I just reached the maximum level, and you want me to be a puppet emperor?

Chapter 717 Once a deep sorrow takes hold in one's heart! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
Valentina did not refuse. She took the medicine bottle and carefully applied the ointment to the scratches on her arm. The cooling sensation immediately relieved the burning pain.

Then, she looked at Li Chen's arm, hesitated for a moment, and said softly, "Let me help you apply the medicine."

Li Chen did not refuse. As she approached, her slender fingers trembled slightly as she gently cleaned his wounds and applied medicine powder.

The two were so close that they could hear each other breathing, and an ambiguous and subtle atmosphere filled the cave.

Valentina could smell his unique masculine scent, a blend of herbs and a hint of danger, and her heart began to race.

Li Chen stared intently at her pretty face, so close to his, filled with worry and seriousness, and her red lips slightly pursed due to nervousness.

“Thanks to you this time, otherwise I’m afraid…” Valentina said softly, her tone no longer sharp as before, but rather soft.

Li Chen's voice was deep, and he looked at her intently: "It's nothing, and besides, it was you, Madam, who was in danger. How could I sit idly by?"

His words brushed against Valentina's heart like a feather.

She looked up and met his deep eyes, in which she seemed to see worry, concern, and an emotion that made her heart flutter.

A lone man and woman in a safe haven after being in danger, the filter of a hero rescuing a damsel in distress, and the ambiguous atmosphere deliberately created by Li Chen caused Valentina's feelings for this mysterious wizard to rise uncontrollably and rapidly at this moment.

She didn't even notice that the seemingly severe poison wound on Li Chen's arm was slowly healing at a visible speed after the black energy was forced out.

In fact, it would be difficult for Li Chen to get injured. The attacks of these low-level demonic beasts could not break through his defenses at all. The danger and injuries he suffered just now were just a carefully staged performance by him in order to get closer to Valentina.

Valentina's cultivation level was low, so she couldn't see through the mysterious wizard's true strength. She assumed that he had done everything in his power to protect her.

The atmosphere inside the cave was subtle, and Li Chen broke the silence at the opportune moment. He stretched his arms slightly, smiled casually, and spoke with a hint of teasing:

"I came in a hurry, and I was only able to use one or two tenths of my strength to deal with those beasts. I hope you will forgive me, Madam."

He looked at Valentina with a gentle gaze.

"Madam, you have ventured into this dangerous place for some purpose. If you do not mind, I, Li, am willing to protect you and help you achieve your goal."

Seeing that his face still seemed somewhat pale, and hearing his defiant words, Valentina felt a deeper pang of gratitude and guilt, and quickly tried to dissuade him:
"Your injuries are not yet healed and you need to rest properly. It's all my fault for dragging you into this. Perhaps I should go back and find some help before coming back?"

Her tone was filled with self-reproach, as she felt deeply that she was a burden to the other person.

Li Chen naturally wouldn't give her that chance. He stood up, his posture seemingly casual yet carrying an undeniable firmness: "A minor injury, nothing serious. Since Madam is in such a hurry, let's set off now."

Sure enough, after Li Chen led her out of the cave, they "coincidentally" encountered several waves of rather "powerful" monster attacks along the way.

Each time, Li Chen displayed astonishing strength "just right," seemingly in danger but actually dealing with the monsters with ease.

During the process, he rescued the damsel in distress more than once, or grabbed Valentina's slender waist and nimbly dodged the sudden poisonous vines;
Or, in the instant a monster pounces, it shields her behind it, its broad back protecting her from all possible danger.

His powerful arms, steady heartbeat, and the masculine aura emanating from him—a blend of herbs and danger—constantly assaulted Valentina's senses.

At first, Valentina was a little stiff and shy about such intimate contact. But her subconscious reliance on him in dangerous situations gradually made her no longer reject Li Chen's approach. In fact, when he put his arm around her, she would feel a sense of security that was hard to describe.

The aura of a hero saving a damsel in distress, the intimidation of his powerful strength, the perfectly timed thoughtfulness and care, coupled with his impeccably handsome face—these factors combined create a tremendous force.

Despite her strong inner defenses, Valentina couldn't help but waver at this moment, and her affection for Valentina rose uncontrollably.

She could only constantly remind herself that her status as a wife was the only way she could barely maintain her last shred of clarity.

After going through many hardships, the two finally found the herbs Valentina needed.

This journey, undertaken only by the two of them, brought them closer together amidst crises and mutual assistance, fostering an indescribable intimacy.

Returning to the strictly regulated courtyard of the Shuvsky family, Valentina felt somewhat dazed.

The thrills and excitement of the mountains and the ambiguous subtleties of the caves kept replaying in her mind like a dream. Compared with the silence before her, she felt a faint sense of nostalgia.

But back to reality, she is the lady here, a married woman, and must adhere to traditional wifely virtues, keeping her distance from the sorcerer Li Chen.

Unexpectedly, just as she was in a state of confusion, Li Chen took the initiative to visit her in the courtyard where she lived, bringing with him some precious medicinal herbs and elixirs to regulate her body.

He spoke earnestly, only saying that he was worried that she had been frightened last time and needed to be properly cared for.

In Li Chen's view, this was merely a test and approach in the next step of the plan, but in Valentina's eyes, this mysterious wizard was not only powerful, but also considerate and gentle.

She couldn't help but think to herself that if she weren't already married, this man might be the perfect husband she had been longing for.

Once the floodgates are opened, sorrows surge forth like a tidal wave.

When a woman has unresolved worries in her heart, she often needs to rely on external things.

As night fell, Valentina dismissed her maids and drank alone under the moon.

Li Chen "coincidentally" arrived and, seeing her drinking alone, sat down to keep her company.

Li Chen was naturally immune to alcohol, but Valentina was different. After a few drinks, the effects of the alcohol overwhelmed her, and she became increasingly drunk. Eventually, she succumbed to the alcohol and collapsed onto the table.

Li Chen knew that the plan was already half successful.

He flicked his sleeve to clear the wine jug from the table, his gaze falling on the drunken beauty.

At this moment, Valentina's hair was slightly disheveled, her cheeks were flushed, and her usually aloof and sharp eyes were closed, with her long eyelashes casting faint shadows under her eyes.

Her body, slumped over the table, outlined breathtaking curves, her mature form undulating gracefully beneath her thin dress.

Her full breasts rose and fell gently with her breath, and her slender waist and plump hips created an alluring contrast, showcasing the languid charm and ultimate seduction of this beautiful woman.

(End of this chapter)