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

Chapter 728 Didn't I know he was using me?! (Please subscribe and vote!)

As Romanov's most important hiding place and stronghold, this cave naturally housed most of his accumulated wealth.

Although the accumulated wealth of the Great Romano royal family over thousands of years could not all be here, the wealth that Romanov himself amassed during his time in power and in seclusion was enough to make any power envious.

Various rare refining materials, mountains of spirit crystals, jade slips of cultivation techniques radiating ancient energy, and dozens of gleaming magical weapons were displayed in abundance, almost filling an entire side hall.

Li Chen was not a stingy person; the five Saint Realm experts played a crucial role in the successful ambush.

With a wave of his hand, he ordered the five men to select and divide the majority of the spoils. "My lords, you have worked hard. I have remembered your merits in this battle. You may decide how to distribute these spoils."

Upon hearing this, the five people, despite all being at the level of saints, couldn't help but show a hint of joy.

They were also very sensible, knowing that the best or most crucial treasures would definitely be reserved for Li Chen. They only needed to select the parts that suited them or their sects, which would already be a tremendous gain.

Any one of these items would be enough to significantly enhance the strength of their sect.

They expressed their gratitude respectfully before beginning the careful selection process.

After dealing with these matters, Li Chen instructed the five men: "I need to return to the palace to arrange the next phase of matters. You can decide for yourselves whether to stay in the Great Luo territory to observe the situation secretly, or to return to Tian Ce first."

"We understand, Your Majesty, and will obey your decree," the five replied in unison.

Li Chen nodded, and with a flicker, he disappeared into the cave.

As night deepened, the Great Luo Holy Palace appeared tranquil and solemn under the starlight.

When the guards at the palace gate saw the "Ancestor of Witches" return, they immediately bowed and paid their respects, their eyes filled with awe.

Li Chen intended to find any concubine's palace to rest in, but he noticed that the lights in the imperial study were still on.

He strolled inside and saw the young, newly crowned Real Madrid's Vittoria von Wietzky hunched over a large desk, his brow furrowed, looking troubled by the mountain of memorials piled up before him.

Hearing footsteps, Mavit looked up and saw Li Chen. He quickly stood up, forcing a tired smile on his face: "Master, you've arrived? It's so late, why aren't you resting? Is there something important?"

Li Chen walked to the desk, glanced at the memorials, and asked casually, "Still not asleep? What official business are you troubled by?"

As if he had found someone to confide in, Mavit immediately began to pour out his grievances: "Master, you don't know, these ministers have been getting more and more outrageous lately! They outwardly comply with my decrees but inwardly defy them, making excuses and delaying everything."
The reports sent from various regions were mostly perfunctory. I suspect they were acting under someone's 'instructions,' conspiring to sideline me! Being emperor is truly frustrating!

His tone was filled with helplessness and resentment.

Moreover, Mavit's words became increasingly tactful; he referred to himself as "your subject," essentially treating Li Chen, the ancestor of witchcraft, as his father.

In fact, Li Chen wasn't that much older than him.

However, in terms of temperament and depth, they are indeed very different.

Li Chen listened quietly, a mysterious smile suddenly appearing on his face. He patted Mavit on the shoulder, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority, and slowly said:
"You won't have this problem anymore."

At this moment, Mavit still couldn't fully comprehend the bloodshed and earth-shattering changes implied behind Li Chen's words, "From now on, you won't have this problem anymore."

He only vaguely sensed that his master seemed to be hinting that he was about to take over the real royal power.

He was filled with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension, but looking at Li Chen's calm and unwavering gaze, he ultimately dared not ask any further questions and simply gave a respectful reply.

Li Chen didn't say anything more, patted him on the shoulder, and turned to leave the imperial study, his figure disappearing into the night as if he had only come for a casual chat. The next morning at court, Mavit still felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.

Beneath the dragon throne, the nobles and high-ranking officials maintained formality on the surface, but the perfunctory and disdain revealed in their eye contact, as well as their seemingly respectful but actually forceful demeanor when they presented their memorials, made him feel extremely stifled and powerless.

He diligently maintained the emperor's dignity as Li Chen had taught him, but only he knew the pain he felt inside.

However, right after the morning court session ended, a royal uncle who was usually quite cold to him, but held a high position and considerable power within the royal family, actually took the initiative to approach him.

His face broke into an unprecedentedly warm smile, and his tone even carried a hint of ingratiation: "Your Majesty has been working hard on state affairs lately, which is very tiring. This old minister observes that Your Majesty's demeanor is becoming more and more composed, which is truly a blessing for our Great Luo. If you encounter any difficulties in the court or within the clan in the future, please do not hesitate to give this old minister your instructions, and this old minister will do his best to share Your Majesty's burdens."

These words completely stunned Mavit. In the past, this royal uncle rarely even gave him a second glance at clan meetings, and when he did speak, it was mostly sarcastic remarks, implying that he was unworthy of his position.

Did the sun rise in the west today? He gave a vague reply, his mind filled with doubt.

This is just the beginning.

In the days that followed, an invisible tide seemed to sweep through the royal family.

Those royal elders and powerful relatives who had previously ignored him or even secretly sided with Ivan and Romanov suddenly came to pay their respects one after another under various pretexts, expressing their loyalty and support.

Their reasons varied widely. Some praised him for "growing more mature," while others said that "His Majesty should be respected and the power of the royal family should be consolidated." Some even subtly suggested that they were willing to relinquish some of their power in order to "stabilize the court."

This sudden shower of attention left Mavit feeling increasingly uneasy and bewildered after his initial pleasant surprise.

He was like a puppet suddenly pushed onto a huge stage, unaware of the source of the force pulling the strings or its purpose.

He instinctively felt that this strange change must be related to his master's meaningful words that night.

One week later, late one night, a trusted bodyguard of Mavit rushed into the palace with a shocking message.

"Your Majesty!" The head guard's face turned pale, his voice filled with barely suppressed panic. "A major incident has occurred in the clan! Our sentries stationed around the Misty Imperial Mausoleum, as well as the elders responsible for secret communication with the Ancestor and the late Emperor, have been unable to contact the Ancestor and the late Emperor for more than seven days!"

He took a deep breath and said, "They seem to have vanished into thin air! We've tried all emergency contact methods, but there's been no response!"

These were originally the methods used by the patriarch and Ivan to control the government.

Mavit was deeply shaken, but outwardly he forced himself to remain calm: "Do you know where they finally went?"

"Based on the fragmented information, it seems that the last time the ancestor appeared was at the invitation of the ancestor of witchcraft to attend a banquet in the palace."

The head guard answered cautiously, then tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. Should we immediately send more men to secretly enter the depths of the imperial mausoleum's restricted area for a thorough investigation? Perhaps they have encountered some critical moment of seclusion, or some other unexpected event?"

Upon hearing the keywords "Witch Ancestor's invitation to a banquet" and "no one has seen him since," Mavit felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, as if a thunderclap had exploded in his mind!

In an instant, all my doubts were answered!
The ancestor and the emperor vanished into thin air!

My master's meaningful words that night!
Then came the sudden change and loyalty of the royal family members!

All of this, when put together, points to a fact that terrifies him, yet is also perfectly logical.

(End of this chapter)