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

Chapter 749 Fear of Power and Absolute Strength! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Having received approval, Sylph took a deep breath, a hint of guilt and struggle flashing across her face, but this hesitation was quickly replaced by a firm determination to "seize the opportunity and climb up to the powerful."

She thought to herself, 'Mother, you must be strong! This is a golden opportunity for us to escape our predicament and climb the social ladder! With your timid and cowardly nature, you certainly wouldn't dare to resist.'

With that thought in mind, she no longer hesitated, pushed open her mother's door, and gestured for Li Chen to follow behind.

Li Chen remained an observer, wanting to see how the drama would unfold.

Inside the room, steam filled the air. Bilodis, Sylph's beautiful half-elf mother, was soaking in the warm bath, gently wiping her smooth shoulders and arms with a damp towel.

Hearing the door suddenly pushed open, she turned around in surprise. When she saw her daughter barging in with a mysterious and unfamiliar man in a dark cloak, her amethyst eyes, similar to Sylph's, widened instantly, filled with panic and helplessness.

She instinctively tried to cover her body with a towel or her arm, but it was too late.

Knowing her mother's personality well, Sylph didn't give her any chance to think or refuse. She immediately spoke in a tone full of awe and emphasis: "Mother! Come out and greet him! This is a holy man sent by the Holy See to secretly investigate important matters! He is a Saint-level being even more powerful than Chief Lorthema!"

These words struck like a bolt from the blue, precisely hitting Bilodis in the deepest fear: power and absolute strength.

The name of the Holy See was enough to inspire awe in ordinary people, but the words "Saint Realm" weighed on her like a mountain, making it hard to breathe. It was a thousand times more terrifying than the intimidation of a family patriarch!
"Ah!" Bilodis was so frightened that she didn't even care about covering her body anymore.

She practically tumbled out of the bathtub, not even bothering to dry herself, and collapsed to her knees on the cold floor with a "plop." Her wet, silver hair clung to her cheeks and smooth back, and her voice trembled uncontrollably.

"This humble servant is Bilodis. I was unaware of Your Excellency's arrival and have failed to greet you properly. I deserve to die for this! Welcome, Your Excellency!"

From Li Chen's vantage point above, the beautiful woman kneeling on the ground had an alluring pink hue due to the warm bath and her current shock, her skin dazzlingly white.

Her figure was voluptuous and graceful, with exceptionally full and firm breasts. Because of her kneeling posture and the fact that she was completely naked, her breathtaking curves and deep cleavage could be seen from any angle. Even her smooth, beautiful back could not completely conceal her proud assets.

Water droplets rolled down her smooth skin, leaving a small puddle on the ground.

Li Chen also "cooperated" by slightly releasing a faint but terrifying pressure that was enough to make one's soul tremble.

This wasn't a targeted oppression, yet it enveloped the entire room as if it were a tangible force, instantly confirming Sylph's words and dispelling Bilodis's last shred of doubt, leaving only boundless fear, her body trembling like a leaf in the wind.

Seeing that her mother was completely stunned, Sylph quickly pressed on, saying, "Mother, the master is investigating in secret, and his identity must not be exposed! He has been investigating all day and is very tired. He needs to rest in your room."

She deliberately emphasized the need for rest, hinting at a certain possibility.

Just as she had expected, Bilodis couldn't muster any thoughts of resistance or questioning. She hurriedly stammered, "Yes, yes, yes! I understand! I will definitely cooperate! I would never dare to reveal a single word! Please use this room, my lord. I will go out with Sylph now."

"Get up," Li Chen said calmly.

Bilodis felt as if she had been granted a pardon, but she dared not relax completely and stood up shakily.

However, Li Chen's unabashed gaze, peering through his hood, made her incredibly embarrassed, and her fair skin flushed even more deeply.

She was naked, with water droplets still dripping from her feet, and she had never felt so disheveled and helpless.

She seemed to remember something and asked in a barely audible voice, "My lord, may I put on a coat first?" "No need," Li Chen's voice was firm and unquestionable, "This is fine as it is."

Bilodis dared not mention changing clothes again. She could only suppress her shame and, naked, carefully serve tea to Li Chen like the most obedient maid. Then she knelt obediently on the cushion beside her, looking down and waiting for orders.

She forced a fawning smile, though it was stiff with fear: "Your Excellency, please do not hesitate to ask for anything you need. As for His Holiness the Pope, I am of lowly status and know very little."

Her words and actions perfectly illustrated her fear of death and her desperate attempts to please others.

What Bilodis said was largely the same as what her daughter said.

Li Chen thought to himself, this woman is indeed just like her daughter, with "being pragmatic" and "being afraid of death" ingrained in her bones.

If you tell her to go east, she would never dare to go west. She is very attentive when serving people, and clearly knows how to survive in front of the strong.

And with each sway, she looked at Li Chen with increasing satisfaction.

Because it's so full, it sways unconsciously, and coupled with shame, I try to suppress the swaying, which feels like dancing.

Having seen enough, Li Chen put down his teacup and said, "It's getting late, we should rest."

Upon hearing this, Bilodis felt relieved but also somewhat uneasy. She quickly got up, preparing to leave with her daughter and leave the room for this "adult".

However, Li Chen pointed at her and said, "You stay."

Bilodis stiffened, her face drained of color, and a hint of despair and resignation flashed in her eyes. But in the end, she obediently stopped and whispered, "Yes, sir."

Seeing this, Sylph was not displeased at all; on the contrary, she felt that this was a sign of the adults' "trust" and "acceptance" of her and her daughter.

To further demonstrate her loyalty, she quickly said, "My lord, please rest well. I will keep watch outside for you and will not let anyone disturb you!"

After saying that, she quietly left the room and carefully closed the door.

All night long, Sylph faithfully waited by her mother's window, while the battle raged inside all night.

Sylph's awe and reverence for that "Cleric" reached their peak, and she couldn't help but secretly exclaim, 'The Cleric is truly powerful!'

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Sylph was still faithfully waiting outside the door, though her eyelids were drooping.

When she saw Li Chen walk out of the room looking refreshed, she quickly rubbed her eyes, stood up respectfully, and looked somewhat embarrassed and apologetic.

"My lord, you're awake?" she said softly, holding a simple wooden tray with a few pieces of dry, hard black bread, a small bowl of thin porridge that was so clear you could hardly see any rice grains, and a small dish of blackened pickled vegetables.

"I wanted to prepare a decent breakfast for you, but I have too low a status in this family, and the people in the kitchen never give me a good look. This is the best I could manage."

Her voice grew softer and softer, and she lowered her head, looking pitiful.

(End of this chapter)