Gele on the side watched clearly and sighed, "Autries is too slow."
As expected, before Autries's fist could even be raised, the Undead had already slid behind him. He had intended to teach Autries a lesson, making him bedridden for three days.
However, the moment the thought formed, he felt a sense of being seen through. He glanced sideways and saw Gele's knowing smile. His mind changed instantly. He gently patted Autries on the shoulder, "Brother, let's forget it."
Being tapped by the Undead like that, Autries was both startled and enraged. It felt like being pricked by a needle, and he shot up high. Instinctively, he turned and threw a punch.
The Undead, being a spirit of resentment, moved with the wind. As the punch wind arose, he sensed it and his body swayed backward along with Autries's punch, his movements graceful and fluid, perfectly dodging Autries's heavy blow.
Since Autries had already initiated the attack, he continued to unleash his power.
But Autries had been entangled with the Undead for so many years, falling behind considerably. How could he be the Undead's match?
It was only because the Undead was quite wary of Gele that he had never dared to harm Autries, merely evading him.
The two fought for a long time. Autries hadn't even touched the Undead's collar, yet had countless imprints on his shoulders. Although he wasn't injured, his face was completely without honor.
Autries stopped fighting and said, "No more! I admit defeat. I can't beat you, deal with me as you please!"
Seeing Autries concede, the Undead did not reply. He humbly retreated behind Gele, but his triumphant expression was evident to anyone who saw it.
Gele smiled at Autries, "See who's stronger now? This kid, despite all the bad things he's done, also lost his life. Although you plotted against him and caused his death, you've also been ill for so many years, so it balances out."
As he spoke, Gele naturally watched Autries. Seeing that Autries offered no objection, he continued, "The war is critical right now, and I really don't have time to mess around with you. I need to keep this fellow by my side for a while longer. It's a good opportunity to teach you some skills, what do you say?"
Autries's face was grim. He suddenly bowed forward, "General! Autries is incompetent. I hope the General will take me as a disciple and teach me some skills."
"Hmph!"
The Undead blurted out, "This kid is too cunning!"
Gele exchanged a look with the Undead and nodded.
"He's much more cunning than you are."
The Undead, who had been killed by Autries's schemes, naturally agreed. Before Gele could react, he also knelt before Gele, "Master Mage, if you take him, please take me too! I'll be content just to run errands for you day and night."
Gele rubbed his temples with a headache, "What are you two doing?"
Autries glared at the Undead:
"What are you learning from me?"
The Undead didn't look at him, his expression solemn, "Master, though I am a spirit of resentment, I have received your guidance and have this opportunity. I seek nothing else, only to be by your side and care for you."
Gele said helplessly, "No, I'm not an old man, I don't need anyone to take care of me."
Without waiting for the Undead's reply, Autries said:
"General! Autries, having received your guidance today, finally understands the vastness of the world. I implore you to take me as your disciple!"
Seeing this, Gele couldn't help but smile, "Since that's the case, there's no need to formally accept you two as disciples. Wouldn't it be better for us to consider each other brothers?"
"Absolutely not!"
The two blurted out almost simultaneously.
Autries cast a glance at the Undead, then looked back at Gele with adoration, "In my eyes, General, you are truly like an immortal. Autries dares not consider himself a brother to an immortal!"
After speaking, he bowed his head to the ground.
The Undead also said, "I only wish to remain by Master's side and listen to your teachings. How dare I have any other thoughts? I earnestly request Master to grant my wish!"
Then, he also kowtowed.
Gele, his mind buzzing, helped them both up, "Please rise! I accept! I accept!"
It was as if he were begging them.
Seeing this, both of them beamed with joy, fearing Gele might go back on his word and insisting on performing the tea ceremony and formal disciple acceptance.
Gele, feeling resigned, drank two bowls of tea before the Undead and Autries would stop. Gele suddenly slapped his forehead.
"Since you've both accepted me as your master, you are now fellow disciples. Who will be the senior and who will be the junior?"
Autries said seriously, "Disciple presented myself to the Master first and offered the tea first, so naturally, disciple is the senior disciple."
The Undead secretly cursed Autries for his slyness, but outwardly said respectfully, "Master, disciple only wishes to serve you. As for status, it is but an external matter."
Gele nodded, clearly quite pleased with the Undead's answer, "Then it shall be so."
Having said that, he frowned again, "However, I don't know what to teach you."
He then looked at the Undead and then at Autries, "What do you wish to learn?"
Autries quickly said, "Disciple wishes to learn the methods of longevity."
Gele thought for a moment, then shook his head, "I don't know that either, and truly cannot teach you. Although I know there are some rare treasures and fruits in the world that can extend life, these things are extremely difficult to find."
Looking at Autries's expectant gaze, Gele waved his hand, "I don't know where to find them, so you don't need to think about it."
Autries then asked, "Then disciple wishes to learn the art of transformation, how about that?"
Gele answered without hesitation, his voice cold, "I don't know how to do that."
"What about flying through the sky and escaping into the earth?"
Upon hearing this, Gele was finally relieved. After so many questions, he couldn't teach any of them, and at last, he was asked about something he could do. He quickly said, "I can teach that, but you are not a Light mage, so you will need to cultivate to compensate for your congenital deficiencies."
"Disciple is most capable of enduring hardship, but I don't know how long this will take to cultivate?"
Autries asked nervously.
Gele looked at Autries and hesitated, "With your talent, it would take at least fifty years, wouldn't it?"
Autries was dumbfounded upon hearing this. Fifty years? Why would he still learn from him? The Undead beside him, however, chirped, "Master, what about me?"
Gele answered everything he knew, "You are already a spirit of resentment, what do you need to fly through the sky and escape into the earth for?"
The Undead lowered his head. He couldn't do this, nor could he learn that. He truly didn't know what the use of having this master was.
Seeing their dejected expressions, Gele felt rather awkward. He looked at Autries and said, "My greatest strength is in martial cultivation. Why don't I impart some martial cultivation to you two? Although it won't grant immortality, it can help you both achieve fame and fortune in this world."
Autries bowed upon hearing this, "Disciple thanks Master!"
Gele then looked at the Undead and said, "You are a spirit of resentment, it would be futile for me to teach you martial cultivation."
This made the Undead's face even more unsightly, "Master, are there no good solutions?"
"Don't worry! When you reincarnate, I will find our Grand Priest of Santy Roman and speak well of you, so that you may at least reincarnate as a human."
The Undead then turned his worries into joy and bowed, "Disciple thanks Master!"
By this time, the east had begun to show the white of the sky, and the Undead also showed signs of weakness. Gele then dismissed the two.
Thinking of having taken on two disciples, Gele felt a surge of excitement. He tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Soon, they would reach Westia.
Meanwhile, Xiao Xun was busy making arrangements.
"Lord Swain, we still haven't found any news of General Augart. This detachment has vanished as if from the northwest."
Deputy General Girette reported to Xiao Xun truthfully.
Xiao Xun nodded. Regarding this flanking force, Xiao Xun grew increasingly worried.
Xiao Xun looked at Tuo Desen beside him, "Are there any movements from Karul's side?"
"Reporting, Lord Swain, Karul's various units are gathering in the Boshui region. The western route is personally overseen by Karul, with the most formidable forces. The central route is led by his general, Bies, with about five thousand troops. As for the eastern route, it is commanded by Jisde, who arrived yesterday, with about three to four thousand men. Your subordinate believes that among the three routes, Jisde's is the weakest and should be our best breakthrough point."
Xiao Xun nodded with great appreciation. Tuo Desen always possessed a strategic mind. Whether in terms of morale or troop strength, Jisde was indeed the best breakthrough point.
Seeing Xiao Xun's approval, Tuo Desen seized the opportunity to add, "Lord Swain, your subordinate believes that now is the opportune moment to attack."
Upon hearing Tuo Desen's words, Xiao Xun looked up at him and smiled slightly.
"It's not too late to wait a little longer."