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

Chapter 497 Is this still the sect leader I know?! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
Upon hearing that the emperor was about to speak, everyone around, whether standing or sitting, straightened their backs.

The feeling was like waiting for Li Chen to give a lecture.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Tianhe immediately put down his wine glass and focused his gaze intently on Li Chen, afraid of missing a single word.

The entire Lan Yue Pavilion was completely silent; even the disciples standing by held their breath.

Li Chen put down his cup and said, "Regarding the issue of sect cooperation, I have established the Department of Sect Affairs, but your Eight Gates Heaven-Piercing Hall has not registered yet."

Before he finished speaking, Yuan Tianhe immediately stood up and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty is wise. This matter was indeed my oversight. I will immediately send the Grand Elder in charge of this matter to the Department of Sect Affairs to register it. Our Eight Gates Heavenly Palace will definitely follow the policies of the Heavenly Strategy and, under Your Majesty's wise leadership, carry forward the glory of the sect!"

These words were so well-spoken that everyone present was taken aback.

Who would have thought that this usually rigid and serious reclusive sect leader could utter such bureaucratic platitudes?
In a corner, a white-haired elder couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "When did the sect leader learn this trick?"

Another elder whispered, "What do you know? The sect leader used to be an official when he was young, and was later taken in as a disciple by the old sect leader."

It turns out that Yuan Tianhe was not born into a family of cultivators.

His father was an official in a small southern city of Tian Ce, and he was exposed to the ways of officialdom from a young age.

Later, by chance, he was noticed by the previous sect leader of the Eight Gates Heavenly Palace who was traveling around, and that's how he embarked on the path of immortality.

Their usual rigid and old-fashioned behavior is merely a facade for the reclusive sects.

In other words, there are few people in this world who can make him be polite, but this one in front of him can.

Li Chen nodded slightly, somewhat satisfied with the answer: "Sect Leader Yuan is indeed reasonable."

He picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and said, "There's one more thing I need Sect Leader Yuan's assistance with."

"Your Majesty, please speak." Yuan Tianhe immediately cupped his hands, lowering his posture even further.

"Does your clan imprison a man named Tang Chen?"

Yuan Tianhe glanced at Tang's mother out of the corner of his eye, and he already understood.

He replied without changing his expression, "Your Majesty, there is indeed such a person. This person stole our sect's most precious treasure, the 'Crystal of Immortal Fortune,' and according to the sect rules, he should be imprisoned for a hundred years."

Upon hearing this, Tang's mother unconsciously tightened the hem of her clothes with her fingers.

Because she was born in the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace, she naturally knew that those who were captured could not be released so easily.

If this can be released, then where is the prestige of the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace, this hidden sect?

If word gets out, people might think that stealing from the Eight Gates Heavenly Palace isn't such a big crime.

This is a matter of the sect's reputation, and it's something the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Hall cannot back down on.

This is why Tang's mother felt very awkward with Li Chen, and even asked him to give up several times.

Li Chen put down his wine cup and said calmly, "This man is a wanted criminal by Tian Ce. I heard that you arrested him. I want to take him back for trial."

Yuan Tianhe slapped his thigh, revealing a look of sudden realization: "So that's how it is. It is an honor for my Eight Gates Heavenly Palace to be able to assist Tian Ce in capturing a wanted criminal! I will order someone to bring him here immediately."

Tang's mother was stunned by this conversation.

She had expected a fierce battle, with various conditions to be set and a game to be played, but it was resolved in just a few words.

What shocked her even more was that the sect leader didn't hesitate at all!
Is this still the sect leader I know?
You know, Yuan Tianhe had pursued Tang's mother but failed, so how could he not resent Tang Chen?

Xuanji nodded secretly to herself.

His Majesty's use of the term "wanted criminal" was truly brilliant, giving Yuan Tianhe a way out while also preserving the face of the Eight Gates Heavenly Palace.

After all, "handing over to the imperial court" and "being forced to release people" sound like two different things.

If Li Chen said, "You released Tang Chen."

As the sect leader of the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Hall, where does Yuan Tianhe put his face? They stole our sect leader's treasure, and you think you can just let it go like that?
Li Chen saw that Yuan Tianhe was very cooperative, and had been working well ever since entering the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace, so he gave him a reason.

This is a dialogue between powerful figures from major forces, full of details and routines.

Everyone who's reached this level is very smart and works well together.

In situations where there is no conflict, no one wants to deliberately make things difficult for each other.

But all of this is predicated on Li Chen's own strength and background.

If Li Chen were to enter the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace according to the system's set level, let alone whether Yuan Tianhe would give him face, he probably wouldn't even be qualified to meet Yuan Tianhe.

Having enough trump cards makes the task very easy.

As he spoke, Yuan Tianhe was about to hand the person over to Li Chen, but Li Chen waved his hand, indicating that there was no rush.

This matter needs to be handled in a more standardized way. Yuan Tianhe should send someone to escort Tang Chen to the capital's prison to complete the 'handover' process. That would be more reasonable.

After all, Li Chen still wants to enjoy himself. Releasing Tang Chen now would only spoil my fun.

Moreover, with Tang Chen imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, Tang's mother will plead with Li Chen again, and then she can perfectly discipline him. Now that they are in the capital, she has no room for regret.

Yuan Tianhe didn't understand, but he did as instructed, telling the Grand Elder to take Tang Chen away when he went to the capital to register.

According to the rules of the imperial court, those who capture important criminals can also receive rewards.

At that time, Li Chen will give the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace something they want.

Having tasted the benefits, the Eight Gates Heavenly Palace will surely cooperate with the imperial court even more diligently.

This is Li Chen's way of managing people.

If you want to order someone around, you can't just talk about it; you have to give them something in return.

All relationships are based on interests.

After this incident, Li Chen and Yuan Tianhe discussed the development of their sect.

The two talked about cultivation resources, talent cultivation, sect establishment, and the exchange of cultivation methods, and found themselves getting along very well.

"The territory of Tian Ce is vast. If Sect Leader Yuan is interested, he may establish branch sects in various states. I will order local officials to cooperate." Li Chen raised his cup in acknowledgment.

Yuan Tianhe's eyes lit up. Establishing a branch sect meant more resources and more disciples, which was an irresistible temptation for any sect.

It's important to know that the selection process for disciples of immortal sects is extremely rigorous.

Some immortal sects have declined because they don't have enough disciples, or that disciples aren't strong enough, and they can't protect their foundation.

Just like the ancient immortal sect ruins that many cultivators encounter, the reason they are ruins is because no powerful figures appeared afterward, and they gradually became desolate.

If there are many branch sects, the people in the branch sects can recruit some disciples, and the outstanding ones can be sent to the main sect for cultivation.

Moreover, the resources available for collection are much more abundant.

If a sect wants to grow and expand, this is the work that needs to be done next.

As the sect leader, Yuan Tianhe's task is definitely to pass on the sect's legacy.

He quickly raised his glass in return: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty! The Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace will do its utmost to cultivate more talents for the Heavenly Strategy!"

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere at the banquet became increasingly lively.

Li Chen suddenly stood up: "I have long heard that the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace has beautiful scenery. Sect Leader Yuan, would you be so kind as to show me around?"

(End of this chapter)