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

Chapter 730 I was truly blinded by greed, utterly unworthy of being a disciple! (Please subscribe, please vote with monthly tickets)

Li Chen observed his reaction, his tone slightly lowered, carrying a hint of scrutiny: "What, disciple? Now that you've sat on this dragon throne, you can't lower your head, can't let go of the empty title of emperor? Do you think that submitting to the strong is a great disgrace?"

"No! No! Master, please don't misunderstand!" Matvey waved his hands frantically, trying to explain, his deep-seated cowardice once again taking over.

"Disciple... Disciple is not greedy for empty fame. For the continuation of the Great Luo Dynasty, and to save millions of people from the ravages of war, let alone bowing down and submitting, even the most humiliating things, disciple is willing to do!"

He took a deep breath, his face showing genuine worry: "But Master, Emperor Li Chen of the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty is a man of great talent and ambition. Would he be willing to accept our submission? Would he give me, or even the Great Luo, this opportunity? I'm afraid that even if we wanted to submit, they would still try to wipe us out!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chen suddenly realized that this was what the kid was worried about.

He found it somewhat amusing; he couldn't very well just tell him that he was the Emperor of Tian Ce himself, could he?
So he pulled out the same excuse he'd used to fool Sergei, his tone laced with mystery: "So that's what you're worried about. You can rest assured about that."
My master and Emperor Li Chen of the Heavenly Strategy Army had some interactions during our early travels, so we are old acquaintances. Although he is ambitious, he is not a bloodthirsty person; he understands the principle of subduing the enemy without fighting.

"If I, as your teacher, mediate and convey the message, he should grant me the honor of accepting the submission of the Great Luo. After all, gaining a vast vassal state without bloodshed is far more worthwhile than expending national resources in a war of annihilation."

Upon hearing this, Matvey's eyes lit up immediately, as if he had seen a ray of light in the endless darkness!
It turns out that Master actually had connections with that infamous Emperor Tian Ce! That makes things much easier!
The weight lifted from his heart instantly, and he was so excited he almost jumped for joy: "So that's how it is! Master, you are truly powerful! You can even speak to the Emperor of Tian Ce! That's wonderful! Your disciple will go and prepare the letter of state right away. I will make sure it is written with sincere words, fully expressing our sincerity in submitting!"

He seemed to have seen hope of avoiding a war that would destroy the country, and he was full of enthusiasm.

Just as Matvey was preparing to take his leave to draft the letter of credence, Li Chen spoke again, uttering words that struck Matvey like a thunderbolt:
"If this matter succeeds, the foundation of the Great Luo Empire can be preserved, and the border wars can be extinguished. The overall situation in the court will be settled, and external threats will also be eliminated. At that time, it will be time for me to retire and return to the sacred land of the Witch Clan for quiet cultivation."

"What?! Master, you're leaving?!" Matvey suddenly raised his head, his face drained of color. He even disregarded his imperial demeanor and knelt down with a thud, grabbing the hem of Li Chen's robe. His voice was filled with obvious sobs and panic.

"Master! Why?! Did I do something wrong and make you angry? Or was my recent purge of the court officials too ruthless and disappointed you? I can change! Please don't leave! The Great Luo cannot do without you!"

Seeing his sincere and even somewhat panicked appearance, Li Chen was also touched, but the plan could not be changed.

He reached out and helped Matvey up, his tone gentle yet firm: "Get up. You've done very well, even more mature and decisive than I expected. Young eagles must eventually leave the nest to spread their wings, and even the emperor will eventually have to face his empire alone."

The road ahead is long, and you must walk it yourself. Your master cannot accompany you forever. I am originally a person of the secular world, fond of tranquility. I entered the world initially to spread the Dharma and also because I could not bear to see the suffering of the common people. Now that the situation has settled, it is time for me to return to my blessed sanctuary and continue my cultivation.
If you ever encounter truly difficult and thorny problems in the future, you may send someone to the Holy Land with a message. If I have the time, I will certainly help you resolve your doubts.

Hearing Li Chen's earnest and candid words, Matvey could no longer hold back his tears, which welled up in his eyes.

He kowtowed three times with great force, his forehead instantly turning purplish-blue and even oozing blood.

He was so excited not only because he was reluctant to part with it, but also because of the immense guilt and emotion welling up inside him!
Prior to this, it wasn't that no one had whispered in his ear; many so-called "confidants" had subtly warned him to be wary of the "Witch Ancestor's" growing power and influence. Their support for him was likely just a way to find an easily controlled puppet, with the ultimate goal of taking control of the Holy Capital and personally manipulating the Great Luo Dynasty.

Deep down, Matvey also harbored a slight doubt and wariness.

But over this period of time, he has seen it all clearly!
Aside from providing guidance and support at crucial moments, the master never interfered in specific political affairs, nor did he ever place his cronies or cultivate his own faction; all power was truly handed over to him.

Now, at the very moment when his throne is initially secured and external threats are about to be eliminated, he has chosen to retire gracefully and leave without a trace!
This is hardly a powerful minister who wants to control the court; he is clearly a wise and virtuous man who saves the country and its people, is indifferent to fame and fortune, and mentors the younger generation!
'For a fleeting moment, I actually doubted my master's intentions.'

Matvey was filled with self-reproach.

"I was truly blinded by greed, utterly unworthy of being a disciple! My master's kindness to me was as heavy as a mountain; he imparted his skills to me, helped me rise to power, and cleared obstacles for me. Now, he has left without asking for anything in return. Compared to my master, what are my biological father, who only treated me as a tool, and those royals who only knew how to fight for power?!"

In his heart, Li Chen's image was already incredibly tall, glorious, and holy, comparable to his second parents, no, even surpassing his biological father!

He choked up and said with utmost sincerity, "I will never forget Master's teachings! I can never repay even a fraction of Master's kindness, even if I were to be shattered to pieces! I hereby swear that as long as I am in power, the Witch Ancestor will be the only national teacher of the Great Luo, and the Witch Cult will be the only state religion of the Great Luo! Master's sacred ground will enjoy the same respect and worship as the Great Luo Imperial Mausoleum!"

Looking at Matt Wei, who was deeply moved, Li Chen felt quite calm.

The reason he chose to leave was quite simple.

He was originally the Emperor of Tian Ce; he couldn't keep playing the role of the Witch Ancestor in Da Luo forever.

The Tian Ce Empire still has a vast territory and complex administrative affairs that require him to return and oversee them.

Moreover, he was by nature more inclined to be a hands-off manager, too lazy to even worry about the affairs of his own country's court every day, so where would he find the leisure and inclination to personally manage the affairs of the Great Luo Dynasty?

The most efficient and worry-free way is for the puppet emperor Matvi, who is grateful to him, and Grand Duke Sergei, who is "one of their own," to openly control Daluo, thereby indirectly completing Tian Ce's annexation and control of Daluo.

Thus, amidst Matvey's reluctant farewell and the almost impending farewell of all the officials, Li Chen, along with Fairy Youlan and some core members, once again left the Great Luo Holy Capital under the pretext of "returning to the sacred land of the Witch Clan for quiet cultivation."

(End of this chapter)