Chapter 49: The War Council (Bonus Chapter for Top Ten Signing List)

The talks that day ultimately ended on a sour note, but Parker did not seize the opportunity to advance his own proposals. Instead, it was on the following day that the three Maya factions jointly put forth a suggestion.

The area they currently occupied for protection was, in fact, a waterway specially constructed by the City of Gold for the giant serpent. In reality, the City of Gold possessed a true entrance and exit, but this passage had been sealed in ancient times to imprison the demon. Naturally, the original guardians of the City of Gold retained the right to unseal the passage in times of demonic peril and launch a frontal assault.

This proposal was not without its merit, but it came with a crucial concern: if the passage were reopened, what if the demon escaped? The serpent’s waterway, while treacherous, was traversed by the giant serpent only once every seven years for an extended absence; at other times, it could only be diverted for brief moments. Even with the demon’s cunning, it would be impossible for it to force an escape through the serpent’s passage. The main entrance, however, was a broad thoroughfare—once open, it was said to accommodate many walking abreast. Should the demon break free, who would bear the blame?

Thus, Parker and his companions immediately voiced their objections.

The leaders of the three Maya factions were incensed.

“If this won’t do and that won’t do, then what do you propose?” they demanded, their words flowing in seamless succession so that Parker and his group had no chance to interject. Their carefully prepared arguments were rendered useless, and there was no hope of advancing any proposals that might benefit the Serpent Strike Tribe.

Finally, Parker, too, lost his patience. He slammed his hand on the table so forcefully that the bowls and cups rattled.

“If you have a reasonable proposal, our Serpent Strike Tribe will give it full support. But if it is unreasonable, keep it to yourself—no need to sow discord among us.”

At this, one of the Maya leaders spoke up, “There is a reasonable idea. Have you ever heard of the Forest Walkway?”

Before Parker could respond, an elder from the Inca side brightened with interest. “You mean the Forest Walkway of the Maya Empire? Are there still usable ones?”

Though Parker was a great warrior of his tribe, the Serpent Strike people were not direct descendants of the Aztecs. Of the three Aztec-aligned tribes, only the Eagle Tribe traced its lineage to the renowned Eagle Warriors. The other two had humbler origins: the Deer-Eater Tribe were the servant soldiers of the Jaguar Warriors, while the Serpent Strike Tribe descended from the archer auxiliaries. In the vast South American jungles, there was much they did not understand, and the likes of the Forest Walkway were unknown to them.

Fortunately, the Inca elder was both a sage and a healer, well-versed in the mysteries of the jungle. He began to explain to the uninformed Parker:

“During the era of the Maya Empire, the realm was scattered throughout the jungle. To connect every city-state, the empire constructed what they called the Forest Walkway—an elevated road among the trees. These walkways could accommodate a hundred soldiers moving abreast, with traffic flowing freely in both directions. A distance of two hundred kilometers could be traversed in a single day; they were known as the ‘Veins of the Gods.’”

“So it’s a treetop road. But what does that have to do with us?”

“Why don’t you build a treetop road and show me?” The elder regarded Parker with an expression reserved for fools. In his eyes, Parker was brimming with ambition yet had forgotten his own origins—he had lost his foundation.

“Then what exactly are you suggesting?” Parker was deeply dissatisfied. He sensed the conversation was slipping away, and if things continued thus, all influence would fall back into the hands of these tradition-bound old relics.

“The Forest Walkway is a divine road, created for rapid communication between cities. And since the Maya Empire contributed to the construction of the City of Gold, surely a Forest Walkway was left behind as well. If we can open up this path, then we can—”

“No. Absolutely not. The Forest Walkway cannot be opened. What if the demon escapes through it?” Parker interrupted the elder loudly.

The elder only chuckled. “This is where your ignorance shows. Everyone knows that the Forest Walkway is a one-way passage. That’s the very reason it allows such rapid movement. You need not worry about anyone traveling against the flow—they simply haven’t the means.”

“Just because you say it can’t be traversed in reverse doesn’t make it so. Who says so?” Parker retorted, matching the elder’s stubbornness.

“The gods,” replied the elder curtly, saying no more.

With those words, Parker had no rebuttal. Among the tribes, the ancestors and the gods held supreme authority.

By invoking the name of the gods, the elder had effectively invoked divine authority. Should Parker continue to oppose him, war would erupt instantly between the Serpent Strike Tribe and the Sunbird Tribe the elder represented.

“Very well, let us prepare, then. How many can be sent at once?”

“A hundred and fifty at most. But let me be clear: the Forest Walkway is a one-way path. If we succeed, we’ll need to arrange a way to bring the warriors back. Do you have any thoughts on that?”

Hearing this, Parker felt somewhat mollified, at least reassured that his people’s help was still needed. He lifted his head with a touch of pride, surveying the assembly of leaders with newfound confidence.

“We’ll take the serpent’s path. In three days’ time, I’ll send people to infiltrate and bring word to you. Once you’ve sealed the demon, construct canoes on the spot. When my men arrive, you’ll use the canoes to leave.”

“As soon as we see your people, we set out by boat?” the leaders pressed. Timing was everything—an encounter with the giant serpent would be disastrous.

“No. Noon the next day. My people need time to get inside, and the giant serpent cannot be lured away for very long. If you set out the moment you see my people, you’re sure to meet the serpent. We’ll agree that I’ll send my men inside, and at noon the following day, we’ll draw the serpent away again. But remember, the serpent cannot be distracted again and again—the time it can be lured grows ever shorter. We can’t afford to wait.”

“Rest assured, we know how to handle the timing,” said the elder, rising to his feet. “Let us select our warriors. There are seven tribes—each will send twenty brave men.”

Seeing the authority shift to the elder, Parker’s expression darkened. He considered whether, when the time came to lure away the giant serpent, he might let it have its way and consume all those other tribes’ warriors.

Just then, the leader of the Eagle Tribe stood up. “Our tribe can send thirty warriors.”