novelraw Chapter 575 - 559: Martial God Temple_1
Chapter 575 - 559: Martial God Temple_1
December 1st.
All the powerful warriors and legions that had taken part in the war returned to the Imperial Capital one by one.
Hearing the victory song, the Saint’s Court of the Qin Dynasty was plunged into a fervor. Countless old Qin people were immensely proud and at one with the glory of the kingdom. Without needing any organization, they voluntarily went out of the city for hundreds of miles to welcome the returning heroes.
The howling cold wind was unable to dispel the flames in people’s hearts!
Inside the Imperial Palace, Qin Wudao, dressed in his royal robe, sat on his throne, looking around at the civil and military officials, a broad smile on his face.
In front of him on the imperial desk lay several scrolls of royal decrees.
As always, he first conferred titles on the meritorious officials.
"By royal decree, Zhang Jiao, with a lone and ambitious heart, destroyed the Taiyi Saint’s Court. For his outstanding achievements, he is conferred as The Duke of Peace, and his name will be recorded in the Investiture of the Gods..."
"By royal decree, Sima Yi infiltrated the enemy camp, made strategic plans, and collaborated with Zhang Jiao both openly and secretly to seize power in the Taiyi Saint’s Court. He is conferred as Tiger Tomb Earl, and his name will be recorded in the Investiture of the Gods..."
A eunuch approached, took a royal decree from the imperial desk, and read it aloud.
"This humble servant thanks Your Majesty!"
All the courtiers who were being granted titles respectfully paid their respects.
Although many of them were not enthusiastic about power or profit, receiving a reward meant the monarch’s recognition of them. It showed that their efforts and sacrifices had not been forgotten.
Soon, only the last three royal decrees were left on the imperial desk.
Until now, the only people who hadn’t received a title were Bai Qi, Guan Yu, and Han Xin!
The many ministers looked at the three scrolls of the royal decree, deep in thought.
Qin Wudao waved his hand, indicating the eunuch reading the decree to retire.
"On the battlefield of Beidou Palace, Guan Yu’s merits and demerits were balanced, restoring his position as Righteous and Brave Earl, and restoring his command over the Fanqiu Army!"
He picked up a scroll of the royal decree but did not unfold it. He looked at Guan Yu, who had his head down and seemed a little dejected, and ordered with an air of authority.
As he finished speaking, the royal decree turned into a golden light and fell into Guan Yu’s hands.
"Your Majesty, I am ashamed!"
Guan Yu trembled and fell to his knees with a THUD. His date-red face, already flushed with extreme shame, became even redder, looking as if it was about to bleed.
Even though he had broken through the Beidou Palace!
Even though he had killed seven Star Venerables!
But the guilt in his heart did not diminish at all. Every time it was quiet at night, he was so tortured that he beat his chest and stomped his feet.
Looking at the entire war, everyone else had succeeded; only he had failed.
He had been prepared for punishment before the court session began, but he never expected to be reinstated to his former position.
"Victory and defeat are common in warfare!"
"I punished you before only to make you cast aside your arrogance and learn to respect the battlefield!"
"Now, I am returning your glory to you. I only hope that in future battles, you will think thrice before you act and live up to everyone’s trust!"
Qin Wudao said calmly, without any hint of blame.
"Respect the battlefield!"
Guan Yu was startled and muttered to himself. He subconsciously received the royal decree, his eyes sparkling with a new understanding as he said in surprise, "Your Majesty, this servant understands now!"
A terrifying martial aura erupted from him.
It was clearly a great breakthrough!
Not just him, but the other generals also understood the significance of these four words and found them tremendously enlightening. Only with respect for the battlefield could they remain true to their convictions and defeat the enemy.
"Pass on my decree: confer Han Xin as the Earl of Huaiyin, and his army will be given the designation ’Backwater Army’!"
Qin Wudao picked up another royal decree and ordered authoritatively.
"This humble general obeys your command!"
"This general, on behalf of the soldiers of the ’Backwater Army’, thanks Your Majesty for your grace!"
Han Xin stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and a hint of excitement appeared on his usually calm and composed face.
He was not pleased about being conferred the rank of Earl, but was thrilled that his army had received an official designation, formally becoming one of the main fighting legions of the Qin Dynasty.
"Issue an order: establish the Hall of Martial God in the Qin Dynasty. Bai Qi shall be the first Army God of the Hall, bestowed the title ’Slaughter God’—to slaughter to stop slaughter, to protect the state and the people of the Qin Dynasty!"
Suddenly, Qin Wudao stood up and ordered loudly.
BOOM!
South of the Imperial Palace, the force of Fortune surged, forming a grand hall. It exuded an aura of iron and blood that soared to the heavens, containing mysterious might.
At the entrance of the hall, there was a plaque inscribed with ’Martial God Hall’, glittering in gold.
On both sides of the main door was a pair of couplets: "A fresh breeze arises in the Martial God Pavilion, bestowing upon the General eternal merit"!
The eyes of all civil and military officials were drawn to the grand hall that had appeared out of thin air. This edifice was to be the highest hall of honor for military generals.
Under everyone’s gaze, rays of bloody light burst forth, coalescing into a statue of Bai Qi. Clad in blood-colored armor, with a blood-red sword in hand, he stood amidst a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, gazing into the distance.
Beside the statue, densely packed text introduced Bai Qi’s deeds.
Among them, the two words "Slaughter God" were the most eye-catching.
"How imposing!" Li Yuanba’s eyes lit up as he exclaimed.
Everyone else rolled their eyes, instinctively ignoring his words.
Zhao Yun, Xiang Yu, Huo Qubing, and other military generals looked at the Martial God Hall, then at the statue of Bai Qi, their eyes burning, a flame kindling within.
This was the indomitable flame of battle!
This was the unyielding fire of fighting spirit!
This was the eternal fire of the martial soul!
Honor!
An honor exclusive to military generals!
All the military generals secretly swore to engrave their names in the Martial God Hall, to be remembered for eternity.
"This humble general thanks Your Majesty!"
Bai Qi strode forward and saluted respectfully.
Faced with such a divine honor, even he felt incredibly excited. A faint smile appeared on his face, which was usually as cold as thousand-year-old ice.
"Beloved official, please rise!"
"This is what you deserve!"
Qin Wudao raised his hand, smiling as he spoke.
Unexpectedly, however, Bai Qi did not rise. Kneeling on the ground, he cupped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, this humble general has an important matter to report!"
"Oh? What is it?" Qin Wudao asked curiously.
All the civil and military officials also turned to look at Bai Qi, a hint of curiosity in their eyes.
Only the Deputy General of the Vermilion Bird Army, standing among the military officials, sighed softly, a hint of reluctance on his face.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this humble general wishes to resign as commander of the ’Vermilion Bird Army’!"
Bai Qi’s icy voice echoed throughout the court.
What?! Upon hearing this, everyone, including Qin Wudao, was greatly surprised.
It was well known that Bai Qi had always been the commander of the Vermilion Bird Army. Through years of combat, he and the army had become inseparable.
If Bai Qi were to resign as commander of the Vermilion Bird Army, his strength would be greatly diminished.
"I wish to know the reason," Qin Wudao asked, frowning, neither agreeing nor refusing immediately.
"Your Majesty, this humble general cultivates the Dao of Slaughter and is not suited to continue commanding the Vermilion Bird Army!"
"This humble general wishes to train an army purely for slaughter—without mercy, without kindness—cultivating in slaughter, growing strong through slaughter, and pursuing the eternal in slaughter!"
Bai Qi frankly stated his thoughts.
A dense killing intent erupted from his body, endless, as if to slaughter the world, to exterminate all living beings.
The crowd gasped upon hearing his words.
They realized that this Slaughter God was planning to train a group of little Slaughter Gods!
Thinking of this, they couldn’t help but feel their scalps tingle.
"Granted!" Qin Wudao said with a nod after a moment of silence.
He had also heard that during the war with the Ten Thousand Demons Saint’s Court, many soldiers of the Vermilion Bird Army had nearly lost their lives due to the onset of Heart Demons from excessive slaughter.