In mid-May, after being stationed there for half a year, Xolotl's Royal Banner set out from Golden Bay City once more. Four thousand soldiers of the Imperial Guard Legion escorted the king eastward, inspecting the city-states and villages along the route. This time, the king's stated purpose for traveling was to inspect the spring plowing in each place—and in truth, the itinerary arranged was largely just that.
Xolotl traveled at an unhurried pace, stopping and starting as he inspected Cone House City, Coyote City, and Stone Carving City in succession, checking more than twenty Civilian Settlement Villages and tribal camps along the way. He even toured the ruins of the Third Ancient City, held a sacred ceremony, and made offerings before the Long Count Stele that had carried on its legacy for more than two thousand years. Only after circling nearly seven hundred li did Xolotl arrive at ancient Lake Sacrifice City in mid-June.
Beside the boundless sacrificial lake (Laguna Catemaco), the black wolf Royal Banner stood tall, snapping in the wind. The Imperial Guard Legion marched in strict order, bearing long spears high, arriving in ranks as neat as a forest. And Black Wolf Toltec personally led the legion's officers, bringing several hundred Red-hair Tribe personal guards with him, out thirty li beyond the city to receive them.
"May the Main God bless us! Black Wolf, how is the battle on the front line going?"
After the formal salutes and greetings, Xolotl called Black Wolf close to his side. Escorted by the officers and warriors, the two walked toward Lake Sacrifice City while discussing the latest situation on the front.
"Has the sacrificial ground of the Fourth Ancient City been taken? Has Caotan City to the south fallen? What's the situation with Hidden Snake City to the southeast?"
"Your