CHAPTER 1181: CHAPTER 742: SECOND KINGDOM EXPEDITION, THE FINALE IN CUBA, RETURN VOYAGE!

The night was deep, and the bay was silent. The chaotic shouts of Puapu reached the vicinity of the camp, catching the attention of the patrol Samurai.

Priest Tomate stood calmly in the shadows outside the camp. He had long since sent away the others in this camp and now waved his hand at the patrolling Samurai, indicating not to approach. He listened quietly as the excited shouts gradually diminished, and the anger in the voice slowly turned to desolation. Only then did Priest Tomate lift the corners of his mouth and nod secretly.

"Hmm. Big fire for cooking fish, small fire for soup... Captain Chiwaco’s soup-making skills aren’t bad either..."

In front of the bonfire, the old Militia Chiwaco lowered his gaze, watching the fish soup by the fire, listening to Puapu’s shouting, patiently waiting. He knew the other needed time to face the reality he had been unwilling to face.

After a while, Puapu finally quieted down. He held his head high, pressing his lips together, like a child stubborn after committing a mistake. Only then did Chiwaco glance over and saw that the anger on Old Pu’s face had vanished. In its place were eyes full of sorrow and unease, gradually shedding tears.

"Old Qi, you know! This is all... all Tikalo’s treachery! I... I never betrayed the Kingdom! Even if His Highness knows, he should punish Tikalo severely, not me!..."

"Nonsense! Puapu, you stupid blockhead, even dumber than that Wei Zi blockhead!"

Looking at the tearful Puapu, Chiwaco felt both anger and a bit of compassion. But even if he felt compassion, the words he spoke were cold and hard as a knife, piercing straight into Puapu’s heart.

"You stupid blockhead! Can you and Tikalo be the same? He’s been acquainted with His Highness long ago and is familiar with Capital Army Commander Olosh. No matter what, there’s old friendship involved. Moreover, he’s a descendant of the Mayapan Royalty! He has a maritime sea chart in his hand, the backing of the Kokom Family, guides to Cuba under his command, and something like a hummingbird, something like a shipwright, some hostages... He had prepared sufficient capital long ago!"

"Look closely! Tikalo isn’t just an individual but the last remnant of the Maya Royal Family, holding a Maya status the Kingdom can use! Even if His Highness punishes, warns, whips, or beats him, he wouldn’t truly kill him because he has bloodline and family, and he bears significant value!"

"And you, Puapu, what do you have? You’re just a common warrior from Tarasco, surrendered after betraying the Family Head! You even made serious mistakes and got entangled with the southern nobility of Tarasco! You’ve already been exiled once, and if you make another mistake, it won’t be easily forgiven!..."

"Ah! Ah! Old Qi, Chiwaco, please stop talking! I beg you!..."

Hearing this, Puapu was overwhelmed, holding his head and kneeling on the ground, tears streaming down his face. He recalled that night in the palace of Qinchongcan City when he betrayed the Hummingbird chief and remembered almost being beheaded by His Highness in the Temple of Zicao City with Oorta of the sky.

"I came from an ordinary family warrior, experienced so much, and finally made it to today!... I, I can’t lose everything again..."

Huitu Puapu knelt on the ground, his body twitching like a worm in the dirt, arduously seeking a living path. After a while, he wiped his tears, looked at Chiwaco, who lowered his gaze waiting, and asked in a tearful voice.

"Old Qi, you say... letting me stay here is saving me?"

"Yes."

"With Chief Divine as a witness?"

"With Chief Divine as a witness!"

"Then, how will you save me?"

"You stay in Cuba, continue to lead the warriors, serve Priest Tomate, and fight for the Kingdom. Priest Tomate will leave written letters, and together with me, plead for you in front of His Highness as a guarantee."

The old Militia Chiwaco spoke concisely, casually laying out his arrangements. He did not tell Puapu how he sold his face begging Priest Tomate and even gave counsel to make him agree. He merely sighed again, sincerely saying.

"Ah! You should stay in Cuba for a few years, make some contributions. Thus, in His Highness’s eyes, you would also have suffered. Being so far away, for the people’s hearts of Cuba, he wouldn’t punish you... His Highness values Cuba’s management greatly, so as long as you do well, maybe in a few years, it can all be overlooked!"

"Ah? Ah this... it does seem... reasonable."

Huitu Puapu stayed where he was, in a daze for a while, the sadness on his face gradually subsiding, as if accepting his fate. He thought about something for a while before lowly asking.

"Then, how many years do I have to stay here? Surely, you won’t let me grow old and die alone on this deserted island?..."

"What growing old and dying alone? Why would you be alone? Cuba Island is so prosperous; where is it desolate?..."

Hearing Puapu’s words, the old Militia Chiwaco laughed angrily. He laughed for a while, pouting, and said in a deep voice.

"Priest Tomate is also here, along with so many Kingdom’s Warriors and sailors! Settle your mind! Even an old turkey makes a nest! The evil invasion prophesized by His Highness will come in two or three years. How can you not wait until then, kill a few fair-skinned invaders, and perform well!"

"Besides, staying in this warm Cuba isn’t considered suffering at all. Over the past few months, you’ve left seeds everywhere! Considering how your teapot’s mouth is long, and the water in the pot is also plentiful, staying for two to three years might produce a few more children! An old man like me, how can I compare to you..."

Upon hearing this, Puapu’s face turned pale; the retribution came too quickly. He stammered, hurriedly lowering his head to apologize.

"Uh!... Old Qi, you... I was just joking, please don’t take it to heart! I... I’ll give you all the gemstones, gold, and silver I’ve hoarded! When you stand before His Highness, you must speak well of me!"

"Hmm? You, this guy, still have hidden treasures? Right, what did you just call me?"

"Old Qi... brother!"

"Hmm, not bad! Shout a couple more times."

"Bro! We are brothers through life and death! For the sake of our hometown and camaraderie, you must help a brother out!"

"Hmm. I will consider it..."

Chiwaco looked at Huitu Puapu with a half-smile. Then, with a haunting expression, he murmured a few words.

"Alright! Get some sleep early! I’m leaving tomorrow... The sea is unpredictable; who knows when we’ll meet again, or if we’ll meet again... Brother, just stay in Cuba with peace of mind, and leave a few more behind..."

"Ah! May the Chief Divine protect! We will surely meet again! Hmm, Old Chi, you’re getting older, and you don’t have a son. If it comes to that, I’ll help you have one, and pass him to you..."

"Get lost!..."

The camp gradually quieted down until all was silent. That night, the two slept in close tents, without any snoring, both tossing and turning with difficulty in sleeping. And when the new red sun rose from the East the next morning, the camp became busy again. The bustling activity continued for half a day, and by the time the sun reached its peak, Chiwaco had boarded the flagship, bidding farewell to those on shore with the departure of four longships.

"Respected Priest Tomate, you are an excellent follower of the Chief Divine! May you spread the glory of the Chief Divine on Cuba Island!"

Chiwaco clenched his fist on his chest, nodding with a smile towards Priest Tomate on the shore. Hearing this familiar greeting, Priest Tomate paused, smiled, and bowed in return.

"Respected Captain Chiwaco, you are the fearless whale in the sea, leading the fleet forward! May you return to the Kingdom soon, bringing back our gains and good news!"

"Good! May the Chief Divine protect!"

Chiwaco nodded solemnly. He looked into Priest Tomate’s sincere eyes and smiled as he spoke leisurely.

"Cassava seedlings, tung oil tree seeds, the large iron mine in Cuba, the large copper mine in Cuba... the Iron Bay Town stronghold, converted Taino believers, the tribes’ distribution in Cuba, the larger Haiti Island to the East... as well as the navigation route to Cuba, the Maya’s power distribution... and the allied Putun Tribe, details along the coast of Totonac, the prospects of gemstone trade... I remember all the important gains!"

Saying this, Chiwaco paused again, glanced at the smiling Mayan merchant Tikalo beside him, and continued to add.

"Of course, there’s also the allied Kokom family, the converted Kokom clan leader, the promised sea chart of the Southern Continent, the shipwright from the Royal Family, the honey servant from the Royal Family, the young Royal Family hostage... none of these important gains will be missing!"

Upon hearing this, Tikalo’s expression froze, and his face paled instantly. However, old Militaman Chiwaco did not look at him again but bid farewell to the dejected Puap.

"Huitu, next, you must heed Priest Tomate’s words well and make contributions to the Kingdom!"

"Yes, I understand. May the Chief Divine protect! Old Chi, may you have favorable winds and a smooth return!"

"Hmm, may the Chief Divine protect!"

Old Militaman Chiwaco nodded once more, looked at the camp by the bay for a while, then, without hesitation, without melancholy, without saying anything more, directly waved the command flag, ordering the ready four longships!

"Raise the sails! With the east wind, head west! The next target is 600 li away at Fish Bay! May the Chief Divine protect us as we traverse the waves!"

"May the Chief Divine protect us as we traverse the waves!"

Hearing the captain’s order, the sailors responded in unison and swiftly got busy. Soon, the four longships raised the front and back sails, gradually accelerating, and resolutely set out on their return journey.

Priest Tomate stood on the shore, watching as the departing fleet became distant, heading towards the horizon’s end. From afar, he could still hear the familiar song, still emanating from the heart, still fearless and resolute, and the same inscrutable Patzcuaro tune.

"Oh hey, setting sail!..."

"The sea, it’s all water! Walking all the way, there’s no end!... Your Majesty, with just one word! Poor old farmer me, about to run my legs off!..."

"Running my legs off, walking everywhere! Walking everywhere, the sun burns!... The sea churns like boiling soup, in Her Majesty’s tent, she shakes the fan!... Shake it, and set sail!"

"Setting sail westward, going eight thousand li! Eight thousand li away is home! Looking to the endless expanses!... Home is far, I cannot see! Your Majesty, truly you’re a scoundrel!... Oh truly a scoundrel!"

As he listened, Priest Tomate’s face broke into a subtle smile. This time, he didn’t ask the nearby Puap what was being sung. He just smiled, shook his head lightly, and silently murmured.

"Captain Chiwaco, to sing such bold songs, you are indeed a fearless captain!..."

"I am a preaching priest, graduated from the Divine Power University in the Capital City. If I couldn’t speak the Patzcuaro dialect, how could I preach to the villagers of the Lake Region?..."

"Only in this boundless sea, only courage and faith can inspire. May your fearless courage inspire the Kingdom Fleet to traverse the thousands of waves!..."

"Traversing the thousands of waves, from Cuba to the Highland, may the glory of the Chief Divine always protect you!"