CHAPTER 1180: CHAPTER 741: THE SECOND KINGDOM EXPEDITION AND PUAP’S OUTBURST

The longships rocked with the waves, the lagoon rises and falls, and the bay area was bustling. Hundreds of people had been busy for half a month, and the Kingdom Camp in Iron Bay Town was beginning to take shape.

The Kingdom Priests hurried to examine the seeds of the Malab trees, and were overjoyed. The seeds of this tree indeed had an astonishing oil content! Even with a crude extraction, more than twenty percent of the oil could be pressed out, indeed a desperately needed oil crop for the Kingdom.

Soon, on the returning fleet of old militia Chiwaco, several more bags of seeds from the Malab tung oil tree were added. The guide Black Stone specifically reminded that the seeds of this tung oil tree are poisonous, the extracted oil can only be used, not consumed.

The day was drawing to a close, and the setting sun cast hues of twilight. Old militia Chiwaco stood on a small hill near the Iron Mine Mountain, gazing at the sunset over the sea.

Near the iron mine, the trees were sparse, but long grass was abundant. Not far from the old militia’s feet was a large patch of unique independent flame grass found on Cuba Island. These grass were in bloom, with flowers shaped like flames, in bright red and purple, looking very festive.

"Dear Captain Chiwaco, what are you looking at?"

"Honorable Priest Tomate, I am looking at the red sunset and the purple-red flowers."

Upon hearing this, Priest Tomate’s mouth curved in a smile, and he asked,

"Oh? Which do you think is more beautiful, the sunset or the flowers?"

"I have seen many sunsets by the sea. But here, with the iron mine, it feels different. The flowers and grass on Cuba Island are unseen on the highlands, they too leave a lasting impression."

At this point, old militia Chiwaco sighed deeply, a few traces of nostalgia appeared on his face, and he spoke of an answer not among the choices.

"Of course, the most beautiful are the sim-ple folk of Cuba Island. Such peaceful and quiet villages are not found on the highlands..."

"Yes, Priest Tomate, when I left, I had a sincere request..."

"Oh? Please speak."

"Witnessed by the Chief Divine! Please, you and the warriors of the kingdom, be a little more lenient with the sincere Taino people... especially the Huitu Puapu, he is too aggressive, please restrain him somewhat..."

"Hmm..."

Hearing this unexpected request, Priest Tomate raised his eyebrows. He was silent for a while before nodding in response.

"Dear Captain Chiwaco, I promise you. Witnessed by the Chief Divine, as long as it doesn’t affect the Kingdom’s mission, I will always remain friendly to the Taino people... As for Puapu, I will also keep an eye on him."

"...Praise the Chief Divine! Thank you!"

The old militia bowed his head and gave a bow to Priest Tomate. Priest Tomate, with a solemn expression, returned the gesture. The two were silent again, watching the sunset over the sea, which gradually sank into the mountains and sea of the west.

"Captain Chiwaco, have you informed Huitu Puapu of the matter of staying behind?"

"...Not yet. I didn’t find a chance in the village before. And here, there’s been plenty to do."

"Then it must be done quickly. It would be better if you talked to him yourself; it would be more easily accepted!"

Upon hearing this, old militia Chiwaco sighed and agreed.

"What must come will come... once the sun sets, I will go find him!"

The sun soon set, and the earth was enveloped in the night. When old militia Chiwaco found Huitu Puapu, Puapu was sitting by the bonfire, eating fish stew with large mouthfuls. Seeing the readily available food, Chiwaco didn’t stand on ceremony and directly sat down to drink a large bowl. Only after the two had finished eating did Chiwaco calmly meet Puapu’s eyes to speak of his purpose.

"What? Old Chiwaco, what did you say?"

Huitu Puapu dropped the wooden bowl in his hand with a "clang" and leapt up in surprise, pointing at his chest in disbelief as he asked.

"You said you want me to lead the warriors of the kingdom and stay on Cuba?!"

"Yes. This is a decision reached after discussions with several priests of the fleet."

Chiwaco announced dispassionately and calmly.

"Puapu, I will take half of the fleet back. You must stay behind and assist Priest Tomate."

"What? What! Why me?!"

Huitu Puapu anxiously jumped, raising his voice.

"Among the Kingdom’s Warriors, there are quite a few squad leaders! I’ve already chosen those who will stay!"

"Yes. Because you... are the most capable fighter."

"Why?! If you talk about capable fighters, the warriors of the Silver Raven Tribe, Eagle, and the warrior Mokai of the Putun Tribe, both can fight too!"

"Eagle and the warriors of the Silver Ravens will stay here with you. Most of the warriors of the Motun Tribe will remain, Mokai will return with me. During the return journey, they need to recruit some sailors from the Putun Tribe, Mokai can help in communication."

"Damn it! Damn it! Why? Why me?!"

Huitu Puapu’s eyes widened in both urgency and anger, and his face reddened. He drew the bronze axe from his waist and hacked fiercely at a nearby palm tree with such force that it was embedded by two inches.

"I am the Deputy Captain of the exploration team! I have the right to choose! I will never stay! Old Chiwaco, you and that tomato scoundrel have no right to make me stay on this broken island with nothing!"

"Sigh!..."

Upon hearing this, old militia Chiwaco sighed softly and shook his head. He assumed a solemn demeanor and gazed sharply at the fuming Puapu, like an old eagle observing an angry grizzly bear.

"Huitu, you do indeed have the right to choose to leave."

Chiwaco replied calmly, his words peaceful but filled with strength.

"However, my decision for you to stay isn’t to harm you; it’s to protect you! If you choose to return now, the consequences will certainly be a severe punishment from His Highness! You could be stripped of your title, exiled, or even executed!... But staying here for a few years is your only chance of survival."

"What?! His Highness’s punishment? Why would he punish me? I have fought for the kingdom along the way, fearless of life and death, even slaying the Maya prince in battle..."

At this point, Huitu Puapu stopped, his expression changed somewhat, and struggle emerged in his eyes.

"I also participated in many battles, defeating numerous enemies!..."

"Ha! Slaying the Maya prince, what a great merit!... Huitu, let me ask you, has the most powerful Xiu Clan of the Lowland Maya gone to war with the kingdom?"

"This! They... attacked us first! I merely led the warriors in a counterattack!"

"Bull! Who attacked whom first? Was I blind and unable to see at that time? Puapu, you fool! Even if you’re confused for a moment, by now you should have realized!"

Old militia Chiwaco’s anger surged. He raised his hand and gave Puapu’s head a hard knock.

"Stop being a stubborn duck, deceiving yourself! You should have realized by now, this time you were tricked by Tikalo, becoming the tool of his revenge! Without you, his scheme could not have succeeded, and the Kingdom and the powerful Xiu Clan wouldn’t have become complete enemies, leaving no room for reconciliation!"

"Huitu, say with absolute certainty that slaying the Maya prince was truly a merit!"

"This! Are you saying... Tikalo!..."

Upon hearing the old militia’s words, Huitu Puapu’s expression changed drastically. He stammered, tongue-tied, the struggle in his eyes becoming increasingly apparent.

Along the way, now half a year had passed, and the attitudes of the priests on the ship towards this issue were evident. He wasn’t really foolish, how could he not figure out the right and wrong of the matter? It was just that he had always been boasting of his merits, anesthetizing himself, unwilling to face reality. In fact, upon reaching Cuba Island, he had already become more cautious and hadn’t repeated the same mistakes.

Following a brief inner struggle, Huitu Puapu finally couldn’t withstand the pressure, and exclaimed vehemently. His expression alternated between anger and fear, pacing back and forth, shouting continuously.

"No! That’s incorrect! I’ve rendered great service for the kingdom! I survived deadly perils, arrived in Cuba with the fleet, and even defeated the Cigua people... Surely I am meritorious!"

"Even if I made mistakes, His Highness, His Highness Kuanren, wouldn’t severely punish me, would he? I have always been loyal, consistently fighting for the kingdom..."

"Chiwaco, speak! Am I not right? Damn it! Don’t close your eyes, don’t shake your head, look at me and answer!..."