Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 1439 - 993: Supreme Joy! Warriors Dance and Revel
"May the Chief Divine bless the Kingdom! Your Highness, the coastal priests have offered their sacrificial songs in your honor. Next, it’s time for the Coastal Samurai to perform a dance of loyalty!"
"Good! Haha! Come, let me witness the might of the Coastal Samurai!"
As the night breeze warmed up, the generals drank heartily, and the banquet grew increasingly lively. Following Black Wolf Torc’s suggestion, the Coastal Warrior Camp Chiefs removed their sweat-soaked robes, wearing only a loincloth, and strode in with blunt war clubs in hand.
At the banquets of the various tribes in Central America, it’s common to see priests and warriors presenting songs and dances during tribal alliances. Typically, these performances take two forms. One is between tribes of equal strength, showcasing each other’s epic tales and highlighting the valor of the warriors. If there are conflicts between tribes, they might even duel at the feast, with warriors wielding sharp blades in a life-and-death fight to decide the ownership of a lake or a mountain, or the outcome of a conflict.
The other kind of performance occurs between higher-ranking leaders and their followers of lower status. The lower-ranking priests and warriors express their loyalty or respect to the leaders and nobility through sacrificial songs and war dances, as seen at this moment.
"Boom boom boom!"
The urgent beat of leather drums sounded in the corner of the banquet. Eight Totonac Warrior Camp Chiefs lined up, bowing to the King. Xiulote’s expression grew solemn as he gazed at the coastal heroes who had recently surrendered, recalling the names and origins of each camp chief.
"Camp Commander Muxi, originally a surrendered general from Five Mountains City, was the first to join the Alliance and has experienced almost all the coastal battles...
Camp Commander Red Ear, a commoner warrior from the Feathered Serpent Ancient City, the most obedient, and most efficient at clearing the nobility of various tribes...
Camp Commander Water Falcon, a tribal warrior conscripted from Nianshui City, is a valiant vanguard camp commander...
Camp Commander Kuikama, hailing from the Tohua tribe, was captured and surrendered in the first Battle of Golden Bay, specializing in jungle skirmishes...
Camp Commander Tiger Feather, originally a surrendered warrior from Conical House City, personally sacrificed the former Chieftain Yoltzin of Conical House, also an assault commander on the front lines...
Camp Commander Forest Wolf Mayakun, from Coyote City, is the most devout, fierce, and battle-loving, earning Black Wolf’s favor...
Camp Commander Black Spear Stone, a commoner warrior from Stone Engraving City’s surrender, adept at javelin throwing and jungle combat...
Camp Commander Divine Rabbit Toqina, former chieftain of Rabbit Hill City in the south, captured and surrendered in Golden Bay City, subsequently lost his tribe’s chieftain position, specializes in dealing with the southern Mountain Tribes..."
Xiulote glanced around; these Totonac camp chiefs were all surrendered generals from various tribes, mostly fought their way out from among the warriors, and are nearly all skilled in jungle warfare. Moving forward, if the Kingdom were to campaign against the Maya Tribes and venture deep into the jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula, these coastal leaders adept at jungle terrain would be indispensable!
Thinking of this, Xiulote smiled widely, raised his cup, and laughed aloud in praise.
"May the Chief Divine bless! You are all camp chiefs of the Coastal Legion, the kingdom’s loyal and valiant generals, and the most reliable backbone of the Coastal tribes! Haha! I adore warriors! Come! Ecatl, pour tequila for these brave souls!"
"May the Chief Divine bless! Praise be to Your Highness!"
The eight warrior camp chiefs, visibly excited, drained their cups in unison. Then, they tossed aside their cups and, right in front of Xiulote, danced vigorously with their heavy, blunt war clubs, performing a gallant and intense war dance!
"Ah haha! The Sun looks upon the battlefield, the Divine Serpent sways its tail!...
Ah haha! Blood dyes the earth, warriors dash, charge, and slay!...
Ah haha! Warriors live like leaping leopards, die like falling eagles!...
Ah haha! The Earth blazes with fire, the sea storms and clashes!...
Ah haha! The warrior’s soul is undying, even amidst fire and rain!...
Ah haha! Great Chief God of Death, for you, fight to the death!...
Ah haha! Great Chief God of Death, the supreme only King, greater than heaven and earth!...
Ah haha! The one supreme King, greater than heaven and earth! Tremendously great!...
"
Listening to this "simple" war song, Xiulote’s eyes widened instantly, and his mouth twitched slightly. He observed the warrior camp chiefs who sang and danced fervently, then turned to see the Black Wolf Torc, head held high in smug satisfaction, instantly realizing the source of the battle hymn.
"Oh! You sly Black Wolf... your cultural level has improved indeed!"
Xiulote’s mouth curved into a smile as he attentively listened for a moment, becoming infected by the uplifting emotion in the song. For some reason, listening to these warriors sing with all their might and looking at their honest yet fierce faces was far more relaxing and exhilarating to him than hearing the priests’ melodious and ornate praises!
"Haha! Good! Very well done! My loyal warriors, you sang splendidly! Come! Bring wine, I want to personally pour for my warriors!"
"Praise you, Great Chief God of Death! Willing to die for you!"
"Haha! Excellent! Splendid!"
This offering of song and drink by the coastal warriors pushed the atmosphere of the banquet to a climax! Soon, the kingdom’s generals were mingled together, arms wrapped around shoulders, shouting and toasting in raucous unison!
On this night, all the Mexica generals, Prepetcha generals, Canine Descendant generals, Tekos generals, and Totonac generals drank with exuberance, howling like wolves and roaring like tigers, one drink after another until they fell "clunk" drunk. Even the coastal priests beside them were dumbfounded, caught and successively drunk to the ground by the boisterous warriors. Even the aloof and distinguished Old Witch Doctor Kani was seized by two canine trusted aides of Black Wolf, doused in rice wine, then started to predict fortunes wildly.
"Haha! The Divine Object has a spirit, it brightens my eyes! I can see at a glance that you two are destined for great prosperity! What are your names? Fruit Tree Chabo? Mud Tree Miqui? ... Haha! You two are destined with the Divine Tree! You will climb the Divine Tree and see the true light! ... What? You don’t want light, but something real? Fine! You will climb the Divine Tree and catch the true big fish! A big fish! A white big fish! ... Hahaha! ..."
The fragrance of alcohol filled the air, lingering in the palace. Pots of tequila, fruit wine, pineapple wine, and honey wine were being served as if for free, only to turn into empty clay pots one after another. The elderly Coastal Priests were the first to get drunk, followed by the Coastal Camp Commanders, and finally a few Great Generals... In the end, only Xiulote was left standing. He surveyed the fallen priests and generals, laughing drunkenly and triumphantly.
"Hahaha! The Divine is watching over us! I am the radiant sun, I am the ultimate victor! I am... the only king!..."
"Family Head, you are drunk!..."
"Haha! I’m not drunk! I can still... Hm? Ecatl, why haven’t you fallen yet?..."
"Ah! Family Head, I’m not... I’m also drunk! ... It’s just that I remembered my duty tonight is not yet completed, and I needed to stay awake a little while longer..."
"Hm... stay awake a little while longer? That works!..."
Xiulote shook his head, bleary-eyed, looking at Guard Commander Ecatl, who seemed to be swaying, and shouted loudly.
"Ecatl! Stop swaying back and forth!... Tonight? What duty do you still have?"
"Ah! Family Head... The Silver Raven tribe also sent an envoy to join tonight’s feast!..."
"Hm? The Silver Raven tribe of the Vastec people? Their envoy also came? Where is he? Is he drunk?!"
"Uh... Family Head, the envoy is also drunk. But before he fell, he first congratulated His Highness on the victory of the eastward campaign, then conveyed the alliance friendship from the Great Chief of the Silver Raven... Finally, he inquired about the two Silver Raven princesses, hoping to deepen the connection between the kingdom and the Silver Raven tribe... After all, even Ilian, the daughter of the Chief of Colima, is already pregnant..."
Guard Commander Ecatl cautiously chose his words. However, the dizzy Xiulote completely misunderstood.
"Ecatl, you’re rambling on about nonsense? Where’s the wine? Hurry up and bring it to me!... I’m happy tonight! While you’re still awake, drink a few more glasses with me!..."
"Uh..."
Guard Commander Ecatl blinked, pondered for a moment, and replied with a smile.
"Family Head, I can’t, my moment of sobriety is almost over, and I’ll soon be drunk... However, there are two who aren’t drunk and would like to share a drink with you, just in the nearby side hall..."
"Hm? There are still people not drunk? No way! Chief Divine as my witness! I must be the last victor! The only one! ... Who are they?! Where?..."
Xiulote raised his head, though bleary-eyed, he exuded a vibrant fighting spirit, like a Wolf King ready to fight to the end. He murmured softly, speaking continuously, with what seemed like a flame burning in his chest.
"No way! I must, must be the final victor! I am the only one! The highest! The greatest!..."
"Yes! Family Head, you are the only Sun, and the only King!... Please follow me, they have been waiting in the side hall for a long time..."
"Oh? Side hall? Great! Lead the way!..."
Xiulote strode forward, staggering, and arrived at the quiet side hall. It was a hot night, and he had drunk too much, so he casually threw off his robes, leaving only his shorts. As he saw the sister flowers in the side hall whose appearances were similar, he paused evidently, his gaze becoming hazy.
"Is it you? Liuyu, Liuyao? ... Uh, are you one person or two?..."
"Powerful and brave Highness! ... Um, we... we are... yours!..."
Sister Bai Lan Liuyu and sister Daisy Liuyao exchanged smiles and spoke simultaneously. Sister Liuyu’s appearance was pure and elegant, her voice crisp like the singing of skylarks. Sister Liuyao’s face was young and tender, her voice soft like a fawn’s gentle call. However, the twin voices in Xiulote’s ears confused him even more, heating him up all over.
"Mine... you are mine? ... Who is the elder sister? ... Who is the younger sister?..."
"Hehe! ... Your Highness, let’s do a flower dance for you first, and then you feel the flowers yourself... you’ll understand!..."
With that, the sisters raised their arms, lifted their toes, and started a twirling flower dance in front of Xiulote. They intertwined at times, spun around at times, with postures like orchids or daisies, the alluring scent of flowers occasionally wafting over... making the drunken Xiulote unable to distinguish even more. He watched for a while in confusion, really unable to tell, he decided to stretch out his hand to catch one.
"You two little butterflies, always swaying back and forth! Hm?... Are you Liuyu?"
"Hehe! Your Highness, you caught the wrong one!..."
"Indeed! Your Highness, I’m over here!..."
"Oh, Your Highness, you hurt me!..."
"Hmm! Your Highness, I want to be caught too!..."
Out on an outing, the tropical seaside is always hot, with enchanting flowers, fluttering butterflies, and intoxicating fragrances. Travelers who view the sight are dazzled, their hearts shaken.
At the end of summer, flowers bloom brilliantly, revealing an indescribable intoxication. The flowers bloom like dreams, the scents soak in, visitors are drunk among the flowers, as if floating on clouds, and the clouds unknown to have a deadline.
The bonfire sways, the night is vast and misty. The journey finds no finish line; floral scents engrave memories never forgotten. The bright moon rises over the sea, then falls into the traveler’s newly awakened eyes, finally halting him for a long while, until dawn breaks~
