Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 1554 - 1095: Thirty Cane Strikes and the Cabinet Minister

"The ancestor bestowed upon me the Divine Staff to chastise you! Xiulote, you are a descendant of Acamapichtli, we share common ancestors. In terms of seniority, I am your uncle!...These twelve strokes, are for all the generations of ancestors, for Acamapichtli, Huitzilíhuitl, Chimalpopoca, Itzcoatl, Montezuma, Asayacatl, for the six Predecessor Monarchs of Tloquiditlan!"

"Ah! Ancestors above, descendant Xiulote was wrong!...Ah ah!"

"The Chief Divine bestowed upon me divine authority to spread His glory! Xiulote, you were graced by God, the Chief Divine gave you divine revelation, yet you were mesmerized by the Goddess of Spring, indulging in debauchery at the goddess's rites. In terms of divinity, I am the embodiment of the Sun Supreme God's Divine King!...These six strokes, are for the Supreme Main God!"

"Ah! Chief Divine above, Priest Xiulote was wrong!...Ah ah!"

"Elders entrusted me with the clan's authority to manage the entire Mexican Royal Family! Xiulote, the elder had high expectations of you, paved the way for you, sacrificed Quetzal and many Great Nobility, even left a testament...In the Royal Family, I am your father-in-law!...These six strokes are for the elder's expectations, and the dignity of the Royal Family!"

"Ah! Elder!...Great-grandson Xiulote...I...was wrong..."

"The High Priest entrusted me to be your mentor! Xiulote, in nearly twelve years, I have patiently taught you, granted you the Lake Sealed Country, even married my eldest daughter Alisa to you, and made your eldest son Xiu Hua the Sun!...I am your teacher, I have always considered you my most outstanding student, like my own child! Meanwhile, the High Priest gave everything for your sake, even his life! These final six strokes are for me as a teacher, for your grandfather, for the responsibility you bear!"

"Ah! Grandfather!...Teacher!...I?...I...sob...I really was wrong!…"

The great hall of the Royal Palace was empty, with only a standing and kneeling king. God King Aweit, full of anger, rebuked harshly, his voice carrying intense regret. He raised the Divine Staff high and struck Xiulote on the back, leaving whip marks!

And Xiulote knelt on the ground, enduring the pain on his back. Hearing Aweit's reprimand, listening to elder and grandfather's names, a genuine shame emerged on his face, and tears couldn't stop flowing.

"I have disappointed the elder's expectations, failed grandfather's sacrifices, and let down the teacher's guidance…I…I shouldn't be this way, shouldn't be so indulgent, so willingly lost…"

"Xiulote, if you continue to wallow in self-pity, whom are you worthy of!?...You are the Royal Family's Eagle, you are the King of the Lake Sealed Country! Even if you stay in Lake Capital City, you are the God of Death Wolf Father under one!...Moreover, you are the father of the future Sun, supposed to guide Xiu Hua!"

Aweit shouted angrily, frustrated seeing such untapped potential. He swung the divine staff of his ancestors, striking thirty times until Xiulote was left bruised and battered, venting his pent-up anger.

Then, he saw Xiulote's tear-streaked face, his heroic yet deflated student, those eyes filled with shame and self-reproach. For a long time, he carefully observed that tearful young face, revealing no trace of resentment, nor the kingly vigor that had vanished in the past two months of neglect and decay...

After a long while, Aweit finally dropped the Divine Staff with a clang and let out a deep sigh.

"Alas! Witnessed by the ancestors and Chief Divine!...Xiulote, my child, I speak honestly! I summoned you back to the Capital City to hand your succession to Xiu Hua, only to settle your heart, and patiently wait under my wing for ten more years!…I know you're a good child, you obey me, and I trust you...But as a king, even if I can trust you, how can I trust those around you, those generals and officials of the kingdom?"

"Xiulote, I just want you to stay in the Capital City, be a feather and wing of the Divine Eagle, assisting my grand unification, just like many years ago!...Yet now you fall into depression and indulgence, do you want to die? Have you become disillusioned with me, despairing of yourself?…But I didn't strip you of your fief and status or imprison you…No matter what, you're still my most outstanding student, my valued nephew and son-in-law! I never intended for you to die!"

"Ah!...God King...No, teacher...I...dared not complain about you...I was just a bit disheartened…wanted to indulge a little...but those Priestesses' rites, once indulged in them, it was hard to control...It was my fault, teacher!"

Xiulote bowed his head, tears flowing, kneeling in the great hall. Before the dignified teacher, he felt ashamed, his voice growing smaller, like a child who had made a mistake, bewildered...Seeing this scene, Aweit's mind churned, recalling once more, more than ten years ago, the ignorant young lad with divine revelation, the warmth long forgotten...

"Alas!...The rites of the Priestesses of the Goddess of Spring, filled with the divine charm of the Goddess. Even the soul-stealing patterns left an impression on me. Let alone you in the throes of youth, easily ignited...God witnessed! Xiulote, from now on, you must not go to the Goddess Temple!...I will send an envoy to tell the High Priestess of the Goddess Temple not to let you attend any rites!"

"Yes! I will obey you, teacher...I will never attend the rites again!"

"Mm, I will supervise you."

Aweit nodded, his expression solemn. The previous anger and regret disappeared from his face, leaving only a warm memory in his heart. He observed the kneeling, submissive student, discerning the fear and gratitude in his voice, genuinely grasping Xiulote's emotions and thoughts.

At this moment, since the parting three and a half years ago at Tree Snake City, he felt once again in control of his student. Whether it was the state of being stuck in the Capital City or the current discernible emotions! He lowered his guard without words, as this was no longer a political threat or rival, but a valued son-in-law within the Royal Family and a capable assistant... 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"God witnessed! Xiulote, you can recognize your mistakes and correct them...I am delighted! I thought about it, you're a bit too idle in the Lake Capital City...Some central affairs of the Royal Family can indeed be entrusted to you!"

Aweit reached out and touched Xiulote's hair. Then, he moved both hands to cup Xiulote's face, wiping away his student's tears.

"Ah! Teacher?"

Feeling this rare warmth, Xiulote was somewhat surprised, yet a bit at a loss. He showed emotion, looking up at Teacher Aweit, just like a long time ago, once the admiring student.

"Teacher...I...What can I do for you, again?"

"Mm, let me think...Xiulote, you can do a lot. At the very least, a position among the Cabinet Ministers by my side should be yours..."