Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 1558 - 1099: Aweit Looks to the South, Xiulote Looks to the East, Yet the Sea Ship Comes from the West…

"Your Majesty! How are you?..."

"Ecatl, you and Tekos support me... Do not speak further, we'll talk when we return!..."

"Understood!..."

The setting sun was like rouge, coloring the sky and lake. The White City bathed in crimson clouds, the Temple stood tall and majestic, yet exuded a touch of softness. Xiulote slightly raised his head, and with the support of the Guard Commander and Shield Guard, slowly walked towards the Prince's Mansion. Throughout the entire Lake Capital City, the distant sound of evening prayers echoed, as if drifting on the clouds.

"How beautiful it is!... Lake Capital City, the City of White Stone, Tloquiditlan..."

Xiulote's expression was serene, his feet not touching the ground, floating home like a cloud. His face held a touch of calm, a sense of reminiscence, a sense of relief, and an ineffable sentiment. However, only Ecatl, who was supporting him, knew that the Family Head's robe was completely soaked with sweat, sticky and carrying a faint scent of blood, as if he had survived and struggled out from the depths of the Abyss...

"Oh sun, oh sun! You stand high, see far, farther than I imagined! You churn with magma, so hot, hotter than I remembered!... And why you became what you are today, became the true sun... Is it because I once told you what the true sky, the true sun, is like?..."

Ecatl tilted his head slightly, listening to the barely audible mutterings of the Family Head, catching snippets yet understanding none. But he could vaguely sense the complex emotions of the Family Head at the moment, even tinged with some regret. It was like the mythical Tecuciztecatl willingly jumped into the fire, only to discover the true intensity of the flames... Ecatl paused for a moment in silence, then, while supporting the Family Head, pointed to the sunset in the west, speaking softly.

"Family Head, the sun has set... The day has passed quickly!..."

"Oh? The sun has set, has it!... But tomorrow, it will rise again..."

Xiulote squinted his eyes, glanced at the sun sinking into Lake Texcoco, and gently shook his head. Then, he closed his eyes slightly, allowing the trusted aides to carry him home, just like the drifting waters of Lake Texcoco. And the lake water flowed through his heart, cleansing his once-clouded eyes until they shone like an Eagle Eye.

"Witness of our ancestors! This long talk today, I wonder how much of it was true, how much was performance, and who saw through how much of it? I am like this, Aweit is also like this, truly a pair of perfect mentor and student!..."

"Aweit, you are my teacher, having always guided me. Yet, your continuous grand schemes of power struggles, blending grace and force, contradiction analysis, political balance... and your grand ambition for the world always feel so familiar to me!... You even remembered the legacy Divine Jade, the Divine King of Qin State..."

"So it was! The many stories of the Celestial Empire that I once told you, you have always remembered them by heart, regarded them as the wisdom of Divine Revelation, absorbing them as targets and nourishment for growth!... Aweit, you indeed are my teacher, and indeed a remarkable person of this era, the most outstanding King in Mexican history!... Huh? So, in a way, I am also your teacher! Haha!..."

The day's fatigue overwhelmed his heart, transforming into chaotic thoughts running wild in Xiulote's mind, carrying him into sleep. He sank into a dim dream, opened his eyes to look around, only to see again the stone throne, and Aweit sitting upon it, gaze cold and expressionless.

"Aweit, stand up, do not sit! Once you sit, you will change!..."

In surprise, he rushed forward, trying to pull Aweit up, but Aweit gave him a hard push. Then, when he looked again, the one seated on the throne had astonishingly become himself, with the same cold gaze, the same expressionless face...

"Ah! It's me!..."

"Family Head! Wake up! Family Head! Wake up!..."

"Hmm?..."

"We've arrived at the mansion..."

"... Oh!... Alright!"

Xiulote shook his head vigorously, waking from the dream, and then dazedly watched the gates of the Prince's Mansion close before his eyes. Standing in the spacious courtyard, he furrowed his brow, recalling the dream he had just had, feeling an inexplicable sense of familiarity. Yet he truly could not remember when he had a similar dream, or when it happened?

"Family Head! Today you met the Divine King... How was it?..."

The Guard Commander Ecatl, face full of concern, softly inquired.

"Hmm... The Divine King reprimanded me and appointed me as a Cabinet Minister of the Royal Family, responsible for providing military supplies for the Southern Expedition, and for reforming the corruption in the Craftsman camp. Later, he arranged for his youngest son Cuauhtemoc to be engaged to my eldest daughter Light Snake, to resolve the Seaside Alliance's allegiance. Subsequently, he elevated the Capital City's Medical Institute to a Medical Academy, and established a Medical Priesthood, granting me management..."

Xiulote withdrew his thoughts, maintaining a calm demeanor, and systematically summarized Aweit's plans. At this moment, he was calm and composed, a stark contrast to his earlier self.

"According to the Divine King's plan, he wishes to be the Divine King for another twenty years. And I am tasked to assist him, like an elder assisting Predecessor Monarch Montezuma, for twenty years until he departs for the Divine Kingdom..."

Guard Commander Ecatl listened with his head lowered. After a moment of contemplation, he looked surprised, even somewhat anxious.

"Family Head, the Divine King actually... actually granted you such great power! But reforming corruption will offend the nobility of the Capital City, and overseeing the Medical Priests will offend the High Priesthood. Being in charge of the Southern Expedition's military supplies is even more arduous!"

"With so many City-State Armies directly under command, how can one balance everything equally? How can such burdensome and lengthy logistics be delivered on time? You will inevitably become the target for the anger and blame of noble officers... Family Head, although these three powers are incredibly significant, they are like a hornet's nest fallen from the Divine Tree, destined to make you offend the entire Alliance, and perhaps even sting you all over your head!..."

"Hmm... Ecatl, I understand everything you're saying."

Upon hearing this, Xiulote smiled, his expression calm and composed, carrying a sense of openness.

"Reforming corruption, researching medicine, supplying military gear... all are crucial to the future of our Mexica! Especially the research in medicine, it cannot be overemphasized... These tasks given to me by Aweit, they are certainly placed in the right hands! I will ensure each one is done well, no matter whom I offend!..."

"The Divine King placed me in this position because the more people I offend, the more at ease he feels, and the safer I am. In fact, the Alliance is not only Aweit's but also Alisa's, Xiu Hua's, and mine. The power and prestige of the Mexican Royal Family are our common foundation... Therefore, Aweit's Southern Expedition is critical! Whether in public or private, I will fully support him, and certainly will not drag him down from behind! This, too, is the basis of mutual trust between us, as we share common political goals..."

"Ah... Family Head, I understand now! I will protect your safety with my life!..."

Guard Commander Ecatl bit his teeth, lowered his head, and respectfully bowed. Hearing the Guard Commander's words, Xiulote nodded with satisfaction. After thinking for a while, he spoke in a deep voice.

"During the days of joyous singing in the Temple, Aweit chastised and scolded me on behalf of my ancestors, then I wept in repentance... Within this, there are topics of joyous singing, ancestors, the Sun, reproach, conspiracy, and remorse, making it a story very suitable for spreading... It should be spread quickly in the Capital City, preferably turned into a ballad for the nobility to hear!..."

"Ah! Family Head! You wish to... to act like a tortoise... oh no, like a crocodile, getting yourself dirty in the swamp?..."

"Exactly! Submerging in the swamp to get dirty is the way to live in peace and roam freely!..."

Xiulote smiled, and a thought occurred to him.

"Hmm... This kind of task is quite suitable for the wise Kani! Let him compose a few catchy tunes, some mysterious rumors, a few interesting anecdotes... Just spread them through the merchant channels Ocatel has long been operating, and let the ballads spread on their own!..."

"Moreover, such ballads that elevate the Divine King and lower my prestige, the intelligence officers and secret guards of the Capital City will surely turn a blind eye!..."

"Yes! King, as you command!..."

The sun sets in the west, and the bright moon rises in the east. Xiulote and Ecatl stood in the empty courtyard, whispering the strategies of political maneuvering, their minds filled with countless thoughts. And while the two were immersed in the political mire, an excited yet gentle shout suddenly cleared Xiulote's mind.

"Xiulote, you're... you're back!"

Alisa, dressed in white and barefoot, ran up to Xiulote. Then, she threw herself into her husband's arms, clinging onto him like a sloth. But soon, she noticed something was wrong from Xiulote's sharp intake of breath in pain. She quickly released her long legs, took off her husband's robe, and saw the bleeding welts on his back...

"Ah! Xiulote... you!… How could Father?..."

Alisa gently stroked the wounds with her slender fingers, tears welling in her eyes with heartache. She was about to say more when Xiulote, smiling, reached out his arms and embraced his wife tightly. The two held each other close, gazing deeply into each other's eyes, almost communicating without words.

"Alisa... These past two months, you've truly been wronged!... But fortunately, it's all over now!..."

"Xiulote, witness the Chief Divine! Have you and Father really moved past it?..."

"Yes, the Sun has cast its gaze towards the southern clouds... Between him and me, it's truly over!..."

Xiulote nodded earnestly, holding his warm and soft wife tightly, as if he were embracing the world. Gradually, his gaze extended far, looking towards the distant sky. He watched the rising moon, but that wasn't the south, it was the exact east.

"In early July, from the distant Eastern Sea, the Caribbean Islands... In just one month, the clouds of the east will come from the sea... and the real upheaval in the world is about to arrive!..."

A long wind blew, carrying with it the moist scent from the Eastern Sea. However, the ruler who gazed at the sky, seemingly predicted everything, but never anticipated... 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

At this moment, before the clouds from European east arrive, an ancient-styled Ocean Shielding Ship was laboriously sailing against the wind, bringing with it precious gifts from Western Asian seas!