Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 587 - 285: The Eight Divisions of Canine Descendants, Plotting Mountain City

"One hundred thousand Canine Descendants moving south?!"

Xiulote was somewhat surprised. The Tarasco Kingdom had possessed regimented Canine Descendant Mercenaries, whose fearless and indomitable spirit had left a deep impression on him. Then, the King was somewhat puzzled.

"Guajili Canine Descendants? Oh, Guachichiles, ’kua-itl’ means head, ’chichil-tic’ is red, the red-headed Barbarians?"

"Yes, Your Highness. Nearly the entire Guajili tribe has moved south, indeed numbering over one hundred thousand. They are the more aggressive Barbarians from the northern highlands, residing deep within the harsh deserts. They are irascible, move swiftly, and possess excellent Archery skills, capable of hitting flying pinions! They deeply venerate the color red, see shedding blood as a sacred act, and will use any dye they find to dye their hair red. A distinctive trait of the Guajili elite warriors is their bright red hair!"

"Your Highness, the situation among the northern Chichimeca Canine Descendants is complex, they can be subdivided into seven tribes. Apart from the Guajili people, there are the Pamus, aligned through marriage to our tribe, the Guamare close to the west, the Te-cue people farther west, the Kaksho aligned through marriage with the Tekos people, and the distant northwestern Tepeca and Sakate people. The tribes intermingle yet retain distinct customs, forming alliances yet also opposing each other... when there is a chance, I can elaborate further to you."

"Oh? I heard there are eight divisions of Chichimeca Canine Descendants. Guajili people, Guamare people, Otomi people..."

Xiulote paused for a moment, watching the old Priest across from him with a meaningful look.

"Olte, please continue on the main topic."

"Your Highness, we Otomi people have a long heritage, and we are different from them..."

Olte gave a wry smile, knowing what His Highness had left unsaid. He shook his head, making no retort, and continued.

"Facing the invasion of the Guajili Canine Descendants, Pamus State could not hold out for long. By March, apart from a few isolated City-States, most towns and villages had already fallen. Fortunately, the Canine Descendants do not conduct sieges but instead plunder extensively in the countryside. Over the last fortnight, scattered tribes have begun raids in the northern part of Otapan State. What is worse, several leading large Guajili tribes have taken over the fertile grassy lands of Pamus State and are preparing to settle there!"

"Semi-nomadic, semi-agricultural tribes moving south to invade and begin settling down..."

Xiulote fell into deep thought. Based on the old Priest’s description, these red-revering, archery-skilled Guajili Canine Descendants must be the most formidable fighters among the Chichimecs. They are a naturally nomadic people skilled in guerrilla tactics, located at the northernmost edge of the Mexican Plateau.

In later times, the Guajili as the main force of resistance among the Chichimecs, fought against the Spanish for nearly half a century, eventually forcing the colonizers to seek peace. Fortunately, these troublesome nomadic tribes did not yet have the most critical horses and livestock.

"Olte, the Otomi people are a Great Tribe of the north, with over twenty thousand Samurai in various states, capable of mobilizing several times that number in Militia. Have you not sent troops to drive out the Guajili people?"

"Your Highness, indeed the warriors of three states number over twenty thousand. But as the fierce Canine Descendants moved south relentlessly, they were everywhere, pouring in without end. Pamus State was besieged, and naturally, tribes moved south toward the north of Guamare State as well. Only the ancestral lands of Otapan could send troops. A month ago, the military leader of the mountain city, Commander Aquili, personally led a legion of ten thousand northward, engaging in fierce battles with several large southward-moving Guajili tribes. Leading his soldiers from the front, he managed to rout the Guajili’s army at one point, but during the pursuit, he was ambushed by a Divine Archer who shot him in the eye..."

"After this battle, although the Guajili people were scattered and fled, their losses were not significant. They continued to firmly occupy Pamus State. Commander Aquili, grievously wounded, died several days later. Lacking a Commander-in-Chief, the Otapan army withdrew directly back to the mountain city. At this very moment, the leaders of various tribes are gathered together, arguing incessantly as they elect the highest leader, the new military leader of Otapan Mountain City!... Your Highness, your arrival is timely, Jiowar needs your support!"

Upon hearing this, Xiulote’s eyes brightened. External pressures from the Canine Descendants moving south, internal strife among leaders. The Otomi people, beset by external threats and internal conflicts, indeed presented the best opportunity to subdue them. The King regarded the anxious old Priest and asked with a smile,

"Olte, as the highest-ranking Chaos Priest who has presided over multiple peace negotiations for the Otomi Alliance, can’t you decide the leadership of the mountain city?"

The old Priest gave a bitter smile and shook his head candidly.

"Your Highness, precisely because I have presided over the negotiations several times, my reputation is no longer what it once was! I hail from Guamare State, but there is another seasoned Chaos Priest in Otapan Mountain City, Sakate. Ultimately, the control of Otapan Mountain City will be determined by the heart of the Samurai and competed by the military prowess of the tribal leaders... The current candidates for leader are Jiowar, whom I support, and Nelpa, supported by Sakate."

"Your Highness, I have been closely monitoring the changes within the Alliance, and Jiowar is also aware of the Alliance’s strength. No matter the reason, we are willing to seek change, submit and pledge allegiance to you, seeking a way out for the Otomi people. Whereas Sakate is a very traditional Otomi Priest, Nelpa has never dealt with the Alliance... We view the Alliance as friends, they view the Alliance as enemies! The Wolf King will determine the direction of the wolf pack, once Nelpa becomes leader..."

Xiulote looked enlightened and affirmed without hesitation.

"Olte, we can trust each other. I harbor good intentions towards the Otomi people, will support my subjects, and eliminate my enemies!... What is your plan?"

"Your Highness, you are the eagle of Mexica, the sovereign of the Kingdom of the Lake! Your fame spreads across the land, and the Otomi people also believe in your divinity. Therefore, please enter the mountain city personally, participate in the tribal council. In front of the various Otomi clans, openly declare your support for Jiowar!"

"What!"

Bertade had been quietly listening. On hearing this, he finally could not hold back and stepped forward, urgently advising.

"Your Highness, you are the supreme Sun, you must not risk yourself alone!"

Olte also stepped forward, grabbing the hem of Xiulote’s robe. He raised his left hand, swearing sincerely.

"Your Highness, I swear by my life to the gods! The Otomi are in grave danger. We long for a new Sun, yearn for the leadership of the strong. We would never dare to harm you or provoke the might of the Alliance!"

"Oh!"

Xiulote’s eyebrows rose. He waved to the Head Warrior. The old Priest also relaxed his grip and bowed in apology. The King’s expression remained calm, his eyes steadily on the old Priest.

"The eagle needs its wings, and a King needs his majesty. Olte, how many Guards may I bring into the city?"

"Five hundred men, Your Highness, five hundred men. The legendary strongest leader of the Otomi had a guard of five hundred. This number conforms to tradition and can be accepted by the people of Otapan!"

"Hmm. Five hundred elite entering the Mountain City, six thousand stationed outside... Given the situation of the Otomi, the risk of entering the city isn’t great, indeed it is worth a try!"

Xiulote pondered for a moment, his face as serene as a lake. He made up his mind silently, giving nothing away in his speech.

"Olte, Jiowar needs my support to become the Leader of the Mountain City. What do I get in return?"

"Your Highness, You will preside over the enthronement ceremony for Jiowar. You will gain control of the tributaries of the Mountain City, loyalty from the Nnobility of the Mountain City, and the allegiance of the Otomi people!"

Olte’s expression changed slightly as he bowed and replied.

The King shook his head, his demeanor impassive.

"Not enough, Olte. I might be willing to risk entering the city, but I need more. You can give me more!"

"Your Highness, once Jiowar is in position, the Otomi will align more closely with you. The Otapan Legion will head back north to confront the Guajili Canine Descendants. If you help us defeat the invading Canine Descendants... I can assemble the leaders of the three states for a divine ceremony, formally proclaiming You as the Great Chief of the Otomi people!"

"Oh, there’s that layer of planning as well?... Olte, you are indeed deep and calculating."

Xiulote looked at the old Priest, a smile appearing on his face. He shook his head again.

"Olte, think about your status. You know what I care about and what I want!"

"Your Highness Xiulote!"

In the Priest’s eyes, a profound sorrow and pleading appeared. The King remained unfazed, just steadily staring back at him, then reached up to grasp the Sun God Amulet around his neck. After a long while, the old Priest finally lowered his head. At that moment, his back bent forward, instantly aged.

"Your Highness, the Saka faction is the most conservative and stubborn. As long as Jiowar holds the power, he can issue military orders to force them back to their fief, driving them all out of the Mountain City... You can arrange men on the outskirts, preferably Barbarians whose allegiance is hard to identify."

"As long as they die, the stubborn faction loses its backbone. Jiowar takes control of Otapan City, I influence the State of Guamare, and also the besieged State of Pamus. At that time, I will represent the Priesthood, issuing divine decrees, making the Otomi people of the three states devote themselves to the highest Chief Divine..."

Olte bowed his head, his breathing becoming labored. He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, his expression hardening again.

Foll𝑜w current novℯls on ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm.

"However, Your Highness, the faith in the Primordial God has been passed among the Otomi people for a long time, and He is also the ancestral deity of the Otomi people. When the War God Huitzilopochtli is elevated to the highest Chief Divine, after the Primordial God Ometeotl steps down, please let Him become the second most important Subordinate God! This way, the turmoil of faith will be minimized."

Xiulote looked at the old Priest for a while. The man was like a flickering candle in the wind, teetering, desperately clinging to the fading light, yet unable to change the departure of the old gods. The King pondered for a moment and then nodded. He was not in a rush.

"Very well. Olte, I agree! In the land of the Otomi’s three states, the Primordial God will become the second Subordinate God. Remember the promise you’ve given me!"

"I will. The Otomi people have no other choice... Your Highness, what about your choice?"

"The day after tomorrow morning, open the city gates. I will lead five hundred trusted aides, raising the Royal Banner of the Black Wolf, and enter the ancestral lands of the Mountain City!"

The night wind shifted, the bonfire flickered. The King’s voice rose high, spreading into the chilly wind, filled with grandeur and boldness. The long wind sweeping through, entering the towering Mountain City, turned into a poignant dirge. The former leader Aquili had already been buried in the sacred cemetery of the tribe, his relatives praying through the night. Nearby, the longhouses of the chiefs were brightly lit all night. A new fire was burning.

Note: The last chapter in QiDian App’s installment includes a distribution map of the Canine Descendants.