The hall is spacious, with fluttering curtains. Expensive candles are lit in the corners, and the simple murals tell the story of the vicissitudes of life. Under the upper mural, there is a dark ancient pottery incense burner, which has been filled with spices.
Acap lowered his eyes and stood up slowly. He came to the incense burner, drew fire from the rough clay tinder pot, and carefully lit the spices. Soon, a gentle and delicate breath rose from the incense burner, like a
It is as sweet as rosewood. And if you taste it carefully, there seems to be something hidden in this softness.
The young priests and elders raised their heads and looked up at the mural of gods on the incense burner in the soft fragrance. This mural is quite ancient. In the center is the main god holding a throwing spear, and below are the people of Mexico being led. And among the people
At the very front is an old, white-haired priest holding a topaz scepter.
"The line of main gods...the chief priest..."
Akap closed his eyes, savoring the aroma that melted into his heart, and many thoughts came to him like a flood. This is his mansion, and it was also the former chief priest's mansion. And everything in the mansion is engraved with the lineage of the main god.
, the glory and power that once existed.
"Seven years..."
The young priest murmured in a low voice. He had lived in the chief priest's house for seven years. These murals were very familiar to him. He was familiar with every detail in the paintings and the meaning of each character;
He often watches alone, and often has some thoughts... In these seven years, what changes will happen to people?
The spices were lit, and even when tasting the incense, the old man at the bottom stopped talking. He took a slight breath of the aroma, held his breath, and savored it carefully, and a smile gradually appeared on his face. When he opened his eyes again
, the young priest with a crown-like face was already sitting in front of him.
"Quio, my friend, how does this smell?"
Acap smiled slightly and asked calmly.
"Akapu, my friend."
Elder Kuio took a deep look at the other person and raised a smile on his lips.
Five years ago, during the Alliance's Western Expedition, Acapu, as an envoy of the High Priests, went to the holy city of Cholula. The two met and became friends from then on. On the way to Pinxiang, Quao was considered Acapu's envoy.
The first teacher.
"This fragrance is warm and soft, light and lingering. At first smell, it is ripe and processed agarwood seeds. This kind of spice is high-quality and cheap, and it is the most people-friendly... But if you taste it carefully, you will find something new in the lightness.
The light fragrance, I just knew it..."
"Oh? What do you know?"
The smile on Akapu's face gradually spread, as if he had met a close friend.
"...Hidden inside is the ground red sandalwood. It is the finest wood and the king of trees."
Elder Kuio finished speaking with a smile. Then, his smile faded and he stared into Akapu's eyes with sharp eyes.
"Friend, you can't hide your thoughts from me!"
"Quio, you are really a master of incense. I remember that my first enlightenment was in the holy city of Cholula. Together with the elders, I shared the beauty of the world."
Acap looked to the west, his expression becoming leisurely. Then he stretched out his hand and poured a cup of scented tea for Quiao.
"How is the situation in Cholula now?"
"What is the situation in the Holy City... You are in the high priest group and you can see the intelligence on the front line, so you naturally know it better than me."
Elder Kuio looked solemn and sighed.
"His Royal Highness Shulot looted the area around Cholula, and the city-state legions appeared outside the Holy City. The situation is urgent and we can no longer wait...Acap, the fate of the Holy City lies in your hands!"
"Quio, although I am a priest and elder, I am of little words. In the high priesthood, I cannot speak much."
Acap smiled bitterly and shook his head.
"Now in the high priest group, it is the high priest who decides the alliance's religious affairs! The rest of the priests and elders are just wood and clay sculptures, doing ordinary chores. And the high priest's attitude towards the city of Cholula
, it’s not like you don’t know. Before the Eastern Expedition, when I went to Cholula, the harsh conditions I imposed were all set by the high priest himself!”
"...Honor the King of Mexica and hand over the land and population; respect the high priesthood, with the God of War as the main god; the city of Cholula is downgraded to an archdiocese, with the priest leader Petel as the fifth-level patriarch, and the remaining elders
Reduced to level four chief priest..."
Quiao recited these terms in a low voice. He had argued with Akap many times at that time, and he had long remembered them in his mind, and he would still think of them from time to time.
"...Hey! In fact, these conditions are not harsh. It's just that Cholula was in the Four-State Alliance at that time and was surrounded by the Tlaxcala people, so it was hard to turn to the Mexica Alliance..."
"Quio, you don't have to explain it to me."
Akap waved his hand. He meant something meaningful, saying a proverb from the alliance, and seemed to be implying something.
"...There is only one fork leading to the Holy Mountain Temple. If you don't catch it, you will be gone. And if you want to go there again, you will have to take a detour."
Hearing this, Quiao lowered his eyes and sighed. After a moment, he pursed his lips and asked in a low voice.
"There are twelve elders in the high priest group. But no one stands up to compete with the high priest?"
"Haha. The high priest was determined to reform, regardless of his own safety and his reputation behind him. Dozens of Tlacopan's great nobles were executed at the request of execution. A full 20,000 people were uprooted and counted as traitors.
Exiled to the Kingdom of the Lake!”
Akapu smiled, raised the ceramic cup, and took a sip of scented tea.
"In this situation, who dares to stand up? Who is willing to stand up? What's more..."
"Not to mention what?"
Elder Quaio looked solemn as he listened to the top-secret top-level situation within the Mexica Alliance.
"Above the high priest, there is that one. And below the high priest, there is His Highness Shulot."
Acap stretched out his finger, pointed above, and then below.
"A sun of the past, a sun of the future... Especially at this time, no one will speak for you!... If you don't believe it, you can find other priests and elders, and the same thing will happen."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Hey!"
Elder Kuio was helpless and sighed again.
"Akapu, I'll tell you the truth. Before coming here, I went to see the elder priest Wugel... But, I couldn't even meet him!"
"Elder Wugel... he has been really busy recently. Even if it is the affairs of the high priest group, he has no time to pay attention to it..."
Hearing this, Akapu's eyes flashed and he nodded meaningfully, with a hint of envy.
"It is really rare to be able to get close to the sun without being stung by the light..."
"Huh? The sun hurts?..."
Elder Kuio was a little confused. He raised his brows. The other party's mysterious temper had not changed at all. It was just that the situation in the Holy City was so critical, and he had no intention of making any more detours.
"Acap, my friend. The priests and elders of Cholula have had a very pleasant conversation with you and have always had a good impression of you!"
Elder Quaio straightened up and spoke frankly.
"How can flowers bloom without butterflies?... If the Holy City can join the alliance, all the priests and elders can become your allies! And with your foundation in the alliance, if you want to go further... you need Cholula
The city’s help!”
Hearing such words, Acap pursed his lips, his eyes flashed, and did not speak for a long time. The spices in the incense burner gradually burned out, and the smell of rosewood became more obvious. It was not until the last wisp of green smoke drifted away that Acap calmed down.
He nodded slowly and responded in a deep voice.
"My friend, you are right... In this case, I have a few words of advice to give you, as well as the elders of Cholula City."
"Appreciate further details!"
Hearing this, Elder Kuio perked up. He straightened up and stared at the other person's handsome face.
"Friends, Cholula is the Holy City of the East, the place where the world's hearts rest. The Alliance will not attack and destroy Cholula without a huge reason... and the marshal of the South Route Army is His Highness Shulot. I
I grew up with him and know his character... As long as Cholubang takes the initiative to show weakness, respectfully humbles himself, and talks about the common people in the country, His Highness will naturally feel compassion."
"Huh? Stay humble and talk about moth people?"
Elder Kuio was stunned, thought for a while, and silently wrote it down.
"The real way out for Cholula lies with King Avit on the North Road! The king is determined to conquer the world. He not only wants to pacify all the tribes, but also suppress all the states and hold himself high on the throne of God..."
Akap pondered for a moment and did not say much. In fact, he could not gain a foothold in the high priesthood without the support of the king.
"Um..."
Elder Kuio nodded. The North Road was the leader of the priests, and Petel personally sent the envoy. He had enough confidence in this old fox.
"The holy city of Cholula has a special status, and the king will not turn a blind eye. Of course, the previous offenses committed by the holy city will definitely be punished. The conditions for submission will also become harsh. But please priests and elders, please don't rush.
Fight against the king!...The alliance has become a trend, just like the growing sacred tree. As long as you obey the orders, survive this period, and integrate into the alliance..."
Speaking of this, Avit stretched out his hand and pointed to the priest in the divine mural who guides all peoples.
"...When the time comes, both you and I can be in the painting!"
"Well, that makes sense! That makes sense!"
Elder Kuio nodded heavily. He looked at Akap for a while, with a smile on his face. But after a moment, he felt a little uneasy again.
"Akapu, why don't I do nothing in the capital city in the lake? I brought some magical objects with me... some of the elders of the royal family..."
"Fantasy?!"
Hearing this, Acap's eyes twitched. The city of Cholula has been inherited for five hundred years, and the good things in his hands are quite a lot. He tried hard to suppress the desire in his heart and shook his head firmly.
"Don't do anything. In my opinion, you shouldn't come to the capital! In the eye of this dangerous storm, at this special juncture, at this sensitive time!..."
"Huh? Dangerous, special, sensitive?"
Elder Kuio was shocked when he heard this. He suddenly stretched out his arm and grabbed Akapu's hand.
"What kind of big event is going to happen in the capital city in the lake?!"
"...What kind of big thing?...A big thing like heaven."
Akapu was silent for a long time before speaking in a low voice that was almost inaudible.
"The immortal sun is about to set..."
"ah!!!"
A fierce exclamation resounded from the ancient hall, even bringing out the sound of wind. The candle in the corner flickered, then went out and burned completely.
