Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!-Chapter 591 - 289: Life and Death

The scorching sun cast its rays, the bonfire sent up blue smoke, and the Priest blew the bone horn. The tribal chieftains’ gazes were fervent as they looked toward the two captains by the fire pond, shouting out in excitement.

Jiowar and Nelpa each held a war club, standing opposite each other. According to tribal tradition, both were without shields, and victory or defeat would be determined in moments. Jiowar raised his war club in front, slightly retracting his right arm, adopting a defensive stance.

"Come on, Nelpa. Attack with all your might! Just like when you were a child and I trained you in martial arts!" At these words, Nelpa’s gaze flashed. The two were eight years apart in age, both born in the mountain city from Divine Descendant lineage, having known each other since childhood, fighting side by side many times... Nelpa shook his head vigorously, saying in a deep voice,

"Jiowar, I thank you for your teachings back then. I have surpassed you in martial arts! You were once a brother I respected, but now, you are mistaken!"

Having said this, Nelpa’s expression became resolute. He took small steps, raising his war club diagonally, slowly advancing toward Jiowar, then suddenly stepped forward and made a fierce diagonal chop!

Expecting this powerful strike, Jiowar was prepared. He agilely stepped back, then swung his war club up to block, emitting a "thud" from their clashing. The weapons touched and instantly separated; Nelpa immediately shifted his steps to the left, changing position, and furiously swung out his war club in another swift strike!

Jiowar slightly furrowed his brows, retreating and blocking again. Nelpa was in his early thirties, at the peak of his physical condition, very swift and powerful, his battle technique not lacking in the slightest, even more fierce! He was like a fluttering butterfly, constantly circling Jiowar, each approach a strike aimed at vital points!

As both rapidly exhausted their strength, Jiowar’s brow furrowed deeper and deeper, his blocking movements becoming increasingly strenuous. He was forced to keep moving back, soon reaching the fire of the fire pond, with no room to retreat! Seeing this, a light flashed in Nelpa’s eyes, his face revealing a victorious smile, then shifting to faint sadness.

"Jiowar, my brother. You have aged, you are mistaken. Allow me to send you on your way! Roar!"

Nelpa let out a dull growl, like the roar of a fierce beast. He strode forward, no longer holding back, rushing within two steps of Jiowar. Then, he made a swift vertical chop, drawing his opponent’s war club upward, followed by a twist of his own club, both hands gripping, tracing a clever arc toward his opponent’s exposed waist and abdomen, delivering a lethal horizontal slash!

"It’s over!"

Jiowar’s tightly furrowed brow suddenly loosened, turning into an indifferent smile. He murmured softly, similarly gripping the club with both hands, making the exact same move, powerfully slashing horizontally toward his opponent’s chest and neck.

"Chief Divine!"

The tribal chieftains at the venue suddenly gasped. Both captains simultaneously slashing at each other’s vital points, were they going to die together?

"Sss... clang!"

The swinging war club successfully cut through the cotton robe, breaking the surface of the cotton armor, then suddenly paused, emitting a sharp metallic clash!

"What? This!..."

Nelpa’s confident expression instantly froze. He struck his opponent’s vital point first, yet his slash hit solid metal, unable to penetrate his opponent’s armor and inflict any real damage!

"Roar!"

Jiowar cried out in pain, yet his attacking movements were not deformed, remaining firm and forceful, striking the vital spot.

The war club arrived in an instant, with Nelpa too old to dodge. He exerted all his strength, slightly turning his body, then felt an intense pain in his chest.

"Ah!"

Jiowar penetrated the cotton armor with a successful strike, giving his opponent no chance for a turnaround. He advanced another step forward, pulling out the bronze axe from his waist with his left hand, mercilessly chopping toward Nelpa’s neck!

"Ugh... spur..."

Blood instantly spurted, splattering all over Jiowar’s face and head, turning his world a bloody red. Nelpa issued only a half-scream, suddenly losing all strength. Like a punctured swim bladder, he lay there bleeding out, collapsing limply to the ground.

Jiowar swiftly retreated two steps, quickly wiping the warm blood splattered into his eyes with his sleeve. Then, he stared at the motionless Nelpa, gripping his weapon, and slowly walked forward.

Nelpa’s eyes were wide open, quietly lying on the ground, gazing at the profound sky. His mouth moved silently, but produced no sound, only the soft whisper of flowing blood. Jiowar looked on for a moment, then carefully crouched down, putting his ear close to Nelpa’s mouth.

"...wa...you...wrong..."

The last brightness burst in Nelpa’s eyes. He tried to speak, but could only utter faint whimpers. Jiowar had just managed to make out three words when the whimpers completely disappeared into the wind.

Jiowar lowered his gaze, extending his hand to close Nelpa’s wide-open eyes. Memories surfaced in his mind, then he forcefully suppressed them. After a while, he finally spoke to his friend who could no longer hear,

"This tumultuous world, roiling like cloudy liquor, this mountain city so remote, merely the residue of brewing... Nelpa, our clinking glasses had no right or wrong, only to the death..."

Jiowar finished speaking softly, closed his eyes for a few moments as if in silent prayer. Soon, the tribal chieftains’ shouts vigorously resounded, the swelling cries lifting him to the heights they craved!

"Leader of the mountain city!"

"Chieftain of the Otomi people!"

"Bird hunter, king of bird hunters!..."

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Listening to the cheers of the crowd, Jiowar slowly stood up, his face alight with a joyous smile. In the myths passed down, the ancestors of the Otomi were hunters from the northern highlands, and the meaning of Otomi is "bird hunter." They settled in towering mountain cities and acquired a certain divinity from the divine birds of the sky.

"Ancestors bear witness! The chieftain of the mountain city ancestral lands, the inheritor of the ancestor’s scepter, is the mountain city’s Divine Descendant Nobility, Jiowar!"

An elderly woman’s voice rang out high, declaring an end to the election. All eyes focused on the newly standing speaker, no longer paying attention to the blood-stained corpse lying down. Jiowar walked forward, taking the ancestral scepter from the former chieftain’s wife, as cheers erupted once more.

Jiowar looked around, taking steps toward the east side of the assembly. He came before Xiulote, slowly knelt on one knee, and then lifted the scepter with both hands, respectfully bowing his head.

"Your Highness, I dedicate the glory of the Otomi to you, to the supreme King, to the Otomi’s Sun!"

The assembly hall fell silent immediately; the chieftains exchanged glances—this was a sacred ritual of allegiance.

Under the Wolf Banner, Xiulote smiled with satisfaction. He took Jiowar’s scepter, firmly grasped the other’s hair, and then returned the scepter to Jiowar’s hands. Then, he removed the Sun Amulet from his neck and, in front of everyone, placed it around Jiowar’s neck.

"The highest Chief Divine blesses you! Jiowar, the great Alliance witnesses everything. From today, you are the City Lord of Otapan, the leader of the Otomi!"

Jiowar stood up, turning toward the people in the assembly. He stood beside the king, raising the ancestral scepter high with one hand and clasping the Sun Amulet around his neck with the other. Seeing this historic moment, the tribal leaders were momentarily speechless, then suddenly erupted into fervent cheers.

"The City Lord of the Mexica Alliance, the leader of the Otomi!..."

The eyes of the Saka Priest burned with fire. He stepped over Nelpa’s cold corpse without a glance. Under everyone’s gaze, the Chaos Priest approached Jiowar and shouted angrily.

"Jiowar, as the military leader of the tribe, you have converted to the War God of the Mexica!"

"Saka Priest, the War God is also our divinity, protecting the Otomi,"

Action had replied, narrowing his eyes calmly.

"This is outright betrayal! Under your and Olte’s leadership, the Otomi are heading down a path of evil, forsaken by our Ancestor Divine!"

Saka roared, turning to the tribal leaders present and loudly cursing.

"To ally with the greedy Mexica, how could you not pay a price? Standing in front of our ancestors’ tombs, abandoning the faith of the Ancestor Divine, do you not feel ashamed?!"

Upon hearing this, many tribal leaders turned their heads away, unable to face Saka’s eyes, their guilt evident. Seeing this, Xiulote slightly furrowed his brows, quietly tapping Jiowar on the shoulder.

"Saka, get out of the mountain city, you are the one betraying the tribe!"

Jiowar, holding the Divine Staff high, sternly reprimanded.

"Nelpa just confessed to me in his dying words!"

"He said, the reason you oppose the Mexica and reject the Alliance’s military assistance is that you had already conspired with the northern Canine Descendants, made kneeling agreements, and forfeited the lands of Pamus State! Your actions now are all for power, not considering the future of the Otomi at all!"

Hearing this, the tribal leaders all showed a change in expression. Some kept silent, others showed doubt, all turning their esteemed gazes to Saka Priest.

"What? What did you say?!"

Shocked by the accusation, Saka’s eyes turned red with anger.

"This is complete slander!"

"Saka, a new leader of the mountain city has been elected! Though you are the revered Chaos Priest, the Priesthood of the mountain city does not welcome you. Please leave immediately, return to your family’s fief! A truly noble priest should lead warriors to the northern frontlines, to fight against the ferocious Canine Descendants, and not cause internal strife in the ancestral lands!"

Olte raised the scepter and stepped forward. He quietly watched Saka’s reddened eyes, Saka staring back intensely. After a moment, Saka glanced at the expressions of the surrounding tribal leaders, gritted his teeth.

"Olte, you are wrong! Time of the Ancestor Divine will prove everything, we shall meet again!"

After speaking, Saka led dozens of his direct lineage Temple priests and hundreds of loyal family warriors, dejectedly heading out of the city.

Olte looked toward Xiulote, and the king nodded affirmatively. Five hundred barbarian mercenaries had already been ambushed in the forests outside of the city, and three hundred Jaguar Warriors were in charge of the cleanup. The old priest looked again at the backs of Saka and the priests, sighing heavily.

"Saka, we’ll meet again... Divine Kingdom, see you again!"