On the Divine Dao Great Wall.
The Northguard Army was already waiting there.
There was also a new, towering temple.
Xuanming had a guess as to why.
Once he entered, he indeed saw a statue of the Emperor Gouchen. Though molded from clay, it was vividly colored and lifelike.
Before he could ask, the Marquis of the North offered an explanation:
"Divine Lord Gouchen sacrificed himself to help us repel the enemy. Every member of the Northguard Army will remember this kindness in our hearts.
From this day forward, God Gouchen will be our god of war, receiving offerings from generation after generation of the Northguard Army on the Divine Dao Great Wall.
Here on this wall, he will also watch the Northguard Army defend it for centuries and millennia, never betraying his kindness."
The old marquis's words rang out with unshakable resolve.
Xuanming was moved.
The Divine Dao Great Wall was a border-army stronghold.
The safety of the entire northern region depended on it.
Only greater gods who had made outstanding contributions to the Northguard Army and accumulated boundless merit qualified to have temples and shrines erected on the wall.
In all the northern region, only the Tianchi Mountain God and the Sushui Goddess had enjoyed this honor. Now Gouchen had joined them.
Yet Xuanming was not overwhelmed by the honor.
Gouchen deserved it.
With Xuanming as witness, the Marquis of the North led the surviving soldiers and officers of the Northguard Army in paying homage to Gouchen, each holding three sticks of incense.
They obeyed every command without hesitation, their expressions devout. There was no hint of pretense; their gratitude to Gouchen was heartfelt.
As they bowed:
Wisps of Humanity Qi gathered, points of light converging into a river.
Threads of Martial Dao qi accumulated, grains of sand