Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 903 - 519: The Pulp is Not Sweet, The Rotten Wood Does Not Last

Chapter 903: Chapter 519: The Pulp is Not Sweet, The Rotten Wood Does Not Last

May marks the beginning of the rainy season, with unpredictable weather, elusive like the Divine Spirits. Moments ago, the sky was shrouded in clouds, and now it’s suddenly clear and bright. The westward sun falls into view, making one’s heart dizzy.

"Haha! Sweet fruits are eaten by people and birds, they won’t have a good end eventually!... Sour fruits, birds don’t eat. Even if they are made into dried fruits, no one wants to eat them. Even if they eat them, they will vomit them out, turning into sour and bitter fruit dregs!... These fruit dregs are good, I would rather be a fruit dreg!"

Uguel’s robe was open, sweating profusely, sometimes angry, sometimes happy. He muttered incessantly, almost like a madman, not at all resembling the Elder Priest. Fortunately, although his emotions fluctuated, he kept his mouth secured, not letting out a word he shouldn’t.

After a while, the slightly plump Elder Priest became breathless and collapsed onto the cotton blanket. After venting for a while, the pressure inside his heart finally eased, no longer pressing down like dark clouds. Afterward, he waved a hand, and a maid brought a warm cup of honey tea, delicately touching it and carefully feeding it to the Elder’s mouth. The sweet taste lingered in his mouth, slowly sliding down his throat, carrying with it the floral tea’s aroma, refreshing his spirit.

"Phew! The day is still young, there’s no rush yet."

Uguel shook his head contentedly, gazing at the sky. The sun was nearing twilight, casting a magnificent sunset, which pulled out a majestic silhouette under the Great Temple. Fire red intertwined with deep hues across the sky and earth, stunningly beautiful, resembling an eternal stream of light.

Such a scene, in the eyes of the Elder Priest, left him in trance. Upon closer inspection, it felt like a dangerous omen. He murmured to himself, momentarily filled with grief.

"So beautiful! Like a burning flame, yet like an abyss! I stand between this celestial fire and earthly abyss; should I take a wrong step..."

"Ahem! Respected Elder Priest, the envoy from Cholula brought some valuable gifts this time during their visit."

Xipili lightly coughed, hurriedly speaking up. Letting the Elder Priest continue like this, who knows what words might burst forth. He hoped to safely endure a few years to earn his credentials, before escaping the Capital City’s vortex and being posted outside, becoming a carefree regional High Priest.

"Elder, how should these precious gifts be handled?"

"Hmm? Precious gifts?"

Uguel’s eyes brightened instantly, turning over to sit up. Hearing this, he was no longer tired.

"What are they?"

"An ancient jade artifact from the Toltec people, several sky-blue top-grade turquoises, and two bags of specially formulated top-grade Divine Smoke."

"Ah! Ancient jade artifact, top-grade turquoise, top-grade Divine Smoke!"

Uguel’s eyes widened, face glowing with delight. These were things he fancied and couldn’t be bought in the market.

"Phew! The Cholula Priests are indeed generous. This is just the doorstep gift, if they truly require my assistance, wouldn’t it be..."

Thinking of this, Uguel felt a bit eager. Hesitant, he pondered whether he should meet them or not.

What could the envoy from Cholula want? Likely seeing the Eastern expedition unfolding, with the Alliance at their doorsteps, hoping to plead for Cholula’s case. As the Elder Priest managing mundane affairs, couldn’t he casually discuss a couple of words within the High Priesthood? Regardless if the matter would succeed, accepting the things was just accepting them, without returning.

"Hmm... Where are the Cholula Priests residing?"

"Ah? Respected Elder Priest, they reside in the southeastern corner of the palace area, an ordinary noble residence."

"Why live so far?"

Uguel raised his eyebrows. He stood up, took a couple of steps, and began to instruct.

"Send an envoy, let them..."

Suddenly, Uguel’s feet halted, his open mouth tightly shut again. He lowered his head, slightly lifting a foot, staring at the fruit dregs crushed underfoot... The Elder Priest stood still in this posture, pondering silently. After a while, he took a deep breath and let it out gently.

"Fruit dregs, fruit dregs, bitter and sour define fruit dregs, unnoticed defines fruit dregs! At such a crucial moment, why protrude like a ripe fruit, stirring unnecessary attention?... No, I absolutely cannot get involved in Cholula’s matters. For trivial wealth, it is not worth it!..."

Xipili waited for a while, observing Uguel as if struck by a Paralysis Technique. His mouth twitched as he cautiously inquired.

"Elder, should we send an envoy to request the Cholula Priests to meet?"

"No! Do not meet! Do not bother with them, if they return, drive them away entirely!"

Uguel paced two steps, shook his head, then turned and lay back on the carpet.

"Remember, store their gifts all in the warehouse. Secure them well, and do not report back to me!"

"...At your command, Elder."

"Phew!"

Uguel took a puff of Divine Smoke, exhaling a long stream of smoke. He knew his ears were soft, eyes shallow, if he truly met them, and they spoke some touching rhetoric, showed some hereditary Divine Objects, or proposed some minor request... So, it’s better not to meet.

"The top priority now is still... Alas! Once this is over, I’ll simply jump out of the Capital City, go to the General Parish, and be counted as a Supreme High Priest then!"

Uguel’s thoughts continuously churned, contemplating for a while, then shook his head. At his level, suitable places in the region were indeed scarce.

The Mexica General Parish, directly governed by the High Priesthood, needs no mention. The Tarasco General Parish is administered by Xiulote, while the Otomi General Parish remains Olte’s domain. Though Olte is dying, he has been holding on without death. The Vastec General Parish, though vacant, holds merely an empty title, with only a small city-state of Metztitlan. And regarding this Eastern expedition, once Tlaxcala’s Four States are won, there would undoubtedly be a new General Parish to be established...

"Hmm? Then resolving the matter of the Holy City Cholula is inevitable! Annoying, truly annoying!"

Thinking it through, Uguel couldn’t find a suitable place. He chuckled self-deprecatingly and sighed.

"Alas! Power, oh power, upon reaching this position, where would I find vacant power? I might as well be a rotten wood, displayed in the Capital City’s High Priesthood!..."

The Elder Priest raised his head, watching the gradually dimming sunset. Darkness was about to descend, could rotten wood become immortal? Unknowingly, he recalled figures he hadn’t thought of for ages, along with a silent head.

"Rotten wood cannot be carved, poses no threat... Rotten wood still has time, may as well enjoy carefree days!..."

A long pile of memories surged within, causing Uguel’s gaze to scatter. He pondered for a while, suddenly becoming complacent, regaining his strength.

"The time is about right! Xipili, prepare some clean towels, bring a small fan... Follow me!"

"Ah? Elder, still going..."

"Yes. Frequent visits, serving well, can’t go wrong. As for Priesthood’s duties, how could they compare to this importance!"

"Obey you."

Quickly, the two finished preparations. Uguel changed into a plain long robe, Xipili carried a small bamboo basket. Inside the basket were servants’ tools, for whom it was prepared, unknown.

The sun slowly set, shadows covered the earth. The final glow shone upon the two walking, until they vanished into the towering dark palace.

And not far within the engulfing darkness, in another ancient Priest Mansion. Candlelight flickered on the walls, Divine Spirits danced on the murals. Beneath the candlelight and the murals, two sat facing each other, both adorned with Feather Crowns, silently watching one another.

The one seated higher wore Chinese Clothes, his face like jade, dignified and graceful. The one below donned a Black Robe, hair white, showing a worn expression.

After a while, the elder below sighed gently, calmly questioning.

"Acap Elder Priest, are you truly unable to mediate for us within the High Priesthood?"