Northern Great Emperor

Northern Great Emperor was a powerful Eternal Life Being and one of the Four Directional Great Emperors (四方大帝; *Sì Fāng Dà Dì*) of the Ancient Heavenly Court.

## Myth

Xuanwu (玄武 “Dark Warrior” or “Mysterious Warrior”) or Xuandi (玄帝 “Dark Emperor”), also known as Zhenwu (真武) or Zhenwu Dadi (真武大帝 “True Warrior Great Emperor”), is a deity in Chinese religion, and one of the higher-ranking deities in Taoism.

He is revered as a powerful god, able to control the elements and capable of great magic. He is identified as the god of the north Heidi (黑帝 “Black Emperor”) and is particularly revered by martial artists.

## Appearance

Northern Great Emperor is a handsome man with silver hair. His face although handsome, looks like an exquisite ice sculpture.

## Ancient Heavenly Court

Zhenwu was one of the top five powerhouses of the Ancient Heavenly Court. He was killed in the battle that destroyed the Ancient Heavenly Court.

### Hall of Winter

Hall of Winter was his personal abode and part of the Ancient Heavenly Court. It was constructed with the help of several friends including Cheng Lin and Blockhead Song.

After he was resurrected, he gave the Hall of Winter to Song Shuhang.

## Way of Eternal Life

Northern has trod the Way of Ice and became an Eternal Life Being. His Way was tied to Heavenly Emperor’s Way of the Heavenly Court.

To escape from the Way of the Heavenly Court, Northern arranged for his own death during the Destruction of the Ancient Heavenly Court. However, since he has a habit of not returning home for thousands of years at a time, his pet, Jade Great Turtle didn’t think anything was amiss.

## Relationships

### Song Shuhang

Song Shuhang helped him by activating his resurrection array. Due to this reason, Northern has a favourable impression on him and give him lots of help to repay his kindness.

### Senior Turtle

Senior Turtle is Northern’s pet and mount.

### Mansion Lord Seven Lives’ Talisman

Mansion Lord Seven Lives’ Talisman’s family has ties with Northern. After he was resurrected, Northern visited Seven Lives’ Talisman’s family.

### Ye Si

Due to her status as Cheng Lin’s daughter, Northern treats her like his daughter.

### Blockhead Song

Blockhead Song always run to him for help whenever the former encountered enemies he can’t defeat.

### Cheng Lin

Northern has an unrequited love towards Cheng Lin.

### Separated Snow

Separated Snow was introduced to Northern by Song Shuhang.

## Trivia

1. Northern Great Emperor refers to himself as ‘the lofty one’ (孤; *gū*), This term of commonly employed by emperors, sovereigns and powerful kings during the Qin and Han dynasties. Sun Quan also used this term of address.
2. His name was translated as Gu Beifang in the HTL.  Author has confirmed that Northern (北方; Běifāng) was just his title, and not his actual name.
3. There is another Northern Great Emperor under the service of Blockhead Song. This another Northern Great Emperor usually called as Northern Great Emperor Two to differentiate both of them.
4. Northern Great Emperor likes to eat sour and spicy soft bean curd.

## Links and References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Chapter 960
2. ↑ Chapter 961
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chapter 962
4. ↑ Chapter 2744
5. ↑ Chapter 1245
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Chapter 1250