Elsewhere at the black mountains, unbeknownst to the rest of china a small city was resided there. The city called Yanmen served as the capital of the forces of the black mountain bandits, a tribe of ruthless bandits that specialised in guerrilla warfare that terrorise Han settlements. The self-proclaimed king of the mountain bandits Zhang Yan was an opportunistic individual, always attempted to expand his influence and areas of control through careful and precise strikes. These attacks allowed him to swallow up other bandit tribes until the black mountain bandits were the main power in the mountains, allowing complete control over the old Han settlement raids and more importantly making it profitable. With his trusty generals at his side he dominated the pass, living a life of luxury primarily enjoyed by nobles. Life was starting to get good for self-proclaimed king of the bandits.

However recently a new threat has emerged from his budding empire. The bandit queen quickly became infamous through her ruthless bandit raids and burning hatred for nobles for what they did to the commoners. He didn't mind the bandit queen methods however her lack of subtleness made her in the eyes of Zhang Yan a wild beast that simply needs to be tamed. He thought a beneficial alliance against said nobles, hoping to use her hatred of nobles to control her. However, one of his messengers was given the others head as a return gift to show her disdain for an idea. As her infamy grew it started to match the reputation of Black Mountain King. He knew if he left her alone, she would be quite troublesome for him. So, at first he tried to be subtle and cut off the lifeblood of her forces. The nearby villages would be forced to pay her tributaries for protection less they earn her wrath.

He ordered attacks on these villages to cut her supply off however the bandit queen intercepted their raids and all but annihilated their raid parties. Because of these rumours, various whispered in the area about the efficiency, bringing up the idea of perhaps there were two bandit queens instead of one. Although, Zhang Yan knew there wasn't. In the game of banditry there can only be one ruler, having two rulers would not be able to work. More than likely she just has a knack for tactics, something he didn't know she possessed but who knew for certain? The bandit queen for the most part is hidden in cloaks and shadows. Which made Zhang Yan wary, he knew information was key. And if he didn't know who this bandit queen was, it was going to be difficult to take her down. He respected her for staying in the shadows and presenting a challenge, something no one else has really done. Partly because he is wise in picking his targets, he knew if he went to war with one of the warlords like Cao Cao in an open battle his forces would be obliterated. At least at this current moment.

Despite his struggles with the bandit queen. He finally managed to score a win when he sent a sizeable force to raid a village and razing it to the ground as a statement. A statement for those that opposed him, those supplies they had would be used to help launch an assault of the bandit queen's territory. Although word of this…serpent…this Mitsuko also reached the ears of the King and he wasn't particularly thrilled about it. If word got out more and more troops were getting decimated by his opposition, morale would be low which can lead to defection towards the bandit queen, weakening his position much more. After the coincidental teal clad soldiers led by a hooded individual arrived, they suggested a quick raid of her forces as he was told a sizeable force would be able to outnumber them and capture the supplies back. The rest of his advisors though hesitant were confident in their abilities and thought this serpent was someone of little importance and eliminating her should be easy. He didn't completely trust these robed individuals though he wanted to gauge the serpent's ability for himself and something told him being on their good side was wise. So, he agreed, he ordered some of his soldiers to ambush her forces. All the while keeping an eye on these new warriors.

They're low in number compared to his own but why would they want to stay here? They advised they wanted to help his situation but no one like that would do this…especially for free. Their leader especially was shifty with his hood, not showing his face. Though the rest of his warriors looked menacing and strong, they dared not to mingle with the rest of his forces, they just stood in the throne room waiting like obedient dogs for their master's call. They acted far too arrogant and regal for Zhang Yan's liking, looking down upon the rest with annoyance. He suspects he's being used by them…heh he'd like to see them try. He's not some mere puppet that can be controlled!

'My lord a messenger has arrived from the ambush party you sent out!' His second in command Yu Du came in the throne room and knelt down before the king in his black armour. The king sat in his throne waiting patiently for the news with his advisors in attendance, including the robed figure directly next to the king. Zhang Yan stroked his thin goatee.

'Excellent, send him in.' He ordered, Yu Du bowed as he fetched the messenger. Zhang Yan noticed that the messenger was unusually slow. Normally they'd run in panicking, exhausted and fearful of the consequences. Here though? He's just walking with a limp with exasperated breathing. Something wasn't right. The messenger eventually stopped right in front of the king. He just stood there motionless…as if waiting for something. Whispers were starting to be heard around the deathly silent room.

'You came from the ambush yes? How goes the venture?' He eventually questioned. He slowly nodded.

'Well speak up, what happened?' He asked. Suddenly the messenger bent backwards immediately hurling his neck forward which should've given him whiplash however he started to chuckle in an unusual manner. As he looked up to the mountain king, he saw that his eyes were completely black like the night sky without any stars in them. The messenger started to unnaturally hunch his body and mimic holding what seems to be a staff or something even though he wasn't holding anything.

'Hehe. If you're receiving this message most powerful bandit king Zhang Yan, then my messenger has arrived successfully.' Everyone was stunned and took a step back, even Zhang Yan was perplexed by what he's witnessing.

'Sorry to say but this surprise attack was thwarted. All of your soldiers are slain, shame but hey what can you do? Hehe. Don't worry about how I'm doing this, just listen to what I'm saying. The Serpent herself was displeased with what your attempt at an assassination and has decided to take military action against you. Unless of course you're willing to surrender which…believe me would be the wise choice. Hehe. Though if you don't heed this warning, I'm afraid it will not end well for you. For she is currently discussing the future with whom you may refer to as the bandit queen.' Hushed whispers quickly re-emerged. Whispers about the bandit queen as well as the decimation of the forces. Wild speculation forms about the future of Zhang Yan who got annoyed at these talks.

'I believe we may be able to form an alliance of sorts and if we do and you don't join…well let's just say.' The messenger stopped and held his left arm high in the air and clicked his fingers. Suddenly the messenger spontaneously combusted. Engulfed in a raging black fire that consumed him, everyone feared for their lives scurrying away. Even Zhang Yan lost his composure at the sight and leant back in his chair, though the teal clad warriors only took a step back in surprise.

'Much like your messenger. You, your empire, your men, your dreams and ambitions. All of it, will be reduced to ashes and unlike the phoenix you will not rise again. You will be reduced to a mere footnote in history. While the age of the serpent begins!' The messenger to chuckle heartily however as the ends of his limbs start to be reduced to ash as it drops to the ground the laughter became more sinister and darker before only silence filled the throne. Leaving nothing but petrified officials and a rubble of ash in the middle of the room. Despite the uproar of conversations in his throne room, Zhang Yan could only hear his rapid heartbeat in his ears, he thought it may explode in any given moment. His breathing was at an all time high, as he gained his composure, he ordered everyone at his court to silence themselves with a ferocious roar. Immediately the court was silenced. Zhang Yan after taking a little time to let what he witnessed settle in glanced to the teal robed individual. Noticing the 5 golden rings stitched onto his torso in a vertical line.

'I thought you said this was something they could handle?'

'Well it seems I was mistaken, wasn't I? I seem to have overestimated your warriors' capabilities.' The robed individual responded in a confident boast angering Yu Du as he drew his sword.

'You dare insult the black mountain bandits you cur!?' He pointed his sword at the robed figure however as he does three sprint and press their blades next to his neck at such a speed he didn't see coming.

'Yu Du, it is ok. Lower your weapon.' Zhang Yan ordered, Yu Du growled but did as he was told. The blades were retracted, and the soldiers made their way back to their leader.

'I meant no offense of course, I only speak the truth. However, this serpent, if she does ally with your bandit queen will be…problematic for both of us.' The robed individual stated with a regal voice.

'I noticed however she's able to possess powers like that, how would you be able to combat that?' Zhang Yan asked.

'That is nothing you need not concern yourself with. Though in light of this news perhaps an alliance would be necessary.'

'Ha! And what need do I have of you? You have only a handful of soldiers compared to me, what do you offer?' As he concluded his sentence the robed individual had a blade extended from his sleeves very close to the king's neck. Many court officials including Yu Du stepped forward to draw their weapons, as did the teal warriors. Though Zhang Yan with his composure seemingly intact held his hand up, signalling them to stop.

'We could kill you all if we so wished and deal with this matter ourselves however as it stands, we need of each other. You help us we'll help you. You aid us in taking down this Mitsuko and we in turn will help secure your position of bandit king and your life will be spared. After that, you will not see us again and no one will need to know of our arrangement. Is that fair?' Zhang Yan felt the cocky smile from the robed individual and he could only chuckle at this. It has been a while since he was presented with a challenge where he didn't have the luxury of time.

'Heh, alright fine. The black mountain bandits accept your terms. If Mitsuko and the bandit queen ally, then so should we. Together we will grind them to dust and remove their names from history.' Zhang Yan declared. Satisfied with this answer, the robed man withdrew his blade back into his sleeve.

'Excellent, my forces will scout them out, once we know their location and their plans then we can discuss our counterattack. After all I'm sure you would like to make the first move no?'

'Fine, my forces will assist anyway we can.' Zhang Yan offered.

'That will be most wise my king, if you excuse me, I must make preparations as the more time we waste the more time they have to consolidate and increase their strength.' The robed individual bowed respectfully as they exited the throne room with every other black mountain eyes on them. Yu Du immediately ran up to his king.

'My king are you ok?' he questioned, concerned for his safety.

'Do not worry old friend I am fine. However, I wish I could say for our brother in arms.' Zhang Yan responded, glancing at the pile of ash.

'Those cretin dare think they can mess with you mighty king? Give me the order and I will make sure all their blood is spilt!' Yu Du stated, fury and bloodlust in his eyes that could barely be contained.

'Patience, their threats will not go unanswered but for the time being we'll allow them to help us. They seem more concerned with this serpent than my reign…and rightly so I fear.'

'But my king surely they cannot be trusted!'

'No…they cannot however they have their uses. If they can find the lair of the bandit queen, we can finally have complete control of the black mountains and start unleashing our might upon china. Once we gain control then we will annihilate them for daring to humiliate me. For now, we'll do what we always have done. Bide our time and strike when the opportunity presents itself. Make sure you get a few spies to keep an eye on them, they cannot be allowed to roam around to do whatever they like without my knowledge and they must not be allowed to know we are doing this. Am I making myself clear?' Zhang Yan questioned. His cold dead stare penetrating the soul of Yu Du who quickly bowed his head.

'Yes, my king. I will make the preparations at most.' Yu Du exited the throne room while Zhang Yan dismissed the rest of his court. He sat back down in his throne alone. Scheming to get the best of this alliance for himself.

'They think they will play me like a musical instrument? Tch, fools you know nothing. When you outlive your usefulness that is when you will regret trying to make the king of the mountain bandits a mere puppet!'

Elsewhere in the shadows of the city of Yanmen the teal warriors also gather, making sure no one else spots them.

'Damn that Orochi, even now it tries to sow chaos by altering history.' One slammed his fist onto a table.

'Tch, you can't expect it to anything different. Demons are one dimensional beings after all, knowing only the lust of destruction.' Another mystic warrior responded keeping a clear head.

'And yet with it returned the rest of our forces quarrel for rulership and instead of treating it as a threat we're treating it like a trophy. It isn't right.' Another one stated, shutting their eyes and shaking their head.

'Yes, I know how you feel however Orochi does need to be stopped and there does need to be a new emperor on our throne. I'd rather have it settled this way rather than an all-out civil war.' The robed individual admitted.

'Master Jinzha with all due respect instead of having it out in the open our so-called allies stab each other in the back for their own desires to rule. That and that damn frog who ants her vengeance.' The first warrior replied.

'Goes to show that even gods can get lured with ambition and power but all that will end once I claim that serpents head.' The robed individual declared.

'Erm master Jinzha, would it not be wise to call your brothers for aid? Surely they can-' Jinzha interrupted them.

'No, Both Nezha and Muzha although are powerful are not ready to rule and unite our forces under one banner once again. Especially as they do not stop their quarrelling. No. This burden must be mine…and mine alone is that understood?'

'Yes, Master Jinzha.' All the warriors stated in unison.

'Excellent, although we are low in number so are the serpents. And I do not believe they have enough warriors to match our strength. Though…I must admit something does feel off about this reincarnation of Orochi.'

'And what would that be master?'

'Did you not feel anything after that small surge of power?' He asked, they all looked at each other and shook their head.

'Exactly. By now we should've all felt a huge power surge by now drawing all the mystics in as it wrestles for control of its new body. But this time…nothing. We should all be fighting to wrest the head from the corpse by now but here we all are. Scrambling around looking for any sort of information. By luck we managed to find the new body's location before anybody else otherwise we'd still be scouting endless fields and hills.' Jinzha was puzzled, unsure of what to make of these circumstances.

'He's right, especially with that message it delivered. I thought we annihilated the demonic hordes at the last battle. How could there be a sorcerer left? And what with power like that?'

'Does it matter? We'll slay them all like we always have. This time it will be the final time.'

'Yes, that is my wish but take care. If Orochi has a sorcerer in its ranks, then maybe some other demons survive. And if they survived what their brethren did not, I fear they may be quite powerful.'

'HA! All the better to prove that you worthy to take the mantle of emperor master Jinzha!. One stood up and pounded his chest and slammed his spear's polearm onto the ground. Jinzha could only chuckle slightly at this.

'Hehe, I'm glad to have you in my ranks Tusca and as am I to all of you for helping me in this endeavour. We'll play our part with this bandit king temporarily to gain his co-operation. Tusca you, Grus and Lyra scout the mountains to find the lair of this bandit queen. Luna, Cygnus and Aquila, try to find the serpents exact location and keep an eye on her with regular intervals. The rest will stay here with me so we don't arouse too much suspicion. Other mystic forces are not allowed to know her location and take the opportunity to unite us away from me. Kill them.'

'Yes master Jinhza!' They all bow and go to their duties.

'Orochi, on my family's name I will slay you for the last time and put an end to your demonic incursions.'