Chapter 312 The Kings of the Wasteland

The mountains rise and fall on the plateau, and birds fly far away. The sun rises and the moon sets, the sky and the earth are always vast, and time and space are boundless and far away. The trailing smoke rises in the distant sky, and the vast army walks from the horizon to the front. The sun sets and the moon rises, the sky turns to dusk, and the army also stops.

Wearing bronze armor, Shulot climbed the hill near the camp. He looked to the north, and the sunset dyed the sky, reflecting colorful light and shadow on the mountains. The light and shadow changed, the clouds danced, the earth and the sky merged, but it was so unpredictable.

"It's like the eyes of the gods, watching the hearts of ordinary people."

The king looked at the sky calmly, his thoughts flying in the vast world. He already knew the situation in the valley, so he rushed here day and night.

Toltec led the army to attack the valley. In just two days, the guards suffered 800 casualties, the Pamus warriors suffered 500 casualties, and the light archers suffered 200 casualties. Fifteen hundred people were killed and wounded, and Black Wolf himself was injured and bedridden, unable to walk.

Xuluot lowered his eyes slightly and looked into the distance. At this moment, the mountains in the valley were at the end of his sight, but only twenty or thirty miles away. The scouts of both sides communicated with each other and ran on the land of the wasteland.

The king's eyes were fixed on the sky, as if he felt the state of mind of the gods. After a long while, he murmured calmly.

"It's like a brush of the gods. The sunset is used as water and the night sky as ink. When the ink is soaked, it is a painting of the sunset. The gods use the sky as a painting, and the king uses the mountains and rivers as an answer. My pen and ink are the same."

The warrior leader hurried over and saw the calm expression of the prince, and paused slightly. At this moment, he suddenly remembered the predecessor Montezuma. After a few breaths, he respectfully stepped forward to ask for instructions.

"Your Highness, the legion camp has been built, and the gunpowder and food have been properly placed. The civilians are preparing dinner."

Xuluot nodded. The mountains in the wilderness are undulating, and the march is quite slow. Among the three thousand imperial guards, there are two thousand five hundred armored soldiers, carrying eight wooden cannons and gunpowder, and two thousand militiamen transporting food. Fortunately, we will be able to reach the valley entrance camp tomorrow.

"Bertard, where is Giova's army?"

"According to the messenger's report, Prince Giova's Eastern Army is fifty miles northeast of the army. They will continue to move northeast for one day, occupy the key points in the northeast, and guard against the Red Dog Tribe in the city of Pams. The Red Dog Tribe has been mobilized frequently recently and is mobilizing in large numbers. They may come to support the Red Fox Valley. The scouts of the Eastern Army have fought with their red hair many times, and it is estimated that there will be a battle."

"Send an envoy to tell Giova! Let him stop marching, build camps on the spot, control the nearby mountain roads, and cover the army in the northeast. The corn has not yet been harvested. Since the Red Dog Tribe is mobilizing at this time, they will definitely send troops. The dog tribe marches quickly, so be careful of being attacked by them!"

Bertard took out a pen and paper, quickly recorded it, and drew a simple picture, and then handed it to the king. Xiu Luote glanced at it and stamped it. Then two guards took the jade talisman and the decree and immediately ran to the northeast.

"Where is Chalki's army?"

"Your Highness, General Chalki's Western Army is fifty miles away in the west. They sent an envoy to ask whether they should join the central army?"

Xuluot pondered for a moment and shook his head.

"Send an envoy and order Chalki! The Western Army does not need to join, and go directly to the northwest entrance of the Red Fox Valley. Since the dog race has got into the pocket, they must not be let go. Well, let Chalki speed up and send two thousand elite soldiers to block the door first! Within two days, he must seal the northwest entrance of the valley and prevent most of the dog race from escaping!"

"As ordered, Your Highness."

Bertard bowed his head and saluted, and continued to write. Captain Chalki was illiterate, so the warrior leader drew a simple schematic diagram and repeated the message. Soon, two more envoys left in a hurry.

"Bertard, the drawing is good. The mountains and rivers are well marked. The graphic text is also very vivid."

Xuluot smiled and patted the warrior leader on the shoulder. Then, the king turned around and looked at the smoke from the camp.

"The journey is long and the task is arduous. After the northern expedition, we will ask the Otomi tribes to select young men to go to the university in the capital! We must also send more literate priests."

The smoke from the cooking rose into the dim sky. Bonfires swayed in the camp, and a large group of warriors patrolled near the camp. Outside the camp, the night covered the earth. Two figures wearing hats hid in the shadows of the grass. They were looking solemn, peeking at the Mexica camp several miles away.

The aroma of food drifted from afar. Ivikan swallowed his saliva and cursed in a low voice.

"Oh! It's grilled corn tortillas. Damn, the cactus tribe is so rich! At this time of year, the warriors can still eat delicious corn tortillas! I can only eat pumpkin for every meal"

"Ivikan, have you counted the amount of smoke from the cooking?"

Amosi asked in a low voice.

"The smoke is thick and black, all mixed together, how can we count it? There are few trees and grass in the wilderness, and we don't know what they are burning. We didn't see them chopping wood."

Ivikan tried to watch for a long time, but still shook his head.

"Amosi, during the day, you saw the marching team, how many people do you think there are?"

"About 4,000 to 6,000. In front are a large number of thick-skinned people in white and gold cotton armor, and behind are a large group of militiamen transporting food. They carry strange wooden beasts with piles of food on them!"

"Oh, I saw it too! There are eight long wooden beasts in the middle of the team, painted with strange patterns, and worshipped by hundreds of people. The Cactus Tribe always has some strange and magical things. But the one in front of us should be the personal guard tribe of the Death Chieftain! It's not surprising to have these."

Ivikan nodded. He looked at the tall black wolf flag in the center of the camp, as if he saw the mysterious priest totem in the tribe. After a long while, he spoke again in awe.

"Amoxi, look at the smoke and dust of this march, it is indeed the scale of a large tribe. The Death Chieftain personally led the tribe here, and brought so many evil things, can the valley mouth still be defended?"

Amoxi was silent for a while and shook his head.

"How can I, an ordinary red-haired tribe member, know about this kind of thing?"

"Ah! Amosi, the chief has recruited red-haired tribe members from all tribes to join the Red Fox army. Now, you are a member of our Red Fox tribe! I know how smart you are. Without you, I would not have achieved the credit I did a few days ago. By the way, the chief promised to give me a thousand warriors! I will lead the tribal warriors in the future, and you will be the deputy leader. Well, I will give you the manpower of your tribe. The two of us brothers will roam the wilderness together!"

The brutal battle at the mouth of the valley has been over for several days, and all tribes in the valley have suffered heavy losses. The Red Cat Tribe lost three-quarters of its warriors, the Red Frog Tribe lost a quarter of its warriors, and the Red Fox Tribe also lost a hundred people. Faced with this situation, the three major tribes began to recruit a large number of warriors from ordinary tribes, divide up the population, and make up for the losses of the war.

Amosi did not speak. After a long while, he slowly repeated it.

"Okay, Ivikan. The two of us brothers will roam the wilderness together."