The only sound is the groans that the scout makes as they all march. When they've created some distance, the scout hears a dark yet familiar chuckle. He looks behind to see Pang Tong emerge from the shadows chuckling away as he tips his hat upwards and walks next to the scout.
'Hehe, you played your part very well my friend. Too bad you couldn't comply willingly, I wouldn't have to go through the trouble of writing that message for you. But its fine, we all make mistakes.' He sinisterly chuckles as he glances at the scout who looks at him with colourless, blank eyes while groaning. Eventually he sits next to Pang Tong who makes himself comfortable. The bandits eventually start to trickle their way into the camp. Near the entrance and in the camp the terrain started to become jagged for the bandits. Some wondered how they can make camp atop of this terrain their backs would surely be sore at the very last from sleeping on this. As they entered the camp they see a horde of blankets and bundles of cloth with tents.
'Kill them all but be quiet about it.' He whispered. The bandits smile gleefully as they pull out their blades and axes to chop and stab them. They pierced the blankets and tents with ease, as they traverse through the camp they do so to every single tent and blanket that they can. However as they traversed the camp one of the bandits near the entrance noticed that when they pull back their blade that there is no blood. He tried to do the same thing to another one, yet nothing. His sword was clean as water. He throws the blanket out to find its stuffed with general materials to make it look like a person was beneath them.
'Wait this one's empty!' He declared to the rest of the unit, his loud voice reaching even to the front who looked behind them.
'Hey this one's empty too!' Another one yelled as he revealed his. The quiet retinue quickly turned into a rambunctious uproar not knowing what's going on. Their leader attempted to silence them to little avail.
'Silence, silence I say!' The commander shouts through all the chaos though only the front of the retinue can hear and immediately stops. The rest of the forces continue their uproar and confusion however they start to quieten down as soon as other stop. That is until snickering can be heard.
'Hey what are you laughing at you think it's a joke?' A bandit pushed another one who looked furious at this.
'Don't dare push me that wasn't me.'
'Then who was it?' Accusations and infighting quickly replaced the confusion as hostilities begin to rise out of frustration in the retinue once again.
'Damnit when I say silence I mean it! Shut up!' He yelled however this time everyone was too busy engaging in hostilities with each other. The leader cursed his men until he hears quiet yet demonic laughter behind him.
'Now that's a sad state of affairs when leaders can't control their soldiers.' He turns around and his briefly stopped out of sheer fear. He turns around to see one of the exits to the camp with a torch on top of a wooden stand. Beyond the light of the flame lies a sinister smile and the instantly recognisable snake armour that Zhang Yan's forces people have been talking about. Mitsuko stood there with a demonic smile on her face lighted only by the flickering embers. The reptilian eyes and serpent tongue occasionally slithering our of her mouth along with the gleam of the blood drenched crescent blade reflected the moonlight above. The intimidating stature petrified him, he can't explain why but she terrified him even though it was just a woman. The aura of just her presence alone in this very moment paralysed his legs while they yet trembled, his breathing started to get faster.
'Y-you're the serpent?' He stuttered. Fear clearly overtaking him.
'Indeed I am. You've come quite a way for revenge.'
'You slaughtered our comrades, do you think that we would let that go?' He questions, trying to sound brave however Mitsuko can see the fear in his eyes, the shaking of his arms as he unsheathed his blade.
'I suppose not, still it is rather foolish to wander into your own grave though.' Mitsuko smirked. The bandit leader start to walk backwards, as he hits fellow bandit they turn around to see Mitsuko seemingly all alone.
'Th-there's the serpent. She's the only one here get her!' the leader demanded as the bandit turn to see her. Some stop for a moment but others charged allowing the others the confidence they need to charge at her aswell. Though unbeknownst to them their commander walks back behind them. As they get closer Mitsuko smirk grew wider as she clicked her right fingers. All of a sudden Dodomeki and Diamondback reveal themselves from the darkness and walk in front of Mitsuko. The glow from Dodomeki's eye and Diamondbacks diamons captivated yet terrified them, forcing them to quickly stop in their tracks. Their appearances frightening them to their core. They thought the demons the scout was talking about was just made up or just scary men not actual demons! Diamondback and Dodomeki got into their battle stances.
'If you wish to harm our lady then you will suffer a most agonizing death.' Dodomeki stated threateningly. As he said the ground suddenly started to move and grew taller. Several soldiers tumbled over at the same time, though as they crash the ground they see that they weren't standing on the ground, it was the soldiers! As the black turbans stood up they threw away their very dusty cloths and blankets they obtained from the supplies of their comrades. Pang Tong made them be disguised as the very terrain. Before they knew what was happening the black turbans quickly pounces on their opponents to quickly hack and slash them. The terrified yet confused look on their faces were priceless before a hatchet was buried deep within their skull. The bandit commander was horrified by the sheer brutality of the black turbans. Some try to help their comrades though it just seems like another one sprouts up to take his life. He can't just let his men all die like this. He needed to retreat his men to launch an ambush another day while requesting more from lord Zhang Yan. Though whether or not he'd be willing to is another matter entirely but it has to be better than just being butchered by these monsters.
'Everyone fall back! Retreat! Lets get out of here.' He ordered, the bandits wasted no time in trying to retreat from many exits, the ones at the front try to escape from the rising soldiers by trying to rush through the front to get to Mitsuko. However her demon subordinates were not about to let that happen. Diamondback thrusted his halberd in front while Dodomeki darts forward and punches another bandit with his left gauntlet. Both their attacks pierced the guts of their opponents who both cough up blood in sync. As their bodies fall to the ground the rest of the bandits were completely paralysed before the demons proceeded with their slaughter.
The bandit commander fled from the battle along with many of his bandits. He could only watch and flee as his fellow subordinates was getting cut down from every angle all over the camp. Much bandit blood was spilt…blood that will be avenged but first they have to escape this goddamn massacre. Just how did they anticipate their ambush? It doesn't make sense…wait…that scout. Was he lying!? No it'd be more convincing if he talked right…or maybe they cut out his tongue or something. Bah this wasn't the time to be thinking something like that as he saw a fellow bandit in front of him get pulled back by his shirt and having his throat slit by a blood drenched sword. As they reached one of the exits though he saw many bandits get cut down with a particular looking set of glaives. As the last cut carves through the last bandit and the corpse drops to the ground in two pieces. Blood spurted out from the torso before falling backwards to the ground. The commander stopped in fear as he saw LingQi stern eyes pierce his soul with her serious gaze. Her armour and blades drenched in his comrades blood, the petrifying gaze of her eyes suggested to him that she's not far from done. He quickly sprinted in the opposite direction while avoiding any soldiers trying to grab him. He knew he just had to keep running, as much as he'd like to help his comrades, he knew he could not. Not without dying and what would that accomplish? If he got to Zhang Yan there's some hope for vengeance.
As he sprinted he heard footsteps behind him, he knows he's being pursued though he dares not look back. He turned around a couple of corners before finding an actual exit. He smiled with relief on his face, finally he could escape this massacre and live to see another day. He just had to outrun that patrol behind him though I'm sure they'll just let him go if he can get far enough. Though as he approaches the open exit, he finds his legs start to get slower, his breathing is almost too fast for his body to keep up. Sweat dripping down his face against the cool wind. As much as he would tell himself to go faster, his body disobeyed him. As soon as his pace starts to slow down he felt arms wrap around his stomach and was pushed to the ground by the attackers bodyweight. He falls to the ground, completely pinned. His mind frantically panics, trying to find a way to escape. He's so close yet so far away from freedom. Is this how he's going to die? Killed by a bunch of low lives? He would've thought he would've gone out better than that! He heard them snickering as they pick him up by the arms, the one pinning him gets off him as two of them started to drag him away from the camp towards the exit.
Are they actually doing this? Are they letting him go? A gust of cold wind hits his face as he looks forward which doesn't seem to be anything but like a faraway boulder or something. He anxiously waited for them to let him go so he can escape. The further away he got dragged away from the camp, the quieter the screams of his fellow bandits were. He was saddened by this of course however he is glad he doesn't have to be tortured by listening to their death cries now. Though they seem to get closer to the rock, he's not entirely sure why. It looked like the large boulder like object seemed to be getting larger quicker than it realistically should. A few seconds later he feels the ground shake almost rhythmically. He also notices that the large shadow seems to grow larger. As it gets closer it becomes apparent that's not some large rock but a monster especially as he saw it raise its heavy large club in the air with the moonlight behind it. He frantically attempts to struggle out, realising what it is. But the soldiers have a firm grasp on his arms. He yelled out as terror penetrates his very core. Though one of the soldiers punched him in the gut to stop him from struggling. His legs give way due to the strength of the punch. He looked to the ground as he groaned loudly which temporarily silenced him as the pain sets in. The footsteps got louder and louder before suddenly stopping. The soldiers also stop.
The commander doesn't dare to look up, the soldiers throw him to the ground and walk away. He hits the ground face first but doesn't look up, he can't bear to see what it was, though the only thing he could hear is very heavy yet monstrous breathing. His heart rate rapidly increased, he wanted to get up and run though his body disobeyed him, he was too terrified to even move. He felt something which felt like a rain drop hit the back of his head though he couldn't feel it anywhere else and it felt heavier, though when he heard loud slurping when someone tries to lick their lips he was quickly disavowed of such illusions. He tells his body to stand up! Why won't his body goddamn move!?
'You're not running away? They normally try to or try and fight me. Neither of which works.' He hyperventilates as he hears the demonic voice for the first time. He starts to silently cry over his fate.
'Well that's good for me then.' Gyuki exclaims happily like a child as his giant hand wraps around his torso. He screams loudly hoping anyone would help, but there was no one. His entire band was killed swifly in a single blow, how did that serpent do that!? How did she anticipate their attack? His mind racing with thoughts like this until the hand hovers him high in the air, forcing him to lock eye contact with Gyuki. He didn't have time to feel the terror of that before Gyuki lowered him down and bites down on his torso. He screamed in agony as Gyuki chewed on his legs, he coughs up a lot of blood though he still proceeded to scream as loud as he can before sinking into his mouth despite his attempts to hold parts of Gyukis' face to escape, the strength in hand was too strong.
Ubenownst to them a couple of onlookers, a woman in a bright green regal robe while the other, a young tall man equipped with a fine blade and a thing moustache witness the events near the camp.
'woah, they just butchered them without a fight.' The woman exclaims in awe. That was something she didn't really expect.
'I know. They planned for that very effectively, how did they know about the attack?' The stoic looking man pondered.
'I don't know, but it doesn't really matter, any deaths working for that loyalist Zhang Yan works for us. Though we should report back to my sister, she's going to want to know about this,
'Will she now? Hehe, excellent.' They heard a mysterious yet dark voice chuckle behind them. The sudden surprise made them quickly turn around, both arming their weapons. They see Pang Tong holding his large fan with his human hand with the scout who hunches forward. They didn't expect to find anyone else here, never mind someone who snuck up to them but then casually makes their presence known.
'Who are you and how did you know where we were!?' The man demanded, wanting to know of the mysterious individual in front of him. All Pang Tong did was chuckle.
'I too was enjoying the spectacle of what was happening, however with the noise you two made my curiosity got the better of me. My apologies for startling you.' Pang Tong tipped his hat to them. The two were wary of this act, they couldn't afford to trust some random stranger who for all they know could be another spy of Zhang Yan. And what about that other fellow? Whats wrong with him?
'That doesn't tell us who you are.' The woman growled in annoyance.
'I suppose not, my apologies. My name is Pang Tong, I'm the strategist for Lady Mitsuko. May I know who I'm talking to?'
'First introduce your friend.' The tall man ordered. Pang Tong chuckled at this request and turns to the scout.
'Well you heard him, why don't you go introduce yourself?' The scout could simply moan, not able to form a simple sentence though he desperately tried to. The other two took a step back at Pang Tong's casual demeanour of this individual who had something wrong with him.
'Looks like he's shy. Can't blame him really, seeing two strangers watching bandit slaughter can get a man on edge, perhaps introducing yourselves will put him at ease.' He suggested with a slight sinister tone. The other two look at each other, contemplating whether or not to give this hermit looking man the time of night. However, if he was a spy for Zhang Yan, they would just simply slit their throats. The woman sighed and gave in.
'I'm Lu Zheng and this is Congqian.' Lu Zheng introduced themselves as Congqian stayed silent still being wary.
'A pleasure to make the acquaintances of you both. Now judging from the both of your attires you both seem to be bandits correct?'
'Indeed, what concern is it of yours, have you come to slay all bandits hermit? Do you think that will help your precious Han of yours to survive?' He angrily responded, his mind jumping to the worst case scenario.
'Not at all. The Han empire had a good run but ultimately it failed to adapt to new challenges so I say let it die. A new leader needs to emerge in the chaos wouldn't you say?' They both were surprised to hear him say that, they thought for sure they at the very least he would support the Han. Though they are still wary of this hermit, he feels off to them though they don't know why.
'Hmph, at least you know the Han deserves to crumble I guess. If that's not it then why do your forces come here? Not everyone comes to these mountainous terrains with an armed force for nothing.' Lu Zheng questioned, if she could try and get some information out of him at least then she may feel a little less uneasy.
'True we haven't come here for nothing though its not to eliminate bandits I assure you, though many see us as heroes I have a…different proposal for you if you would listen.' Pang Tong chuckled, as he did Congqian walks forward to the surprise of Lu Zheng.
'You expect me to listen to your drivel? You expect us to listen to your proposals, while saying how reviled we are? Like problem children? No! I will not be spoken too like a slave, we are not pawns for people like you when you feel like it. We are free people!' Congqian yells out in defiance and charges forward to Pang Tong. Pang Tong though simply chuckled as he waited for him to come closer. When he was in range Pang Tong tipped his hat up slightly and thrusts with his large fan at Congqian when he was about 5 foot away. A huge gust of wind catches him off guard and blows him away back at the feet of Lu Zheng. As his body hits the floor the wind suddenly stops. Lu Zheng quickly came to Congqians side while both look upon Pang Tong with both awe and terror. He couldn't just conjure the wind like that…could he? No human could do such a feat. And yet it can't be a coincidence that the wind pushed him back at his command like that. Pang Tong chuckled yet again.
'My apologies I never meant to offend you, we simply need some allies and I believe we have a common enemy in this Zhang Yan I've been hearing about recently. Why don't we talk about this or at the very least share some information?' Pang Tong requested.
'About what exactly?' Lu Zheng questioned, confused about his question. However both he and Congqian gasped as Pang Tong revealed his shadow hand to them and holds it to the side of his face with the palm of it facing him, receiving a gasp from the other two.
'About our Lady's paths that are about to become intertwined.'