Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 807 - 439 Nashu

Chapter 807: Chapter 439 Nashu

The night wind blew, and the candlelight flickered in the wind, illuminating the murals of the divine. The side hall was deep and quiet, with darkness hovering outside the firelight, devouring the corners of the walls. The candle silently burned, its shadows swaying back and forth, making the deities on the mural seem almost alive.

Xiulote sat silently, quietly waiting, sensing something. He lifted his head and glanced at the mural in the side hall. The Chief Divine in the center still shone brightly under the homage of the candlelight. In a corner, however, the God of Death was already hidden in the darkness, extending a long red tongue.

"Huh? Did I fall asleep?"

High Priest Xutel suddenly opened his eyes. He shook his head, his gaze cloudy for a moment before clearing. He was old, his energy weakened, and having been busy the entire day, he could no longer hold on. Talking on and on, he suddenly fell asleep. Fortunately, the summer night was warm, and there was no worry of catching a cold.

"Grandfather, you should rest early... Please, take care of your health!"

Xiulote extended his hand, grasping his grandfather’s slightly cool and aging hand, a look of concern in his eyes.

"It’s no bother."

The High Priest smiled and returned the grasp, his eyes warm, speaking softly.

"Xiulote, my child, is there anything else you need?"

Xiulote was about to shake his head when he saw the map on the table. After a moment of contemplation, he opened his mouth to ask.

"Grandfather...the alliance’s maps and information, if convenient..."

"Hmm. I will have someone compile a set of the alliance’s information held by the High Priesthood."

The High Priest immediately understood. He nodded with a slight smile, agreeing.

"And under the pretext of an eastern expedition, they will be handed to you. Just in case..."

Xiulote nodded. Many records of the alliance were drawings on wooden boards and ritual plates, stored in various temples, making them hard to copy secretly. Using the pretext of an eastern expedition would make things much simpler.

"Anything else?"

"That’s all for now. Grandfather, there’s no need to rush..."

"Hmm."

The High Priest calmly nodded, a slight smile on his lips.

"Xiulote, I shall retire for now."

"Grandfather, let me help you to bed."

Xiulote stood up and assisted his grandfather. The two stood side by side, one tall and one short, facing the candlelight on the wall. The High Priest paused as he looked at the candlelight, then resumed his calm demeanor.

"Let’s go."

"Alright!"

Xiulote supported his grandfather and walked out of the side hall. Before leaving, he suddenly turned back. At some unknown point, the low candle had completely burned out, turning into wisps of smoke in the wind, with only a few traces of ash.

"The candle... has gone out."

Xiulote lowered his eyes, suppressing the unease in his heart. He helped his grandfather rest and quietly withdrew from the room. The long night was silent, stirring distant thoughts that made sleep elusive. Alone, he looked up at the vast Milky Way, which was dazzlingly brilliant.

Long after, a low sigh softly echoed, carrying a somewhat indistinct meaning.

"Who in the world... can achieve eternal life?"

In the following two days, Xiulote regularly visited the Priest Grand Hall, assisting his grandfather in handling the alliance’s religious affairs and frequently meeting with the elder priests. Following his grandfather’s instructions, he maintained propriety in public and did not become too close with any elders.

The Temple Guards captured the Texcoco noble families involved in the rebellion over two days, with none escaping the net. Subsequently, a strict trial was held in the Temple of the God of Death.

The High Priesthood and the central royal authority agreed: the rebels must face divine punishment—strictly, severely, and widely. This was an opportunity to root out the divided noble factions of Tlacopan thoroughly.

In just three days, the alliance’s trial concluded. The heads of three prominent noble families had all their male members sacrificed, cutting off noble lineages and being erased from temple records. The remaining dozen noble families had their adult males sacrificed, and their dependents were exiled to the western kingdoms.

The entire noble force on the western shore of Lake Texcoco would be thoroughly purged. The number set for exile by the High Priesthood was an astonishing twenty thousand!

The shocking news spread rapidly, attracting everyone’s attention. Nobles across the states were anxious and fearful. Waves of centralization reform by the alliance were sweeping in, changing traditions that had lasted for hundreds or thousands of years. The Lake Capital City, like the eye of the storm, continued to brew new tempests!

July passed in the sweeping storm, and August arrived quietly amidst the wind and rain. On this day, Xiulote finally found leisure and visited the noble district to pay respects to the Deputy Head of the Jaguar Legion, his father, Xiuxoke.

"Xiulote, my son, you’re here!"

Xiuxoke, dressed in loose robes, stood in the open doorway of the mansion. He beamed and opened his arms, giving his son a warm embrace.

"Haha, son, let me have a good look at you! Hmm, you’ve grown taller than me, and you look even more valiant, just like I did when I was young!"

"Honorable father, I greet you! May the Chief Divine bless you with good health!"

Xiulote bowed, returning the embrace of his long-unseen father. The last time they parted was at the Huayamo Fortress in northern Qinchongcan. Two and a half years had passed, and his father had become even thinner... Hmm? No, that’s not right...

"Father... you..."

Xiulote widened his eyes and curiously touched his father. Below the loose robe was solid and heavy fat, entirely covering the previously chiseled muscles. He then looked closely at his father’s face, which was round and slightly plump, clearly showing a double chin when he smiled.

"Haha, the city life... is leisurely. This kind of leisure has turned a Jaguar into a brown bear."

Xiuxoke self-depreciatingly smiled and shook his head. He then took his most outstanding eldest son by the hand and excitedly led him into the mansion.

"Come, come, Xiulote, today you came just in time..."

Xiulote followed his father, passing quickly through the front hall for meetings and heading straight to the back living quarters. Just as he was feeling puzzled, his father’s next words made him stumble, nearly falling to the ground.

"My son, your youngest brother just turned one this month! Come, let him call you ’brother’..."

After seeing his newly one-year-old brother, Xiulote finally sat down formally to have a good chat with his father. He spoke of the kingdom’s governance, the southern and northern campaigns, and once mentioned the dangers he had encountered and the current status of Legion Commander Olosh.

Xiuxoke listened carefully, watching his valiant eldest son, his face full of relief and pride.

"Xiulote, my son, seeing you so impressive, fills me with pride!"

Then, he sighed and patted his stomach.

"As for me... Once I entered the capital, it was all wealth and leisure. These past two years, not to mention fighting enemies, I haven’t even killed a single turkey with my own hands... Even the bow on the wall is gathering dust..."

For over two years, despite holding the deputy head title of the Jaguar Legion, Xiuxoke had little to manage. He had no direct Guard Camp to command and apart from acting as the king’s escort official during various ceremonies, there was nothing else to do.

No official duties, but plenty of leisure affairs. Every now and then, he would be invited by the capital’s great nobles to either enjoy songs and dances or go for outings. When in high spirits, the group would drink and sing, reciting poetry.

The Mexica nobles favored poetry highly, with elder venerables often reciting poems after banquets. Even among the commoners, a poet’s status was higher than musicians and dancers. With several poems from who knows where, Xiuxoke earned the title "Honorable Poet" among the great nobles.

King Aweit also treated him with great favor, occasionally bestowing gifts and often rewarding many beauties presented by various states. Helplessly, Xiuxoke barely managed to endure nightly, siring several more brothers and sisters for Xiulote...

"Father, there should be some restraint in feasting and reveling!"

After listening, Xiulote pursed his lips and softly advised.

"Even if the military is idle, one can practice martial arts daily to hone the body."

"Hmm, my son, don’t worry."

Xiuxoke smiled and gently shook his head.

"This... all comes from your grandfather’s advice... I’m reluctantly enjoying leisure!..."

Upon hearing this, Xiulote paused. He thought of his frail grandfather, then looked at his round father. After a while, he slowly nodded.

"... I see. Father, you’ve had a hard time..."

"Haha!"

Father and son laughed heartily. The joyous laughter echoed through the courtyard, then abruptly ceased, giving way to silent contemplation. After a long while, Xiuxoke patted his son’s shoulder, speaking emotionally.

"My son, let’s drink together today until we’re drunk!"

"Alright! I dare not disobey!"

The bamboo flute played cheerfully, music and dance soaring, and the merry revel only ended deep into the night with Xiuxoke’s drunken fall.

In the grand hall, the firelight was warm. Xiulote placed a thin blanket over his father, sighing softly as he looked at his smiling mouth.

"The caged eagle... Father, you’ve had a hard time..."

Afterward, Xiulote stood up and left, not staying long in the mansion. Under Bertade’s escort, lightly and simply, he tread through the vast night, heading back to the High Priest’s mansion.

During his time in the capital city, he stayed with his grandfather, discussing arrangements closely and spending more time with his aged grandfather.

The High Priest’s mansion was heavily guarded, with multiple layers of patrolling warriors to prevent assassination attempts by certain nobles. Xiulote, familiar with the path, entered the mansion. It was late at night, and he did not disturb his grandfather but headed toward his small courtyard.

"Your Highness, there’s someone ahead!"

Halfway there, Bertade suddenly spoke, his expression becoming somber. He stepped forward cautiously, shielding Xiulote behind him. The Head Warrior squinted his hawk-like sharp eyes, slowly drawing the bronze sword from his waist, pointing it forward.

"Hmm?"

Xiulote was slightly surprised. Following the direction of the bronze sword, he discerned a dark figure in the shadows behind the courtyard wall.

The figure stood still, the position cleverly taking advantage of the distracting torchlight ahead, completely blending into the shadow behind, with not a sound of breathing heard. Having experienced battles, Xiulote considered himself an excellent warrior, but if not for Bertade’s reminder, he wouldn’t have noticed...

"Who are you?"

Xiulote frowned, having a guess. To appear in such a heavily guarded High Priest’s mansion in this manner...

Seeing their reactions, the still figure seemed to come alive in an instant. She silently walked a few steps forward, standing under the courtyard torchlight, revealing a woman in black. The woman wore a veil covering her face, dressed in black short clothes, and silent cloth shoes. For mobility, the black clothes were tightly fitted, outlining her graceful curves, like a cinched funnel.

"Greetings, Your Highness Xiulote."

Under the cautious gaze of the Head Warrior, the woman in black walked soundlessly, stopping a few steps away, bowing her head in respect to Xiulote. Her voice was smoky, low yet full of confidence. She then extended her hand, slowly lifting the veil, revealing a beautiful and elegant face.

Xiulote’s eyes shifted. Looking at the woman before him, he seemed to see a moonlit night blooming flower in the dark, a dazzling stone lotus.

The woman in black calmly extended her hand, producing the jade talisman of the High Priest, tossing it to the still-alert Head Warrior. Then, her eyes sparkled, examining Xiulote’s handsome face, suddenly giving a charming smile, and bowed.

"Your Highness, from today, I am your shadow slave... I will always be by your side, ensuring your safety, complying with your every wish, and fulfilling any of your needs... From now on, I will bear your name, and be called Nashu."