The wind howled, the dark clouds hung low, and there was silence in the big tent. This is the moment that decides the fate of the North, and the flickering bonfires illuminate every solemn face.
Hulot studied General Geois for a while. He pondered for a moment and asked the old priest.
"Priest of Alter, what kind of covenant do you want to sign? An alliance, a city-state, or an individual?"
Alter was prepared. he shouted.
"We have all three. They are all alliances of brothers. How about it? The Mexica Alliance is the eldest brother, the Otomi Alliance is the younger brother, the Holy City is the eldest brother, and Otopan City is the younger brother. You are the eldest brother, Ji. Ova is the younger brother. The two parties have established an alliance and are in harmony with each other. When one party is attacked, the other party sends troops to assist; when one party takes the initiative to go on an expedition, the other party has the obligation to support!"
Upon hearing this, Bertard's expression changed. He took a step forward and shouted loudly.
"Your Highness is the reborn sun of the Mexica people and the future master of the world. How can you be brothers with the general of the Otomi people?"
Shulot thought for a moment, nodded to the warrior commander, and then spoke.
"Priest Ort, now, I cannot fully represent the alliance. The alliance will not agree to the fraternal covenant, and the Mexica people will only be vassals. What's more, can you represent the nobles of the Otomi Alliance?"
Alter lowered his head slightly, revealing his white hair. Since the last time he signed a contract and abandoned the city of Xilotepec, his reputation has not been as good as before. After a while, the old priest said in a deep voice.
"Yes, I cannot represent the nobles of the states. I am a religious leader. I can only represent the ancestral homeland of the Ottopan state and promise to bind the two states of Guamare and Palmos. In this negotiation, the Mexican Union and the Ottoman state The U.S. alliance will still be in the form of a peace treaty, with the Otomi people sending troops to respond in exchange for food support from the Mexica people."
Then, Alter said calmly.
"As long as I live, the peace treaty between the two alliances can be guaranteed. If I die, Giowa will still need your support to control the city of Otopan."
Shulot watched for a while and nodded.
"I agree that you will send troops to fight in exchange for a new batch of food. Likewise, I can support Giowa, but it cannot be a brotherly relationship. My subordinates cannot allow it."
Alter closed his eyes, his old face shaking. After a while, he suddenly opened his eyes and growled softly.
"Then the two city-states are brothers. You two are called brothers, but you are actually vassals! Giowa cannot return to the city-state in the name of a vassal. From then on, the two states have been closely related politically and have secretly united together. We handed over the proton in exchange for Your blessing, military mutual assistance and response, and military mutual access!”
Hearing this, Giowa's expression changed drastically, and his hands clenched tightly. He looked at the young commander and saw that he was about the same age as his own son. Then, he looked at Priest Alter. The respected old man looked haggard and his energy was almost exhausted. After a while, he lowered his head deeply and said nothing.
Shulot looked serious and fell into deep thought. At this point, the old priest's intention was already very straightforward. Giowa, representing the city of Otopan, surrendered to him alone. In the form of an unequal covenant, they exchanged for the blessing of the Holy City and the whole family and united with each other from then on. This was a direction he had never imagined.
After a while, Shulot laughed loudly. His eyes sparkled, and he no longer concealed the ambition and pride in his heart.
"Alt, you can actually do this! You seized the most ingenious opportunity and found the most suitable opportunity for the Otomi people. I really admire you! At this time, I can't refuse you Proposal. Come on, use the highest sacred ceremony, and under the joint witness of the gods and ancestors, let us conclude a blood oath that cannot be broken!"
Hearing this, the old priest nodded calmly, without any joy on his face. He just performed a solemn courtesy and headed towards the path he had found.
Soon, the priests accompanying the army became busy. The sacred smoke was lit in the big tent, and the blazing sacred fire was lit in the middle. The priests played the distant bamboo flute, the generals beat the low wooden drums, and the remaining warriors danced war dances around the center of the ceremony.
In the center of the big tent, the young priest danced first. He took the magic staff that he had not used for a long time, danced the priestly dance of the Holy City, and sang Qingyue's prayers and sacrifices. His movements are slow and solemn, like the stride of a jaguar, and his singing voice is high and sharp, like the cry of an eagle.
The old priest took out an ancient pottery mask. Half of the mask is black and the other half is white. This is a treasure passed down by the Otomi people for thousands of years and comes from the ancient Olmec era. He covered his face with a mask, and his old body performed a clumsy dance, then swayed rapidly, like a walking feathered serpent in mythology. During the ancient sacrificial dance, he kept hissing, and the low-frequency snake sound was creepy. Sometimes, he would chant in a low voice, telling ancient legends in an incomprehensible tone.
A mysterious atmosphere filled the tent, and everyone's expressions were serious and focused. In the hearts of all, this sacred ritual is real and powerful. Any violation of this highest level of oath can result in a devastating blow to your reputation.
The sacred priestly dance lasted a full two-quarters of an hour. Only then did the two priests, one old and one young, stop. Shulot was covered in sweat, and Ort was shaky. The two walked to the sacred fire in the center and called on different gods to come. As the name of the god rang out, the generals and warriors also stopped moving, knelt down on one knee, and prayed toward the center.
Then, Alter waved, and Giowa stepped forward with a solemn expression. Bertard also walked to the center and protected His Highness closely. The priests who accompanied the army prepared a large cup of cold cocoa and sent it to the holy fire.
Hulot looked at Giowa opposite and nodded to his old friend. Immediately, he took out the obsidian dagger, cut off a bunch of hair, and threw it into the holy fire. The same goes for Giowa, the faint burnt smell dissipated instantly.
Then, the young commander unfolded his left hand. Without hesitation, he slashed his palm with a sharp dagger. The stinging pain struck instantly, and blood dripped down, dyeing the cocoa below red. Then he handed the dagger to Giowa.
Bertard was on guard. Giowa cut the side of his palm deeply, and more blood flowed down, falling continuously into Cocoa. The sacred cocoa turns bright red, and the blood of both parties blends together.
Then, Shulot picked up the pottery cup on the ground and drank half of the bright red cup in a big gulp. A metallic mushroom-like taste lingers in the mouth, accompanied by the unique bitterness of cocoa.
"Under the gaze of the Supreme God! I, Xiulote of Teotihuacan, a descendant of the ancestor Akama Pictli, swear by the spirit of my ancestors to enter into a blood oath with Giowa of Otopan!
I will regard Giovanni as my younger brother and my loyal vassal. I will give him shelter for the rest of my life. Protect his life, protect the city-state of Otopan, and protect the people of Otomi here! This oath is established. If you violate this oath, both humans and gods will be abandoned! "
Shulot recited loudly, and the solemn ceremony brought a special feeling. In the distant divine smoke, he felt a little dazed, as if he really felt the touch of his ancestors and the gaze of the gods.
Giowa was extremely solemn. He took the pottery cup and drank the other half in one gulp. Then, he pressed his bloody palm to his chest, stared at the holy fire with his narrow eyes, and shouted loudly.
"Under the gaze of the original god! I, Giowa of Otopa, a descendant of the ancestor Otopa, swear by the spirit of my ancestors to enter into a blood oath covenant with Shulot of Teotihuacan!
I will regard Shulot as my eldest brother and my noble sect master. I will be loyal to him throughout my life. Guard his life, provide troops and tribute, and make the Otomi people here his obedient subjects! This oath is established. If I violate my oath, I will suffer divine punishment, my blood will be shed, and my limbs will be separated! The ancestors witnessed my oath, and I carved the covenant on my face! "
Speaking of this, Giowa looked sharply at the wounds on both sides of Bertard's cheeks. He raised the sharp blade and stabbed it into the side of his face, leaving the same mark without changing his expression. Then, with a calm expression and a hint of unruliness, he looked at the young sect leader in front of him.
Shulot nodded calmly. He took off the sun amulet from around his neck and pointed his bloody finger to the ground. Blood drops fell, dust splashed, and red spread on the ground.
Giowa was slightly startled. He understood the meaning, hesitated in his heart, and turned to look at the old priest Alter.
The old priest's pupils shrank and he spoke softly.
"Your Highness, for thousands of years, the original god has protected the Otomi people. This is our belief from the bottom of our hearts."
Shulot shook his head solemnly.
"Oort, the main god is supreme. The original god can abdicate and become a saint. If the Otomi people want to truly integrate into the alliance, they must eventually regard the God of War as the supreme one. Of course, this is not a rush, and there is no need for Giovanni to publicly change it. Believe. But at this moment, he must accept the talisman of the Lord God and convert secretly here!"
Alter looked at His Highness, feeling the determination that could not be disobeyed. After a while, he nodded silently.
Giowa was stunned for a long time, as if there was a huge weight on his knees. Shulot didn't rush, he just waited calmly. His face showed a long struggle, changing into different expressions, but he could never settle down. The old priest finally sighed and patted his shoulder gently.
"My child, I have watched you grow up. Your father died on the battlefield for years of fighting, and your son died of disease after starvation during the siege. Generations of Otomi people have died of war and famine. We are here The northern border is struggling to maintain the inheritance of the ethnic group and fighting against a wave of invaders. For the continuation of our ethnic group, everything can be sacrificed. Precious faith is also a measurable price... How can this be an exception? "
Hearing this, Giowa looked at the always pious old priest in shock. Complex emotions flowed in his chest. His whole body was burning and he wanted to scream, but in the end he suddenly lost his strength and fell to his knees in front of Shulot.
Shulot looked deeply at the old priest again. Immediately, the young priest nodded solemnly, put the silver amulet around Giowa's neck, and then held his hair.
"Giowa, under the witness of the Supreme God, you will swear an oath to Him and obtain the sacred duty to glorify the glory of the Lord God! Come, recite His name with me, Huitzilopochtli..."
"Huitzilopochtli..."
Giowa's face darkened. In the face of reality, he lost his belief in perseverance and the stubbornness in his heart was wiped away.
Hulot stared at Giowa's expression and nodded with satisfaction.
"I will promise you a future!"
The old priest turned around and did not watch this scene until the conversion ceremony was over.
The sky is getting dark, and the oath has come to an end. The two priests, one old and one young, stood opposite each other again, looking at each other's faces.
"Alt, why did you choose me?" Shulot looked at the old priest in front of him. He seemed to be much older.
"Your Highness, I have watched you for a long time. I have seen your rapid growth and your infinite future." Alter replied calmly.
Shulot was silent for a moment and asked again.
"Why choose me?"
"The situation in the world is changing, and everything will change. Current events are forcing you to be the continued hope of the Otomi people." Ort thought for a moment and gave the answer in his heart.
"Why?" the boy asked.
This time, Alter also thought about it for a long time. After a while, he answered slowly.
"Because, deep down, you are a good person who can be trusted."
Shulot was silent for a long time. He waved his hand and turned away. Behind him, Alter bowed deeply.
The oath of both parties was formally signed. Under the deep dusk, the Otomi envoys left in a hurry. Shulot sat in the big tent, silently looking at the dark sky, and fell into long thoughts. Light and darkness intertwined repeatedly in the young man's heart. Behind him, Bertard stood quietly, looking at the vicissitudes of the world.
The Mexica army waited for another two days. An eight-thousand-strong Hikipili legion emerged from the city of Otopan, and under the leadership of Giowa, joined the Northern Route Army in Mexica.
Hulot led the guards and happily greeted Otopan's legion, but was speechless for a moment. Among the legions promised by the old priest Alter, there were only three thousand lean warriors who could actually participate in the battle. As for the remaining 5,000 Otomi militiamen, they are all skinny and have sunken eyes with hunger. They may not have had a full meal in months.
The young commander looked at it for a moment, then shook his head with a smile. These militiamen can only be used as civilian husbands, and they need to be provided with enough food, which will last at least half a month. No wonder the old priest gave it so readily. However, the Mexican Navy's transportation capacity is limited, and there are not enough civilians in the Northern Route Army. With these people here, a lot of debris will be taken care of. Some extremely manpower-consuming siege equipment began to appear in his mind, such as taking full advantage of the range, complicated structures, and high platforms with piles of earth.
After completing the purpose of their trip, the Mexican army immediately turned south and returned to the wooden fort on the Leman River. The Otomi were dispersed and placed in two camps away from the main castle. Otopan's warriors maintained an independent organization. Five thousand militiamen were organized to cut down trees in the mountains and make siege equipment. The continuous wind and rain continued to fall, but the rain began to gradually become lighter. The rainy season has passed its peak, and new fighters are being conceived.
Time flies by and it’s September in a blink of an eye. The Tarascan fleet returned from the west with a shipload of Chapala reinforcements. Shulot was a little anxious and sent a large number of scouts to detect the south bank at any time. On this day, he looked into the distance and saw that the rain gradually dissipated and the clouds became clearer. Under the gradually emerging sunlight, the vast Mexica fleet finally appeared from the east of the river again.
