Morning came, the sun shone brightly onto Mitsuko's vagabond unit as they all awoke. Their morale improved as they packed up and made their way to the walled city of the bandit queen herself. They couldn't see much save for the sturdy walls. When the camp is packed up Mitsuko's forces immediately made their way to the castle. As they approach they notice watchtowers being stationed around on the path, stationed with a couple of guards to make sure they alert the main city of invaders. A quick glimpse of these warriors dressed in bandit attires with simple rags and cloths while being armed with a bow and arrow. They glanced down and noticed Mitsuko's figure, they matched the description that Lu Zheng gave them. They let them pass. After traversing the land for a couple of hours of marching they finally reached the gate. To their surprised the gate opened as they approached.

The small army entered the building and was surprised to see the city bustling with people, like a proper city. They had the preconception that the quality of life would be detoriated due to them being bandits but its surprisingly civilised to them. It was just like any other cities, however though it is odd they still don't have proper armour for their soldiers. As they ventured further into the city, trying to reach the centre of it they see bystanders minding their business but staring at them as they walk past. Viewing them with suspicious eyes. They eventually reached the main square they are quickly approached by a squad of bandit soldiers with forest green coloured simple clothing armed with bow and arrows with swords.

'I presume you are the serpent that lady Lu Zheng spoke of?' The bandit at the front asked. Mitsuko looked at him oddly and then stared at serpent.

'You know…I'm not quite sure. Let me check. LingQi, do you think I'm the serpent. I would know myself but for the life of me I can't seem to find anything to suggest otherwise.' Mitsuko sarcastically questions LingQi as her serpent heads slither in the air, LingQi couldn't help but giggle about at her antics. The bandits glared at her with an annoyed expression.

'Of course, in any event the bandit queen herself wishes to see you in person…alone. Your soldiers can stay in the castle if they so wish. If you would like to follow us.' The bandit stated.

'What about the people behind me?' Mitsuko questioned.

'They can integrate themselves in our city if they wish but they are not to cause any chaos, we will not hesitate to silence those that don't conform.' He threatened. Though Mitsuko was unfazed.

'Noted, give me just a couple of minutes to explain that to them ok?' The bandits looked at each before retreating away as Mitsuko turned towards her relatively small army.

'A welcoming bunch, aren't they?' Pang Tong whispered as he chuckled.

'I know, really makes you feel right at home doesn't it?' Mitsuko jested though turned serious as she faced the rest of the officers.

'Make sure no one causes chaos, last thing we need are potential diplomatic incidents just because of a couple of drunken idiots. Intergrate yourselves the best you can and try to get some info. I want to know how things work around here so we're not totally fumbling in the dark while we're here.' Mitsuko ordered. All the officers nodded their heads.

'Good, I'll see you all later and I'll let you know what comes out of this meeting.' Mitsuko smirked as she went to the bandit group.

'Ok, lead me to your bandit queen.' They complied and they led her further into the city. A few minutes later they reach what would normally be considered the governors house. Outside of the entrance had two skeletons impaled through the map with what seemed to be flag poles that are planted at the furthest point on opposite sides of the entrance. They opened the large steel doors to reveal a large hall with various tables and chairs, some are which are broken with expensive cloth and other expensive materials painted white decorated around the hall in the form of banners hanging on the otherwise dull, colourless walls. Though many are them are ripped, shredded and stained with blood that was spilt a long time ago. Various corpses litter the tables with various holes in their bodies along with slash lines from axes and swords, mostly from the back at first glance. It was strange to see the main hall of the governor's palace to be in such…disarray compared to the rest of the city which looked like a normal city. She took a quick glance at the guards posted at every pillar that held the ceiling. Each of them are armed with a guando and a bow and arrow though they still look like any regular old bandit. She looked forward and then she saw her, the bandit queen.

Sat on a throne with many dried up bloodstains around the throne. She dressed in the same simple clothes as her men. Albeit with a few pieces of rusty metal armour on her shoulders and one plate on her chest. She wore dull, leather boots with green apparel clothing. Two seemingly heavy axes planted in the ground on either side of her, ready to be claimed at a moments notice. Her clothing is also decorated by what seemed to be white fur around the neck and the shoulder pads. She had her legs crossed and sat upright with very stern eyes eyeing Mitsuko from head to toe as if examining her as she walked closer to her. Her jet black hair reached her shoulder pads however the rest of it would be in a bun on top, pinned by an extravagant hair pin, embodied with a emerald jewel of some kind at the end. At the front of her head on both ends at the front of her fringe two strands of black hair was allowed to be longer as they drape over the front of the shoulder pads. As Mitsuko got closer she saw the scar vertical scar bridged near her left eye and her nose. She looked to her sides and found two people. The man on her right was heavily armed, draped with armour and a helmet, the only one who was she suspects in the entire city wears such armour. He looked slightly older than the bandit queen if only by a few years. He had a bulky build where his clothes were stretched noticeably around his biceps, armed with a halberd. He looked at Mitsuko with a very intense glare. The left was Lu Zheng, smirking as she saw Mitsuko being escorted, her expression was more pleasant than the mans as she fanned herself. The bandits stopped a few feet away from the throne and went to one knee.

'My queen, we brought the serpent here as you requested.'

'I see that, you are dismissed. And the rest of the guards to. I wish to have this meeting in private.' She spoke sternly with a hoarse voice. The bandits nodded their heads in understanding as they exit the main hall through the front entrance leaving only Mitsuko and the three bandits in front of her. As the door shut behind them the bandit queen stood up and went close to Mitsuko and circled around her. Her serpent heads kept a noticeable watch as they slithered behind her while Mitsuko stayed still but her eyes followed her.

'You know, when Lu Zheng told me that you had serpents for arms I thought she was just hallucinating or something, however now…I suppose I have no choice but to accept this as fact.' She stated.

'I mean you could always just think I'm just a figment of everyone imagination. Imagine the infiltrations I could do.' Mitsuko jested. The bandit queen couldn't help but suppress a chuckle.

'Perhaps, however I believe we should be acquainted before we discuss more formal matters no?' The bandit queen suggested.

'Oh of course, the names Mitsuko.' Mitsuko stated as she bowed her head slightly before raising it. The serpents mimicked her movement.

'Mitsuko you say? Well I believe you are already acquainted with my sworn sister and chief advisor Lu Zheng.' The bandit queen extended her hand to Lu Zhengs direction who bowed respectfully.

'A pleasure to formally introduce myself to you, my lady.' She stated.

'And on my right is my husband and commander of the Tai Dominions military. Gai Shu.' She extended her hand in his general direction, he just grunted in response.

'Doesn't talk much does he?'

'Just wait till you two start to get familiar, you'll know how talkative and opinionated he can be.' The bandit queen chuckled before introducing herself.

'And I am Zheng Jiang, the bandit queen. Do those two companions of yours have names aswell?' She questioned. Mitsuko looked down at her snake heads before looking straight back up.

'Not really, I should name though, I just don't know what to name them.' Mitsuko admitted.

'You should, however it would probably be best if we went to business then shall we? My sister advised me of the brief situation, that you would like to negotiate a potential alliance.' Zheng Jiang walked back to sit on her throne.

'Yeah, that's pretty much it. I think an alliance would be mutually beneficial for both of us.' Mitsuko replied.

'Really? How so? Do you think you and your soldiers will make a difference to my personal vendetta against Zhang Yan?' The bandit queen asked.

'Hmph, you haven't seen us in action if you're asking that.' Mitsuko smirked. Causing the bandit queen to do the same, admiring her confidence.

'I suppose I haven't.' Zheng Jiang at that moment threw a dagger coated with a very thin poison toward Mitsuko with such speed her two confidants didn't see the dagger until Mitsuko caught it. An inch away from her right eye as the left serpent grabbed it with its mouth by the handle. Mitsuko realising what had happened threw the dagger to the ground.

'Hmph, impressive.'

'You're going to have to do better than that.' Mitsuko stated as her serpents hissed at her. Gai Shu sensing danger immediately stepped in front of his wife. Raising his halberd ready to fight Mitsuko who started to grin at the thought of fighting.

'Hey now, there's no need for any of that Shu. Stand down.' Zheng Jiang calmly spoke. Gai Shu grunted reluctantly as he lowered his halberd and returned to his position.

'My apologies about that, as you can see he is the most loyal soldier I have, though sometimes that can take him a step out of line. I was only trying to test your reflexes.'

'And?' Mitsuko enquired as she slowly starts to calm herself down.

'They're adequate. I do know however you're not doing this out of your own kindness, that's not how this world works. Lu Zheng tells me that you want my soldiers to die for your cause, correct?' She asked.

'Well, that's not how I would've worded it-'

'However that is what you're asking for right?' Zheng Jiang interrupted Mitsuko which took her by surprise.

'Basically yes.'

'And why would I want to do that? Even with the help you may give towards Zhang Yan, why would I wish to send my people to die for you?'

'They're not going to die for me though and I don't want them to. I want them to fight for a new world.'

'A new world?'

'Yeah. You know the Han-' Zheng Jiang interrupted her once again.

'Lu Zheng has told me of your passion before you arrived. There is no need for you to repeat your speech. However it is quite the proposition, you must understand as you yourself lead your people, I must lead mine and figure out what is best for them. Even though Zhang Yan is a thorn in my side and I would be wise to accept any help I can, I need to wonder would the short term assistance be wise for what it means for my men? After all, I wouldn't want to join a side that's doomed to fail now would I?' Zheng Jiang explained.

'Well its not like we're just going to march and conquer straight away, we will have a plan.'

'I should hope so if you plan on dragging my queen into your wars.' Gai Shu blurted out. Zheng Jiang put her right hand up and Gai Shu immediately silenced himself.

'Hmph, nevertheless I need to think about these things carefully before I can commit considering your position is not one of strength, but desperation.' Zheng Jiang pointed out, Mitsuko gritted her teeth when she heard that. She was right, this was a gamble.

'Indeed it is, however you of all people should know. When creatures become desperate. They become dangerous!' Mitsuko exclaimed as she smirked demonically as her serpents regurgitated her weapons from their mouths. The bandit queen seemed unfazed by this, however she did chuckle in admiration of her energy.

'Very true. Ok. I'm willing to consider this however you will need to do one or two tasks for me first. Would this be an acceptable? To help persuade the bandits of the Tai Dominion of course.' Zheng Jiang questioned.

'I don't suppose I have a choice do I?' Mitsuko sarcastically remarked.

'Not particularly given your situation. But if you succeed it will put a little more of a strain towards Zhang Yan and help convince us the real value of this alliance you propose.'

'Ok, what do we need to do?'

'As you may know, Zhang Yan is a devious opportunist, he only got to his position through schemes and opportunist deals. One of the major ways would be through his sickening noble allies, the very people he claims to fight against. One of them is coming to meet him personally in a caravan. They'll reach his city within a week. We found out what route they're planning. I want your forces to ambush the caravan and kill everyone there save the driver, tell him to turn back and tell him to warn his noble overlords. Once they gotten wind of him, they will be more hesitant to send him resources. Do this and the alliance will be considered.' Zheng Jiang explained. Mitsuko growled quietly while his serpents hissed softly. She didn't like doing this for the simple promise of a consideration…however as Pang Tong stated before, she didn't really have a leg to stand on during these negotiations. She should count herself lucky its even being considered. If she's telling the truth that is. Despite everything she smirked confidently.

'Leave it with us, we'll deal with your caravan. I trust you'll supply us with a map of sorts?' Zheng Jiang smirked back at Mitsuko.

'Of course, the scouts will be able to lead you to where you they're coming from along with a map. You'll notify our men of the situation and give you access to withdraw supplies for your journey.' Zheng Jiang stated.

'Alright, well I'll see you when I get back then.' Mitsuko turned around and exited the hall. As soon as the door closed behind her, the guards rushed back inside at Lu Zheng opened up.

'So, what do you think my lady?'

'She's…an interesting one. I can see why you wanted to meet her without my permission, however please refrain from doing that in the future.' Zheng Jiang requested, with concern present in her voice.

'Of course, I did not mean to worry you my lady. I thought it would be prudent to judge this serpent for myself before she met you.'

'Tch, I don't like her. She intends to drag us into her wars that are not of our concern.' Gai Shu exclaimed.

'She needs more warriors and resources, to come into bandit territory…to the Tai Dominion of all people for an alliance shows how desperate she is. However, her talks of a new world are quite fascinating, though aren't they?' Lu Zheng asked.

'Noble goals indeed, though she'd be better off just joining us officially. Objectives like that…leave you hurt in the long run.' She remarked glumly as she looked down on the blood-stained rug leading to her throne, unaware of the sad look her sister was giving her.