A Pawn's Passage

Chak Chel died from her own dagger.

This dagger had once been known as Ixchel’s Key. Only after Ixchel split into two separate beings was its name changed. Now, however, Ixchel had no intention of restoring its original name. Keeping its current name as Chak Chel’s Key served as a warning.

Ixchel did not care whether keeping Chak Chel’s name on the dagger might prevent Chak Chel from ever being forgotten because her name remained attached to the weapon. That was because the end of the era was fast approaching. Dying now meant there was virtually no chance of resurrection.

The star and moon divine authority had originally belonged to Ixchel. Now that it had returned to its rightful owner, she immediately regained full control over it. Once again, she was the complete Moon Goddess.

As for the divine authority of night, it naturally complemented the moon and stars, so there was no conflict in assimilating it. Had the Western Daoist Order entrusted her with the divine authority of the sun, she would have had to pay a considerable price to incorporate it.

After dealing with Chak Chel and reclaiming the divine authorities, Ixchel extended a finger. A magnificent throne appeared atop the golden platform, while two slightly smaller seats materialized on each side below it.

There were five seats in total, almost identical to those Kukulkan had once conjured when berating the gods.

In truth, they were the same seats left behind by Kukulkan. Ixchel had merely relocated them into the bedchamber.

Of course, from this day forward, this place would no longer serve as a bedchamber but as the council chamber of the Divine Court.

With another wave of her hand, a full moon rose behind the golden platform, symbolizing her identity as the Moon Queen.

The once pitch-black chamber was illuminated by the bright moon, bathed in a gentle veil of moonlight. Stars gradually emerged as well, making it seem as though one stood beneath a vast star-filled sky.

Ixchel ascended the golden platform, but instead of taking the Chief God’s throne, she stood beside it, resting one hand upon the back of the throne, just as the Daoist Order’s Great Sage Lunzhi did. She proclaimed her second divine decree. “In the name of the Chief God, I summon the gods.”

Her first divine decree had been the judgment and execution of Chak Chel.

Qi Xuansu and Great Sage Tantai stood to one side merely as observers and witnesses, making no attempt to overshadow the proceedings.

The Death God Ah Puch and the Rain God Chaac were already present, but the War God Uracan and the Southern Goddess Hinokila had yet to arrive.

The two gods present bowed respectfully to Ixchel, congratulating her on becoming the Moon Queen before taking their respective seats, each chair marked with the emblem of its corresponding deity.

With Ixchel issuing her divine decree, the remaining two ancient gods had already received the summons and would soon arrive.

Qi Xuansu quietly observed everything Ixchel did.

Qi Xuansu had encountered many remarkable women. But when it came to actual maneuvering and intrigue, most were merely ordinary. Setting cultivation aside and judging solely by courage, resolve, strategy, and political acumen, the only woman who had truly made Qi Xuansu feel pressured was Ixchel. As for Zhou Mengyao, he had only heard her name and had yet to meet her in person.

This woman, or rather, this goddess, left Qi Xuansu with the unpleasant feeling of having been outplayed. Despite everything he had accomplished, despite capturing Unulatu and appearing to hold every advantage, events had ultimately unfolded exactly as Ixchel had intended.

Of course, Qi Xuansu had earned immense merit. His promotion to Omniscient Sage was now assured, and his influence would rise to an even greater height. Yet he could not shake the feeling that he had done all the work only for someone else to reap the rewards.

After all, Ixchel was an old schemer who had lived for countless years. She could be ruthless and decisive, yet equally willing to swallow her pride and bide her time. Compared to her, Zhang Yuelu still lacked a measure of political finesse.

Before long, the Southern Goddess Hinokila, wearing a jeweled crown and a gown adorned with pearls, was the first to arrive.

Although Hinokila had not taken part in Kukulkan’s execution, she had been closely observing the developments. She was also familiar with the King of Gods’ palace. Kukulkan had usually received visitors in the plaza outside, and the moment she entered the divine kingdom, she realized it had completely changed. It was far more than simply the disappearance of the karmic fire.

A brilliant full moon hung high overhead, surrounded by a host of stars, while the sun had vanished without a trace.

The moon had replaced the sun. This was now the Moon’s era.

Even so, Hinokila remained on edge, afraid she might be seized the moment she stepped through the entrance. After all, it was not as though she could charge at Tantai Zhenxiao with a battle cry.

Fortunately, nothing happened. The Daoist Order and the Western Daoist Order merely watched from afar, while Ixchel made no move against her.

After all, both Kukulkan and Chak Chel were already dead. Every remaining ancient god had become exceedingly valuable.

When Hinokila met Ixchel’s gaze, she immediately sensed how different Ixchel had become. Ixchel had once again become the Queen of Gods, with more authority than before.

Only then did Hinokila finally relax, realizing that the outcome had already been decided. She immediately bowed to Ixchel, who stood upon the golden platform.

“Southern Goddess Hinokila pays her respects to Her Majesty, the Moon Queen and Chief God.”

The Southern Goddess knew she had not joined Ixchel’s campaign against Kukulkan, making her loyalty appear uncertain. Consequently, her attitude was exceptionally respectful.

Ixchel was not at all arrogant. Instead, she returned the courtesy. “God Hinokila, please take your seat.”

Not long after the Southern Goddess took her seat, the final deity arrived.

His attire closely resembled Itzamna’s, differing only in its decorative details, much like the distinction between an emperor’s robes and a general’s armor. He was none other than War God Uracan.

Ixchel spoke first. “God Uracan, you’re the last one we’re waiting for.”

Among the gods, the War God Uracan was considered one of the most formidable. His strength was not reflected in the level of his cultivation but in his combat prowess. Simply put, he was exceptionally good at fighting. Though he could not challenge opponents above his realm, against those of equal cultivation, his chances of victory were remarkably high. In the past, Kukulkan had only been able to suppress him by relying on his superior cultivation.

Uracan was a warrior. He did not think highly of Ixchel because she rose to power through schemes and intrigue. To him, true strength alone justified a king’s right to reign.

However, seeing that the other three ancient gods had already taken their seats, with representatives of both the Daoist Order and the Western Daoist Order observing from the sidelines, Uracan understood that the tide had already turned and there was no point in resisting the inevitable. He reluctantly said, “War God Uracan pays his respects to the Chief God.”

He deliberately refrained from addressing her as the Moon Queen or Your Majesty, acknowledging only Ixchel’s status as Chief God.

Ixchel had tolerated far greater affronts from Qi Xuansu, so Uracan’s slight discourtesy meant little to her. She merely nodded. “Very well. Please, take your seat, God Uracan.”

Uracan took the final seat.

This arrangement was deliberate. Death God Ah Puch and Rain God Chaac, who had joined her in the palace coup, sat to her left. Southern Goddess Hinokila and War God Uracan, who had not participated, sat to her right. The seating naturally formed two opposing camps, allowing Ixchel, as Chief God, to mediate between them, maintain the balance of power, and prevent the Rain God and Death God from becoming arrogant over their contributions and monopolizing authority.

Ixchel proclaimed her third divine decree. “I hereby declare the official establishment of the Lunar Divine Court.”

None of the gods objected, nor did either the Daoist Order or the Western Daoist Order.

The gathering looked somewhat modest, with only five members present. Yet considering that all five were deities, the Divine Court was entirely worthy of its name. Even if it could not rival the Holy Court, it was certainly an intimidating sight.

Ixchel immediately issued her fourth divine decree. “All temples formerly dedicated to Chak Chel shall henceforth be rededicated to Ixchel. As for Kukulkan’s temples, they shall be reassigned according to their function. Temples associated with death shall become temples of Death God Ah Puch. Temples associated with storms shall become temples of Rain God Chaac.”

This was her reward to the two gods who had stood by her.

Both deities expressed their support and gratitude.

Hinokila and Uracan had not taken part in the coup, so they did not earn any rewards and naturally had nothing to say.

After a brief pause, Ixchel continued, “Since there is no longer a Sun God, all remaining temples dedicated to the sun shall be converted into Daoist temples of the Western Daoist Order.”

It was an unmistakable gesture of goodwill toward the Western Daoist Order.

There could not be two suns in the sky, nor two sovereigns in one nation. In the East, the sun has long been associated with the ruler. Since the Western Daoist Order was the true authority over the Southern Continent, converting the Sun God’s temples into Daoist temples carried the symbolic message that the Western Daoist Order was their only sun.

This had never been an interest shared by the four ancient gods. It was Ixchel’s own interest to sacrifice these temples. Since she was willing to give up a portion of her benefits, no one would step forward to offend the Western Daoist Order.

With both generations of Sun Gods now dead, their followers were hardly worth worrying about.

Ixchel understood where to draw the line. She was not greedy enough to grasp for every possible advantage, knowing that doing so often resulted in gaining nothing at all. Although she relinquished the incense power derived from the Sun God’s worshippers, she inherited Chak Chel’s followers and could further cultivate believers of the night. Besides, favors should always be returned. The Western Daoist Order would almost certainly continue favoring her when distributing divine power in the future. She had sacrificed little while significantly strengthening their relationship.

Ixchel then proclaimed her fifth divine decree. “The gods shall eradicate the remaining rebels. Any followers of the Sun God, Feathered Serpent God, Chak Chel, or the chosen servants who refuse to submit shall be purged. The royal family shall likewise abandon the worship of the sun.”

This was only to be expected. All four gods had already anticipated such a decree and accepted it without objection.

Qi Xuansu suddenly understood. No wonder Ixchel had supported Unulatu’s bid for the throne and promoted the worship of the full moon. This had been her true objective all along. Had Qi Xuansu not intervened, Unulatu would now have ascended the throne without incident, replacing the Emperor before naturally converting the royal family’s faith to the moon.

It was now evident that Ixchel had anticipated every possibility and prepared corresponding arrangements well in advance. The depth of her planning was truly extraordinary.

Finally, Ixchel issued her sixth and final divine decree of the day. “In response to the Daoist Order’s and the Western Daoist Order’s call for civilization, I hereby proclaim that, from this day forward, all forms of human blood sacrifice are abolished. Anyone who outwardly complies while secretly continuing the practice shall, upon discovery, be punished without mercy.”

This time, the four ancient gods did not immediately voice their agreement. Instead, they exchanged uncertain glances.

Death God Ah Puch, who was most fond of blood sacrifices, immediately turned pale.

Ixchel slowly swept her gaze across the gods, her eyes filled with unquestionable authority.

In the end, Southern Goddess Hinokila was the first to respond. “I agree.”

Hinokila had always belonged to the faction that advocated abolishing blood sacrifice, so supporting the decree posed no difficulty for her. What surprised her was Ixchel’s decisiveness. Having only just ascended to power, Ixchel was already moving to eliminate blood sacrifice entirely, leaving Hinokila somewhat astonished.

However, after seeing the expressions of Qi Xuansu and Tantai Zhenxiao, Hinokila immediately understood. This was also the will of both the Daoist Order and the Western Daoist Order. Realizing that, she voiced her support without hesitation.