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

Chapter 494 Those are all old stories; I only told you because you made me! (Please subscribe and vote!)
As she spoke, Tang's mother's tears had already soaked Li Chen's clothes.

She didn't hide it; it was indeed Tang Shan's father who had problems here.

Tang Shan's father was a martial arts fanatic with extremely high cultivation. In order to continuously improve his cultivation, he began to have 'extreme' ideas.

Because Tang's mother was an elder of the reclusive sect, the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Hall, she inadvertently revealed that the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Hall possessed a treasure called Immortal Fate Crystal, which could help cultivators in the lower realms ascend to immortality.

Tang Shan's father was not a member of the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace, and Tang Shan's mother was not qualified to obtain it, so Tang Shan's father had a wicked idea and stole a piece of Immortal Fate Crystal.

Therefore, it is likely that Tang Shan's theft is hereditary.

Although Tang Shan's father stole the items, the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace was no ordinary force. They mobilized all their powerful members to capture Tang Shan's father and also to arrest the traitor.

Tang's mother escaped by chance and took the infant Tang Shan to live in seclusion here.

Tang Shan's father was in the wrong, so Tang's mother didn't tell anyone about it.

In other words, it's difficult to find someone to help resolve this issue.

She wouldn't have said it if Li Chen hadn't been so assertive and powerful.

Li Chen toyed with a strand of her hair, a smile playing on his lips: "You're an elder of the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace, what a coincidence. But why should I help you with this?"

Tang's mother bit her lip, then suddenly loosened the sash around her waist: "This concubine...this concubine is willing to serve Your Majesty for the rest of her life."

Li Chen's eyes darkened, and he picked the person up in his arms: "Then we'll see how you perform tonight."

When Li Chen was finally satisfied, the first light of dawn was already breaking outside the window.

After these two days of contact, Tang's mother seemed to feel that whether or not to save Tang Shan's father was no longer important.

Because she didn't want to put Li Chen in a difficult position, after all, Tang Shan's father wasn't exactly a respectable figure either.

She had already started to consider Li Chen's feelings.

However, Li Chen said that he had already promised and he would keep his word; it was a promise he made to her.

You can't exactly say, "I have a mission at the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace, and you canceled the mission. How am I supposed to do it together?"

These words moved Tang's mother even more, and she wished she could serve Li Chen every day to repay his kindness.

In her eyes, even the most upright and honorable men are nothing more than this.

On the morning of the third day, Dai Xiaoyao, sporting dark circles under his eyes, came to say goodbye to Li Chen.

He has already completed the task of 'presenting the treasure', and Li Chen will definitely reward him.

Upon hearing about the reward, his face beamed with a fawning smile, like a lapdog that had just gotten a bone: "Your Majesty, I will go to the Ministry of War to collect my reward right away?"

Li Chen was enjoying tea in the courtyard when he heard this and nodded slightly: "Go ahead and tell the Vice Minister of War to equip you with gear according to the standards of a third-class vassal state."

Upon hearing this, Dai Xiaoyao was so excited that he almost knelt down and kowtowed.

The military equipment standards of a third-class vassal state were enough to arm 100,000 elite troops!

With this equipment, Xingluo Kingdom's status among the southern kingdoms will rise by at least three levels!
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!" Dai Xiaoyao prostrated himself in a deep bow, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tang's mother walking out of the house.

Today, Tang's mother wore a light blue dress and her hair was neatly styled, but she couldn't hide the spring-like feeling in her eyes and brows.

As she walked, her waist swayed gently, like a willow in the wind. There was no trace of the dignified and composed demeanor she had the day before.

Dai Xiaoyao clicked his tongue in surprise. It seemed that His Majesty had been "instructing" his godmother quite a bit these past two days.

After Dai Xiaoyao scurried away, Tang's mother gracefully walked to Li Chen's side and poured him tea with her delicate hand: "Your Majesty, when shall we depart?"

Li Chen grasped her soft hand and gently tugged, causing Tang's mother to fall onto his lap: "No rush, let's talk about the situation of the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace first."

Tang's mother blushed and looked around to make sure no one was nearby before whispering, "The palace gate is in the 'Mysterious Sea' of the South China Sea. You need to take a specific ship and navigate by the stars to find it."

As she spoke, she took out a bronze compass from her bosom, the pointer of which was inlaid with a dark blue gemstone: "This is the 'Star Guide Compass,' which only elders and above are qualified to possess."

Li Chen fiddled with the compass, then suddenly leaned close to Tang's mother's ear: "Last night you said the current palace master is your senior brother? It seems he even pursued you."

Tang's mother's ears instantly turned bright red, and she lightly punched his chest in embarrassment and annoyance: "Your Majesty! That's all ancient history. I only told you to say it."

Li Chen said with a wicked smile, "Let's go, it's time to meet the other two concubines."

Lin Yuan City, the top floor of the Guanhai Tower.

Xuanji and Fairy Yunya were looking at the map with great concern. They had searched almost the entire city, but they couldn't even find a trace of the disciples of the Eight Gates Heavenly Palace.

"Sister, will His Majesty blame us?" Xuanji bit her lip, her fingertips unconsciously drawing circles on the table.

She is very dedicated to her tasks, and she feels very upset if she fails to complete them.

Just as Fairy Yunya was about to offer some comfort, the door was suddenly pushed open.

Li Chen walked in with a beautiful woman.

"Your Majesty!" The two women hurriedly rose and bowed, but their gazes involuntarily fell on Tang's mother.

Who is this charming and beautiful woman? Why is she so intimate with His Majesty?

Li Chen introduced with a smile: "This is an elder of the former Eight Gates Heaven-Piercing Hall."

He then squeezed Tang's mother's hand, "These two are my beloved concubines, Xuanji and Yunya."

Tang's mother bowed gracefully: "Greetings to both Your Highnesses."

Xuanji and Fairy Yunya exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

His Majesty went out for three days and not only found the people of the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace, but also directly recruited their elders?

Both of them had to admire Li Chen's strength.

"No need for formalities. As an elder of the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace, you must know where the palace gates are." Fairy Yunya was the first to react and kindly helped Tang's mother up.

Tang's mother nodded, took out the Star Guiding Plate, and repeated what she had just told Li Chen.

At noon, a three-masted sailing ship departed from Lin Yuan Port.

This is the "Chasing Waves" that Li Chen bought at a high price. The hull is made of ironwood from the South China Sea, and the sails are embroidered with water-repelling runes, making it a veritable sea fortress.

On the deck, Tang's mother held a star guide to indicate the direction.

The sea breeze ruffled her skirt, outlining her alluring curves.

The Zhulang also moved along, stopping and starting, splashing waves everywhere.

Li Chen felt that there was a unique charm to being on this ship.

After sailing for several days, a thick fog suddenly rose from the sea.

The once azure sea turned inky black, and the surroundings were eerily silent.

Tang's mother said solemnly, "Next, we must follow the guidance of the Star Chart and not make a single mistake."

Fairy Yunya took the compass, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

There is a hidden formation within this fog; any ordinary ship that ventures in would likely be lost forever.

The ship slowly sailed into the wall of fog, and the surroundings were instantly plunged into chaos.

We can only rely on the faint blue light on the star guide to find our way.

Every now and then, eerie black shadows would flit past the side of the boat, causing Xuanji and Fairy Yunya to grip their sword hilts tightly in fear.

Tang's mother remained calm: "Don't be afraid, it's just a 'mist spirit,' it won't hurt anyone."

Sure enough, the dark figures quickly dispersed.

After sailing for about an hour, the thick fog suddenly thinned out.

When the last wisp of mist dissipated, the sight before them made everyone hold their breath.

Under a clear blue sky, a fairy island floats on the sea.

The island is covered with verdant peaks, cascading waterfalls and flowing springs, and countless pavilions and towers nestled among them.

Most amazingly, seven rainbows stretched across the sky, enveloping the entire island in a dreamlike halo.

"Your Majesty, this is the Eight Gates Heaven-Slaying Palace." Mother Tang murmured softly, a complex light flickering in her eyes.

(End of this chapter)