The spring breeze in April comes from the Caribbean Sea in the east, bringing a moist and warm atmosphere. The spring plowing season is approaching, and black smoke from burning fields is burning everywhere in the Mexica Valley. At this time, when you climb up and look far away, you can have a panoramic view of everything. Even outside Shuigu City on the east side of the mountains, one can see from a distance the wealth and prosperity on the west side of the mountains.
However, the east side of the mountains is full of desolation, with death and despair in it. From the northernmost shrine of the Tlaxcala Alliance to the southernmost mountain pass fortress group. For more than three hundred miles, there were burning towns, desolate farmland, fallen corpses, and tribes who abandoned everything and fled into the mountains.
The long wind blows the hunting clothes and sleeves. The mountains are far away, shining on the vast snow-capped peaks. At this moment, Xiulote stood on the edge of the Popocatépetl volcano (Popocatépetl), looking up at the peak of 5,400 meters above sea level, and felt admiration in his heart.
"The height of the Smoke Peak is like a pillar connecting the Kingdom of God, reaching straight into the sky! And only here in the entire Mexica Alliance can you see the glacier!"
Yes, Pocatepetl volcano is also known as Smoky Peak. It is the second highest peak in Mexico and the fifth highest peak in North America, with a height of 5,426 meters! Its altitude is so high that people can not only see ice and snow in the tropics, but also spectacular volcanic glaciers at its top!
Shulot looked up for a long time, looking at the peak that covered the sky and the sun, and sighed at the majesty of the natural wonder. Months of hard work seemed to disappear in an instant, leaving only the openness of the world.
Yesterday, he took five hundred elite warriors and traveled 30 miles west from Shuigu City to the foot of the spectacular Pocatepetl volcano. Later, he camped at the foot of the mountain and stayed for one night. But early this morning, he left three hundred heavily armored warriors to garrison, and only took two hundred leather armored personal guards to climb to the heights of Yanfeng Peak.
Everyone climbed for four or five hours, from an altitude of 2,000 meters in Shuigu City to an altitude of 3,500 meters halfway up the mountain. It's spring under the mountain, but winter is on the mountain. However, even here in the cold, there is still nearly two thousand meters away from the glacier at the top of Yanfeng Peak!
"call!..."
Shulot took a deep breath and felt the lack of oxygen and cold on the high mountain. Then, he slowly exhaled, leaving a long mark in the air.
"Bertard, is the Temple of Death of the Tlaxcalans located here?"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Bertard nodded solemnly, with a strange light in his eyes.
"The God of Death and Rebirth, the Lord of Fire and Thunder, the oldest temple of Shulotel, the God of Death, is not far from here!"
"Very good! Continue to lead the way! Let the warriors disperse and be careful!"
Shulot looked serious and nodded slightly.
The fighting in the Eastern Expedition has come to an end, and the area around Shuigu City has just been pacified. The Southern Route Army was organizing outside the city, waiting for the follow-up supplies of food and grass, and transporting the captive young men away. The army was temporarily stationed, and the king had a little leisure, and had a few more days to relax.
This mountainous area has been cleared several times by the army. Although there is still the hidden danger of the Tlaxcala tribe hiding, the number is definitely less than a hundred, and there is not much risk. At this time, Bertard suggested that Shulot come to the sacred Temple of Death to worship and listen to the prophecies of the old priest of Death.
After hearing this suggestion, Shulot hesitated for a moment and then nodded happily. Because, in the Pocatepetl volcano, the status of this temple of death is really special and extremely mysterious!
The Mexica and Tlaxcala people share the east and west sides of the Pocatepetl volcano. They are brothers by blood and have similar cultures. They have many gods in common, the most special of which is Shulotel, the god of death. The origin of Shulotel, the god of death, is in the Pocatepetl volcano! In the oldest mural records, He was not the God of Death at first, but an ancient volcano god.
With the name "God of Death", Shulot had a very special feeling towards this oldest temple of the God of Death, as if he was inexplicably attracted to it.
From the perspective of practical interests, climbing the sacred Smoke Peak, worshiping such a temple, and listening to the prophecies of the Death God Priest... These actions can add a more fearsome divinity to his reputation! In the world of China and the United States, which believe in gods and attach great importance to omens, such a mysterious divinity will be of great benefit to the king's rule.
At the same time, this temple of death also has an extremely sacred status in the hearts of the Tlaxcala people. Perhaps, it can become an opportunity and a bond to win over the hearts of all the people in Tlaxcala.
"Huh! This faint breath...is it the Stone of the Dead?"
Shulot walked for a moment and then stopped. He sniffed the end of his nose, a little surprised.
"Yes! Your Highness, there is a huge deposit of Stone of the Dead here. There are bottomless cracks in the deposit. Legend has it that it is connected to the abyss underground and will emit a lot of smoke. And every once in a while, the Smoke Peak will completely erupt. ! It will spit out burning lava and shoot out smoke and dust all over the sky, connecting the underground abyss of death with the living world!..."
Having said this, Bertard looked in awe and lowered his voice.
"And the ancient temple of the God of Death is hidden near the mine of the Stone of the Dead."
Hearing this, Shulot nodded slowly. Popocatepetl volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. It erupts almost every few years. And every half century, there will be a major eruption! In Aztec mythology, the 52-year reincarnation cycle is actually closely related to the eruption of Popocatepetl volcano.
The mountains are vast and the trees are green. At this altitude, the mountains are already covered with coniferous forests adapted to the cold. In the gaps between large forests, there are several khaki sulfur mines, constantly exuding the smell of volcanoes.
Bertard led dozens of warriors and searched around the sulfur mine for a full two-quarters of an hour. Then he regained his energy and found a few clues.
"Your Highness, these are the footprints of the past month. They were probably left by the old priests in the temple. They will come here every once in a while to take the Stone of the Dead, ignite the sacred blue fire and gray smoke, and pray to the God of Death. Burn the sacrifice!”
"Stone of the dead, burned and sacrificed?..."
Hearing this, Shulot frowned. Burning sulfur every day and inhaling poisonous smoke? These priests of the God of Death may not live long.
"...Well, just follow this footprint and go like this...Huh? Why are there more than a dozen different footprints?"
Seeing this, Bertard's face darkened and he waved his hand. The two hundred personal guards grasped the copper axes, took off their long bows, and were always on guard. Everyone carefully followed the footprints on the ground and walked for several miles through the mountains and forests before they found a low and dilapidated temple.
The temple has only two entrances and two exits. It is small in area, has an extremely ancient style, and the carvings are mottled and old, as if they have gone through hundreds or thousands of years. It is hidden deep on the top of the mountain and deep in the pine forest. It seems that it does not want to be known and does not welcome outsiders to visit. On the walls of the temple, a row of weathered skulls hang densely.
Shulot looked carefully and saw that the bones of these skulls were somewhat black, much like the traces left after long-term poisoning. He pondered in his heart and had some guesses about the origin of the skeleton, but he was not sure.
"Woo!...Woo!"
A long gust of wind blew through the hole in the skull, bringing a sharp and penetrating "Woo" cry. Everyone present was used to seeing death, so they didn't care about it, but just heightened their vigilance.
Warrior Captain Bertard looked at the temple for a while, and suddenly his pupils shrank. Then, with a "dang" sound, he pulled out the bronze sword from his waist and stepped in front of His Highness!
"Your Highness, there is blood! It's very fresh!"
