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

Chapter 520 After he returns, give him a surprise! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

Having a wingman is great; Li Chen doesn't have to say a word about many things.

He sipped his drink with a smile on his lips, glancing indifferently at the women of the Tang family, exuding a lazy and casual air while retaining the noble air unique to those in power.

It must be said that the women of the Tang family are all very distinctive.

Tang Hongxiu wore a red strapless dress with a narrow top and wide bottom, which perfectly showcased her exquisite figure. The light red tulle added a touch of festiveness while maintaining a fiery feel.

Especially her mature yet strangely youthful face, and the clear look in her phoenix eyes, inexplicably gave people a strange desire to explore her.

Sitting opposite Li Chen were Liu Yuran and Su Qinghe.

Su Qinghe wore a white dress, her expression remained unusually cold, exuding an aura of icy indifference that kept people at a distance.

Liu Yuran was dressed in a light blue ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with a phoenix hairpin in her hair. Her fair skin and voluptuous figure exuded the charm of a married woman.

Tang Yue happened to notice Li Chen scrutinizing Tang Hongxiu, and a hint of excitement flashed in his eyes. He quickly gave Tang Zhen a wink.

We absolutely have to try and bring this royal family member together today.

This person holds a position in the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce, a prominent business family, and everyone knows the Wanbao Chamber of Commerce's status in the capital.

Anyone with a brain knows they should have some status in the royal family. Even if they can't release their eldest brother, it wouldn't be difficult for the Tang family to advance further.

Since many of the Wang family's businesses have been laundered, currying favor with Li Chen is definitely the best option if they want to expand their business.

The two elder brothers of the Tang family wanted to curry favor with Li Chen, but dared not speak to him on their own. They could only frantically wink at Tang Hongxiu.

They were well aware of their own status; even as hosts, they had absolutely no face to speak of in front of the royal family.

Li Chen felt genuinely unhurried. He could tell that many people at the scene wanted to match him up with Tang Hongxiu, so he felt he didn't need to do anything himself.

Tang Hongxiu noticed her two brothers winking at her frantically, and while she felt a little strange, she still smiled and exchanged pleasantries with Li Chen: "I'm glad that these delicacies will please Young Master Li. I was afraid that I might have neglected you."

Li Chen smiled and shook his head: "Don't worry, they're all the types I like to eat."

At the dinner table where the Tang family was gathered, Li Chen and Tang Hongxiu exchanged toasts and drinks, and the atmosphere between them quickly became lively.

Although she was trying to curry favor, after a conversation, Tang Hongxiu developed a great deal of goodwill towards the well-spoken, knowledgeable, and resolute young man in front of her.

Seeing that the two were getting along better and better, Tang Yue knew that it was about time. He secretly kicked Tang Hongxiu, who was talking to Li Chen, while glancing at the gift box containing the Lieyang Sword not far away.

Tang Hongxiu wasn't stupid, and immediately smiled at Li Chen, saying, "By the way, Young Master Li, I recently acquired a precious sword. You've traveled all over the country and seen the world, so I wonder if you could help me check its authenticity?"

She claimed she was helping to take a look, but it was really just an excuse to give a gift. As long as Li Chen showed even the slightest interest, she could naturally say something like, "A precious sword for a hero," or "Young master, your journeys have been arduous. My daughter is useless to you, so I'd like to give her to you for protection."

If Li Chen isn't interested, wouldn't it be a waste of their effort to give him a gift if they just sent it without any reward?
Although the Tang family members had enough confidence in the Blazing Sun Sword, they always liked to keep something in reserve.

"Alright." Li Chen nodded slightly. Tang Hongxiu, having received permission, immediately waved to the maidservant waiting not far away.

As the gift box containing the longsword was opened, a sword made of black iron, its body shimmering with a faint red light, and with several red flame stones inlaid on its spine, appeared in Li Chen's eyes.

"The black iron used to forge this longsword should contain some extraterrestrial meteorite iron, and each of the Fiery Stones inlaid on the spine of the sword is of the highest quality."

When spiritual energy is infused into the sword and amplified by the magic array engraved on it and the blazing stone, it can unleash sword energy carrying intense heat.

"This sword is a decent spiritual treasure, but it has some shortcomings." Li Chen glanced at the Blazing Sun Sword and commented with a smile.

This sword might be a flawless magical treasure in the eyes of ordinary people, but in Li Chen's eyes it was nothing special.

In fact, anything Li Chen casually made was many times better than this.

But they were just saying it for their own appreciation, so there was no need to spoil the mood. That's why I just said it casually.

"Young master, could you tell me what shortcomings this sword has?" Originally, Tang Hongxiu only wanted to take the opportunity to give a gift, but now she was genuinely interested.

Li Chen was in a fairly good mood and explained with a smile, "The sword is the king of weapons. When at rest, it should be as calm as water, but when its sharpness is fully revealed, it should be able to destroy cities and sever rivers. The ultimate meaning of the sword lies in concealment rather than killing."

"The sword is hidden, not used for killing!" Su Qinghe murmured, who had been silent for a long time. Her eyes were empty and she seemed to be deep in thought. There was a faint sword intent around her, and her delicate body trembled involuntarily, as if some kind of restriction within her body was about to be broken.

Tang Hongxiu swallowed hard. She was not a sword cultivator, but she knew Su Qinghe's swordsmanship very well. With just a few casual pointers, Su Qinghe, who had been practicing swordsmanship since childhood, could gain some insights. This was clearly a genuine understanding of the way of the sword!
Not only Tang Hongxiu, but everyone in the Tang family looked at Li Chen with awe and shock.

If the respect shown to Li Chen earlier stemmed from a desire to curry favor and ingratiate himself, then this moment it was a genuine reverence for the strong.

To possess such swordsmanship skills at such a young age is clearly the work of a prodigy!
They had only heard that the emperor of the Tian Ce royal family was a freak at the peak of sainthood, but they never expected that any random member of the royal family would be so incredibly talented.

Such a prodigy would be considered a divine son in any hidden sect. However, according to Tang's mother, Li Chen's status in the Tian Ce royal family seemed to be just average, merely an ordinary member of the royal family. Just how powerful must the Tian Ce royal family be?
Others may not know how powerful Li Chen is, but Tang's mother certainly does.

Since entering the palace, she seems to have come alive.

No longer will I have to worry about being wanted by the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace. I will have palace maids to serve me in the palace. When I go out, I will reveal my identity as a Noble Consort, and everyone will have to give me face.

The more Tang Shan thought this way, the longer it took for his father to be released from prison.

After all, Tang's mother was also a woman. He thought that if the Tang family and Tang Shan could get on Li Chen's good side, they wouldn't have to be so timid.

But she was conflicted, because she had sacrificed herself to get all of this, and she was afraid that Tang Shan wouldn't be able to accept it.

Therefore, they repeatedly instructed that no one else in the Tang family should tell Tang Shan.

In fact, they have no way to tell Tang Shan right now that she left the capital after the meeting, and no one knows where she went or when she will return.

The Tang family also planned to give Tang Shan a surprise when he returned.

(End of this chapter)