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

Chapter 593 What is the point of the Holy Light's existence anymore? (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
Li Chen then glanced at him indifferently, his tone calm and even, yet carrying a chilling authority: "Next time, be more efficient in handling the aftermath. I don't want to see these noisy flies again."

Carlos was stunned. He was trying to figure out whether Li Chen was testing him or had other plans.

With a determined look, he confessed, "But, my lord, he said I am indeed a deacon of the Blood Demon Society. Why do you..."

He couldn't understand why Li Chen didn't kill him.

Li Chen looked down at him, a faint smile playing on his lips. His voice was low, yet carried an absolute air of control: "Whose steward you were before is unimportant. What matters is who you choose to serve now. To me, that's enough."

The art of managing people lies in understanding human nature and controlling the situation.

No matter how hypocritical and cunning Carlos may have been in the past, after experiencing this transformation from hell to heaven, his awe and loyalty in the face of absolute power and this "trust" that "forgives no past grievances" are beyond question.

Carlos understood instantly; he was overwhelmed by immense shock and elation at surviving the ordeal.

He kowtowed deeply once more, his voice choked with emotion yet unwavering: "Your subordinate understands! From this day forward, Carlos's life belongs entirely to you, sir! I would die for you!"

Li Chen nodded slightly, uttering a profound statement: "You must understand, without the backdrop of utter darkness, how can people appreciate the preciousness and absoluteness of light?"

Having said that, he ignored Carlos kneeling on the ground and turned his gaze to the three pale-faced, trembling female heretics. His tone was relaxed and even a little pleasant: "Bring these three lost sheep to the confessional. It's time to begin today's baptism of holy light and guide them back to the right path."

Personally "infusing" holy light into these stubborn heretics and experiencing their "repentance" under divine power is one of Li Chen's favorite daily tasks.

Before long, the words of these heretics begging for mercy could be heard from the confessional.

Li Chen's words lingered in Carlos's mind for a long time.

Carlos knelt on the spot, the cold stone slabs sending a chill through his knees, but it was nothing compared to the turbulent waves churning in his heart.

Li Chen's words, "Without darkness, where would the light come from?" echoed repeatedly in his mind, like a thunderclap piercing through the fog.

He seemed to realize something. Yes, the reason why the Vatican was able to firmly grasp the needs of hundreds of millions of believers was precisely because there were "evil" groups like the Blood Demon Society that committed all kinds of evil, and there were endless "heretics" that needed to be judged and purified.

If this darkness is truly eradicated, what need is there for the Holy Light to exist?

Without external enemies, the vast papal machine would immediately descend into endless infighting and power struggles.

It turns out that these "heretics" are actually necessary "nourishment" for maintaining the stability of the Vatican and even the entire faith system!
A look of sudden realization flashed in Carlos's eyes as he murmured, "So that's what the guard meant! He saw things so clearly!"

His awe of Li Chen instantly reached an unparalleled level, feeling that the man's thoughts were so profound and his plans so far-reaching that they were simply beyond comprehension.

However, he was completely overthinking it.

Li Chen only pretended to be a "Papal Guard" because it was a casual, impromptu disguise. He couldn't be bothered with the petty squabbles and grudges among these lowly ants. That profound statement was just something he casually uttered to save face. His mind was elsewhere.

For the next few days, Li Chen didn't step out of old Castro's private castle at all.

Old Castro and his son Alfred were overjoyed and treasured as if they were precious treasures, having received several spoils of war from Li Chen, which he had taken during the last extermination of the Blood Demon Society.

These artifacts, imbued with powerful holy or dark energy, are not only symbols of status for holy lineage families like theirs, but also tangible enhancements of power. They are enough to serve as family heirlooms, stabilizing or even greatly elevating the family's status for decades to come.

In this languid and extravagant atmosphere, Xuan Ji, who had been quietly standing by, took the opportunity, while serving tea and water, to carefully and softly remind Li Chen: "Your Majesty, you have been away from Tian Ce for a long time. Although the Prime Minister and the Ministers of the Six Ministries are temporarily handling state affairs, many important reports still require your personal decision, don't you think?"

Li Chen took the teacup and nodded.

Indeed, this trip south to the Eternal Day Empire has lasted for quite some time.

Although he had a fruitful haul, having collected dozens of beautiful women of all kinds, he had only actually stayed in two cities: the border city and the Holy City. He had only visited the capital once. There were still large tracts of land and local customs in this vast empire that he had not yet experienced.

Unfortunately, I'll have to wait until next time I have the chance to come back, and then I'll definitely "collect" more.

He pondered to himself that, apart from Xuan Ji, the women from the Yongzhou Empire were unaware of his true identity as Emperor Tian Ce, and regarded him only as the powerful and unfathomable "Personal Guard" of the Holy See.

When Li Chen announced that he was about to leave for Tian Ce on official business, the women all expressed their willingness to follow him, especially the voluptuous and charming mature woman, Ophelia.

She almost immediately threw herself at Li Chen's feet, raising her face, a mixture of allure and devotion, her voice sweet yet firm: "My lord! Please take me with you! I am willing to serve you forever, to atone for my past sins with everything I have, and I will never leave you for a moment!"

The first stop on the northward journey was naturally back to the Hundred Flowers Sect.

Sect Leader Hua Rumeng had only agreed to be Li Chen's guide on his journey south. Now that the mission was complete and Li Chen was about to leave, she felt a strange sense of reluctance and looked at him with complicated emotions.

He Ying, who still possessed charm and a graceful demeanor, had clearly been shaped by Li Chen into his own form.

She began to persuade Hua Rumeng that if she stayed here, she would have no chance to meet Young Master Li again.

Hua Rumeng had also been struggling with this decision all night. She walked up to Li Chen, gave a graceful bow, and said softly, "Young Master Li, I am also willing to follow you, but I really can't bear to leave my daughter behind. She is going on a long journey and I don't know when she will return. I beg you to allow me to go back and say goodbye to her."

Her eyes were filled with a mother's tenderness and the sorrow of parting.

Li Chen looked at her, nodded, and said casually but with an undeniable determination: "The bond between mother and daughter is natural. Since it's on the way, I'll accompany you to Qinglin Kingdom to see your daughter."

He was rather curious about the daughter of the Prime Minister of Qinglin Kingdom. What kind of beauty could make He Ying so concerned?

(End of this chapter)