Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 1041 - 631 The 2nd Country Exploration, "Unusual" Preaching Priest_2

Chapter 1041: Chapter 631 The 2nd Country Exploration, "Unusual" Preaching Priest_2

Subsequently, Tikalo gave a faint smile and suggested once more.

"Hidden Snake City is a sacred trade city-state, where fighting is strictly prohibited, and there are samurai patrolling, making it very safe. Why don’t we part ways here and each seek our own destiny!... "

"Alright, may the Chief Divine protect us! Old Qi, we’ll separate and see whose luck is better!"

Puap, eager and rubbing his hands, looked expectantly at the old militia. The old militia glanced at Puap, then at the enthusiastic crowd, and nodded helplessly.

"Alright! This afternoon, let’s split up and stroll through the market. Don’t forget the supplies for each of your ships, and don’t reveal your wealth by spending too many... gemstones. Here we are far from the kingdom and the alliance, so remain somewhat vigilant. For the safety of the fleet, regardless of the situation, we should never stay too long in one city-state!"

"Yes, before the moon rises, you must be back on the ship. By tomorrow afternoon at the latest, we’ll be entering the estuary. If you miss the time, the fleet won’t wait for you!..."

Upon hearing this, everyone became serious and nodded in obedience. Tikalo’s eyelid twitched as anxiety rose within him.

"Just separate for an afternoon? Leave tomorrow?... No, I need to hurry..."

Soon, the people of the fleet dispersed, each heading to different parts of the market. Puap reached into his pocket, felt his bag of gemstones, and flashed a confident smile. Then he invigorated himself, opened his eyes wide, and searched among the hundreds of stalls for the destined divine object that belonged to him!

Mayan merchant Tikalo strolled leisurely, smiling as he looked at the familiar surroundings. His steps were slow, gradually falling behind others, watching their actions seemingly absentmindedly.

The Chief God Priest, Tomate, had a clear purpose and acted decisively. Holding the sacred "Book of Ama Colley," he scanned the surrounding vendors sharply under the Chief Divine’s protection. Moments later, he found his target, strode over to a stone mirror stall, and began searching carefully.

Among the piles of ancient stone mirrors, a palm-sized, dignified, black-red stone mirror with divine rune carvings quickly caught his eye. At the edge of the stone mirror were permeations of cinnabar red, adorned with gold patterns, making it even more extraordinary.

Tomate’s gaze immediately focused. He pressed his lips tightly, stared at the divine rune on the ancient mirror for a moment, and grasped the scripture in his hand firmly. Then, devout Chief God Priest Tomate fixed a stern gaze upon the young Totonac vendor sitting on the ground, pointed at the mirror, and asked in a deep voice.

"This black-red with gold-patterned, thin stone mirror with an old style, how much is it?"

The ancient Hidden Snake City was now a Totonac city-state. They also spoke the highland Navajo here, which had incorporated many Mayan words. The kingdom’s fleet could communicate adequately in the market here, using a mix of words and gestures.

Hearing such a loud and powerful voice, the young vendor’s heart gave a jolt. His eyes shifted quickly, assessing the attire of the newcomer. Then his gaze suddenly froze upon seeing the book in Priest Tomate’s hand, immediately becoming a bit cautious.

"Uh... Lord Priest, what will you use to exchange for it?"

"Gemstones. Very good gemstones."

Priest Tomate extended his hand, showing the lake gems in his palm. The pure brilliance fell into the young vendor’s eyes, making his eyes light up as well. Unconsciously, he swallowed and spoke with a smile.

"Honorable Lord Priest, your vision is sharper than an eagle’s! This divine object from the Second Ancient City foretells the future’s divinity and should rightly belong to you..."

Priest Tomate, expressionless, interrupted the young vendor’s words.

"How much does it cost?"

"... Just ten gemstones like those in your hand... and this divine mirror, which can be passed down through generations, protecting the family, and blessed by destiny, will be yours!... "

Priest Tomate shook his head decisively. He stared into the young vendor’s eyes with a voice full of the lake priest’s unique authority, demanding in a low voice.

"One gemstone!"

"Uh... Honorable Lord Priest, this is a rare divine object! To meet you is a fateful encounter... "

"One gemstone!"

"Ah, at least seven gemstones, Lord Priest. Think about it, with such a divine object, in the eyes of other priests, you will be seen as someone blessed by the gods, and then..."

"One gemstone!"

"... No, that’s not possible! Gemstones have a price, but divine objects are priceless. Selling a divine object is also a divine guidance, meant to find an owner with divinity. Divine objects cannot be tarnished or reduced in value... It costs at least five gemstones!"

Hearing this, anger had already surfaced in Priest Tomate’s eyes. Pressing the surface of the scripture, his aura became as majestic as that of a god. He stared intently at the young vendor before him, his gaze sharp as a knife, bringing immense pressure to his counterpart. His voice was resolute and decisive as thunder.

"One gemstone! The Chief Divine has already given me insight; this mirror, though ancient, lacks any divinity! Because the Chief Divine says: all divine attributes in the world can only be bestowed by the supreme Chief Divine!"

"... This... Lord Priest... you... are right!"

The young vendor started sweating on his forehead as he glanced at the bronze axe at the priest’s waist, fearing that the priest might draw his weapon and kill him on the spot. Even though in the trade city-state protecting merchants, if the esteemed priest killed someone in the name of the divine, not many would blame him too much...

"But I... at home there’s an old mother and a child... we rely on selling things to buy them some cornmeal and eggs... I need at least two gemstones!"

"Hmm..."

Priest Tomate lowered his eyes, pondered for a moment, and began to recite softly.

"The Chief Divine watches over us, granting those lost in darkness the light! Repeat after me: Praise be to Chief Divine Huitzilopochtli! He who governs all, omnipotent!"

"Ah?"

The young merchant stood dumbfounded for a moment, stammering as he repeated.

"Uh... praise be to Chief Divine ’Wèi qǐ luó bo qí tè lí’! He who governs all, omnipotent!"

"Praise be to Chief Divine! He grants me gemstones!"

The merchant’s eyes lit up instantly, and he followed earnestly in prayer, hope rising in his heart.

"Praise be to Chief Divine! He grants me gemstones!"

"Very good!"

Priest Tomate nodded in satisfaction. He took out three gemstones from his robe and handed them to the merchant.

"Ah! Three? Thank you, Lord Priest!"

The young merchant was overjoyed, his hands fumbling as he quickly tucked the gemstones into his robe. Then, he picked up the ancient Stone Mirror and respectfully handed it to the peculiar priest in front of him.

"My Lord, your Divine Mirror."

"No, this is just an ordinary mirror, devoid of divinity, but it does have very ancient Divine Runes."

Priest Tomate shook his head, looking at the merchant with bright eyes.

"And these gemstones, they are not from me but bestowed by the Chief Divine!"

"... Uh..."

"Say, praise the Chief Divine! He grants me gemstones, guiding me away from the dark path, gradually leading towards the light!"

"Ah?... The dark path?"

Hearing this, beads of sweat once again appeared on the young merchant’s forehead. He hesitated for quite a while but inexplicably began to follow the priest, softly repeating the prayer.

"Praise... praise the Chief Divine! He grants me gemstones, guiding me away from... the dark path, gradually leading towards the light!"

"Very good! My child, the kind Chief Divine watches over you and guides you! What is your name?"

Priest Tomate nodded in approval, reaching out to gently stroke the young merchant’s hair.

At that moment, the young merchant seemed to be struck by a Paralysis Spell, inexplicably frozen in place, without any evasion. He looked up, gazing at the priest’s gentle eyes, listening to the warm voice, as if truly feeling the warmth of the Chief Divine.

"I, I’m called... Stone Rat, a rat born from stone, without parents..."

Hearing this, Priest Tomate raised an eyebrow, glanced at Stone Rat with deep meaning, and shook his head.

"You may not have parents, but you have the protection of the Chief Divine! The Chief Divine is the sun in the sky, bringing light to all beings, regardless of origin, as long as one converts to the right path! My child, from now on, your name is not Stone Rat, but Daylight Rat. The Chief Divine grants you light, even if you find yourself in the Abyss, you will see the hope of salvation!"

Stone Rat was momentarily dazed, inexplicably changing his name.

"... Yes. I am called Daylight Rat. Praise the Chief Divine! Even if I find myself in the Abyss, I will see hope!"

"Very good! Daylight Rat, my child, we shall meet again!"

Priest Tomate smiled kindly, picked up the Divine Mirror, ruffled Daylight Rat’s hair again, and turned to leave. A few steps away, Tikalo stood with his mouth wide open, witnessing the scene, almost dropping his jaw.

"This... this Chief Divine’s Preaching Priest... is truly uncanny!"