"I understand... this is the price, the price of my ascension to godhood." Cheng Mingrui's voice was surprisingly calm. "You haven't been around much lately. What made you decide to come talk to me today?"
Khorne stopped his unnerving laughter and, after a moment, said calmly, "Your first trial is approaching."
"Trial?"
"Yes. Those are the rules. There are eight in all. Only after you pass them all will your soul and rank be elevated, allowing you to truly ascend to godhood."
"You're not here to remind me because you want to help me, are you? That doesn't sound like you," Cheng Mingrui said in puzzlement.
"Of course not. I am merely giving you a reminder. Not only will I refuse to help you, I will also withdraw some of my blessings. This is your trial. You must rely on your own effort and courage."
"Of course, it doesn't matter if you fail. As I promised, I will resurrect you."
"Thank you, but while I can be resurrected, the other mortals cannot. I will fight alongside them until the very last moment." Cheng Mingrui's tone was resolute. "You can withdraw my blessings, but leave those you granted the mortals. Otherwise, the Imperium's advantage in firepower will be far too great."
"Very well. I will be watching you." With that, Khorne's voice vanished from Cheng Mingrui's mind.
The conversation with Khorne took place in the consciousness space and lasted only a minute. In the real world, the Yellow Turban Army's generals had already worked out most of the key points of the fortress's defense.
Ovisgral was extraordinarily sturdy to begin with, and defending it would not be difficult. Their defensive strategy boiled down to one sentence: make sure none of the Imperium's reactionaries returned alive.
Their vigor was a good thing.