With the founding of the Grand Martial Empire, there was a mountain of work to be done.
First, the priority was to establish the imperial court and its institutions. In the world of the Great Qin Empire, Ian Song had once held supreme power over the Qi Kingdom.
So, he simply imported some of the systems from that world. To begin with, the empire was split into two major departments: the War Ministry and the Civil Ministry.
The highest-ranking officer in the War Ministry was the Supreme Marshal of the Realm, a post held personally by Ian Song.
Beneath the Supreme Marshal were the Grand General, High Generals, Left and Right Generals, Generals, and Deputy Generals.
Raymond Lei was appointed Grand General. There were nine High Generals in total—commanders of the seven great battlefields were all given this rank, and two more were stationed at the Holy Capital.
There were thirty-six Left and Right Generals, and the number of ordinary Generals was even greater, so there’s no need to list them all.
The Civil Ministry did not have a Chancellor. Instead, it had a Cabinet with six Cabinet Elders: Elder Bu, Elder Jason Jiang, Elder Shea Gu (Harriet Gu’s grandfather), Cole Chong Duan, Grace Gao, and Jason Chen.
Under the Cabinet was the Grand Secretariat, which oversaw the six classic ministries: Works, Rites, War (civil-side), Revenue, Personnel, and Justice.
In addition, Ian Song divided all Human territory into thirty-six imperial provinces. Each province administered hundreds of prefectural cities, which oversaw county cities, then townships, and finally villages.
Honestly, for the newly born Grand Martial Empire, the main hidden danger was still the sects.
Right now, they didn’t dare make a move because of his overwhelming strength. But if his suppressive power ever faded, these sects would definitely rise up again and split the empire apart.
Dealing with the sects could only be done slowly. If he acted too aggressively, all the sects would unite in backlash.
Don’t be fooled by all these new administrative institutions. The empire was just established, and its influence was limited. In reality, the local rulers everywhere were still the sects.
The founding of the War Ministry and Civil Ministry gave the Grand Martial Empire its basic framework.
Next, at the recommendation of the officials, the reign title was set as ‘Heaven Martial.’
As for Ian Song, he planned to formally ascend the throne as emperor in the third month of the first year of Heaven Martial.
The first order of business for the enthronement was the Heaven-sacrifice. Second was conferring titles on the empress and consorts. Third was appointing officials.
The capital of the Grand Martial Empire was set at the Holy City, now renamed the Holy Capital.
In the blink of an eye, the third month of Heaven Martial Year One arrived. Today was the day Ian Song would officially ascend the throne as emperor.
The altar had already been prepared well in advance.
Wearing a black dragon robe, Ian Song rode in the imperial dragon carriage alongside Empress Harriet Gu, Consort Lynn Ning, and Consort Snow Yue. Surrounded by civil and military officials and imperial troops, they headed for the altar to offer sacrifice to heaven.
As the grand procession moved through the streets, several shadowy figures in a nearby building glared viciously at Ian Song’s carriage.
“Leon Huang, you can enjoy your moment of glory a little longer!”
Their voices dripped with venom and hatred.
Half an hour later, the procession arrived at the foot of the altar.
Ian Song led the empress and two consorts up the steps, surrounded by officials. On either side stood rows of Imperial Guards in white armor—each one a hand-picked Grandmaster, skilled in joint formations. Ten Imperial Guards working together could trap an early-stage Martial Saint.
After another quarter hour, Ian Song finally led the officials onto the altar platform.
All around the altar, offerings had been prepared in advance: five beasts, five grains, five fruits, and five wines.
“Begin the Heaven-sacrifice!”
At the command of the Rites Minister, the Heaven-sacrifice formally began.
The entire process lasted more than an hour. Throughout, Ian Song remained solemn, repeatedly leading the officials in kneeling and bowing to heaven and earth.
“The ritual is complete! His Majesty, please ascend the throne!”
The Rites Minister, visibly excited, shouted the announcement.
“Harriet, Lynn, Snow, come with me to the throne!” Ian Song called to Harriet Gu, Lynn Ning, and Snow Yue, then strode toward the solid gold dragon throne.
Ian sat on the dragon throne; just behind him was Harriet Gu’s seat as empress, and further back were two seats for Lynn Ning and Snow Yue as consorts.
Boom!
The moment Ian Song sat down, heaven and earth suddenly changed color. A golden pillar of light descended from the sky, enveloping him completely.
“This is bad! Protect His Majesty!”
With the sudden change, everyone panicked. Hidden Martial Saint bodyguards leapt toward Ian Song, and the Imperial Guards sprang into action.
"Everyone stand down. I am unharmed!"
Ian Song’s voice rang out, carrying an indescribable majesty. Instinctively, the experts and Imperial Guards withdrew.
Truthfully, when the light pillar first descended, Ian Song was startled. He instinctively tried to use the Art of Great Teleportation to dodge, but found himself unable to move, forced to let the golden light envelop him.
Yet once engulfed, he realized the light was not harmful at all. Instead, it brought unimaginable benefits.
Once the pillar of light fully merged into his body, Ian Song felt an overwhelming surge of power. For a moment, he even thought he could kill a Martial Saint with a single thought.
At the same time, a complete fist technique appeared in his mind—the Son of Heaven Dragon Fist.
The moment the Son of Heaven Dragon Fist manifested in his mind, Ian Song could use it perfectly, as though he had trained in it for years.
“A heaven-bestowed technique! Could that golden pillar have been the Human Race’s qi-luck?”
Just then, a black dot appeared in the sky.
“This is bad! Enemy incoming!”
Thousands of Imperial Guards immediately drew their bows, aiming at the black dot above.
The dot drew closer, transforming into a massive blue-green bird. Its wings spanned several miles, and a single flap whipped up a fierce wind.
“Stand down!”
Ian Song spoke.
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The Imperial Guards quickly lowered their bows. The great bird descended from the sky, and five people leapt down from its back.
Three of them were the fugitive Military Council elders—Niall Nian, Charlotte Chu, and Zachary Zhang. The other two were distinguished middle-aged men, both exuding arrogance and looking at Ian Song with disdain.
“Leon Huang, your actions have angered the Martial God. Today, the Mistveil Martial God sends his disciples with an imperial edict. Kneel and receive the decree!” Elder Nian glared at Ian Song, his voice filled with venom.
Officials and soldiers were shocked—was the Martial God really going to intervene in worldly affairs?
Ian Song smiled. “I am the Son of Heaven, enacting heaven’s will. Who says I’ve gone against the natural order? As for you three, I let you go once. You should have stayed far away, but you dare show yourselves before me? Do you think I’m too soft? Guards, seize these three traitors!”
As soon as Ian Song finished speaking, Martial Saints around him sprang into action, attacking the three elders.
“How dare you! They are servants of the Mistveil Martial God. Anyone who attacks them insults the Martial God! Stand down!” one of the middle-aged men roared.
“You’re the insolent one! Shouting before me as if I don’t exist. Hear my order: anyone who dares interfere, kill without mercy!” Ian Song’s voice rang out again.
The two men’s faces turned extremely ugly.