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

Chapter 719 I'm Definitely Going to Take the Blame! (Please Subscribe, Please Vote for Monthly Tickets)
Ivan and Romanov acted swiftly. In order to force the "Witch Ancestor" to submit, they not only quickly issued a decree of investiture in the name of the Imperial Diet and the Royal Family.

They even used every channel to spread the news that "the ancestor of witches was granted a fief in the dangerous southern land" throughout the country, attempting to use public opinion and prestige to coerce this reclusive "guardian deity".

When the news reached a certain fiefdom of Da Luo, Sergei learned of it immediately. His heart tightened, and he thought to himself, "These two old foxes, what ruthless methods they have! They're trying to put my master in a very difficult position!"

He could almost see how the tide of expectation, disappointment, and contempt would surge through the populace if his master refused to go.

He was extremely anxious, but then he thought, what kind of person is Master Li Chen?
His wisdom is as deep as the ocean, and his plans are flawless. How could he not see through this shallow and obvious scheme?

It's like two unparalleled masters playing chess. Once the opponent has made their move, the master will surely have a countermeasure, and it will definitely be a brilliant and ingenious counterattack.

Thinking of this, Sergei's anxious mood calmed down a lot and was filled with anticipation. He restrained himself and prepared to watch how his master would solve this seemingly unsolvable problem.

However, at this very moment, Li Chen, the "master" on whom Sergei had placed high hopes, was not strategizing in the Holy Palace.

Instead, he was in the intimately scented inner room of the Shuvsky family home, reveling in the gentle embrace of the mature and beautiful Valentina.

When Lyudmila and Olga, Li Chen's two trusted confidantes who knew his true identity (the Witch Ancestor), hurriedly brought the news, their faces were filled with undisguised worry.

Lyudmila frowned and said urgently, "My lord, Ivan and Romanov have granted you those war-torn lands in the south. This is forcing you to go there as the 'ancestor of witches'! It's in chaos there now, and the refugees all came from there. It's fraught with danger, and they certainly don't have good intentions!"

Olga chimed in, "Yes, Master, this is clearly a trap, designed to send you to face the might of the Tian Ce Army!"

Li Chen, who was lounging lazily, was first stunned upon hearing this unbelievable news. Then, he couldn't help but smile, and finally burst out laughing. The more he laughed, the more unrestrained he became: "Ah? Giving me land? Is there such a good thing? Hahahaha, it's like a pillow being delivered when you're sleepy, wonderful, wonderful! Since they've offered it so sincerely, I'll reluctantly accept it!"

He immediately stood up, his face showing not a trace of worry, but rather full of mockery and pleasure.

Although Lyudmila and Olga did not understand why, they felt that the Witch Ancestor must have a way to do this, so there was no need for them to worry.

He first used his self-developed mobile phone to quickly transmit this "good news" along with his plan to General Han Wu at the front.

Upon receiving the message, Han Wu was stunned for a moment before realizing what was happening. He then displayed a knowing yet exasperated expression and immediately replied that he understood and that the entire Tian Ce Army would fully cooperate with the "Witch Ancestor's" performance.

Han Wu knew perfectly well that the Great Luo Dynasty was being given away for free, but he still had to put on an act.

After enjoying himself to the fullest, Li Chen leisurely returned to the Holy Capital, preparing to march south in a grand manner in the name of "Witch Ancestor" to "take over" his new territory.

However, before leaving, he didn't forget to deliberately annoy Ivan.

He blatantly used the excuse that "to pray for His Majesty's well-being, a gentle and yin energy is needed to harmonize the situation" to gather a group of beautiful concubines from the imperial palace in his own palace.

They spent their days drinking, making merry, and playing all sorts of absurd and unrestrained games. The sounds of music and laughter filled the air for several days before they finally prepared to set off, still feeling "unsatisfied."

This news naturally reached Ivan's ears without missing a word. Ivan was so angry that he trembled all over, veins bulging on his forehead. He gripped his sword hilt, and if it weren't for a voice in his head repeatedly warning him, "A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan; he must have tricked you into going out," he would have almost rushed into the Holy Palace on the spot to challenge Li Chen to a duel.

Of course, he was only thinking about it, knowing full well the unfathomable gap in strength between himself and Li Chen, and that rushing forward would be tantamount to throwing his life away.

Finally, Li Chen's "Witch Ancestor" convoy left the Holy Capital in a grand procession under the watchful eyes of countless people.

Their entourage was lavish, surrounded by believers, all dressed in uniform dark robes, with attendants wearing eerie masks, and powerful sorcerers who had come seeking refuge with them, forming a visually striking and mysterious procession.

This journey south attracted the attention of almost the entire Great Luo Dynasty.

From the powerful and wealthy to the common people in the streets and alleys, everyone's eyes were on the South.

Everyone wanted to see how this "Witch Ancestor," officially appointed and hailed as a guardian deity by the empire, would deal with the Tian Ce army, which was described in official propaganda as "vicious and ruthless," "burning, killing, and looting," and "like demons crawling out of hell."

In the long-standing demonizing propaganda of the Great Luo Dynasty, the Tian Ce Army was portrayed as terrifying enough to stop children from crying.

In the distance, Ivan and Romanov, hidden in the shadows, watched the departing convoy from afar, their eyes gleaming with the light of a successful conspiracy and a chilling killing intent.

They had already planted spies, waiting for the forces of the "Witch Ancestor" to fight to the death with the Heavenly Strategy Army. Once both sides were severely injured, or the Witch Ancestor revealed a weakness.

They would then act swiftly to eliminate Li Chen, this major threat, and then conveniently frame the "ruthless" Tian Ce Army.

In their view, the Tian Ce Army would never come out to explain, and they were destined to take the blame.

However, what happened next left everyone who was following the story, especially Ivan and Romanov, speechless and almost doubting their own eyes and ears.

Wherever the "Wuzu" convoy went, the Tian Ce army, which had been launching fierce attacks and reporting frequent victories, miraculously stopped its offensive!
The bugle call sounded, but it was not the prelude to an attack; rather, it was a signal to retreat.

The well-trained Tian Ce soldiers retreated in an orderly fashion, clearing a path.

Even in front of some important cities, some Tian Ce Army generals, dressed in bright armor and exuding an imposing aura, would personally leave their camps and come to the road that the convoy was bound to pass by, bowing to the magnificent carriage of the "Witch Ancestor" to express an attitude that was almost "respectful"!

What shocked and delighted the common people of Da Luo even more was that wherever the "Witch Ancestor's" carriage went, the war in the areas designated as the "Witch Ancestor's" fiefdoms instantly ceased.

The main force of the Tian Ce Army seemed to have deliberately avoided these places, instead launching attacks in other directions.

Those civilians who had suffered from the ravages of war and were displaced saw that this legendary "ancestor of witches" could actually "stop the fighting" and that even the notorious Tian Ce Army had to give him face and stop fighting wherever he went. They immediately regarded Li Chen as a true god who saved them from suffering!

Countless people knelt and cheered along the way, with cries of "May the ancestral spirit have mercy!" and "Save us!" rising and falling.

(End of this chapter)