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

Chapter 605 Supreme Authority, Words Are Law, No One Can Change Them! (Please Subscribe, Please Vote for Monthly Tickets)
Li Chen was completing tasks too quickly; after all, he was at the maximum level, and he could easily handle many tasks.

Just like the last mission 'Initial Understanding of the Sect', if Li Chen's cultivation level were low, it would normally take half a year or even a year or two to complete.

The Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Palace is a hidden sect; it's not so easy to find. Even if you do find it, getting into their library is a big problem.

Normally, Li Chen would need to increase his favorability with some elders of the Eight Gates Heaven-Shattering Hall before he could enter.

The benefit of completing this task is that you get to know a hidden sect, which can be used as a backer.

Therefore, they would have a certain advantage in the struggle for the throne.

After all, judging from the system's progress, his opponent at the time, the Second Prince Li Xian, was from a major sect. Without the support of a major sect, he would soon be suppressed.

Unfortunately, Li Chen has now ascended the throne as emperor, and his former rival, the Second Prince Li Xian, has long since disappeared into some corner, barely clinging to life. The struggle for the throne has long since come to an end.

He casually brought up the system interface and browsed the new task prompts.

[System Quest: Sharpening the Blade in the North]

Mission Background: Friction on the northern border is escalating. The First Army Group is stationed in a harsh and cold region, and it is necessary to stabilize morale and boost its prestige.

Having the royal family personally participate in the training can greatly boost morale.

Mission requirements: Go to the northern border of the Empire and join the First Army as a regular officer for training.

You need to obtain no less than 10,000 military merits (you can get different amounts of points for killing enemy generals, capturing strategic locations, and completing high-difficulty reconnaissance missions), and win the sincere approval of at least three senior generals.

Mission Reward: Training Secrets for the Special Unit "Northern Dragoons" (significantly enhances cavalry mobility and impact).
Li Chen looked at the mission description and nodded slightly.

The situation in the north is indeed tense, and this trip is a good opportunity to personally inspect the border battle situation and check on the assimilation and development of the northern tribes.

Of course, he had also heard that there were many beautiful women with strong figures and bold personalities among the northern tribes, so he could also take the opportunity to experience the exotic customs of that region.

With a thought, Li Chen arrived at the palace complex located in the Northern Garden of the Imperial Capital, which belonged exclusively to the concubines of the northern tribes.

This place was managed by his aunt, Li Xueying. It was a large-scale residence with hundreds of concubines from various northern ethnic groups. They were all well-behaved and orderly under Li Xueying's management.

The palace architecture blends the characteristics of the Central Plains and northern tribes, with soaring domes, fur carpets covering the ground, and gold and animal bone decorations interspersed, full of a rugged yet luxurious exotic style.

Upon seeing Li Chen arrive, Li Xueying immediately greeted him warmly, directing several tall, deep-set-eyed, and high-nosed northern concubines to serve him steaming hot milk tea and delicate pastries.

Enjoying their attentive service, Li Chen rested for a while and then said to Li Xueying, "Aunt, I plan to travel north incognito to inspect the border. Would you like to come along?"

Although Li Xueying's eyes showed reluctance, she still politely declined: "Your Majesty, the north is bitterly cold and the wind and sand are strong. I would rather stay in the palace to help Your Majesty take care of these maids."

She really wanted to go, but she did have some bad memories there.

Li Xueying changed the subject, a sly glint in her eyes, "However, if Your Majesty finds the journey lonely, why not bring Tuoba Anyu along? She is steady and familiar with the northern customs, so she can serve Your Majesty and also act as a guide."

Tuoba Anyu was the birth mother of the former Northern Khan Tuoba Zhen, a truly stunningly beautiful mature woman.

Her figure was voluptuous and full, which Li Chen liked very much. More importantly, her physique was special and could perfectly match Li Chen's strength. She also seemed to have a hidden masochistic tendency, which made Li Chen quite happy.

Upon hearing this, Li Chen's lips curled up: "Alright, call her over."

When Tuoba Anyu was summoned, her eyes were already filled with a mixture of confusion and longing when she saw Li Chen. She knew that Li Chen had summoned her most likely for those blush-inducing yet irresistible things.

When she was lucid, she still remembered that she was the mother of the defeated Khan and a prisoner of the empire; but once she became immersed in Li Chen's control, she completely forgot herself and only had Li Chen in her eyes.

She walked up to Li Chen and began to remove her outer garments naturally, her voice so soft and alluring it could melt water: "Your Majesty, I have recently learned some massage and kneading techniques, and I would like to ask Your Majesty to taste them."

Li Chen was taken aback at first, then chuckled: "I came to you today to discuss serious matters, but since you're being so proactive, let's enjoy ourselves first."

Under Li Xueying's smiling gaze, the two quickly ignored everyone else and began a new round of "in-depth exchange" and "skills competition".

Three days later, Li Chen quietly left the capital with the radiant Tuoba Anyu, whose eyes sparkled with even more charm, and headed north to the border.

Tuoba Anyu nestled beside Li Chen, her heart filled with complex emotions.

This was the first time she had left that magnificent prison and returned to her old home in the north since she had been captured and brought to the capital.

A mix of anxiety, anticipation, and unease swirled within her. She didn't know what this journey would bring, nor what would become of her son.

But she knew she really couldn't live without Li Chen.

Sitting in the compartment of the smoothly moving train, the view outside the window gradually becomes a vast and desolate northern landscape.

Tuoba Anyu nestled beside Li Chen, remaining silent for a long time before finally unable to hold back and speaking softly, her voice carrying a barely perceptible plea and a mother's instinct: "Your Majesty, Tuoba Zhen is actually not a bad person at heart; he is a good child."

She knew all too well that after her son suffered a crushing defeat and lost his ancestral legacy and the title of Khan, he had led his remaining troops to seek refuge in the more northerly Daluo Dynasty. Now, he was living under someone else's roof, like a lackey.

The more she understood Tian Ce's power and Li Chen's unfathomable depth, the more terrified she became. She only hoped that her son would behave himself and not harbor any further thoughts of opposing Li Chen, for that would be tantamount to courting death.

Upon hearing this, Li Chen turned his head to look at her, reached out and pinched her plump cheek, his tone teasing: "Whether he is a good boy or not, I don't know. I only know that you are a very obedient 'good boy'."

When teased in this way by an emperor who was about the same age as his son, Tuoba Anyu blushed and lowered his head in embarrassment, not daring to say another word.

She knew that her little scheme had already been seen through.

Li Chen wore a smile, but his eyes held a deep indifference.

He would never change his opinion of Tuoba Zhen because of a few sweet words from Tuoba Anyu.

That young man was ambitious, extremely resilient, and seemed to have good luck; he managed to escape from the last encirclement and suppression.

Allowing such figures to accumulate power in the north will surely make them a major threat in the future.

Li Chen never shows mercy to his enemies.

Although Tuoba Anyu was his bedmate, to Li Chen she was more of a useful and pleasant "tool." He could coax her in his spare time, but there was absolutely no way she would influence his decisions.

Even his most favored concubines knew their limits and understood what should and should not be said.

They all knew that although His Majesty seemed lazy and casual, and did not do everything personally, he possessed absolute and supreme authority in the Tian Ce Empire. His words were law, and no one could change them.

(End of this chapter)