Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

"Make sure to store the grain properly, don't let it get damp!"

"Chief Divine bless us! The kingdom's army has already conquered Golden Bay City..."

"Yes! Your Majesty is invincible and will soon reach here!..."

Everyone nodded and whispered among themselves for a while, then fell silent again. Priest Mekate pondered for a moment, grasped the amulet around his neck, and prayed devoutly.

"Chief Divine bless us! Through terrible storms, across enemy blockades, through boundless waves, may we reach the shores of the Kingdom..."

Upon hearing Priest Mekate's words, the old militia member Chiwaco raised an eyebrow. He gazed at the night sky to the East, and the difficulties of the return journey vividly played in his mind.

Last October, four longships carrying two hundred people set sail for the return journey from the vicinity of the Mayali Region, departing from Iron Bay Town established by the Kingdom. He led the fleet along the northern coast, heading west all the way.

The fleet passed through the coastal regions of the Taino Tribe, including the Brown Hill Tribe by the palm forest, the Fish Bay Tribe rich in fish catches, the Gabie Tribe full of Divine Smoke, the Salt Coast Tribe that produces sea salt, the Jing River Tribe with natural wells, the Havana Tribe with a large population, and the Lizard Tribe that breeds spiny lizards, until reaching the Forest Ridge Tribe below the Snake Tail West Mountain.

These Taino Tribes were very friendly, providing food and lodging, and even accompanying them to sleep. The morale of the fleet remained high, and at the Forest Ridge Tribe on the westernmost part of Cuba Snake Island, they survived the ominous day of the year's end and received another supply of grain. Then, they directly crossed the sea, heading towards the Maya Lands over six hundred miles away!

"Terrible storms..."

The old militia member Chiwaco lifted his head, recalling the capricious sea storms while crossing the sea and the sailors taken by the storms. He shuddered involuntarily, took a deep breath, and angrily cursed at the sky.

"Damn, this blind old sky!"

After crossing the sea and reaching the Maya, the fleet stayed at Ekab Port in the southwest of the Maya for more than half a month. They repaired the longships and celebrated the Chief Divine Festival at the beginning of the new year.

Most of the sailors and samurai who stayed there to recuperate had already recovered and rejoined the Kingdom fleet. As for the rest, the old militia member found a village to settle the ten or so injured and left enough wealth.

Afterwards, the fleet cautiously stopped at Fire Salt Village of the Qi Jin Tribe for more than half a month. They reconnected with the remaining forces of Mayapan, led by the Kekum Family from Tikalo.

Kokom Clan Leader, Divine Descendant leader Ti'aj Kin, with the Chief Divine's emblem engraved on his forehead, appeared before the fleet, weary and travel-worn. He brought the promised Southern Sea Map, a shipwright of the bee slaves, and most importantly, the royal descendants, his two children, Tilan and Tidan.

"Chief Divine bless us! Without a groomed heir, Xiu Clan Leader Xiupan has gone mad!..."

Divine Descendant leader Ti'aj Kin looked haggard with bandaged wounds on his body.

"The weak Canul Lineage has already made peace with Xiu. The legion of the Xiu Clan has left the western mountain forest, with eight thousand warriors recklessly invading the territory of the Kapoor Clan!"

"I led the tribe migrating all the way to the Northeast, only to be intercepted by the vanguard warriors of the Xiu Clan and engaged in a fierce battle! Fortunately, with the weapons you left behind and the armor gifted by the Lord Priest… but the tribe's casualties… we lost a third in the retreat..."

"On the westward journey ahead, you must be careful! The Chel Divine Authority Tribe is our ally and can be trusted. But further west along the coast, the Wei Yu and Luchong Clans are vassals of the Xiu Clan. They follow Xiu Clan Leader Xiupan's strict orders, launching a fleet madly searching for you..."

Ti'aj Kin left behind guides and envoys, praying in the name of the Chief Divine as he watched the fleet head west. The journey that followed was like a chase between life and death. Everyone summoned their strength, day and night relentlessly, directly charging through the coasts of the Wei Yu and Luchong Clans, engaging in battles with the intercepting Maya fleet several times!

They didn't even dare to linger along the coast of the Canul Lineage until they finally relaxed upon reaching Grassfield City of the Putun Tribe. When Chiwaco counted the headcount of the fleet, he found that from the initial two hundred people, nearly half had been lost, leaving only about one hundred twenty!

"Across enemy blockades..."

The old militia member Chiwaco gritted his teeth, recalling the fallen samurai and sailors, many of whom couldn't even retrieve their bodies. He closed his eyes and after a long silence, sighed deeply. Then he reopened his eyes, glaring at the Mayan merchant Tikalo, and cursed bitterly.

"Damn, this blind Puap!"

Upon hearing this, the Mayan merchant Tikalo touched his nose and lowered his head, silent and unspoken. Now, he and the exploration fleet were like locusts tied to the same rope. He was even more concerned about the safety of the fleet than Chiwaco, because the last heir of Mayapan Royalty, the sacred bloodline of the Kekum Family, was now within the fleet!

Thinking this, Tikalo turned around and looked at the two weary children. He gently rubbed their heads and comforted them softly.

"Sleep, sleep peacefully!... Grandpa will tell you the story of the Lake Capital City... That is the end of our journey, a giant White Stone city built on the lake..."

Seeing this, the old militia member Chiwaco pursed his lips and sighed. He shook his head and stared at the campfire in front of him. The flickering fire illuminated his eyes, making the dark path ahead seem much gentler.

The Kingdom fleet rested at the Grassfield City of the Short Spear Tribe for half a month before they met Chieftain Moqi, who had returned from a campaign. Chieftain Moqi returned victorious, annexing two thousand-strong branches of the Putun Tribe and capturing many war prisoners. He was very satisfied with the bronze weapons provided by the fleet and conducted another exchange.

The fleet supplemented their numbers with forty Putun warriors before continuing westward. In reality, Chieftain Moqi still had many prisoners, but Chiwaco, for the sake of the fleet's safety, chose only forty compliant warriors. He thought that in the ensuing journey, there would be no need for battle. However, when the fleet reached Red Lake Town and met the Maya merchant vessels under Tikalo's command, which had long awaited them, they learned a piece of thunderous news!

"The God of Death of the Lake Kingdom has launched an eastern expedition against the Totonac tribes, destroying the Holy Land of the Feathered Serpent Ancient City! The Priesthood of the Hidden Serpent Holy City has mobilized the tribes, declaring a Divine War of all the gods! The Totonac tribes are determined to fight the invading Mexica legion to the death!"

"Through boundless waves..."

The old militia member Chiwaco, with reddened eyes, recalled the shock and despair upon hearing the news. If the returning Kingdom fleet encounters the fleets of the Totonac city-states, a battle is inevitable! And the hostile city-states are not one or two; they encompass the entire coast of East Totonac!

Thinking this, Chiwaco gritted his teeth and cast a glance at the equally disheartened Priest Mekate, cursing fiercely.

"Damn, this blind Your Majesty!..."