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The Smoke Peak Divine Mountain towers into the clouds. Its glaciers remain unchanged for millennia, and its cold pines form forests over centuries. Further down, there are steep cliffs, massive rocks, and pungent sulfur mines hiding within, connected to bottomless abysses.
Xiulote holds the Grim Reaper’s Skull Divine Staff, sitting on a piece of volcanic rock. He gazes into the vast sky and overlooks the majestic mountains and rivers, his expression as calm and untroubled as the divine mountain.
This is 1,500 ters above Water Valley City, at an altitude of 3,500 ters. The mysterious ancient Temple of Death stands behind the king. In front of the king lies a vast basin at a glance, undulating mountains in the distance, and nearly a hundred miles away, the distant and visible Cholula Holy City.
Elder Priest Wezil bows his head, sitting by the king’s side. He cautiously examines the ancient temple, carefully conjecturing the reason behind the xica’s highness choosing to et here.
"Elder Wezil, this is the Pocatepetl Divine Mountain, and not far away is the ancient Temple of Death."
After a long ti, Xiulote speaks lightly, a smile on his face.
"The ancient volcanic God of Death watches us here. It was here that I obtained the Divine Staff bestowed by the God of Death. I prayed before the statue of the God of Death, listening to the enlightennt of the ancient god... He granted the authority over the Tlaxcalans and entrusted the Cholula Holy City to to handle!"
"...Praise the God of Death..."
After a mont of silence, Elder Priest Wezil respectfully responds. He is Cholula’s hereditary High Priest and does not truly believe in so-called divine revelation or granted authority. However, in such a divine place, he has to tread carefully to avoid angering the unknown and fearso... Elder Wezil contemplates for a mont, speaking cautiously again, trying to steer the conversation.
"Your Highness, the authority over the Tlaxcalans is not so easily grasped!"
"Oh?"
Xiulote laughs and asks in a deep voice.
"I have an invincible army, the Divine Staff of the exalted God of Death, and I have also gained the Tlaxcalans’ recognition... How can I not grasp the authority?"
"Your Highness, one’s eyes can be deceived by appearances, unable to see the truth behind."
Elder Priest Wezil shakes his head. He stretches out his hand, pointing to the pine forest before them, calmly responding.
"Just like this forest! When we look at it, it’s a lush and verdant scene, yet within the forest, there are countless pits and cracks... How could the Tlaxcalans beneath the divine mountain possibly recognize enemies who ruin their hos and destroy their families?"
"Hmm?"
Upon hearing this, Xiulote raises an eyebrow, his voice turning cold.
"Tens of thousands of Tlaxcalans are working on my spring farming, with almost no one fleeing. Isn’t that a kind of recognition?"
"Your Highness, this is not recognition. The Tlaxcalans have never recognized you."
Elder Priest Wezil looks into the king’s eyes, denying again.
"The xica legion is wantonly capturing captives, scattered across the southern lands, generally resulting in slaughter. The captives have nowhere to escape, they fear death, and without food, they have no choice but to bow their heads to farm... In reality, it’s just obedience out of fear, seeing a sliver of illusory light in the desperate darkness, fruitlessly clenched in hand!"
"...Darkness and light..."
Hearing this, Xiulote remains silent. After a mont, he calmly responds.
"No, the light they see is real. What they are doing is not fruitless either."
"Hmm?"
Hearing this, Elder Priest Wezil is slightly startled. He tentatively asks.
"Your Highness, how do you plan to deal with these captives?... Sacrifice? Or enslavent?"
"Neither sacrifice nor enslavent. At least, not for the vast majority."
Xiulote straightens up, calmly informing.
"I want to make them citizens of the Kingdom of the Lake!"
"Ah? This... this is not easy."
Elder Priest Wezil shows surprise. He naturally knows what financial and human resources, along with overcoming human hearts and conflicts, are needed behind this statent.
"The Kingdom of the Lake has xica, Prepetcha, Otomi, and Tekos... I treat them all equally, ensuring their sustenance and providing paths for advancent."
Xiulote responds with a smile, filled with strong confidence.
"Now, I have enough patience and ans to also transform the Tlaxcalans into my citizens!"
"This..."
Elder Priest Wezil lowers his eyes, contemplating for a while before expressing heartfelt admiration.
"Your Highness, you possess the heart of a king! Just like the creator of the legend, the Toltec Empire, who embraced the whole world!"
"A king’s heart?"
Xiulote reflects for a mont, developing a favorable impression towards Wezil. He smiles and says.
"No, I just know the vastness of the world."
"Yes, the world is vast; even with the great power of the Teotihuacan Empire, it cannot be completely conquered."
Elder Priest Wezil responds cautiously, with implications.
"Your Highness, the Teotihuacan Empire colluded with evil within the volcano, mastering imnse power! They conquered over half the world, stretching two thousand miles north and south, and over three thousand miles east and west! Yet, what was their end? Even with Teotihuacan’s might and prosperity, offending the All Gods resulted in rapid demise... How does today’s xica compare to the forr Teotihuacan?"
"Haha!"
Hearing this, Xiulote laughs heartily. Comparing the past to the present is no more than common sophistry, its use dependent on intent, full of complexities... The young king smiles, shaking his head, his words brimming with confidence.
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