The next morning the army woke up at the crack of dawn making preparations for the siege. The sun was just starting to peek from the horizon as the majority of the army started to wake. Mitsuko also did the same as she sent scouts to cover the perimeter of the castle looking for any noticeable weak points. LingQi and Diamondback made sure the troops were alert for any sudden attacks made by Zhang Yan. Gyuki went off in search of ammunition to use for the catapults. Dodomeki and Pang Tong has yet to report back to her, she hopes they're ok. Especially Dodomeki. As she waited, she took a walk around the camp acting as if she was an inspector when in reality, she just wanted to see what everyone was doing. When the troops spotted her, they immediately saluted her and righted her out of respect. She nodded, acknowledging their presence before walking away. Some breathed a sigh of relief, fearing they would anger her in some way, as they learned they do not want to make the serpent furious.

The officers also did the same, Mitsuko despite everything wasn't quite used to being bowed to and respected like an authority figure. Especially from her officers. It wasn't like she didn't like it but it did feel...off. Particularly from LingQi, despite how far they come together it did feel there was a certain...barrier around them, though she didn't know why. It's not like LingQi or any of her officers were doing anything wrong but she couldn't quite shrug this feeling off. Luckily, she didn't have to wonder for long as Dodomeki and Pang Tong found Mitsuko in the camp and reported back. Mitsuko called a war council among the officers to join her in the main tent so everyone knows the situation. Once everyone sat down around the large wooden table Mitsuko began the war council.

'So Dodomeki, Pang Tong. What can you tell us?' Mitsuko questioned. Pang Tong pulled out a scroll of some kind and laid it out on the table. It was a sketch of the city with some buildings and the like inside.

'We managed to get a glimpse into the city itself, while not exactly easily defendable once the walls are breached, they still seem to have quite a large number of troops available at their command. They also seem to have quite the stockpile of supplies. If they were to ration these supplies, they could run out in roughly 3 months which also includes the citizens which they seem to be recruiting as a militia. We also spotted a few siege engines of their own being constructed, if they are allowed to be constructed and used against us, we would be at even more of a disadvantage than we already are.' Pang Tong stated.

'Their morale from what i witnessed seem to be quite high despite the setbacks, the walls make them feel safe as well as their numbers which they outnumber us roughly 5 to one however they don't seem to be well trained. Still, a head on assault would be risky. Once we breach the gate, we can be caught in a three pronged attack which can cause us some hefty losses if we don't plan for it.'

'Tch, it seems that this Zhang Yan knows how to hide and cower well.' LingQi replied. Not impressed by their defensive position.

'The same could be said for our so-called ally.' Diamondback stated coldly.

'That can't be helped. If our ally doesn't want to help then this castle will be ours, no use complaining about them or their absence.' Mitsuko responded. Preferring to not bring up Zheng Jiang as she still wasn't sure of how best to deal with her after all this.

'Of course, my apologies my lady. Though with the number of troops they have, perhaps a pincer attack could work with one side taking the east and one side taking the west with one catapult each.' Diamondback answered.

'A nice idea however it is too risky given the number of troops we currently have. While half of us are travelling they can easily sally forth and outnumber them.' Pang Tong shook his head.

'So, we can't split up in a pincer attack but if we attack head on we'll be outnumbered and more than likely outranged.' Mitsuko voiced her thoughts to herself as she stroked her chin with her right serpent jaw. Suddenly she had an idea.

'And you say their morale is still high Dodomeki?'

'Yes, my lady.'

'Hmm, LingQi, has the scout looking for a supply caravan come back yet?'

'Not yet but we're expecting them back soon.'

'Ok...I believe I have a way to demoralize them but that caravan needs to come as soon as possible. As for the supplies, did you see where they're stashing them?' Mitsuko asked.

'Yes, unfortunately they are situated near the main palace of the city.' Dodomeki answered.

'Tch, of course they're there. Was hoping it would be situated more near the frontline, so it'd be easy to sabotage.'

'I am able to complete this task no matter the location' Dodomeki assured her.

'I'm sure-' Mitsuko was interrupted as Gyuki moved slightly to allow a soldier to burst into the tent who immediately dropped to his knees and bowed respectfully.

'Apologies for the intrusion my lady but I bring urgent news. Our scouts have spotted Zheng Jiangs forces making their way over here.' The soldier advised. Mitsuko and the other officers are noticeably shocked by this.

'What? The scouts are positive it's her right?'

'Yes my lady.' Pang Tong chuckled at this.

'Looks like our numbers seem to have increased lady Mitsuko.'

'I wonder what made her change her mind. War council is adjourned for the moment, let's see what the bandit queen can bring to the table.' Mitsuko smirked as she made her way out of the tent. She waited on the outskirts of the camp for half an hour before they could be spotted. Mitsuko could spot Zheng Jiang in her war gear, wearing a green tunic underneath makeshift armor that allowed easier maneuverability, part of a wolf pelt on her right shoulder with her hair tied in a bobble with a few strands of hair being allowed to drape in front of her face to the side. Armed with her two axes with red hair tied to the handles of both. Once the camp was in sight for Zheng Jiang's forces they rushed towards the camp, once they arrived, they were clearly exhausted seemingly on a never ending march. Accompanying her was Gai Shu and Congqian. Along with a lot of troops.

'My apologies for our lateness Mitsuko. I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long.' Zheng Jiang stated.

'Nah we got here yesterday, though I was wondering when you would show up.'

'Apologies, we got sidetracked.' Zheng Jiang responded as she threw a head down to Mitsuko's feet.

'Aww, you even got me a present how thoughtful.' Mitsuko smirked demonically.'

'Well, I saw your handiwork in the forest but found you were sloppy as you left some alive. I thought i would rectify that problem.' Zheng Jiang responded as she chuckled to herself.

'I mean you were cooped up in the castle for a while, I thought you needed a warm up.'

'Tch, you presume too much.' The two laughed before Zheng Jiang looked to the ground, seemingly in shame.

'Mitsuko...about what was said-' Zheng Jiang started before she was interrupted by one of Mitsuko's serpents hissing in front of her.

'Don't worry about it, what's done is done.' Mitsuko assured her, she did empathize with Zheng Jiang.

'Though I don't know what made you change your mind.' Zheng Jiang's eyes wondered back to the ground before returning to Mitsuko's gaze with determination and a fire in her eyes that was new to Mitsuko.

'Lu Zheng's dead. Her body was found along with her patrol.' Mitsuko widened her eyes in shock. Lu Zheng's dead? She wasn't the type to get careless she thought to herself however she still found herself saddened all the same.

'For what it's worth...you have my condolences.' Mitsuko offered; she knew what it was like to lose someone very close.

'I don't want your condolences...I want Zhang Yans head on a pike!' Zheng Jiangs eyes lit up with fire once again, though Mitsuko was happy to see what she was trying to get out of her for so long, she wished it was under better circumstances.

'That can be arranged. Come, let's bring you all up to speed.' Mitsuko draped her right serpent arm over Zheng Jiangs shoulder and guided her to the main war camp. As she did, she spotted a soldier coming towards her in a rush, he quickly dropped to his knees and bowed his head as he got close, almost like he collapsed to the ground.

'My lady, I bring news a supply caravan has been spotted to the south getting closer to city as we speak.' Mitsuko smirked demonically as her serpents hissed ferociously.

'Excellent, we could use that to our advantage. Send the ambush party over there and send a message to the other officers to resume our war council.' Mitsuko ordered. The soldier nodded his head in understanding and obeyed his command. Mitsuko then looked towards Zheng Jiang.

'So how many heads did you bring?'

'...Enough, we were in a rush to get here. Why?'

'You'll see.'

Back in the city a soldier informed the black mountain bandit king about Zheng Jiangs forces converging with Mitsuko's forces which got some of his officials even more nervous. With the number of soldier the enemy have they would be able to outflank them if the walls were to be breached. But Zhang Yan seemed unconcerned as well as Jinzha. The bandit king slouched in his throne sipping on a chalice of wine while Jinzha was confident in his abilities to take down the serpent. All you need to do is cut the head off the snake, then the body will fall.

'Hmm, is that so? Excellent, she decided to finally show her face after all this time? Excellent. We can defeat them both with a single blow. Then the mountains will all be mine.' Zhang Yan smiled at the thought of dealing with both of her enemies in one go.

'Try not to get too excited my lord, we still have to put them to the sword.' Jinzha replied, trying to not let him get too arrogant which may cost him the serpents head if he isn't careful enough.

'Do not worry, we have the advantage, we have you and your final companion, and we have our walls. Our men are preparing defensive engines as we speak which are nearing completion. Once we deal with their giant and their siege engines, they will not be able to put up a struggle. They will not be able to breach our walls.' Zhang Yan boasted confidently. After the failure of the first siege of the bandit queens fortress Zhang Yan ordered his men to construct more siege engines so the same mistake will not be repeated. Because the engines were nearing completion, they will soon be able to bombard them the enemy from the safety of their castle, hence why Zhang Yan's attitude has relaxed. Besides, once he dealt with the bandit queen and expand his territory, he had a feeling the siege engines may be more invaluable in the long run, as he didn't know if the so-called gods have any of these contraptions for their own use.

'Besides, even if they do breach our walls, I have every ounce of confidence in your abilities my friend.' Zheng Yan chuckled while Jinzha said nothing and looked away. Even though he was doing what he felt was necessary to get to the serpent, pretending to serve such a lowly human felt...beneath him. Though he persisted with it for soon it will be over once he is the new yellow emperor and bring order the mystic realm once more.

Suddenly another soldier burst through the main gates and collapsed in front of the mountain king, clearly exhausted with panic and fear present in his face.

'This had better be good soldier.' Zhang Yan stated, annoyed by this interruption.

'M-my apologies my lord. But I thought I should report...it's raining heads.'

'What!?' The black mountain bandit king responded, confused by this. What was he on about?

'The enemy...the enemy is using heads from our allies to attack us!' Both Zhang Yan and Jinzha widened their eyes in shock at this.

'Impossible!' Zhang Yan responded as he quickly stood up from his throne and walked down the steps.

'I wish to see this. You, come with.' He pointed towards Jinzha and motioned him to follow him. Jinzha obliged. They both exited the main palace and made their way to the frontlines. As they traversed the empty streets, they find them to be littered with heads. Shocking both, especially Zhang Yan. For the first time Jinzha could see his face had fear present as he looked around. How was this possible? Did they really keep the heads of this many soldiers? Wh-what was the point of this he thought to himself. As they neared the frontlines, soldiers started to appear in their vision visibly frightened by this display.

'Watch out, here comes another volley!' They both heard someone yell out as they spotted a group of seeming small heads get closer and closer. Jinzha managed to get out of the way however Zhang Yan got the brunt of it as the force of the heads knocked him over and made him land on his back. He sat up to see a soldier's head on his lap, looking directly at him with a frightened expression on his face. Terrified Zhang Yan screamed as he pushed the head off and crawled backwards to get away from it. What kind of monster was he dealing with!?

Jinzha couldn't help but put on a superior smirk on his face as he saw Zhang Yan grovel back, petrified. Despite all his boasts, despite his wealth and resources, despite his influence, land and the number of men underneath him, serving him he was still human, a lowly human consumed with greed and vanity who had no business trying to be something he's not.

'Are you ok my lord?' He questioned. Zhang Yan looked at him with annoyance as he tried to recompose himself. He stood up and brushed the dirt off his clothes.

'Of course, I'm fine, that was just not something I expected to see is all. Come.' Zhang Yan continued forward, ignoring what just happened. Jinzha meanwhile smirked all the way to the frontlines. They went on the wall where they spotted Luna sitting on the wall watching the field. Soldiers on top of the wall were running around, some screaming while most seem spooked.

'Luna, what's going on?' Jinzha asked.

'Take a look for yourself my lord. They're using the heads of our fallen allies and firing them inside the city using catapults.' Luna advised. Zhang Yan and Jinzha looked to the outside to see LingQi ordering soldiers carrying heads that were being loaded on the catapults. Once they were full, the operators fired the catapults, launching the heads inside the city flying above the walls. Zhang Yan and a few other soldiers instinctively ducks underneath the embrasures.

'What are they hoping to get out of this? They can't damage the walls or anything with skulls.' Zhang Yan questioned, trying to keep his composure though his voice was too shaky to disguise.

'Fear.'

'What?'

'Its fear tactics. They're not using it to damage the walls or our buildings, they're using them to damage our men's morale. Look around my lord, your soldiers are petrified of the same fate befalling them.' Luna told them, Zhang Yan and Jinzha looked back at the field and saw the serpent herself Mitsuko standing there next to one of the catapults, looking so casual and…smiling. Her smile grew wider once she locked eyes with Jinzha and Zhang Yan as she stretched out her serpent arms and spun around on the spot. Even Jinzha was unnerved by this, though he was able to keep a mask of stoicness on his face.

The previous cycles of Orochi were the same. A mighty but serious warrior who's every movement was calculated who killed without emotion who was nothing but an unstoppable force of destruction. A demon who desired destruction while towering over normal men. This cycle though…this Orochi was different than the other cycles. She was smaller for one, she didn't tower over anyone. Yet she still able to give orders with an air of authority and have an army of humans, even though it was small. Her arms were full serpent heads which was interesting. Orochi's true form had multiple serpent heads yes, however in his humanoid form he only had a few features that were akin to a snake like his fangs and his skin. Nothing like the form she has now. The armor was still the same albeit modified by size, how they managed to find someone to construct it he didn't now. This one showed expression on her face while the previous incarnations of him did not…yet that almost scared him more. As he recognized her eyes were way different. The old Orochi had demonic eyes filled with desire of destruction, malice and contempt of all things. This one, while still having hatred and malice in her eyes there was also…happiness, glee. Despite all she had done, all the blood she had shed and will shed in the future…she was delighted. She had a more casual attitude, the old Orochi never did anything like this, while he used terror tactics in the past, they were quickly used to disrupt the mystic forces for all but a moment as they quickly struck.

This one…this…serpent seemed to enjoy the terror like it's some sick game with how casual her demeanor was. She seemed to just be evil. He thought Orochi was evil enough but after seeing Mitsuko…he didn't know what to think. He didn't know how this creature came about, he didn't know why this changed his appearance so drastically…but he did know she would more than likely be the most dangerous incarnation of him yet. All the more reason why he needed to be victorious and slay her right here, right now.

As they were both looking around, Jinzha's reflexes kicked in and grabbed an arrow from the air as it flown towards Zhang Yan with the arrowhead, millimeters from his left eye. Forcing him to take a step back clearly scared. Zhang Yan looked in the direction from where the arrow was fired. He saw Zheng Jiang with a vengeful look on her face, clearly furious as she shot him a death glare. If looks could kill, Zhang Yan would be a pile of ash right now.

'So, this is the bandit queen.' Zhang Yan thought to himself, she seemed far different to the rest of her men and recognized the hatred in her eyes. He expected her to be more…lavished with riches like himself. Otherwise, why bother being a king he thought to himself. However, between her and the serpent herself…for the first time since he started the feud with the bandit queen for the mountains, he started to have doubts.

'That was a close one, it maybe time we head back to the palace.' Jinzha stated. Zhang Yan nodded, staying silent. A soldier came up behind them to say something.

'My lord…they clearly have us outmatched and outnumbered. It may be wise to surrender, maybe they-' Zhang Yans scared expression was replaced with a furious once he heard the word surrender. He suddenly remembered what it took to get to this point, his plans. All he had to do is kill the serpent and he'll be the emperor once he lets Jinzha do the work. Even though she was terrifying, she was still a creature. Creatures do not get up from an arrow to the head. He got out his sword out of the scabbard and stabbed the soldier in the stomach and forced him off the wall. Shocking all the soldiers as they all took a step back as they heard the body hit the ground.

'THERE WILL BE NO SURRENDER! IS THAT UNDERSTOOD!? WE WILL NOT SURRENDER TO THESE PATHETIC LOWLIFES WHO JUST COME OUT OF HIDING, NO PERSON, NO BANDIT AND CERTAINLY NO DEMON WILL OVERTHROW ME! ANYONE ELSE SPEAK OF SURRENDERING WILL JOIN HIM IN THE DEPTHS OF HELL! IS THAT UNDERSTOOD!?' Zhang Yan screamed as his face goes pure bright red with anger. No one else uttered a word as Zhang Yan looked around before promptly walking back to the palace. Jinzha soon followed. Luna meanwhile giggled to herself, enjoying the performances of her superiors