The moonlight fell upon the earth, and the night veil brushed over the mountains. A bonfire was lit in the pasture, and the aroma of roasting at wafted in the wind. The Imperial Guard Warriors gathered around, forming tight circles to protect His Highness in the center. Not far away, the bisons watched curiously and cautiously, occasionally letting out low grunts.
Xiulote closed his eyes, clasped the Sun Amulet around his neck, and began a low prayer.
"Praise the Chief Divine for granting us the giant beasts, providing at to all people!..."
"Praise the Chief Divine for granting at!"
Everyone chid in, praying to the Chief Divine for a mont, then began to enjoy their dinner.
Under Nashu’s direction, Mohe busily prepared two portions of roasted bison eye at for His Highness, sprinkling them with precious spices. Nashu tasted a piece, waited for a mont, and nodded in satisfaction before handing the roasted at to His Highness.
Taking a bite, Xiulote’s eyes brightened, and he praised softly.
A bison weighs over a thousand pounds, but the pri cuts amount to only around a dozen pounds. The finest top loin and inside skirt at are even scarcer. This piece of bison eye at was among the pri cuts, marbled with fat, tender yet not greasy. The grilling had been done to perfection, locking in sweet juices, with the rich at flavor and subtle spices blending harmoniously... One bite was truly unforgettable!
Xiulote chewed heartily, and only after finishing the whole serving of roasted at did he exhale in satisfaction.
"Excellent! So fresh, delicate, and juicy..."
Suddenly, he paused. Realizing sothing, he looked at Mohe with a faint smile, but his voice turned cold abruptly.
"Mohe, you said earlier that this bison was slaughtered two days ago?"
"..."
Mohe’s smiling face froze imdiately. Sweat broke out on his back as he quickly prostrated himself on the ground.
"Your... Your Highness... I... Chief Divine bears witness! This was a mature bull... It was due for slaughter..."
Xiulote’s face remained expressionless as he gazed at Mohe, a hint of killing intent in his eyes. Only when the other was soaked in sweat did he speak slowly.
"May the Chief Divine’s light shine upon you! Mohe, the Alliance entrusted you with the bison pasture because of your loyalty and capability. Bison taming is not easy, and they must not be slaughtered without authorization... Do not make this mistake again!"
"Ah, thank you, Your Highness!"
Hearing this, Mohe raised his head, clasped his hands in an oath.
"Chief Divine bears witness! I, Mohe, will adhere strictly to your will and properly ta the bison..."
Xiulote’s expression remained unchanged, not a trace of a smile seen. Bertade sighed softly and spoke in reminder.
"Mohe, bison taming is a crucial task for the Alliance. In the future, there must be no deception."
"Ah, yes!"
Mohe finally understood. His Highness was not displeased with the unauthorized slaughter but with the attempted deceit... Sweat broke out on his back once more, and he kowtowed repeatedly.
"Ancestor bears witness! Your Highness, I... I swear to serve you as I serve the Sun! From now on, there will be no deception!"
Only then did Xiulote nod, his expression easing slightly. He thought for a mont and sternly instructed.
"Mohe, taming bison is not the work of a year; it requires years of effort. As the person in charge of the mountain pasture, you must be prepared for a lifelong commitnt! The Chief Divine incarnates all creation with spirit; even those born of the sa mother will differ, shaped by their environnt..."
"In small-scale bison herding, you must constantly select from their offspring, deliberately breeding those more gentle and friendly to humans. Do not keep the more aggressive bulls, and do not let them sire offspring! By breeding for ten generations, dozens, or even hundreds, bison will be tad and dosticated to serve the Alliance!"
"... Yes!"
Hearing about dozens or even hundreds of generations, Mohe’s eyes grew confused, and his mind clouded. Despite his confusion, he dutifully prostrated himself, responding with sincere respect.
"I will follow your will, Your Divinely Inspired Highness!"
"Hmm, do well! I will often send people to check on you."
Xiulote smiled slightly and then dismissed Mohe. During his stay in the Capital City, he would rotate the Imperial Guard Warriors through, acclimatizing them to the giant beasts’ charging and reducing their fear. anwhile, in the Kingdom of the Lake, bison taming would also proceed quickly.
The night in the mountain was tranquil, the moonlight gentle and clear. The bison let out low calls, and the belle gently sipped and softly sang.
This was a peaceful night, with few lights in the vast mountains, no bustling human presence, just a few bisons. Away from the center of power, Xiulote briefly forgot the worldly troubles and slept soundly.
Xiulote rested his head on Nashu’s lap, inhaling her delicate fragrance of musk and orchid, listening to her gentle and smoky song, and feeling her tender and comfortable caresses... He enjoyed the night’s tranquility, fully relaxed, without any intense activity, and gradually fell into a deep sleep. In his dreams, he wandered like a ship adrift, finally finding a warm harbor, able to lower his sails and shed the long journey’s fatigue.
"Mother..."
Nashu blinked, lowering her head like a deer. She pressed close to his handso face, listening to his murmured dreams.
"Mother..."
Nashu’s eyes shimred with thought. It seed His Highness had been motherless from a young age... Reflecting on this, Nashu felt a pang of shared sorrow and gently caressed his cheek. Then, with a seductive smile, she gazed at his sleeping face, lowered her head once more, and placed a long, moist kiss.
The moon set and the sun rose, days and nights passing swiftly. Xiulote stayed at the mountain pasture for two days, allowing the Imperial Guard Warriors to experience the bison’s charging might. Then he set out to return from the serene mountain pasture to the busy, thriving Lake Capital City.
By mid-August, the aftermath of the Tlacopan nobility rebellion had largely subsided. All the rebellious nobles were captured, their cris irrefutable, their sentences unquestionable, and imdiately executed. The first batch of exiles boarded the Kingdom Fleet, heading to the west of the Great River. The leading great nobles were imprisoned in the Priesthood’s dungeons and sacrificed at the autumn harvest rite. From capture and trial to sacrifice, the High Priesthood and the Royal Family processed swiftly, nearly pushing the limits of current administrative efficiency.
Amidst the cheers of tens of thousands, the holy autumn harvest rite arrived as scheduled. The High Priesthood devoutly prayed to the Chief Divine, seeking blessings for a bountiful harvest and offering noble Divine Descendant sacrifices. Soon, red flowed down the Great Temple’s pyramid, and the rebellious great nobles were sacrificed, gaining the Chief Divine’s forgiveness, their souls ascending to the distant Divine Kingdom.
Xiulote did not attend the autumn harvest rite nor stay at the High Priest’s Mansion. On this sacred day, he accepted his father’s invitation to gather at his father’s residence. Passing through the open main gate, he entered the assembly hall, and his smiling deanor beca solemn.
Beneath the Chief Divine’s emblem, Xiuxoke sat cross-legged, unsmiling, and wordless.
Seated opposite the hall entrance was another. He was dignified and austere, his attire simple yet ticulous, his posture as straight as a pine. Seeing Xiulote approach, he stood slowly and respectfully, bowing with exacting precision.
"Greetings to you, Your Highness Xiulote!"
He smiled slightly, each smile ticulously crafted, as if carved into wood.
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