NOVPUBThe golden sunlight filtered through the swirling sacred smoke, falling upon the majestic "House of Wind" atop Akatla, as if it were a blessing from the gods. The sacred pyramid then flowed brightly, its brilliance dazzling and extraordinarily radiant. The Sacred Fire atop the pyramid burned ceaselessly and the grand sacrificial rites and dances never stopped.
However, as the war situation gradually deteriorated, simple sacrificial rites could no longer stabilize the hearts of the nobility. The Northern Army of Mexica swiftly marched southward, and the well-informed nobility reacted.
Chiwaco stood outside the towering city gates, watching refugees from all directions streaming towards the Capital City, seeking the strongest shelter in the city. The refugees formed long lines, but the lines to enter the city were constantly interrupted. Occasionally, nobles dressed in luxurious clothes and adorned with gold and jade, protected by dozens of Guardian Warriors with family crests, hurriedly left the city for their fiefs outside the Capital City. Every time a troop left the city, it meant that the city’s defensive strength was reduced.
Encountering a noble lord in a rush to leave the city, the leading Hummingbird Warrior looked angry but could only stand helplessly outside the city gates waiting. The old Militiaman glanced at the expressions of these nobles and then at the Warrior of the leading family, understanding something in his heart.
"Once the noble lords leave the city, they probably won’t come back. The lords are fleeing! Could it be that even the sturdy Capital City cannot be defended?"
As Chiwaco was looking around, suddenly he heard a commotion. A majestic and tall elderly man in splendid clothing, vigorously walked towards the city gate, escorted by dozens of Copper-axe Guards.
The war had lasted only half a year, but Chief Minister Jinjinni seemed to have aged ten years. His face was full of wrinkles, and his hair had completely turned white. Yet, his gaze was still firm, now with an added icy chill. As the Chief Minister approached the city gate, he glanced around, and his face grew angrier. Then, he recognized a hereditary noble who was just at the gate bowing, a perfect scapegoat for the situation.
Thus, the elderly man in splendid clothing pointed with his hand and shouted sternly,
"Leaving the city without a Royal Decree is a betrayal to the gods and the King! Arrest him, execute the noble descendant on the spot, and recruit the family warriors into the military!"
At the city gate, faced with the Chief Minister’s command, the hereditary noble looked horrified. He began to explain frantically,
"Chief Minister, before me, there were many other nobles..."
Next to the old Militiaman, the leading Hummingbird Warrior had been closely observing the Chief Minister’s intentions. Standing closest to the noble, as soon as he heard the command, he abruptly pounced from behind. Without letting the noble finish speaking, he thrust his long spear forcefully, piercing the noble’s heart from the back, with the spear tip protruding from the chest, instantly splashing blood everywhere. The hereditary noble only managed to utter "ah, ah" twice before he fell dead, like a red petal. Then, the surrounding guards surged forward, disarmed the noble’s family warriors, and took them away.
Watching this sudden scene unfold, the old Militiaman Chiwaco shuddered. As he saw the high and mighty nobles being executed as if they were mere weeds, a strange thought suddenly struck him.
"So, even noble lords can be easily killed..."
Inside and outside the city gate, there was a chilling moment. Jinjinni looked at everyone’s faces, nodded slightly, and again ordered sternly,
"Cut off the head and hang it on the southern gate to show the public! Anyone who leaves the city without permission will be executed, nobles included! Close all gates, leaving only the southern gate open for refugees to enter. Enlist able-bodied refugees on the spot into the military, and the strong women will be arranged by the logistics camp. Disperse the remaining elderly, women, and children away, not allowing them to linger near the Capital City!"
Hearing the Chief Minister’s decree, the surrounding Guardian Warriors quickly took their orders. Then, Jinjinni looked toward the family warrior who had acted first, his face faintly familiar. Not bothering to recall his memory, he spoke directly,
"You did well! State your name, there will be a reward!"
"Respected Family Head, I am Puap from the ’Huitu’ family, ready to die for you!"
The Hummingbird Warrior, Puap, knelt down on both knees, respectfully saluting.
The Chief Minister nodded slightly. "Huitu" was a name passed down among commoner warriors and also a family of warriors serving the Hummingbird family. He pondered for a moment and then spoke,
"So you are the son of old Huitu. Puap, from today onwards, you are a noble of military merit, commanding a hundred warriors as their captain! However, I have no warriors to give you; you must recruit them yourself. I grant you the authority to promote Militia to become warriors!"
As he spoke, Jinjinni glanced at the following Militia. His authoritative gaze made the Militia bow their heads all at once. Chiwaco too felt a chill in his heart and lowered his head.
"Puap, you are a generational warrior of the Hummingbird family. I have a task for you! Lead the newly recruited squad of warriors to intimidate and pacify the thousands of Tekos Militia scattered throughout the city. Of course, other warrior squads will coordinate with you. Remember, these tribal warriors are unruly and often harass around; if necessary, demonstrate your decisive action just now!"
Hearing about the reward, Puap was first overjoyed and bowed down to the ground five times. Then, he raised his bruised forehead, his expression fierce as he accepted the order,
"Family Head, I will follow your command! If the Tekos people dare disobey, I will take their heads and build them in front of the Moon Goddess’s pyramid!"
The Chief Minister watched the fierce Hummingbird Warrior for a moment, pondered, and continued,
"Good! Puap, I trust your bravery! However, we still need these Tekos tribes to defend the city. Go and take a batch of food, wine, and country women to console them first. To make hunting dogs obey, you must both whip them and reward them with a couple of bones!" 𝑛𝘰𝘷𝑝𝘶𝑏.𝑐𝘰𝘮
