章 32: Chapter 31 Fishing

The sun gradually sank toward the west, tinting the sky a pale gold.

Xiulote sat cross-legged on the hilltop, gazing at the distant wisps of cooking smoke. Below him lay the golden village at sunset and the golden bean fields amid the countryside, all so tranquil.

Yet in that tranquility, time seeped through. The golden clouds silently deepened, turning into rows of red billows. Before long, as the sunset gave way to darkness, Xiulote looked up again to see nothing but a blood-red sky.

The negotiations with Guamare had been fruitless. Noticing it was already afternoon, Totec decided not to rush to dispatch troops for plunder but ordered the samurai to join the militia. They constructed a large camp on the hills a few miles away from the city.

The troops then rested peacefully as if completely unaware of danger, waiting for the distant guests to arrive.

A quiet night passed without incident.