The next day, Autris's complexion had improved considerably. Griel chuckled slyly,
“Autris, you look much better today.”
Autris had slept soundly the previous night, a comfort he hadn't experienced in a long time. Upon waking, he felt no fatigue. Replying to Griel's question, he said, “Thank you for your concern, General!”
Griel chuckled, “Tonight, I’ll introduce you to a friend. This brother has considerable skill, and you should spar with him.”
Autris was slightly taken aback. He suspected Griel intended to test his abilities and felt a pang of displeasure, but he replied with a smile, “Certainly. While I may not have General Vincent’s prowess to slay an enemy general amidst a thousand troops, I still possess some skill in fighting on the battlefield.”
“Autris, you have a bold spirit! However, if you truly have the skill to fight on the battlefield, it’s best to avoid dirty tricks, lest you find yourself haunted by the undead again.”
Griel’s final sentence was spoken loudly. Autris, however, was struck dumb by his preceding words, thinking, How could he possibly know about that? Did he investigate me?
Nevertheless, Autris did not fly into a rage. “General, a commander relies on strategy, not just bravery. I do not believe I have committed any wrongdoing.”
Griel nodded, “While that may be true, it is still best for a general to rely on true skill.”
Autris knew Griel to be straightforward. Though displeased, he said no more and urged his horse forward.
By the time the alliance treaty from Calour arrived, Zuan had already rushed to meet with Fu Jieniya and Jisid to discuss the matter of jointly attacking Saint Di Luoman with Zhu Gao.
Jisid glanced over Calour’s alliance treaty, giving it a cursory read. He snorted, spitting out air from his nostrils, and said with utter contempt, “This fool! With the enemy at his gates, he remembers to seek an alliance with me. How ridiculous! If Calour were strong and his army robust, I might agree. But now…”
As Jisid spoke, he was about to tear up the treaty. Zuan quickly waved his hand to stop him, “Hold on, little brother! May I take a look?”
Jisid looked at the scroll in his hand and tossed it to Zuan. Zuan carefully read the contents of the letter from beginning to end, took a deep breath, and looked at Jisid with a grave expression, “Little brother, this time, I’m afraid we truly must agree to the alliance.”
Jisid was taken aback. “Zuan, what do you mean by that? Let him clash with Saint Di Luoman’s army. Once they’ve weakened each other, we can reap the benefits. Wouldn’t that be swift and satisfying?”
Zuan shook his head and sighed, “Little brother, if it could be so, that would be best. However, you think too highly of Calour! Saint Di Luoman is prepared this time and will surely hold an absolute advantage in terms of troops. Otherwise, Calour would not be so eager to ally with us.”
He then stood up, leaning on his serpent-headed cane, and said leisurely, “Saint Di Luoman’s army is vast, and no single force in the northwest can contend with it alone. Only by uniting as one in the northwest can we possibly repel the powerful enemy. Moreover, if we can seize this opportunity to join forces with Zhu Gao and attack Saint Di Luoman’s capital, sharing the world, then you and I will have no further worries!”
Jisid nodded, “Zuan is right!”
However, he was still somewhat reluctant, saying, “It’s just that this fellow is truly cunning. Although we have no intention of harming him, could he possibly stoop to plotting against us? If he pushes us to the front lines while he hides like a shrinking turtle, it would be greatly disadvantageous to us brothers.”
With that, he began to waver, saying, “Why don’t we wait and see? Let them expend some of their strength first.”
Zuan looked at Jisid and said sternly:
“Absolutely not! If the cities of our northwest are to survive, we must unite. If we cannot present a united front against the outside, we will be broken apart by Saint Di Luoman one by one. Little brother, you must prioritize the greater good!”
Seeing Zuan’s righteous demeanor, Jisid felt a surge of respect: This is the kind of person who accomplishes great things! Compared to him, Calour and Biji Si were indeed short-sighted.
Inspired by Zuan, a wave of heroic spirit rose within him. He slammed his hand on the table and declared:
“Excellent! Since Zuan has said so, I, Jisid, will lead my troops on this mission and meet that peerless strategist. Let’s see what his true capabilities are.”
Zuan nodded with satisfaction, “If that is the case, I will now request the King to mobilize his troops. If all goes well, the King will depart from Ximan tomorrow.”
Jisid exclaimed in surprise, “So soon?”
Zuan smiled enigmatically, “Perhaps, this is still considered slow! Little brother, please wait a moment while I inform the King!”
Seeing Jisid nod, Zuan returned to his seat, closed his eyes, and began chanting words that were incomprehensible, likely some secret shamanistic art.
After a while, Zuan slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a turbid breath. Seeing Jisid staring at him blankly, he smiled back, “Please forgive my display, little brother!”
Jisid tentatively asked, “Have you communicated with the Barbarian King?”
Zuan nodded slightly, “The Barbarian King will personally lead his troops from Teska tomorrow, and it is expected he will be no more than three days behind you, little brother.”
Jisid sighed, “The shamanistic arts of the Wu tribe are truly legendary!”
Zuan smiled faintly, “Brother, you jest. Our Wu tribe is in decline, far from the magic of Atlantis. Speaking of which, I truly envy you, little brother!”
Hearing Zuan’s words, Jisid felt quite pleased and said with a smile, “Zuan is too modest. In the past, the Wu tribe was a race equal to magic.”
Upon mentioning the Lich, Zuan’s expression became somewhat unnatural.
The topic of the Lich was a sensitive one. Jisid, momentarily proud, brought it up. Seeing Zuan’s change in expression, he immediately stopped talking and changed the subject.
After a brief period of casual conversation, Zuan took his leave of Jisid to rendezvous with the Barbarian King Seien. To Zuan’s surprise, not long after the Barbarian King’s departure, a major incident occurred in Teska City.
It turned out that Orgaht, leading his army, had marched day and night deep into the outskirts of Caban City.
Initially, this surprise force had gone undiscovered. However, upon reaching Caban City, it was spotted by Seien’s border scouts.
Not only did Orgaht fail to achieve a surprise attack, but he was instead surrounded by the barbarian army in a mud city.
Facing an enemy several times his size, who had him completely surrounded with not even a fly able to escape, Orgaht became anxious.
He had not brought a large amount of provisions for this surprise raid, only enough for half a month. Meanwhile, there had been no news from Xiao Xun.
In the vast northwest, he was deep behind enemy lines, and it seemed there was no way back.
“Sir, it appears the enemy intends to starve us out in the mud city. Their defenses are remarkably tight.”
Hekaste’s voice sounded from behind him. He had inexplicably appeared beside him at some point.
Orgaht glanced sideways at the fair-skinned youth, whose face now bore a mature and composed expression.
Orgaht looked away, his brow furrowed, and nodded, “They probably discovered our insufficient provisions and plan to wait until our supplies run out before making a move.”
“General!”
Hearing the gravity in Hekaste’s voice, Orgaht turned to look at him, signaling him to speak his mind.
Hekaste bowed and said, “Rather than waiting to die, would it not be better for me to lead a contingent out to challenge their might?”
Seeing Hekaste request to battle again, Orgaht repeatedly shook his head: What a joke!
Our forces are limited, and direct confrontation is not the way. You are but a mere child. Must I send you to your death in vain? A hint of displeasure flickered across his face.
“Our troop strength is limited. The current strategy is not to engage in a head-on battle, but to first lull the enemy into a false sense of security, and then concentrate our forces to break out. Young man, do not be so eager for bloodshed; you must remain calm!”
Hekaste, though displeased by Orgaht’s words, was new to the world and could only nod.
In fact, this was not the first time he had requested to fight. Orgaht had refused him with various excuses each time, clearly not trusting him.
However, Hekaste could not say anything. After all, this was his first time descending the mountain. Even his father, a peerless master, could not avoid defeat. Regarding the truth that there are always mountains beyond mountains and skies beyond skies, he understood it more profoundly than anyone else.