Mitsuko was escorted to the cities palace by Diamondback. As they approached the gates, the guards guarding the door halted Diamondbacks advance as they placed their speared in front of him, barring him from entering. Diamondback displayed his visible annoyance at the guards as he stared at one, unblinking. Mitsuko glanced as she opened the doors to see Diamondback being confrontational. She said it was ok and she'll meet with him later. Diamondback understood and withdraw while snarling quietly to himself. She made her way further into the messy hall to see the bandit queen Zhang Jiang leaning into one of the arms of her throne wearing a stoic expression on her face. Along with her advisor and husband on either side. As Mitsuko walked in, Zheng Jiangs face softened while Gai Shu wore an annoyed expression on his face.

'Mitsuko, glad you could join us, I assume your companion is well?' She questioned.

'He's taking it better than I thought he would in all fairness.' Zheng Jiang couldn't prevent her small chuckle from escaping her.

'I can imagine, he doesn't seem like the type to wait around.'

'Oh you have no idea.'

'hehe, you'd be surprised. However I didn't call you here for a simple catch up, I'd like to know what happened out there concerning the village as I was quite surprised to see so many supplies you hauled from them.

'Yes, we reached the village and they were…less than pleasant to say the least. I tried solving it diplomatically however since they weren't going to co-operate I razed it to the ground. We took as many supplies as we could, though one of my officers got caught going too far out taking out anyone that would flee though he was ambushed hence why he ended up in that state.' Mitsuko explained, Zheng Jiang grinned as she righted herself, hearing Mitsuko's lack of empathy for her victims.

'Unfortunate but that is the way of things. But these supplies will help our forces a lot. Thank you for doing this for us.'

'Don't forget your side of the agreement. I didn't do this for out of pure generosity.' Mitsuko reminded her.

'Watch your tongue! You speak to our lady with respect!' Gai Shu warned her, his weapon raised however Zheng Jiang quickly spoke up.

'Silence Gai Shu.'

'But my lady…' Gai Shu's voice contained his hurt which Mitsuko was surprised by.

'I said silence. She's right and I'll grant her request.' Zheng Jiang stated as she grabbed one of her axes and stood up before she pointed the axe at Mitsuko.

'From this day forth your enemies are our enemies. Your soldiers and my soldiers will fight and die upon the same battlefields together. Our weapons will be drenched in the blood of our foes!' The hall was silent as neither party did anything before Zheng Jiang sighed as she lowers her axe.

'Sorry, I didn't know what's supposed to happen. Bandits aren't known for making military alliances. In any event, all of you are dismissed. I wish to discuss our newfound alliance with my ally.' The guards did as what they were told and promptly left.

'Oh in that case I better get to the market to pickup that new robe I wanted while getting something to eat. Have fun you two.' Lu Zheng stated as she hid her coy smile behind her fan as she withdrew from the main hall and walked out the doors. Gai Shu sighed and started to leave, though not before shooting Mitsuko a dirty glance, she repaid that in glance with an intimidating one. One that told him she wouldn't hesitate to kill him should he try anything. He growled quietly before he left. Leaving only the bandit queen and the serpent alone.

'It may not be my place to say anything but what's his fucking problem?' Mitsuko questioned, annoyance present in her voice. Zheng Jiang laughed slightly at it.

'Heh, he never was one for outsiders coming in. A bit ironic all things considered, nevertheless he does have his uses. He wouldn't do anything without my consent though, its all talk when it comes to his threats.' Zheng Jiang explained.

'I should certainly hope so, if he tries to step up I won't be afraid to knock him down.' Mitsuko stated. Zheng Jiang laughed at this remark.

'You'd honestly be doing me a favour. I'd rather him be knocked down than' Zheng jiang stopped herself and hesitated for a moment making Mitsuko confused. She swore she saw a hint of sadness in her eyes before they flickered back to reality.

'Anyway, I didn't want to discuss about my husbands problems. I wanted to ask you something about what you did to the village.'

'Erm…sure go for it?' Mitsuko responded, she wasn't sure what she wanted to discuss. She got what she wanted didn't she?'

'When they rejected your peaceful negotiations and you were forced to burn them all down, how did it feel for you?' Mitsuko looked at her with a confused expression, yet she was met with a serious and stoic look from the bandit queen.

'Well…I didn't really feel much of anything truth be told when I gave the order, though I'd be lying if I didn't say I didn't have gratification of slaying the one that rejected my offer. Though there was one thing I regret from there.'

'And what would that be?'

'Giving someone a choice. There was a mother and her child there all alone. I gave them the choice of either fleeing or dying by my blade quickly. I gave them some time to decide. When I came back, the mother stayed behind but the daughter left. I was infuriated with her for willingly choosing a life of suffering and loneliness for her daughter. My regret is just killing them outright. At least then she wouldn't be out there alone suffering before she dies.' Mitsuko admitted. The serpent heads hissed rather aggressively at the memory of the mother. Zheng jiang chuckled at her clear display of annoyance.

'I only ask this because this would be the first time you had to call for the deaths of these so called innocents right?'

'It was.'

'Then you know you may have to do it again, do you think you can handle that?' She asked. Mitsuko snarled quietly as well as her snake heads.

'So that's what this is about. I have no qualms with doing it again if the need arises.' Zheng Jiang began to circle Mitsuko as she spoke.

'I don't mean to insult you Mitsuko its just…I remember your words. About wanting to change the world. A well and noble goal but you have to ask yourself, do you really have what it takes to achieve that?' She enquired. Curious of her answer.

'Since when have my goals became such an issue for you?' She responded, curious as to why she's discussing such a topic now.

'They aren't. Now that we are allies though I think its only fair that I ask you if you're sure this is the path you want to go down.'

'And why wouldn't I?'

'Pain, loss, humiliation to list a few.'

'Tch, you must really think low of me if you think that'll deter me.' Mitsuko boasted. Zheng jiang shook her head in response.

'Quite the opposite, the only reason I'm asking you this is because I think of you in high regard. Last thing I want to see is your fire being extinguished. Take your officer, if he died what would you have done?' She questioned. Mitsuko was taken aback by that, what would she have done if Dodomeki would've died. She remembered how frantic Gyuki was, as they both saw his bleeding body. The panic in his voice, Mitsuko didn't know what to do either. Her feelings of helplessness came back before deciding to take his body back to the camp to see if there would be any materials they could use to help bandage him up to prevent the bleeding. Though once trying to see Dodomeki in his bed just not getting up and lying there motionless…does make Mitsuko uncomfortable. No what was she thinking, she can't allow that fear to stop her. She didn't want to get back to that…though she had to admit, it was different between fearing for her own life versus fearing for someone else's life.

'And what about these so called innocents like that girl you let go. Can you look at people like her in the eye and call for their death again? You may be demon but I know there is some part of you that's still human.'

'I'll deal with them when the time arises.' Mitsuko responded.

'I'm sure you will. But for how long is the question?'

'For how long?'

'You aren't going to create a new world fast, its going to be a slow grind and even then there will be plenty of obstacles in you're way. Do you really think you have the strength to keep on going for so long?' Zheng Jiang inquired. Part of her doesn't even know why she's talking to her about this at all…though she felt an obligation to warn Mitsuko of her path and what will be entailed.

'I think I've reached a point where I can't afford to not keep on going.'

'Heh, I think we all say that but sometimes that isn't quite true is it? Sometimes people find themselves unable to move forward when they don't have the energy to continue, no matter how much they have to lose. Do you think that will happen to you? You think you can still press on no matter what anyone throws your way? After all, the last thing I want is to ally with someone who's going to give up when the going gets tough.'

Mitsuko stared at her oddly. She wondered what had gotten into this queen all of a sudden. One minute she was business and sending us out on menial tasks for her own gain and the next minute she's lecturing her about the path that she chose like she knows what's its like. What would a bandit queen know about this path anyway? She's the one married to a husband that she apparently hates. Her serpent heads snarl quietly at her.

'My answer is yes, do you really think I'm one to give up easily?' She questioned. Zheng Jiang looked back at her, neither of them backing down from this silent stare before Zheng Jiang giving her a smirk, though Mitsuko think she may be getting paranoid, this one seemed more…false than what she's used to.

'No I suppose not, sorry I just wanted to see how you would react is all. This whole alliance thing is new to me, sorry if I seemed off. Though if you want to really talk about business we could do. Like each of us sending scouts off to find more villages that supply Zhang Yan or any trade routes. With your help we can finally make progress on slaying him and his forces. First we'll cut off as many supply routes as we can. From there we'll see what he does and pick out the mistakes.'

'Heh, sounds like a plan to me.' Mitsuko agreed, Zheng jiang smirked before currently gasping sharply as she places her hand over her stomach. Mitsuko was about to walk over to her though Zheng Jiang quickly extended her other arm out in front of her.

'Do not worry, it is something that I must've eaten this morning. I need to have to have a polite discussion with that cook. If there would be nothing else I suggest we take this moment to relax a little bit before we can move on to the next phase.' Zheng Jiang stated. Mitsuko nodded and bowed her heads including her serpent ones down respectfully before leaving. As the doors shut behind her Zheng Jiang threw down the axe she was holding onto the ground in frustration as she yelled. She couldn't believe she just let all that slip. What did she think she would accomplish talking to her like that? Of course she would be defiant and wouldn't see what would happen. Though something about how she responded was all too familiar to her. Though as she placed another hand on her stomach as she let out a small groan, it came as a reminder as to not push herself too much yet. She controlled her breathing before she walked to the throne.

As Mitsuko left the palace she walked down the steps, wondering what was up with Zheng Jiang. She wondered if it was just the excitement of taking down Zhang Yan after so long or just a way to get her inside her head. Which she's determined not to let happen. She eventually found herself in one of the marketplaces in the city. Various stalls and people trying to sell their product. She noticed unlike in say PuYang or Luo Yang these marketplaces were scarce. She would've thought with the bandits tendency for pillaging that this place would be more busier with more of them spending what they obtained from their pillaging and raiding.

'Ahh greetings lady Mitsuko are you looking for something aswell?' She was surprised when she was called out by Lu Zheng across from her. Fanning herself regally.

'Not really, I was just strolling around when I stumbled upon her. Did you not find the robe you ordered?' Mitsuko asked. Noticing the lack of clothing in her arms. She sighed in response.

'No, they said it would be another day or so before it was ready, they listed their excuses but I just started to walk away and said I'll be back tomorrow.'

'Sounds annoying.'

'It is. But what can you do? Also, this may seem off, but what did my lady and yourself wanted to discuss?'

'Did she not tell you this herself?' Mitsuko questioned.

'No, she tends to keep to herself most of the time. Though she listens to my counsel, she seldom tells me her plans as of late.'

'Oh, well it was kind of weird truth be told. She kept asking me questions about how I felt with the whole thing which felt more like an interrogation rather than a conversation. I think she was just gauging how committed I am I guess as she made remarks about the obstacles in the way of my path and all that. It was still pretty weird.' Lu Zheng looked at Mitsuko with confusion for a moment before ceasing her fanning motion and folds it.

'I see. Follow me if you wouldn't mind.' She asked with an unusually serious tone in her voice. Mitsuko obliged and followed the advisor. They made their way to a small building on the outskirts of the city however as Mitsuko stepped inside, she was surprised to see it more luxurious than the main hall, or anywhere else for that matter. It was decorated with various pieces of cloth and several gold trinkets sprinkled around. She takes her seat at a table and motions for Mitsuko to take a seat opposite her. She obliged and took a seat.

'I think its time to for you to learn a bit more about your ally…my sworn sister Zheng Jiang. I thought you would be able to help her.'

'Help her? I mean isn't that what I'm doing?'

'No, not with Zhang yan. Helping her personally. I'll take you back to where it all started.