Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 981 - 582 Dark Snake

Chapter 981: Chapter 582 Dark Snake

Jade belt encircles, mountains surge and roar. Seven oar-sailed longships, against the late summer current, slowly sail towards the shoals several miles away.

The leading longship stands with two masts fore and aft. On the top of the foremast, the flag of the Sun Hummingbird is hoisted, while atop the aft mast, some Feathers of the Quetzal bird are attached. The mountain wind blows, and the vibrant feathers sway with the wind, like birds hovering in the sky.

Beneath the flying birds, a group of crew members are gathered, staring at a spot on the deck. There lies a youth, shirtless, with disheveled hair. His eyes are tightly shut, his left cheek swollen and bruised, and water dribbles from his mouth, looking utterly embarrassed.

"...Old Pu, weren’t those slaps you gave just now a bit too heavy?"

Chiwaco crouches on the deck, looking at the battered youth who was just fished out of the river, feeling his own left cheek aching.

"Ha? If I don’t hit hard enough, how do we beat the water monster out of his belly?"

Puap stretches out his hand, looks at his reddened palm, and rubs it in pain.

"This is the Three Gods... cough, the old Priest taught me this method. First, hit the belly hard, then smack the face vigorously. As long as you can make him spit out the water, the person can be saved!"

"..."

Chiwaco is at a loss for words. He looks at the youth’s disordered hair and naked upper body, unable to find any items indicative of identity.

"Where did this kid come from?"

"Surely a southbound Telascallan captive! Fell into the water, got dazed, drifted a while, before running into us. Time probably hasn’t been long, maybe from the last batch of ships that passed by."

Puap squints and ponders for a moment. Then, he smacks his lips, glances at Mountain Bird Cavado, and scolds.

"The fight upstream is so fierce, so many have drowned. Telascallan captives aren’t worth much, is it really worth spending this effort to save? The fleet itself still needs to keep on schedule!"

"Cough, cough. Old Pu, this easy task won’t hold us up. The ship is always moving! Cavado meant well, just wanted to save a person; even the Chief Divine would bless such an act!"

Old militia Chiwaco smiles warmly, pats Puap’s shoulder. Cavado jumping into the water to save someone was ultimately under his approval.

"...It doesn’t take much trouble, why watch a person drown without doing anything..."

Chiwaco murmurs to himself, checks the youth’s body again. He first looks at the youth’s palms, only seeing newly formed calluses, and frowns. Then he checks the youth’s teeth, finding no apparent wear, even a bit white.

"..."

Seeing this, Chiwaco and Puap exchange a glance, each considering a possibility. The old militia immediately waves, calling to the gathered crew.

"Go, go, why are you all gathered here? We’ll soon reach shore, hurry and get prepared!"

"Yes, Captain!"

Soon, the crew disperses upon command, busying themselves across the longship. Chiwaco raises an eyebrow, squats back down. This time, he meticulously inspects inch by inch.

"Eh? A tattoo?"

"Is that a snake?"

Puap eyes widen, looking at the underside of the youth’s left armpit, where a small black snake faintly hides beneath dark armpit hair, quite inconspicuous.

"Old Chiwaco, I seem to recall Telascallan nobles like to call themselves Serpent Descendants?"

"...How would I know about these things."

The two exchange looks with subtle expressions in their eyes.

"Cough, cough cough!"

Just then, the youth on the deck coughs painfully. He slowly opens his eyes and sees two large faces gazing intensely at him.

The youth is dumbfounded, his pupils gradually gather focus, finally noticing the two men’s attire is indeed Mexica green War Clothes.

"Ah!... Don’t, don’t kill me! Please!..."

The sharp shouting causes the old militia’s head to spin. Puap’s eyes flash fiercely, reaching out with a slap.

"Slap!..."

"Ah!... Don’t!..."

"Slap!..."

After a while, the deck finally quiets down. The youth, bruised and swollen, carefully eyes the fierce Huitu guard, not daring to make a sound.

The old militia signals, prompting Puap to retreat a few steps. Then, he smiles kindly, speaking warmly.

"Cough! Child, don’t be afraid. We mean no harm; we saved you.".

"...?"

The youth’s face filled with confusion. Only then does Chiwaco remember to switch to Navajo.

"We saved you, don’t be afraid!"

"..."

The youth presses his lips, his expression slightly changes, still remaining cautious.

"Child, who are you, what’s your name?"

"..."

"Child, where are you from, are you a Telascallan?"

"..."

"Old Chiwaco, why nag so much? Once we’re ashore, just hand him over to the stationed Mexica Warrior and that’s that!"

Puap shows impatience, speaking loudly in fluent Navajo.

"Once in Mexica Warriors’ hands, no matter what they do, it has nothing to do with us!"

Hearing this, the youth trembles, deeply frightened. He finally speaks, pleading softly.

"Please don’t hand me over to Mexica Warriors!... Who are you? Why are you wearing Mexica War Clothes?"

Hearing this, Chiwaco’s mouth turns up in a smile, becoming increasingly friendly.

"We are Prepetcha, from the Kingdom of the Lake, serving the Alliance. And you?"

"I... I’m from Atlixco, part of the Four States Alliance."

The youth answers timidly, anxiously.

"Please, please don’t hand me over to the Mexica."

"Atlixco? Where’s that?"

Chiwaco feels perplexed. He looks at Puap, who shakes his head in confusion too. The old militia thinks for a moment, then smiles again.

"Divine bless! Being saved from the water clearly favored by the Rain Divine. We always heed Divine omens, won’t harm your life... Hmm, I’m called Chiwaco, and you?"

"..."

The youth hesitates for a long time. He looks at Chiwaco’s kind old face and finally whispers.

"I... I am called Dark Snake."

"Dark Snake? Named after a snake, could it be..."

Hearing this, Puap’s eyes flicker. He looks at the youth on the deck, as if seeing valuable Sacrifices, and can’t help but reach out his hand.

"Slap!"

Chiwaco raises an eyebrow, tapping Puap’s hand with the spear shaft in his hand.

"Old Chiwaco? You!..."

"Old Pu, shut up! Put away your thoughts!"

The old militia glares, Puap becomes silent, halting his voice. Then, the old militia’s eyes twinkle, observing the youth Dark Snake for a long time, making the latter anxious.

"Eighteen or nineteen... If Chipawa were alive, it’d also be this age... No, perhaps even older..."

Chiwaco mutters quietly, unclear about what he’s saying. After a while, he sighs softly, speaking gently.

"Dark Snake, this ship takes no idlers. Can you row?"

"..."

The youth Dark Snake is at a loss, not responding.

"Can you cook?"

"..."

"None of it? No worries, if you can’t, you can learn. Very fast. Hmm... You can first stay with Mountain Bird Cavado as a deck Apprentice, starting from the simplest task of cleaning the deck..."

Chiwaco gives a gentle smile, appearing relaxed. He looks at Mountain Bird Cavado next to him, ready to make arrangements.

Listening to the old militia, seeing his amiable expression, the youth Dark Snake presses his lips, somewhat disgruntled. He thinks for a moment, then spontaneously responds.

"I... I know numbers and calendars, can stargaze, and also draw!"