The sun was starting to rise, Pang Tong looked at Grus who just slumped forward. He passed out from the excruciating agony but he was still alive. Pang Tong chuckled sinisterly as he walked out of the forest, content with the information he was able to extract today. As he walked out he opened his scroll and outcome three shadow spectres each equipped with a different weapon.

'We need to ascertain the enemy defences and position. Find their city, their remaining troops that fled and report back to me but do not engage the enemy. Inform me of their defences and preparations.' Pang Tong ordered. The spectres bowed respectfully to him as they made their way out of the forests. Pang Tong heard something shuffle behind him in the forests he looked behind him before chuckling.

'The witness is also here, excellent. That should make things easier.'

A few days later Pang Tong exited the city and as he was about to enter the forest he stopped suddenly and chuckled.

'Some may consider being spied upon an insult, master Congqian.' Pang Tong turned around and saw him clad in his simple attire armed with his blade sheathed.

'Indeed, however one can never be too careful master strategist. Especially with people like you around.'

'Hehe, is that so? Well I thought as allies we would have a degree of trust, especially as we essentially saved you all to fight another day.'

'For which we appreciate that, however I could not help but wonder what you are plotting considering what you put our prisoner through.' Congqian admitted.

'Quite, my apologies for that. These methods aren't my favourite way for extracting information but with this particular group of people they can be…stubborn.' Pang Tong chuckled while Congqian stared at him with a serious expression.

'The queen never agreed to help you fight gods, had she known…'

'Whether or not that information would've changed her mind about this alliance is irrelevant. We are in an alliance now whether you personally agree or not.'

'She can always break that and cast you all out you know.'

'And where would that leave her? Do you believe we wouldn't defend ourselves ferociously? You know as well as I do, that would leave both forces exhausted leading to Zhang Yan eliminating us both in the next siege.' Pang Tong chuckled yet again though his laughter was more sinister.

'But do not worry, we are not plotting to take over or harm the bandit queen in any way, I am merely fulfilling my promise of obtaining information. However master Congqian, its interesting how you view us with suspicion where, we should be more suspicious of you and your queen.'

'What do you mean?'

'You are an intelligent man, you do not need me to explain that to you. The queen does not have any intention of going on the offensive, does she?' Congqian looked away, averting his gaze away from him. He knew the queen was playing it safe and have been for a while.

'She is just making sure her people are protected.'

'Indeed, though you know all too well that is the wrong decision for her to make, for while she is busy recovering, Zhang Yan is doing the same and unlike her, Zhang yan has better connections to the imperial Han and holds a lot of territory in his name. If we do not move as a unified front, she will meet her demise.' Congqian averted his gaze further from Pang Tong and growled slightly as he knew he was correct. However the queen has made up her mind, it was his duty to serve her. What else could he do?

'And what would you have me do then if I already tried all I can?' He questioned, curious as to what he was planning.

'Well, the queen is still human is she not? Even though she may not fight like one she can bleed like any other…which means she can think like one as well. We must put her back on the path she was meant to walk. Hehehe, this reminds me of a tale I heard in my adventures.'

'A tale? Of what?'

'Loss and vengeance.' Pang Tong looked at him and started to chuckle as he told his tale.

'There was once a pack of wolves where the leader at the time wasn't quite doing his best at leading. Pups that were considered weak were exiled from the pack and were made to live their life away, to the sadness of many. While most of them perished there was a few that managed survive. Alone in the wilderness and without the protection of their parents these young pups had to do what they had to in order to survive. Scavenge, cower, ambush tactics and take down prey that that was normally beneath them. Living like that can make one such beast powerful, however. Out of those group of pups one emerged as the leader, but unlike this one, this one cared about her pack and led by example. Overtime she was able to get the pack together and get larger and stronger. With her strength and pack, she managed to dominate the other packs around her until she managed to grow in strength rivalling the clan she was exiled from. The time of her vengeance was at hand when she led an assault of her packs den. She won the engagement and at least the pack was hers to command. She was worthy of her vengeance, re-united with the pack she was exiled from all those years ago. However, time moves on. If you are looking to dominate, to be victorious in battle you cannot rest on your laurels like this wolf. Another pack leader from far away contests her for her territory.

She was able to fend this foreign upstart encroaching on her for a while however an unfortunate casualty occurred, the wolfs mate was slain during one of their confrontation forcing the pack to retreat. The other rival pack was victorious and started to gain more territory to them as the exiles pack retreated further and further. Unfortunately, despite her best effort, the exiles mate had passed away. When they did, they did not feel the motivation to do what needed to be done and so the exile went into a state of being passive, defending their territory instead of expanding. However, the rival pack had grew to a size where the pack leader was no longer required to be in the fight itself. When the battle was won, the exile did not dare venture outside their territory to take the fight to them. She feared for the safety of her other companion for whom she was also exiled with. The other was her slain mate. It was not that the wolf did not care enough to get her territory back, her fear was preventing her from doing what was necessary.

One day during these territorial disputes the exile found her close friend was nowhere to be found. It is said that she searched frantically for her friend only for her to look upon her corpse after endless searching. The corpse was mauled and lied in a pool of her own blood. To say the exile was upset was putting it mildly. It is said the exile cried for days. The exile lost everything she held dear…however she had nothing else to lose. Fuelled by her thirst of vengeance she rallied the rest of her pack and went on for a full assault. She no longer had to hold back in fear of getting the closest to her harmed. The exile fought like a wolf possessed, tearing her way through to the pack leader who found himself all alone. A fierce duel took place but eventually the exile came out victorious. She along with her pack reclaimed her territory and expanded.

Quite an interesting tale I think, it has quite a bit of everything. Drama, adventure, romance. I would personally recommend finding a scroll if you can. Hehe.' Pang Tong sinisterly chuckled.

'And what is the purpose of that tale dare I ask?' Congqian questioned.

'Hehe, well isn't it obvious? Without the exile holding herself back due to her fear she was able to get past that and continue to walk on the path she was walking. Then again, as a hermit I do tend to ramble on, so my apologies for that.' Congqian knew better than to take that as face value, as much as he would put himself down like this, Congqian knew Pang Tong was a highly intelligent strategist. It scared him. As he told his story Congqian knew what Pang Tong was alluding to with this tale, whether he believed the tale happened or not is irrelevant.

'You can't honestly expect me to do what I believe you're suggesting are you?'

'Me? Oh no I'm not suggesting anything master Congqian. I just thought you would like to hear a hermit's ramblings is all.' Pang Tong replied, doing his signature chuckle. Congqian's eyes drifted to the ground, knowing what he was trying to allude to. He couldn't do that, he served them both faithfully. Even if what he believed to be correct course of action, Zheng Jiang already made her decision on the matter. Doing what Pang Tong wanted him to do would be treason in his eyes and certainly in Zheng Jiangs.

'You ask too much, surely there must be another way.'

'There was no other way for the exile to get back on the path if that's what you were referring to. Her close friend realised this hence their noble sacrifice. I do not imply or suggest any course of action for what you do master Congqian, though if I were you I would analyse that tale to see what I could do to get the bandit queen back on her chosen path.' Pang Tong suggested. Congqian growled underneath his breath, he tried everything he could think of and it hasn't worked. When suddenly Pang tongs left sleeve began to glow white.

'Oh my, what have we here?' He rhetorically questioned as he took out the scroll and opened it up. He chuckled at this before closing it and staring Congqian right in the eyes. Congqian dared not to avert his gaze as his fear would not permit it.

'Well, it looks like my scouts have found quite a clearing south of the road head on the way to the city where the enemy retreated. If someone were to say patrol around along that road, if unaware of the situation they could potentially be ambushed and slain. It would be clean and effortless. Not too far away from out settlement so the body could theoretically be able to be easily recovered. I can't imagine the ambush party lying in wait, after all they must be afraid of the whole army coming for them. And if a body of particular importance to the bandit queen was recovered, who's to say her reaction would be anything less than her vengeful wrath?' Pang Tong suggested. Congqian can't believe what he's hearing, he should report this to the bandit queen immediately and inform her of Pang Tongs strategy…and yet…he hesitates. He knew deep down there may not be any other way that the bandit queen can walk back on the path of the conqueror and retake the mountains once again. His face scrunches up in anger and frustration at the situation.

'Hehe, as I said I do not expect you to do anything, however as one strategist to another, I would need to ask you something. The role of the strategist is to support their lord and lady, correct? To what end are you able to achieve that goal?' Congqian sighed and remained silent as Pang Tong laughed with a demonic undertone as he walked past him. But stopped when he was directly at his left side. Congqian looked the other way.

'Though that could be the wrong question to ask, the real question should be "what could you bear the thought of living with more? Her anger with your actions if she ever found out. Or the corpse of your bandit queen on your head with the knowledge you could've prevented this fate from befalling her?" Considering your loyalty towards her it is a question that you seem to have already answered.' Pang Tong chuckled leaving Congqian speechless his bottom lip quivered as he tried to reply but he could not. He didn't want to do anything that Pang Tong asked of him…but yet with how he lays out this sort of information it was very hard to argue with him.

'Well I'll be off then, see ya.' Pang Tong started to walk away as he held his hand up as he started to walk.'

'Wait where are you going?' Congqian questioned.

'Sleep? Where else would I go on a night like this?' Pang Tong asked as he stopped and turned to face Congqian.

'What about the prisoner?'

'Oh yeah, don't worry its fine I'll deal with him later. Besides, I feel our conversation was pretty illuminating on its own don't you think?' Pang Tong chuckled.

'You are a frightful person, you know that don't you?'

'Perhaps…however that means then you have nothing to worry about considering we're on the same side.' Pang Tong chuckled demonically as he walked towards the settlement leaving Congqian all alone. He was in turmoil, unsure of what to do. He looked up at the bright moon in the clear dark sky and sighed before he went back inside the settlement and made his way to the palace. He roamed the halls of the palace planning on making his way to bed, trying to forget about tonight for a brief moment before making their decision tomorrow.

'Ahh Congqian, I'm surprised to see you up, is everything ok?' He was started and jumped in surprise to find Lu Zheng there with her fan.

'Ahh lady Zheng, my apologies you startled me.' Congqian admitted as he bowed his head respectfully.

'My apologies I did not mean to old friend, I was just merely curious as to why you are up so late.' She replied.

'I…decided to have a stroll outside, it did look like a pleasant night.' Congqian answered, he didn't want to say anything about Pang Tong lest it create more suspicion.

'I see, I am also the same. It would be a shame to sleep through this night I thought, besides, I couldn't sleep anyway.'

'Why is that lady Zheng? Should I request aid?' Congqian immediately questioned.

'Haha, do not worry it is nothing like that. I am just worried is all.' Lu Zheng stated while having a sad look on her face.

'About what…if I may inquire?'

'Our queen, I fear she will not honour her end of the bargain and go on the offensive despite it being clearly the only option to get rid of that blasted cur Zhang Yan.' Lu Zheng tightened her free hand into a fist as she mentioned Zhang Yan.

'With the greatest of respect lady Zheng would that not be up to the queen herself to determine if that is good idea or bad?' Congqian asked even though he agreed with her sentiment he feels it would be best to not display any doubt to the bandit queen.

'Heh, you know as well as I do not moving forward and seizing the momentum is a bad idea. Soon that strategist working for the serpent will have the necessary information for them to make their move. If she declines, I fear the serpent will not take too kindly to that considering her rather valiant defence from her and her forces. I was hoping the serpent would help our queen get back to her former self…alas…maybe she's just too far gone.' Lu Zheng declared sadly as her eyes drifted to the side. Congqian did not know that she felt like that. When he heard this statement from her, it felt like he made up…nevertheless that did not settle the turmoil within him. As she looked away, Congqians face scrunched up and tightened his right hand into a fist before he calmly exhaled.

'There maybe something we can do to help, we could…perhaps start to patrol further ahead, tracing the tracks of the enemy perhaps to goad them into attacking us while we retreat and prepare ambushes. Besides it is unlikely that the enemy will be that close by now as they fled with their tails between their legs. You could consider taking the first patrol yourself to help improve morale of the soldiers.' Congqian suggested.

"Lady Lu Zheng, Lady Zheng Jiang…please forgive me." Congqian thought to himself as he feared the repercussions of his actions.