Looking at the rebels, it was hard to know what to think. They were incredibly pathetic, but they hand managed to survive this long. They had dug out a pit in the mistlands to live in. It was one of the most depressing things I had ever seen.

There was a smell in the air. And the people looked incredibly run down. The grunge was real, but this was like a homeless person who had come out a dumpster that had been lit on fire. “I am not going in that pit,” I said.

“Ah, well we let us sit a bit,” Ren their leader said and quickly had a table and four chairs brought up. I went to the cart while he was busying himself.

“Staying?” Bao Wang whispered to me.

“Not long. But I do want to talk with them. Stay alert. Also a pack of our food.” We had extra food supplies just in case we got delayed for a long time. Also, raw food was quite cheap. I could spare a single pack. Bao Wang handed the pack to me.

I went back to the table that had been set up and put the pack on it. “Consider it a gift,” I said.

Danian quickly opened it. “Oh, fruit and vegetables. Thanks.” He pulled out an apple and bit into it. “Good.” Ren gave him a look at let out a sigh. Clearly their main fighter was a straightforward person. I would have to keep an eye on this Ren and this woman sitting down with us.

“I am Fuyuka. I handle a lot of our administrative tasks.” She inclined her head at me, and I nodded. I wasn’t sure what I was doing here yet, but it was a good chance to gather information and build connections.

“It is impressive you have survived the Divine Empress for so long,” I complimented the only thing I thought was impressive about these people.

“Thank you. The fact you fought her and are still alive, is even more impressive,” Ren replied. They were trying to butter me up for something, but I would let them talk. Danian was munching away at the food.

“What Ren is too polite to ask, is there any assistance you can provide us? Or put us in contact with the East for support?” Fuyuka asked. I considered the question carefully. Having the rebels stirring the pot as well would be another important distraction for when the Divine Empress returned.

Ren inclined his head towards me deeply. “I apologize for my subordinates directness, but any help would be appreciated,” Ren said and Danian just nodded while eating. I could do many things to help them, but it was clear they needed a way to turn in all their points. The real question was what I would get in return.

“Let me think for a moment,” I said when the silence began to stretch out. They were respectfully quiet as I thought over my negotiating position. I had the advantage in every way, and they had nothing. Their only use were their lives.

I considered this Danian. He had stats, but he would lose to that Black Talon Commander. The fact I hadn’t seen any skills was not encouraging. All the rebels had stats to survive in a level 3 zone, but their combat effectiveness was incredibly low.

There was also the issue that I was not going to share any of those ten billion points. They would be of no help in the heist, but perhaps I could use them to draw out a large force from the Forbidden City. I was still in Champion armor.

“I want to draw the Envoy and as many Black Talons out of the Forbidden City for as long a period as possible. Where they can’t return within a day even at maximum speed. Is there any way to accomplish this?” I asked. There was silence and I noted Fuyuka and Danian looked at Ren who had a pensive expression on his face.

There was a long stretch of silence as he contemplated the situation. I didn’t mind, since I was curious how he would respond to such a request. It would also remove the biggest danger to the heist plan, the Envoy. He would instantly know that my pet rock was not the Divine Empress.

“It might be possible. The one thing that guarantees a response would be the loss of a city. This would allow us to use up our crystals as well. It would have to be a city past another city. The only ones that qualify are Freedom and The Abyss to the Southwest or Wuhan and First Seoul to the North.”

“First Seoul is isolated by the terrain. But Wuhan would be in striking distance of the Forbidden City and would cut off Wuhan as well. Also, it would threaten the route to the East. It would require a response. Wuhan is very far from the Forbidden City, two days of hard travel along the road. First Seoul would be closer to three, but I am guessing you want us to be a distraction.” I nodded at this.

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“Yes. I would want you to hold the city for at least two days, once I help take it. With their Rods of Minor Communication, the alert should immediately go out. And there should be a response,” I said.

“I will be honest with you Champion Michael. With how you have cleaved through the Dragon Empire’s army already, they might hunker down in the Forbidden City,” Ren replied.

“The tribes? Could you unite them?” I asked. This time it was Fuyuka who spoke up.

“They would never unite. We might get some, but they are the people who won’t risk what they have. Some are more helpful than others, but organizing a mass revolt is impossible. Even if we have a city, we can’t hold it. It will fall into chaos quickly. We have done this before,” she said.

“Fuyuka is right. We have taken cities, but the Divine Empress or her people show up and crush everyone. But with the Divine Empress missing and you having torn through her armies, it might be counter to your goal,” Ren replied.

Ren was being brutally honest which I could respect. Lying to someone of my power was not a good idea. He clearly didn’t want any misunderstandings. “Then we act with me in disguise. Whoever is running the show in the Forbidden City will think you rebels are all taking advantage of the situation.”

“That could work, but it isn’t guaranteed. The Envoy can act unpredictably at times. We don’t have the full picture to really understand his priorities,” Ren said. I nodded at this. “Also you would be doing most of the work, regardless of what happens.”

“Taking the lead won’t be an issue. But a disguise will be. I will need some spare clothes,” I said. They began talking about logistics and moving. I listened in but I wasn’t that concerned.

Using the rebels as a distraction was my best option. My position would be unknown, and the Forbidden City might bunker down, but I considered a good tradeoff. If they were going to bunker down, they would do that regardless, but the rebels might draw the Envoy and Black Talons out of the city.

I could beat them, but the less there were, would make plan B that much easier and possibly help plan A. It was a net win with very little downsides. The more chaos the better. The more people pulled out of the Forbidden City, the better.

Even if there was a traitor within the rebels, or Rising Sun Alliance, they were so pathetic it didn’t matter. I doubted they would be easily to conceal a Rod of Minor Communication with how tight knit they appeared and the how poorly they were all living for so long.

You couldn’t hide that much misery. If there was a spy, they were a god level spy who was so loyal to the Divine Empress that I would just have to count on my misdirection to work. They were thinking I would assault the city, but having a rock monster pretend to be the Divine Empress. It was so absurd that no one would dare mention it.

Kind of like the story about the Emperor’s new clothes. Where no one dares question him that his supposed amazing clothes are no clothes at all, and he is naked. Who would dare question the Divine Empress that she wasn’t the Divine Empress and incur her wraith?

The only people who would dare challenge her would be her direct subordinates, but hopefully they didn’t come out while she was wounded and waited for her to summon them.

“What about your companions? Should we consider them for our plan?” Ren asked.

“No. My companions are not to be bothered,” I replied.

“Oh, you sure?” Danian asked. I turned to look him and just stared. The awkward silence stretched on before Ren jumped into break it.

“Please forgive Danian. He just says what is on his mind,” Ren apologized.

“I understand and there is nothing to forgive. But my companions’ purposes and abilities are their own. Not secrets meant you for you to dig up,” I replied.

“Sorry, just curious. Would you be interested in a spar?” Danian asked me.

“That is fine, in a moment. We leave tomorrow morning?” I asked Ren.

“Yes, we will be packing up to move to another location. Will you be able to help with monster clearing?” Ren asked me.

“That is fine. As long as we make good time,” I replied. “I grow weary of pointless talk that does not concern me.” I stood up and moved away from the campsite with Danian.

“Go easy on me, kay?” he asked, and I nodded.

He kicked off the ground. His movements were decent, but his Body stat was too low. He delivered a straight punch right at my head. I kicked off the ground gently and skidded to the side, trying to dodge at the last moment and as close as possible to his attack.

Danian came in again. He was quite efficient with his jabs as he kept up the pressure. I moved side to side and backwards, keeping out of his reach. He was careful not to overextend. I threw out a punch of my own.

He ducked and moved in. He moved to my right side, while delivering a punch with his right arm towards my gut. My feet were on the ground and focused on my Body stat. His punch impacted me, but didn’t do anything as the force behind it was canceled out.

Danian spun around me and tried to grapple me. I kicked off the ground and went into the air. He twisted around me to try some kind of lock, but I kept putting energy into my Body stat and easily broke his hold. I shoved him away and gently landed on the ground on my feet. My aerial combat experience and training paying off.

My sparring partner had a much rougher landing, but quickly recovered to his feet. He came in again punching and kicking. I spent the time dodging and throwing the occasional punch. I didn’t let him get in close again.

After fifteen minutes Danian was breathing heavily while I was fine. He was pushing himself to the limit, even with his Body stat. That was impressive. I often defaulted to my Body stat. Probably why I didn’t have abs and he was built like a body builder.