Chapter 169: Cholula City and Battle

Strange divine smoke drifted out from the sanctuary and curled up into the gathering clouds. Looking down from the sky, under the towering Holy Temple is the magnificent Great Pyramid of Cholula, the "artificial mountain" Trachvaltpetl!

This ancient pyramid is more than 60 meters high and an astonishing 450 meters long and 450 meters wide. It is the largest pyramid in the world. It has been expanded six times from the inside to the outside. It is mainly made of mud bricks and mixed with granite. On the outermost layer of the pyramid, many places are covered with soil and planted with various flowers and plants.

It was summer, and artificially planted flowers bloomed on the surface of the tall pyramid. Brightly colored butterflies were attracted and flew among the blue and black bricks and stones. The majestic ancient wonder has turned into the beautiful "Holy Mountain of Flowers"!

The main hall of the sanctuary has wide doors and windows open, and the intoxicating incense disperses in the wind. Akapu sat on the soft bearskin cushion, smelling the pleasant and gorgeous fragrance, and looked at the vast sea of ​​flowers blooming under his feet. He laughed inexplicably and was in high spirits, like a god high in the clouds, looking down at the world comfortably.

After a while, until the sacred smoke in the furnace burned out, the young priests and elders recovered from their heartfelt joy. Under the stimulation of the divine smoke, his face turned red, his heart beat rapidly, and he praised loudly.

"It's really the best divine smoke! Go to the Kingdom of God in a moment and feel the great joy, just like the purest holy water. Thank you, the messenger of the gods, the leader of the Priests of Petel! I don't know what kind of precious ingredients are added to this divine smoke. Divine grass?”

The kind and noble old man laughed, his expression as usual amidst the divine smoke.

"It is true that many precious sacred herbs have been added. This is the unique inheritance of Cholula priests throughout the ages! Every portion of the sacred smoke prepared here is worth a box of gold. It is priceless but not marketable. The formula of this sacred smoke, It has been handed down since the Toltec Empire and has been around for 600 years!”

Hearing this, Akap was amazed and showed respect.

Peter smiled smugly, with pride in his smile.

"The city of Cholula has been established for 1,800 years. Since the decline of the first holy city, Teotihuacan, it has gradually prospered as the second holy city. There are towering pyramid temples and small temples scattered throughout. Tens of thousands of civilians serve, as well as thousands of noble priests! Although the two holy cities have similar layouts, their prosperity is completely different. Teotihuacan is where the gods leave, and Cholula is where the gods return. The land, the true holy city!”

Akap nodded repeatedly and praised with a smile. Immediately, he changed his words and looked sincerely.

"The holy city of Cholula connects north and south trade and is famous for its richness and wealth, only slightly inferior to the capital city on the lake. The Holy Mountain of Flowers in Cholula is magnificent and beautiful, comparable to the great temple of the capital city on the lake, Teotihuacan. The Sun and Moon Pyramid is called the best in the world!

I heard that all the priests are direct descendants of the Toltec Empire, and the nobility has been passed down to this day. We Mexicans are also descendants of the great Toltecs. We all come from the same bloodline. We are truly brothers! The Mexica Alliance and the Holy City of Cholula should form an alliance with each other, which will never be easy! "

Hearing this, the priest leader Petel's smile froze.

The holy city of Cholula has always been respected and far away from the flames of war. The many priest families in the Holy City have been passed down for four to five hundred years without interruption. They are the true Toltec remnants, that is, the "civilized people in the city." The Aztecs came from Aztlan in the far northwest and migrated for a long time, fighting countless battles. Like the Tlaxcalans outside the Holy City, they are barbarians with blood-stained hands, the "barbarians outside the city."

During these more than a hundred years, the Aztecs settled in the capital city of the lake, claiming to be descendants of the Toltecs and the blessed Mexica people. Subsequently, they fought everywhere and suppressed the world, and all the states were forced to change their tune. But what the real history is, the holy city of Cholula certainly records it clearly.

"Acap spoke like this in front of him, of course, not to humiliate himself, but to induce an alliance. In the past two months, the Mexica people have tested it several times, and their intention to form an alliance is very strong."

Petel's mind was spinning rapidly, and the smile on his face returned to its normal state. He thought about it for a while and then said with a smile,

"The Mexica Alliance is the successor to the great empire Toltec. The Mexica people are the race of gods chosen by the gods. The holy city of Cholula has always respected the will of the gods, and it has long been a brotherly family with the Alliance. Toltec We all know the same lineage, so why say anything more?”

Having said this, Petel changed the subject and returned to the divine smoke again.

"Elder Akap, although the sacred smoke in the Holy Land is good, the holy water in the capital city in the lake is equally extraordinary and makes people forget about the world. The Mexica pharmacists are unique and famous all over the world, and the chief priest Quetzal is even more good at it! Half a year ago After hearing the news of his death, I regretted it for several days. I wonder when I can taste holy water again and feel the gift of God.”

Akap thought for a moment and sighed in his heart. The leaders of Cholula are very friendly to the Alliance, but they have always been unwilling to form a formal alliance with the Alliance. This time the test was fruitless. There was always a smile on his gentle and jade-like face, and he still spoke gently.

"Although the chief priest has returned to the kingdom of God, the inheritance of pharmacy has not been lost. This trip is in a hurry. I have sent envoys to bring them the latest holy water. When the time comes, I invite all the elders to feel the grace of God together."

Petel nodded in approval, really looking forward to it. He continued to expand the topic.

"That's great! I heard that the Great Alliance is reforming religion, increasing the number of priests, and participating in the management of noble fiefdoms. The Twelve Priests are formulating religious laws and managing the world on behalf of the gods?"

Akapu's mind turned and he understood immediately. He admitted with a smile.

"Indeed. The Highness of the Alliance has received divine revelation, and the benevolent gods have given detailed texts. The Alliance has received the divine will to spread the glory of God throughout the world and into everyone's heart!"

Petel frowned slightly. He was naturally wary of the new text.

However, outside the holy city of Cholula, there are Tlaxcala nobles of all sizes, who actually control the entire state of Cholula. Although the priests are sacred, their power is limited to the holy city, and they have been planning to expand outward for a long time.

The leader of the priests smiled.

"Very good! Elder Acap is right. It is the duty of the gods to allow priests to participate in the management of the noble fiefdoms and educate the people. Please tell me in detail!"

Acap nodded and smiled.

"The states of Tlaxcala should indeed obey the will of the Holy City. This time, the Tarasco people are accepting the support of the God Punishment Alliance for the Holy City of Cholula. The new priesthood is divided into five levels, and the leaders of priests in various places will shepherd one side. The elders of the priests in the Holy City should naturally occupy a high position, and the priesthood is equal to the twelve priest groups."

In the magnificent temple, the sacred smoke was lit again. The messengers of the gods talked and laughed, discussing the rise and fall of the world.

And in the secluded mountain camp, a blazing bonfire was lit. "Black Wolf" Toltec, with his eyebrows like swords, stood on the top of the tall wooden fortress and watched the training of the longbow militia.

Based on the tribe, dozens of longbow militias divided and attacked, scattered and turned like the wind, and stood still and shot like rain. Although the formation of the marching militia was ugly, they had the flexibility of a wolf pack, and could roughly execute the commander's military orders and adjust tactics independently. In the constant movement, the tribal hunters still maintained a certain degree of organization, just like the collective hunting of wolves.

After a break in the training, Toltec called the tribal chieftain and loudly rebuked him, pointing out the shortcomings of the tactics. His expression was fierce and his voice was like thunder. The chieftains were frightened, bowed their heads and obeyed orders, and dispersed to practice. The "Black Wolf" commander turned around and walked into the big tent with a hidden smile of satisfaction. A moment later, the majestic commander entered the big tent, took out a brand new paper book, and his face fell. It was time to learn to read and write again.

In the new camp in the north of the capital, hundreds of long-lance militiamen shouted loudly and, led by the team leader, conducted a real battle formation. The militiamen in the front row held wooden spears without spearheads and tried to stab the opposite side and hit the dense rattan shields. The militiamen in the back row pushed the rattan shields, trying to make the formation tight and push the square formation forward. The two square formations confronted each other until one side gradually became scattered, squeezed and collapsed, and completely lost its formation.

"Monkey" Kuluka then blew the conch shell to indicate that the winner had been decided. He smiled slightly, patted the shoulders of the captains of the two teams in a friendly manner, and praised the victorious Guzman in a sincere tone. Then, the new legion commander looked solemn, summoned the captains of each team, explained the problems of the two teams, and mentioned the need for strengthened training. From time to time, he would turn around and ask the adjutant Ezpan for his opinion.

The surrendered general of Tarasco looked respectful and made detailed suggestions for improvement. The new legion commander was very approachable, and he quickly got along with the militia and respected his adjutant very much. He promoted many backbones with outstanding performance, and the gold miner Guzman was one of them. The closer the legion commander was, the more Ezpan dared not underestimate the other party. Because unknowingly, the legion had been firmly controlled by the other party.

And every night, Kuluka would always bring paper and pen to the adjutant's barracks to carefully ask for the tactics of the pike phalanx. Although he looked as clumsy as an ape, his mind was extremely intelligent, his thinking was unrestrained, and he learned new tactics very quickly. A few days later, Ezpan was impressed.

Soon, the confrontation training of the two spear phalanxes began again. Many other phalanxes, around the center of the confrontation battlefield, carried out simulated marches. Looking at the effective spear formation, "Monkey" Kuluka finally nodded with satisfaction and thought about more complex tactics.

"I have wasted half my life, and the road has been tortuous. Now, I finally lead an army alone, and the broad and smooth road is in front of me. I must not let your highness down!"

Not far away, Ezpan looked at the standing legion commander, and then looked at the spear phalanx that had begun to take shape, with envy and empathy. After a while, he turned around and looked at Lake Texcoco in the south. On the sparkling lake, the continuous boats never stopped, continuously transporting food and supplies from the lake area, and also bringing the latest battle situation.

Beside the long bridge of Baishi, the legion commander Anatri waved a three-meter spear flag, and the huge navy fleet slowly set sail and went north along the river. The fleet was loaded with 3,000 elite warriors, full warehouses of dry military food, and special weapons sealed in wooden boxes and wrapped in waterproof raincoats.

Tepopolo's eyebrows were high and he showed a kind smile. He stood behind Anateli, carefully looking at the heroic figure of the female warrior, thinking about the importance of the navy to the fiefdom, and silently calculating in his heart.

After Anateli finished commanding, the warrior's sharpness made her feel something. She turned around suddenly and saw Tepopolo's presumptuous eyes, and her eyebrows raised.

"Tepopolo, the 'Destroyer' of Tlatelolco, you insisted on board my flagship, saying that there was something important to discuss. Looking at your current expression, the so-called important matter, is it that you want to compete with me?"

Hearing this impolite question, Tepopolo's face froze and his heart was angry. As a commander who had been in battle for a long time, he was also a brave warrior when he was young, and he was confident that he was not inferior to others. Later, he inherited the honorable position of the honorary nobles, and was carefully served around and was always respected. For a long time, no one except the king dared to speak to him in this tone.

Tepopolo was only dissatisfied for a moment, then he remembered the purpose of this trip, so he straightened his chest and laughed loudly. According to traditional customs, he patted his thick chest with his strong right arm to show his strong body.

"'Source of Water' Anatri, I heard that you have never married, and my wife has been dead for several years. Now, the majestic mountains have no rivers, and the wide house lacks a hostess. The tall corn is not entangled with beans, and the strong body needs comfort! Under the witness of Sochiktsar, the god of love, I declare my pursuit of you and want you to become a part of my palace!"

Anatri stared with almond eyes and raised his eyebrows.

"You have to prove your martial arts first, then I will allow you to pursue! Whether the mountains are majestic or not is not just a matter of words. Whether the corn is strong is not just on the outside. Whether you are a fierce and roaring jaguar or a shaking and barking hyena, let us see the truth on our hands!"

Tepopolo's face sank. His mind raced. The commander of the navy was always hereditary and relatively independent. With Anatelli, he indirectly gained the support of the navy, and with the support of the navy, he had the initiative on the river. Having said that, as a famous warrior, there was no reason for him to retreat. After a moment of deliberation, he confidently took out his war stick and smiled fiercely.

"Okay! Anatelli, under the witness of the gods, let's fight here! According to traditional customs, the winner will take the most precious treasure found on the loser!"

Anatelli did not hesitate, and stomped the spear in her hand on the boat, making a deafening bang. She laughed out loud, her voice like a loud silver bell.

"Yes, this is what a warrior does. With the witness of the gods, let's start now!"

After speaking, Anatelli raised her head and glanced at Tepporo. Then, she made a gesture, indicating that the other party should start first.

Seeing this action, Tepporo's anger rose again, and the desire to fight burned in his chest. Years of combat experience made him cautious and calm in his actions. He raised the shield in his left hand to protect the vital parts of his body, pointed the war club in his right hand diagonally, made a starting posture that could easily exert force, and then quickly approached.

Anatri's eyes were like an eagle, holding the spear in both hands and holding it horizontally in front of him. She lowered her knees slightly, the spear shaft retracted behind her, and the spear head pointed forward to the opposite side, ready to strike at any time.

On the slightly swaying boat, Tepporo took small steps and approached the female warrior. He suddenly pounced forward, raised the shield in his left hand, hit the opponent's head, and blocked the trajectory of the spear. Then, he leaned forward and swung the war club in his right hand low, hitting the opponent's waist. This was an extremely skilled combination of stick and shield. When the two hands hit together, the force was heavy and there was no chaos!

The upper and lower attacks came at the same time, Anatri's eyes lit up, uttered a clear sound, and then quickly retreated back. She was like a fish swimming in the water, sensing the attacking water flow and avoiding the shield attack perfectly. Then, she quickly moved sideways to the right, like a swift in the wind, following the wind, and nimbly dodged the stick attack.

One step forward, one step back, one turn, one move, everything happened in an instant. Tepopolo's swing missed, and he was shocked, so he quickly retreated and covered the middle door with his shield.

The female warrior did not stop, and her movements were smooth. She suddenly shouted angrily, strode forward, and first a long-prepared stab, accurately pierced Tepopolo's helmet, just half a centimeter in. Then, she pressed down the spear shaft and lifted it hard, and the helmet flew up and fell into the lake.

Tepopolo's forehead hurt, and then his head felt cold. If it was a battlefield, he would have been dead by now. His eyes turned red, and he was about to raise his shield and swing the stick again, but he was hit hard on the top of his head, making him dizzy.

With a move to lift the helmet, Anateli pressed down the spear again and smashed the opponent's head with the spear shaft. Then, she stepped forward quickly, walking on the shaking boat as if on flat ground, approaching to about one meter. Finally, the female warrior shouted again, taking advantage of the moment when Tepopolo was in a trance, and kicked sideways with her hind legs, kicking the opponent's shield.

The boat shook violently, and Tepopolo lost his balance in the trance. But in an instant, he heard a shout in his ear, and an irresistible force came from the shield, kicking his body two meters back. The noble of glory lost his footing instantly and fell into the water with a plop. The slightly salty rainy season lake water continued to penetrate his nose and mouth, completely soaking his hair and armor.

The noble of glory finally woke up. He raised his head and shouted loudly, while paddling hard. A circle of small boats around hurried up to respond. The commander's boat sailed away, and went far away in a moment.

Anateli stood alone at the bow, proudly carrying his spear behind him. The lake breeze blew her long hair, she looked up to the sky and laughed, leaving behind a resounding word.

"Tepopolo, you don't have any treasures that I value! Only those who can defeat me are worthy of the mountains that the flowing water relies on!"

Then, she swept her spear and scolded the guards and sailors who were in awe.

"Raise the flag and speed up the march! The next step is to go to Lake Hartocan to meet the warrior corps of Teotihuacan!"