Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

Chapter 2114 - 1545: Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon, Advancing Together!

The sun dipped below the horizon, as the long day transitioned into night. Yet the sky remained faintly lit, akin to a gray-white short night. The moon phases of Polar Whale Island are equally intriguing, differing greatly from those in the Central America Highlands. A half crescent of shallow moon hung far away in the southeast sky, never rising too high, but larger than those in the tropics. In the night sky, the soft clouds seemed like light gauze, slowly drifting with the sea breeze blowing towards the continent, gathering and dispersing, as if eternally chasing after that radiant moon, never quite reaching it."Whew! The Chief Divine’s blessing! This painting ’Returning Sea Night Banquet,’ is finally done!..."

Under the moonlight of the white night, Chimere stood before the stump easel, nodding gently with satisfaction at his golden-glowing "masterpiece." This was his offering to the Chief Divine, meant to hang in the "Whale Island Temple," even in the "Royal Capital Temple," to forever record the achievements of seafaring!

And such "vivid and heavy brushstrokes" that could genuinely leave a mark are often more connected to the "altar of the Chief Divine" than any "hard work" or "life-risking voyages". They might even be immortalized in "Saints’ Chronicles," passed down through the ages.

Thus, Chimere indeed devoted his utmost efforts to continuously engage in "religious artistic creation," having amassed dozens of paintings over time. This is uncannily similar to Miki’s previous seafaring exploration "religious poetry creation." The two are aligned in their positions, showing mutual appreciation. They both knew that with each other’s "political acumen" and "first-mover advantage," their futures were immeasurable and well worth forming a "faction."

"What a pity, what a pity!... This devoted path of the Priest to divinity isn’t a route just anyone can take! Without that divine spirit’s inspiration, there’s simply no way!... Loshanda, you serve Your Majesty loyally and call me teacher. I’ve pointed out a tough yet feasible path for you, which should suffice in honoring our bond..."

Chimere’s expression was leisurely, as he looked towards Miki’s wooden cabin, where the whale oil candles had been lit and thin wisps of smoke rose. Since Loshanda went inside, the two had been engaged in a secret discussion from noon until late at night. Though the specifics were unknown, the final outcome had long been predetermined.

As the Fourth Level Grand Priest and representative of the seafaring factions, Scholar Miki would inevitably return with the fleet from the Western Sea, with the achievements from there, to vie for the position of Elder Priest in the Royal Capital. Meanwhile, Third Level Main Priest Loshanda would exchange with Miki, steering the support fleet to once again resolutely sail west, fulfilling Your Majesty’s instructed support mission.

The disparity in status between the two was too vast, and their backgrounds worlds apart. Concerning fate and future, Miki had long resolved that as long as Chimere didn’t obstruct, Loshanda had no choice in the matter. The only difference lay in the discussion process—whether it was coercion or inducement, and if any bond would remain, or how much. And Chimere, standing on the seafaring faction’s position, would he obstruct?...

Chimere smiled, shifted his gaze, and looked up at the clouds chasing the moon in the faintly lit night sky. After a long while, he mustered his poetic sentiment, transforming his heartfelt emotions beneath the night into a few ephemeral verses.

"Chasing clouds, chasing the moon. Clouds pursue the moon... What is reality? Just the shine of faint light. The divine mystery is suspended above, yet who can speak of it?"

"Tlāzohcotl (chasing) in mixtli (cloud), tlāzohcotl (chasing) in metztli (moon). Tlein (what) in nelli (reality), zan (just) tlānēchicoliz (faint light)? In teōtlic (divine spirit) huehca (far)īhuīcpa (above), Amo huel (no one) mihtozceh (can speak)?"

"The Chief Divine gazes from above... All these earthly pursuits are mere clouds chasing the moon... Clouds chasing the moon, indeed!..."

After murmuring these verses, Chimere chuckled and shook his head, his demeanor poignant and transcendent, akin to a banished immortal under the moon. Guarding nine tons of golden wealth in the far north wilderness of Whale Island, he was truly devoid of "worldly desires." What intrigued him were only the vast divine realm and the novel heavens and earth.

He gazed at the moon for a moment, then picked up the paintbrush, adding a smaller rotating globe beside the two larger spheres in the corner of the ’Returning Sea Night Banquet’ painting, sketching a few more strokes of clouds.

"’The moon is a smaller stone ball, orbiting the earth, generating day and night by blocking the sun’... This is the real divine realm mystery, eternal and immutable divinity! Alas, how to even craft the ’Moon Viewing Divine Mirror’ as Your Majesty mentioned? Where to find such enormous transparent crystal~~?"

The brief night passed with many remaining sleepless. By the time the next day broke, Loshanda reappeared, closely following Miki, his face full of respect as he changed his address.

"The Chief Divine blesses! Teacher Miki... This ’radish’ brought back from the Western Sea continent is incredibly crisp and tasty, with a rare ’spicy flavor,’ perfect for relieving the warriors’ homesickness! In this distant cold Northern Land, chili peppers can’t survive, but this radish grows well. It only needs sixty days to mature; it can be planted at ports along the coast during spring and summer, making it an excellent crop against famine!..."

"Oh?! ’Spicy flavor good growing’ radish? Great! Very good!... Has the fleet brought back any other crops from the Western Sea? When we reach the coastal ports or ship them to the Kingdom of the Lake, have the priests plant them! You know, His Majesty always values new crops; the kingdom priests are primarily focused on farming..."

"Yes, indeed! Teacher Miki, see, these are seeds of the lacquer tree from the Western Sea, producing great lacquer that strengthens armor and prevents ships from rotting... Right! That lacquer craftsman Qishang Chunshu specializes in this... And seeds of hemp, the ’hemp stalks’ can be spun into fabric, the ’hemp seeds’ can be pressed into oil, and the ’flowers and resin’ are medicinal... Yes, that hemp worker Aso Aida comprehends it all!..."

"Good! Good! Loshanda, you’ve truly accomplished a great feat for the Kingdom by bringing back the Great Master Physician, as well as ’Cows, Horses, Pets,’ and the new crops!"

"Ah! This is all... thanks to Your Majesty’s Divine Revelation guidance, and your support as well, Teacher... Oh! I also specifically wrote a booklet, recording all the cargo of the fleet... Teacher Miki, please take this booklet and give me some guidance!..."

"Hahahaha! Very good! You are indeed attentive... Well, I’ll take this booklet then, and also conduct an inventory of the fleet’s situation! Yes, please also invite the Kimier Grand Priest to bear witness together!"

Soon, amidst Loshanda’s repeated cries of "Teacher," the sound of "dada" horse hooves echoed, all the way to the ships by the sea. On the Western Sea Continent, Zuwaro had him call him "Senior," but upon returning to the North American coast, Miki had him recognize him as "Teacher." Yet between Zuwaro and Miki, they were considered "brothers through life and death," which was indeed intriguing.

Subsequently, the three High Priests in charge of the port and fleet carefully inventoried the harvest brought back by the two Ocean Shielding Ships, with Kimier writing down the records.

"One Korean doctor, eleven Japan Masters, three Japanese farmers, two Jurchen horse breeders, two horses offered to Your Majesty, a pair of breeding cattle, two pairs of fine dogs, six pairs of chickens, ducks, and geese, several kinds of seeds..."

Kimier looked for a long time, especially at the two "horned giant beasts," which stirred in him a strong desire to ride. He smilingly said to Miki.

"These two four-legged riding beasts are to be offered to the Divine King and Your Majesty, so they must be taken back to the Kingdom of the Lake... As for this pair of four-legged plowing beasts, perhaps they should stay on Great Whale Island, raised together with the herd?..."

"Hmm..."

Miki’s eyes sparkled, and after pondering for a moment, he also replied with a smile.

"The Chief Divine bears witness! The far north’s harsh cold leaves little land for farming. This plowing beast is just one pair, so they must be transported to the Kingdom of the Lake quickly to breed... Yet these three types of ’Little Fire Chicken,’ reportedly laying delicious ’eggs,’ should each leave a pair on Great Whale Island, and leave a West Sea farmer to oversee them... Kimier, what do you think?..."

Upon hearing this, Kimier instantly understood. "Cattle" were specifically requested by Your Majesty; this first pair of farming cattle brought back signifies an unusual merit. Miki, it seems, intends to take all the credit to offset the loss of the Big Ocean Covering Ship, making the Elder Priest’s promotion legitimate with no further obstacles!

"The Chief Divine blesses! That indeed makes sense... The four-legged plowing beasts should be transported back as soon as possible! And the fleet supporting the West Sea must set sail quickly, best within seven days..."

With a smiling face, Kimier nodded in gratitude to Miki. Both then looked at Loshanda, who as a Third Level Main Priest merely paused for a moment before respectfully bowing and loudly promising in front of everyone.

"Yes! Praise the Chief Divine! Within seven days, Loshanda will lead the four Big Ocean Covering Ships, crossing six thousand li of the Divine Initiation Archipelago, to support the West Sea front!..."

"Good! Praise the Chief Divine! Loshanda High Priest, your hard work will certainly be seen by the Chief Divine!"

"Indeed, the Chief Divine watches over all! The Priesthood in the Capital City will certainly be aware of Loshanda’s achievements!"

Thus, the arrangements for the fleet were settled. Loshanda, full of anticipation and having crossed the Eastern seas, could rest for only ten days before having to gratefully venture westward again, into the waves of life and death. Miki, having taken over Loshanda’s return fleet, was not in such a hurry, ensuring the safety of all the ’accomplishments.’ He had to let the two newly arrived horses rest enough, allowing the old Ironsmith Master to recover, and returning in August would be just right.

Over the next seven days, Loshanda was not idle either. Every day he was by the sides of the two Grand Priests, detailing the conditions of the Western Sea Continent, the various tribal forces the Kingdom had already contacted, and marking them on the West Sea Map. The map, originally from the "Prophecy Divine Revelation," had only a rough outline but now filled in with much detail, possibly becoming the world’s only complete "Northeast Asia Map!"

As the two Grand Priests gathered around the map, listening to Loshanda’s detailed descriptions, the snowy plains, Forest Sea, and Great Island of Northeast Asia in the Western Sea Continent, the diverse tribes of nomadic, hunter-gatherer, and farming, and the unimaginably powerful countries finally, beyond the veil of prophecy, unveiled themselves in the Nava world for the first time!...