58: Build your own power!

This intimacy only gradually ceased when the sun was high in the sky.

On the soft bed, Ya Fei was still nestled in Jiang Luo's arms, a lingering laziness yet to dissipate from her brow.

Last night's warmth still seemed to linger around her, making her reluctant to break this tranquility.

Jiang Luo's fingertips gently traced her hair, but his gaze had already crossed the window and settled on the skyline of the Imperial Capital.

Without the threat of the Cloud Mist Sect, wouldn't the vast Jia Ma Empire be his to command?

Even the Imperial Family could only grovel beneath his authority.

Especially now, the Imperial Family's representative, Jia Xingtian, had been driven by him to the border to deal with the threat of the Three Great Empires.

Without Jia Xingtian, the backbone, the power of the small Imperial Family had long been completely hollowed out.

The current Mittel Family could be called a second Imperial Family, controlling all industrial resources within the Empire.

Therefore, establishing his own faction was especially crucial right now.

After Ya Fei slowly fell asleep, Jiang Luo got up, straightened his robes, and headed straight for the Mittel Family's Main Deliberation Hall.

At this time, the Family's high-ranking officials, led by Hai Bodong and Mittel Tengshan, were already waiting there. Seeing him step into the hall, everyone rose to salute, their eyes filled with awe.

"Lord, you have summoned us. May we ask what important matter you wish to instruct us on?"

Mittel Tengshan was the first to speak, his tone respectful.

Jiang Luo sat in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below, his voice carrying undeniable authority: "The reason I called everyone here today is to decide on a major, long-term matter. The Cloud Mist Sect has been destroyed, and its former site is a treasure land of geomancy. I have decided to establish a faction there, naming it the 'Jiang Clan'!"

As his voice fell, the Main Deliberation Hall was first silent, then filled with low murmurs of discussion. Everyone's eyes were filled with surprise and anticipation.

They understood that by participating in the new faction led by Jiang Luo, the status of the Mittel Family would be completely secured.

Mittel Tengshan was the first to recover, bowing as he asked, "Lord is wise! How should the specific matters concerning the establishment of the Jiang Clan be arranged?"

Jiang Luo looked at Hai Bodong and Mittel Tengshan, saying seriously, "This matter will be led by the Mittel Family. Hai Bodong, you and Tengshan will take the lead, mobilizing all the Family's manpower and resources to quickly clean up and reorganize the former site of the Cloud Mist Sect. Replan and construct it according to the needs of residence, Cultivation, and council meetings, ensuring the Jiang Clan is established in the shortest possible time. If resources are scarce, you may take my personal command token to the Imperial Family's National Treasury to retrieve them; they dare not object."

"We obey your command! We will certainly not fail to live up to your trust, Lord!" Hai Bodong and Mittel Tengshan accepted the order in unison, their faces filled with solemnity.

As the two men led their subordinates away, the reconstruction project of the former Cloud Mist Sect site officially commenced, and the power structure of the Jia Ma Empire began to quietly reshape itself from that moment on.

But at this moment, the Imperial Family Palace Grounds exuded a desolation completely unlike the Mittel Family.

The news that Jia Xingtian had been banished to the border had long spread. The guards within the palace walls lacked their usual discipline, and the palace maids walked with extra caution.

In the small courtyard of the side hall, Jia Xingtian's great-granddaughter, Princess Yao Yue, was squatting beside the stone steps, carefully tending to a few nearly withered flowers and plants.

In the past, her grandfather would always accompany her here to appreciate the flowers, but now, only she and her older sister remained, guarding this empty palace.

Some old officials advised her to flee to the border to join Jia Xingtian, but she shook her head.

Her grandfather's banishment was already a humiliation for the Imperial Family; if she left again, the Imperial Family's last shred of dignity would vanish completely.

She carefully put away the military texts her grandfather had left behind, reciting them every morning, and learning to handle the trivial matters of the palace grounds. Even tasks like counting inventory or arranging the servants' daily routines were done meticulously.

She knew that with her grandfather gone, she was the Imperial Family's only remaining mark in the Imperial Capital. Even if the road ahead was difficult, she had to try and start anew, guarding this sole remaining hope.

Meanwhile, just as the Mittel Family was rebuilding the former Cloud Mist Sect site, Jiang Luo sought out Queen Medusa again.

Ever since he took her body last time, she had held a grudge against him.

To the extent that she was unwilling to revert to her original form, always appearing in the shape of a small seven-colored snake.

Perhaps this was to prevent such an incident from happening again.

But now that the Jia Ma Empire was initially settled, it was time to have a proper talk with Queen Medusa.

"Little obedient one."

Jiang Luo called out softly, and the Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python darted out from his sleeve, resting in his palm.

"Hiss, hiss."

The Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python raised its head, and a hint of affection appeared in its purple vertical pupils.

Clearly, compared to Queen Medusa in human form, her snake form was more endearing.