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

Chapter 736 How could Li Chen's words be empty talk? (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
His composure beyond his years and his ability to regard extraordinary achievements as ordinary impressed Prime Minister Zhao Wenyuan and General Guo Poyun, who were attending a small meeting in the Imperial Study. They felt that His Majesty was unfathomable and seemed to have experienced all the vicissitudes of life.

Li Chen usually works online via his mobile phone, so it's rare for him to personally convene a small meeting with his trusted ministers.

He dismissed his attendants, leaving only Zhao and Guo present, and cut straight to the point, his voice steady: "The matter of Da Luo is settled. I will soon depart for the Yongzhou Empire. This journey may involve some dangers."

He then briefly explained to the two how he held the honorary titles of "Heir to the Pope" and "Imperial Preceptor" in the Eternal Day Empire, as well as the intelligence he had received regarding the Pope's mysterious disappearance and the suspected attack on Emperor Charles.

Zhao Wenyuan stroked his beard, deep in thought, his brow furrowing slightly: "Your Majesty, this matter is indeed strange. I believe the probability of it being a trap is perhaps low, but danger certainly exists."
The key point is that even if something were to happen to the Pope, the royal family, especially Emperor Charles, would likely not be happy to see you smoothly inherit the papacy.
They've finally waited for the opportunity of the Papacy being leaderless and embroiled in internal strife, a chance to suppress or even seize control of papal power. How could they possibly allow you, an 'outsider,' especially with your status as Emperor Tiance, to sit on the papal throne, a position that rivals imperial authority? They will undoubtedly do everything in their power to obstruct you, even resorting to underhanded tactics.

According to Zhao Wenyuan's understanding, Charles's attack might have been a ruse to lower the Vatican's guard and allow him to control the situation from behind the scenes.

Guo Poyun, who was standing to the side, was taken aback and asked in a gruff voice, "Ah? Your Majesty, you have such an identity? Recognized by the Papal Bureau of the Eternal Day Papacy?"

He looked somewhat bewildered, as if he was rather out of the loop.

Seeing this, Zhao Wenyuan couldn't help but curl a smug smile. He glanced at Guo Poyun and said with a hint of boastfulness, "General Guo, your information is really outdated."

"Your Majesty not only holds a position in Eternal Day, but even the 'Witch Ancestor,' who stirred up the storms of the Great Luo and was revered as a guardian deity, is one of Your Majesty's aliases. Otherwise, why do you think the new Great Luo Emperor, Mavet, would be so subservient to Your Majesty and obey your every word?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Poyun gasped, his gaze towards Li Chen filled with shock. He then turned to Zhao Wenyuan, his eyes revealing a hint of resentment, as if to say:

"You old Zhao, we're all His Majesty's trusted ministers, how come you know everything while I'm treated like an outsider? Such confidential matters, and no one even informed me!"

Li Chen took in Guo Poyun's expression, which resembled that of a neglected and resentful woman, and couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing. He explained, "Minister Guo, there's no need for that. Minister Zhao often consults me on state affairs through private chats, and inquiring about it casually, which I then provided."
You've never asked me these questions before, so I can't just pull you aside and ask how many other identities I have outside, can I?

His tone was slightly teasing, which was a way of giving Guo Poyun a way out. He then said, "If there are similar matters next time, I will put the two of you in a group to discuss them together, so that you won't always feel that I am biased."

Upon hearing this, Guo Poyun was immediately moved to tears and quickly cupped his hands in gratitude, saying, "This old minister dares not presume! Thank you for your compassion, Your Majesty!"

Although he was appeased by the promise of being added to the group chat, he still couldn't help but glare at Zhao Wenyuan, who returned a smug look that said, "Being close to His Majesty means you can do whatever you want."

After this brief interlude, Guo Poyun composed himself and analyzed the situation seriously: "Your Majesty, after hearing what Prime Minister Zhao said, this old minister also feels that this matter is most likely related to Emperor Charles of Yongzhou. There must be people planted by Charles within the Papacy."

If Your Majesty were to return now in a high-profile manner as the 'heir,' Charles would surely find out. How could he possibly stand idly by while you consolidate the power of the Papacy? At that point, the conflict would become public, and it could very well escalate from an internal Papacy struggle into a national dispute between the two countries, or even trigger war.

His analysis was quite insightful, a departure from his usual advocacy for war. Zhao Wenyuan glanced at Guo Poyun in surprise, thinking, 'What's gotten into this old killer? Why isn't he shouting about war anymore?'

Li Chen nodded approvingly: "What Minister Guo said is precisely one of my concerns. Although I have placed some people within the Holy See, their positions are not high and their influence is limited."
The Eternal Day Papacy possesses a profound foundation, boasting dozens of Saint-level experts; its strength should not be underestimated. Moreover, the Pope is merely missing, his fate unknown. If I rashly intervene as the heir, and the Pope has not perished and returns in the future, the situation will become even more complex and unpredictable.”

Therefore, Li Chen revealed his plan: "So, I do not intend to reveal my true identity this time. I will conceal my whereabouts, disguise myself as an ordinary low-ranking member of the Holy See, quietly infiltrate Eternal Day, secretly investigate the truth, and act according to the circumstances."
In this way, they could avoid Charles's close scrutiny while also more easily uncovering core secrets.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wenyuan's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly tried to dissuade him: "Your Majesty! This is absolutely unacceptable! You are of inestimable worth and the foundation of the Heavenly Strategy! Your safety is tied to the fate of the entire empire!"
Now that our Heavenly Strategy Realm is peaceful and prosperous, and our national strength is growing daily, there is really no need for Your Majesty to personally take such a perilous risk! Such an investigation can be carried out by sending elite spies; why must Your Majesty do it personally?”

Li Chen raised his hand, stopping Zhao Wenyuan from speaking further. His gaze became deep and firm as he slowly swept over the two high-ranking officials. His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable determination and boundless ambition:

"I know it's dangerous."

"But my goal has never been merely to be a ruler who maintains the status quo."

"What I desire is the unification of the continent!"

If these words had come from any other monarch, Zhao Wenyuan and Guo Poyun might have outwardly complimented them, but inwardly disagreed.
It was merely the boastful words of a young emperor, the ultimate dream that every ambitious monarch had once had, yet almost no one could realize.

However, the words spoken calmly by Li Chen at this moment carried a chilling power, causing the two seasoned ministers, who had seen it all, to tremble and their blood to rush.

They were so shocked not because they found the statement absurd, but quite the opposite, because a voice deep within them told them: Your Majesty, he really could do it!

Looking back on what His Majesty has done since ascending the throne: He quelled the rebellion of the unruly princes with swift and decisive measures, consolidating imperial power; He led his troops north and completely destroyed the Snow Eagle Royal Court, which had plagued the border for many years.
With its military might pointing westward, it forced the Sasanian Dynasty to sign a humiliating treaty; now, without shedding a drop of blood, it has made the powerful and influential Great Luo Dynasty, with its millennia-long history, submit and become its vassal state!
Each and every one of these achievements is a legendary feat.

Which of these is something that an ordinary monarch would dare to think of or even be able to do?

But His Majesty not only did it, but did it cleanly and efficiently, as if everything was under his control.

His steps were firm and swift, and the empire's territory and prestige expanded at an astonishing pace in his hands.

Now that these "impossibilities" have become reality, how could the seemingly unattainable ultimate goal of "unifying the continent" be just empty talk for Your Majesty?
(End of this chapter)