Mitsuko's soldiers cleared the camp of enemy corpses and was ready to go on the move as dawn was rapidly approaching.

'That'll teach them to mess with us.' Mitsuko stated as she stopped packing momentarily and overlooked her soldiers.

'Indeed my lady. It was a brilliant plan by our strategist.' Diamondback agreed as he hovered his freshly bloodstained halberd over his face.'

'I hate to admit but I do agree it was good. Are you sure that puppet he has will deliver the message ok? The strategist I mean pang tong only recently awakened his newfound powers thanks to that scroll of his. Do you think it can hold up until he gets there?' Dodomeki questioned.

'I don't know but he never let me down before. Besides if that walking corpse doesn't make it its not a concern to worry about.' Mitsuko responded knowing either way works for her. Didn't expect Pang Tong to have any powers especially like that. She does wonder if there's any other powers he may unlock.

'Well in any event when Pang Tong comes back we'll start to move. Knowing LingQi she's probably training, honestly that woman should try to relax for once.' Mitsuko shook her head while smirking fondly before wiping it away as she faced Dodomeki.

'Would you mind going to get her for me please? You'll find her the fastest I think.' She asked.

'It will be done.' Dodomeki stated as he bowed his head before he sprinted off.

'Do you think that is wise my lady?' Diamondback enquired.

'Well there's no use asking me that when he's already gone is there?' Mitsuko jested.

'My apologies my lady I didn't wish to cause conflict with him is all. I am just concerned about him is all, particularly with LingQi.' Diamondback apologized.

'Why? Isn't he like that with all humans? He seems the type.'

'True however in previous cycles under lord Orochi he worked with humans before but he normally accepted them as allies. I'm not sure how his...antagonism with LingQi came about or why. Even after conversations its still a mystery. I would suspect its a mystery to him as well. I am not sure if he may do anything...rash lets say concerning her.' Diamondback explained. After hearing that Mitsuko started to become nervous, wondering if she made a mistake.

'I see...well I think they'll be fine. If that's the case then they probably won't talk to each other. I'm sure it won't be that bad.' Mitsuko justified, they cant do that much to each other in such a short time right?

Meanwhile Dodomeki sprinted around the outskirts of the camp trying to look out for that troublesome woman. Who honestly trains straight after a battle? He should admire her commitment but not at the expense of hindering Mitsuko. After sometime he did spot her training. Striking the air while moving to the side and back, attempting to simulate dodging. Dodomeki growled in annoyance. Why is he getting this worked up by just a human woman that lady Mitsuko. She shouldn't annoy him and yet she does. And the answer isn't clear to him. As she finished training Dodomeki decided to make his presence known.

'Why do you train so hard when you can't achieve your objective?' Dodomeki snarked. LingQi glanced at Dodomeki who shook her head, trying to ignore him as she recovers from her admittedly lighter than usual training. Though she cant resist the temptation of matching him.

'Haven't you ever felt the need to improve on yourself? Of course not, the stench of your arrogance is revolting.' Dodomeki didn't expect such a quick comeback as he snarls quietly. Though he was more than ready to continue.

'At least I don't have delusions of grandeur trying to achieve an impossible task. Typical humans, never content with what you have.' He responded. He didn't have a problem with this with humans if course but the idea of getting under her skin delighted him. It shouldn't, its not like she's a mystic so why is it that she's the exception?

'Its not a case of not being content, its about improving on what you do have. Though I wouldn't expect a demon like you to understand.' She retorted.

'Is that what you told your father?' LingQi raised one of her glaives threateningly at Dodomeki.

'Watch yourself.' She gave him an icy stare.

'Touched a nerve there didn't I?' Dodomeki snickers as LingQi walks cautiously towards him.

'And what if you have? What do you gain by goading me?' She questioned, wondering if this was just a petty attempt to get back at their...disagreement. Dodomeki stayed silent. Knew he didn't have any comprehensible answer which annoyed. Even though it was satisfying to a certain extent, the idea that he didn't know why didn't sit too well. His indulgence in this feeling can't be all bad, right?

'Satisfaction.' He finally replied though it wasn't an answer he was particularly proud of.

'Is that so? What have i done to irk you this much that you bring up the dead?'

'Everything about you annoy me. Your face, your demeanour, your human attitude. Everything.'

'and yet a sentiment that is only shared by you it seems.' LingQi replied.

'Tch, getting the approval of those two is not hard to do.' Dodomeki

'I care not about whose approval i get but one.' got mad as he heard this, knowing full well who she is referring to.

'And that is what annoys me the most about you. You thinking you're on the same level as Lady Mitsuko is both laughable and insulting.' Dodomeki admitted. Now in the mind-set of speaking before thinking.

'Are you...envious, demon? LingQi smirked.

'Of course not you insufferable human. I care not about my personal position with Lady Mitsuko. Though you, an outsider to get to such a position...is dangerous. You would very much be able to manipulate or even put her in a vulnerable position to harm her.' Now it was LingQi's turn to be furious, letting her mouth run before processing them as she closes the gap between them with fury in her eyes as only a few inches separated their faces.

'You dare insinuate I would hurt Mitsuko? You one eyed arrogant bastard, you dare say that while you were watching her instead of helping her through her struggles!' She yelled, Dodomeki immediately grabbed the collar of her attire and lifted her up until they were the same height though LingQi did not back down and brought her blade next to his helmet.

'Don't even go there! You have no idea what is going on in the background. About Lord Orochi, the mystics, none of it! Don't dare say I did nothing, I aided her in the shadows. We couldn't afford to bring her much attention until she was ready. You have no idea how many cycles us demons had to endure. You don't know what our enemy can do.' Dodomeki seethes through his words, his anger and frustration getting the better of him.

'Maybe not but when you commit to silence all I have to fill the gaps is what i see. And what I see is an arrogant , judgemental, moronic demon who insults me by merely suggesting I'd hurt Mitsuko!' LingQi shouted back.

'At least I am not an arrogant, foolish human who has ideas above her station. One who constantly tries to get stronger but fails to do so.'

'At least I help Mitsuko when she needs help while you're nowhere to be seen and seeing her suffer.'

'At least I don't vow to get vengeance of my father while being content with travelling with his killer!' Dodomeki responded. Both breathing heavily after their verbal lashings while both processed what Dodomeki just frustratingly yelled.

'What did you just say?' LingQi whispers, almost afraid of the answer. Dodomeki opened his golden eye wide with shock and surprise by what he just blurted out.

'Shit, shit, SHIT!'

'N-nothing.' Dodomeki let go of LingQi. As she landed on her feet and regained her balance. Dodomeki took a couple of steps back almost in fear. He never felt his demonic heart beat so fast before.

'What I said was too far I recognise, that was merely an attempt to get under your skin thats all.' Dodomeki stated, attempting to regain his usual demeanour, though it failed as LingQi saw right through it. Dodomeki knew that as he saw her world get turned upside down as her eyes are filled with various emotions. Anger, confusion...sadness.

'Lady Mitsuko is expecting us, lets not keep her waiting.' Dodomeki stated as he turned around.

'Wait you can't just-' LingQi started however it was already too late as Dodomeki ran away from her. All she could do is stand there as she processed what just happened. Moments later she crashed to her hands and knees. Tears started to form in her eyes. She just couldn't believe it. She was convinced all this time it was Cao Cao. No one told her the person that made her alone was the one person she grew to care for, the one person that she could honestly call a friend in her life. She didn't know what to make of it or know what to do with this information now. It just didn't make sense, why would Mitsuko betray her father and her for? What reason was there!? For the first time since and Mitsuko became friends she felt well and truly alone. Now though wasn't the time for this she recognised. She needed to get back to the others, maybe talk to Mitsuko...maybe not. She didn't know but either way she couldn't have Mitsuko worry too much, not yet.

Dodomeki kept sprinting until he was out of LingQi's sight. He immediately dropped to one knee and repeatedly punched the ground to vent out his frustration. Damnit how could he so foolish! It was never his intention to blurt out that despite having an opinion about that. He never was this emotional when it came to lord Orochi so why Lady Mitsuko so goddamn different? He chose his allies and he respected and treated them like it. So why did he feel the need to treat LingQi differently? Why did he feel this pang of guilt and regret inside him? Where has this extra surge and desire to protect Mitsuko come from!?

It wasn't envy to be in her unique position with Mitsuko, it wasn't the fact she was a bad warrior and it wasn't because she was human. So why did this happen? Why did he feel this way this time? What changed!? He scoured his mind for an answer though he couldn't come up with one. He knows he really messed up, losing a warrior like her will impact morale as well as Mitsuko herself.

'Damnit all too hell! Why was I so foolish? So stupid!?' Dodomeki pounds the ground until he created a small crater almost directly underneath him. He sighs as he stood up to calm himself. This will just prove his point about her being disloyal, there wouldn't be any need to worry about Mitsuko then getting too close to anyone he justified to himself. There wouldn't be any internal threats that would cause too much of a problem to overturn, there would be no one to manipulate or betray her emotionally. Though he tried to justify his actions, the pang of guilt and regret wouldn't go away.

He couldn't focus on this too much. He had to go back to the others, with luck she doesn't say anything to Lady Mitsuko or the others to keep coherency. So he runs as fast as he can towards the camp and just hopes nothing explodes right in front of him.

Both he and LingQi joined the camp roughly at the same time. Mitsuko warmly greeted them both with an unknowing comedic smile

'Welcome, glad you both could make it. I was worried you would kill each other.' Mitsuko joked though her smile faltered as she saw them look coldly at each other.

'D-did I miss something here or?'

'Nothing.' Dodomeki interjected immediately while looking away. Mitsuko viewed him suspiciously.

'All right. LingQi?' She turned towards her for an answer.

'What he said.' She coldly responded taking Mitsuko aback as she just walked past her. Dodomeki followed closely in silence. Mitsuko could feel the tense atmosphere between them. It could've been her imagination but she could've sworn she heard LingQi mutter something under her breath as she passed her.

'Maybe she finally knows the truth about you my dear Mitsuko. Maybe she knows full well how you deceived her. Oh there's a title. Mitsuko the deceiver haha!' Akari whispered in Mitsuko's mind, she just ignored her though...a small part of her started to fear this eventuality. If she did what will happen? Will she just leave, try to ignore that or will she try to...kill her?

'Who knows? But are you really going to let her? The Mitsuko I know wouldn't hesitate to kill anyone, especially for those she cares for.' Akari maniacally laughs in her head as Mitsuko rubs her forehead with her left hand.

'Fucking hell I didn't want this to happen so soon, things were starting to look up! Its fine, its probably one of their spats which will just be forgiven in time. Yeah it should be fine, everything will be fine, right?'

Mitsuko quickly re-joined the others at the remnants of the camp at the same time as Pang Tong arriving on the other side.

'Were you waiting for me this entire time? My apologies but i was delayed.' Pang Tong chuckled.

'Delayed by what?' Gyuki questioned.

'Tell me, have any of you heard of the "Tai Dominion"?' Pang Tong questioned. Mitsuko and LingQi shook their heads. The tai dominion? Who the hell were they?

'Hmm...aren't they the hidden bandits with the city in the mountains?' Diamondback asked. The name rung a bell as he heard a couple of they're own bandits talking about them some time ago.

'Yep. Strictly speaking they're bandits with a purpose. Having a hatred of the corrupt Han and wealthy nobles in general. They're led by quite the leader i hear. They call her "the bandit queen."'

'Wait queen? Are they not two?' Dodomeki questioned recalling a bit hidden history at this time.

'That's just myth I'm afraid. It seems like she's not a fan of Zhang Yan though. We share a common it seems.'

'Just how do you know all this?' Mitsuko brought up.

'Well I found a couple of her scouts admire our handy work. Lu Zheng and Congqian, commanders under her. I managed to persuade them to give us an audience without them immediately butchering us. I theorise she may require assistance to secure the mountains for her own. This bandit queen may be our best bet for your situation lady Mitsuko.' Pang Tong chuckled as he tipped his hat.

'Hmm...and they gave you the directions to this city, yeah?' Mitsuko asked.

'Yep. North of the mountain pass in the west. It'll take a while to get there but our supplies should hold up until then.'

'What about your new friend?'

'He's on his way to his master now. I think he'll get the message.' Pang Tong chuckled.

'And what makes you think she'll follow Lady Mitsuko? What if these bandits are together and they're leading us into a trap?' Dodomeki enquired.

'Hehe you think bandits like sharing power? Oh no the numerous bandits would stab each other for power though from what I've heard of this bandit queen she isn't any ordinary one. If you appeal to her hatred of the wealthy, the Han, those fickle nobles and display your strength my lady i believe she and her dominion will be glad to be a part of the serpents ascension of power.' Pang Tong chuckled sinisterly. Mitsuko had to admit that is tempting. She took a quick glance at her generals as most of them look to her for guidance. LingQi and Dodomeki though don't bother, she did worry about then but convinced herself it was fine.

'Well then i suppose that's our next stop. Time to pay the bandit queen a visit.' Mitsuko declared.

'Yes my lady.' All her generals stand up and respectfully bowed with their fist in their palm and get ready to leave.

A/n: Hey guys. Hope you enjoyed it, also if there are grammar and spelling mistakes (well more than usual) its because I'm writing this on my phone. Long story short I'm living in a hotel temporarily with no pc because the pipe in my house burst and leaked under the floorboards which means we have to move out while its being repaired which is why this chapter was delayed. So sorry about that (free breakfast though so I'm doing ok Haha.) but while that happened I realised that I wrote over 200k words because I am a madman! :v But judging by some of the numbers especially on that you guys seem to like it. Its weird writing on a phone I must say :v but its convenient and I'll take it over not being able to write at all. So thats all from me this time, just wanted to give you all an update on the situation, until next chapter, Sayonara.