Cries shook Twenty-Water City, and the summer heat burned like fire. Surrounded by nearly ten thousand warriors, a soul-stirring blood-red festival slowly drew to a close amid fervent prayers. After remaining in Twenty-Water City for half a month, Black Wolf's banner finally set out once more!
The southbound army marched out in a surging tide, its scale swelling yet again. Three thousand surrendered warriors from Twenty-Water City's divisions and two thousand conscripted Cempoalli men in their prime were all swept into the army. The seething column marched south, like an ant swarm split into several streams, engulfing every village along the road.
Those tribes that had not yet fled were swallowed one after another into the "ant swarm's" belly. Men in their prime were forced into the army, food was seized to the last grain, tribes that dared resist bled themselves dry, and villages that refused the levy were burned to ash. Amid wave after wave of wolf howls, the Totonac heartland was completely reduced to a battlefield of blood and fire!
Two days later, Black Wolf reached the desolate Snake Lake Village and rested in the village longhouse. The Snake Lake Tribe of two or three thousand people had long since migrated far away. Only a few dozen old people waiting for death remained in the great village, hiding in pit-houses at the far edge, witnessing the Mexica People's arrival.
"Tupa, set up camp here. Build waterproof warehouses and stockpile food and supplies."
Black Wolf looked all around and saw the Snake Lake stretching along the village. The lake water was clear, reflecting the red sun of dusk, showing a measure of solemnity and depth.
"This long stretch of Snake Lake is the most important water source for the army's gathering point! Arrange Militia for me: fell trees, prepare