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

Chapter 421 A Special Existence Among the Southern Kingdoms: The Ling Family Royal Family? (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

The Kingdom of Tasha is not small in size among the southern kingdoms, but its level of development is very low and the country is relatively poor, which makes it easy for such bandits to appear.

Although Li Chen often traveled incognito, this was the first time he had encountered robbers blocking his way.

There was no other way; in the Tian Ce Dynasty, not only did the city defense army deal with these issues, but the nearby sects also did not allow the existence of bandits.

In their eyes, these are all so-called 'merits'.

If this isn't dealt with, someone will take care of these people who are in charge.

Zhu Zhuying, standing beside him, frowned deeply. She hadn't expected to encounter such a thing so soon after crossing the border, and she was afraid of displeasing Li Chen.

The group of robbers consisted of more than twenty people. The leader, a burly man with thick eyebrows, exuded a fierce aura, and the machete in his hand gleamed coldly.

They even knew simple pulse array coordination, clearly indicating they were no ordinary rabble.

At the very least, they don't seem like the typical robbers.

"Hand over all your valuables!" the robbers shouted as they surrounded them.

As is customary, they only rob people of money and do not kill them, so that even if they are retaliated against in the future, it will not be too terrible.

Just as Li Chen was about to make a move, the man with thick eyebrows suddenly raised his hand to signal his subordinates to be quiet.

He scrutinized Li Chen carefully and cautiously asked, "May I ask where you are from, young master?"

Li Chen was slightly taken aback, not expecting the robber to be so polite. He casually replied, "I am from the capital of the Tian Ce Dynasty."

Upon hearing this, the robbers immediately became agitated, as if they had heard some terrifying ghost story.

The burly man with thick eyebrows was the first to react, and he quickly cupped his hands in a salute: "Misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding! I was blind and didn't recognize your greatness, young master!"

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his voice trembled.

The other robbers also put away their weapons, each one falling silent in fear.

The Tian Ce Dynasty's army had just crossed the border and was seen as an invincible force by the southern kingdoms.

Although it is not targeting any country yet, no one can guarantee that this iron cavalry will not suddenly change direction.

The burly man with thick eyebrows knew very well that if they offended the people of the Tian Ce Dynasty, it would be easy for their army to wipe out their mountain stronghold as soon as it passed by.

Moreover, this young master comes from the capital of the Tian Ce Dynasty, so his identity is even more extraordinary.

Zhu Zhuying looked at this scene with slight surprise.

The southern countries are in a state of disorder, plagued not only by bandits but also by larger rebel forces.

Unexpectedly, the prestige of the Tian Ce Dynasty was so great that even these desperate criminals dared not offend it.

Li Chen had no intention of bothering with these insignificant characters, and seeing that they knew what was good for them, he simply rode away.

The burly man with thick eyebrows even sent one of his underlings: "Quickly tell the brothers behind us that they must not provoke the people of the Tian Ce Dynasty during this time!"

Watching Li Chen's departing figure, the robbers finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The burly man with thick eyebrows wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and muttered, "I almost caused a major disaster."

Even someone like him, from the lowest rungs of society, had heard that the emperor of the Tian Ce Dynasty had already declared the country's destruction, and that was no joke.

What he didn't know was that the person in front of him was the emperor of the Tian Ce Dynasty.

This scene is a true reflection of the Tian Ce Dynasty's power and influence in the southern kingdoms.

Even the most lawless bandits dare not offend them, so how terrified must the monarchs of those small countries be?

Passing through the cities along the way, Li Chen felt that the development of Tasha Kingdom was indeed very poor, and he saw many hungry refugees in these cities. However, when he arrived at the capital of Tasha Kingdom, he was quite surprised, because it was very prosperous.

The wide street is paved with neat bluestone slabs, and shops line both sides of the street, with colorful signs fluttering in the wind.

Caravans from various countries came and went in an endless stream, the sounds of camel bells and vendors' cries blending into a vibrant symphony.

The jewelry store glittered with dazzling light, the silk shop was piled high with brocades, and there were even shops selling magical artifacts for cultivators, with talismans floating at the entrances emitting a faint spiritual light.

The pedestrians on the street were dressed in fine clothes, and many monks wore the attire of various sects, with jade pendants jingling at their waists.

Several Gu practitioners dressed in colorful clothes emerged from the tavern, their insect sacs hanging from their waists making a faint rustling sound.

Seemingly sensing Li Chen's doubts, Zhu Zhuying explained, "Young Master, the gap between rich and poor is large in the southern countries, and wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few. Don't be fooled by the poor overall level of Tasha Kingdom; the prosperity of its capital is comparable to that of my hometown, Xingluo Kingdom."

Li Chen glanced at the few Gu cultivators and said softly, "Why do I feel like the cultivators here are somewhat familiar? Are those Gu cultivators?"

Zhu Zhuying followed his gaze and nodded, saying, "If cultivators from the southern countries want to make a name for themselves, they have to go to the major countries for further study. Many of them return to establish their own sects. Those few are indeed Gu cultivators, but their level is quite average."

She paused, then added, "When I was studying at the Chensha Dao Sect in the Tian Ce Dynasty, I saw many such southern cultivators."

In other words, if Zhu Zhuying's cultivation level were placed in the Tian Ce Dynasty, she would be nothing more than an ordinary passerby.

However, in these countries, they would be renowned talents.

Before she went to the Tian Ce Dynasty for further studies, she thought that she must make a name for herself and make a name for herself with her talent.

When they got there, they found out that making a name for themselves was a feat in itself. Just surviving the monsters and getting out of the secret realm alive was already a skill in itself.

With Zhu Zhuying's explanations along the way, Li Chen gradually came to understand this country.

It was getting late, so the two decided to rest for the night before setting off again.

They arrived at a three-story inn called "Yunlai Pavilion," where carriages and horses were bustling about and merchants of all kinds were coming and going.

The lobby was brightly lit, and almost all of the dozens of sandalwood round tables were occupied, with waiters carrying dishes back and forth among them.

Li Chen chose a seat by the window on the second floor.

Through the carved window lattices, you can overlook the entire bustling street.

Zhu Zhuying pointed to a group of elegantly dressed young men passing by downstairs and said, "Young master, please look. Those are the royal family members of Tasha Kingdom. They are wearing crimson brocade robes embroidered with gold python patterns, which are the unique attire of the royal family."

Just as she was speaking, a commotion suddenly broke out downstairs.

A group of people dressed in even more splendid attire slowly approached. The man at the head of the group wore a moon-white long robe, with a crystal-clear jade pendant hanging at his waist, which gleamed with a faint blue light under the lamplight.

The surrounding commoners quickly retreated, and even the royal family members who had been there earlier respectfully stepped aside.

Li Chen raised an eyebrow: "Who are these people that can make the royal family give way?"

Zhu Zhuying lowered her voice and said, "Young master, those are members of the Zhao clan, who enjoy special privileges in the southern kingdoms."

Li Chen's doubts deepened: "How can the privileges of the Zhao clan supersede those of the royal family?"

Zhu Zhuying explained, "The Zhao family is a huge conglomerate that spans multiple countries. They control the economic lifelines of more than a dozen small countries, such as salt, iron, and grain transportation. It is said that there are also several cultivators in their family who have achieved success in cultivating in major countries. Therefore, even members of the royal family have to avoid their sharp edge."

As they were talking, the Zhao family's group entered the inn.

The shopkeeper hurriedly stepped forward, bending over so low that his back almost touched the ground.

The leading man's gaze swept across the hall, and when it passed over Li Chen's table, he suddenly paused slightly, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)