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

Chapter 683 Knowing I've been fooled, but there's nothing I can do! (Please subscribe and vote!)

Romanov had lived for hundreds of years and his self-cultivation had reached a state of perfection, but he was still angered by Li Chen's repeated contempt and relentless pressure. Even a clay figure has some temper, let alone a strongman who stands at the pinnacle of the continent.
A nameless rage surged to the top of his head, and he almost blurted out: Since you, Tian Ce, insist on fighting, then I, Da Luo, will accompany you to the end and fight to the last soldier!
These words rolled around in my throat, carrying a resolute and tragic feeling; once spoken, they would surely be full of momentum.

However, he dared not say it!
Reason, like ice water, instantly extinguished the flames of impulsiveness.

What's the situation in the country? Sergei's rebel army is gaining momentum, conquering cities and seizing territory; the Northern Witch Ancestor is eyeing the country covetously, having just issued an edict to depose the emperor, with an extremely tough attitude.

If we were to completely break ties with the Tian Ce army, which is currently at the height of its power, and fall into the desperate situation of fighting on three fronts, the Great Luo Dynasty would truly be on the verge of destruction!

It was easy and satisfying to utter such harsh words, but the consequences were something neither he nor Ronaldo could bear.

Romanov's chest heaved violently a few times, finally settling into a long, drawn-out breath filled with endless frustration.

He forced down his surging blood pressure, his voice sounding somewhat hoarse from the effort to control himself: "Your Majesty, I have a long-standing relationship with your country's late emperor. Today, I pledge my reputation and character built over hundreds of years as my guarantee!"

"If Your Majesty agrees to a truce with Great Luo at this moment, you may name your terms! Land, resources, minerals, reparations—anything Great Luo can offer is negotiable!"

These words were practically a blatant request to sign an unequal treaty.

He took the initiative to let Li Chen name his price, and then he would negotiate the price himself, with the aim of obtaining a brief period of peace for Tian Ce at any cost.

In his view, Tian Ce's attack on Da Luo was nothing more than for profit.

However, the war has been extremely costly, and Tian Ce is unlikely to completely annex Da Luo in the short term. Therefore, they are now offering a "face-saving surrender" solution.

Under the guise of a truce treaty, the actual implementation of territorial concessions and reparations is the greatest concession the Great Luo Dynasty can make at present, and it is the bottom line to avoid immediate collapse.

If even this doesn't work, then we'll really have no choice but to fight to the death.

He fully believed that after revealing this bottom line, Li Chen would at least start to consider the gains and losses.

However, Li Chen's reaction once again exceeded his expectations.

"Ridiculous!" Li Chen sneered, his voice echoing clearly in the hall. "You, Romanov, are nothing but a retired old ancestor. Can you represent the entire Great Luo Dynasty? What is the value of your guarantee?"
"The fact that I'm speaking to you here today is already a show of respect to your late emperor! Now, it is Ivan who sits on the dragon throne in the Great Luo Dynasty, not you! If you want to talk, let Ivan come in person! Or let him come and beg me!"

His words astonished everyone present!

No one expected Li Chen's words to be so domineering and so uncompromising!

This was no longer a gesture of equal negotiation, but rather a reprimand from a supreme monarch to an envoy from a vassal state. Even Romanov himself was not taken seriously!

Li Chen sneered inwardly. What he hated most were people who constantly brought up the late emperor, relying on their age and seniority.

If you really had a relationship with the late emperor, go find him, don't bother me!
Besides, you old man, you're practically half-buried, how can you guarantee it with your character without any real words?

Once you're dead, Ivan will turn his back on me. Who am I supposed to turn to then? Does he really think I'm young and easy to fool?

Most importantly, who is responsible for the current precarious and passive state of your Great Luo Dynasty?
The Tian Ce Army is an extension of my will, Sergei is a pawn I personally nurtured, and even the Northern Witch Ancestor who gives you so much trouble is me!
The entire game is under my control, and I have all the advantages. Why should I withdraw my troops?

If you were in my shoes, would you, Romanov, have given up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cripple or even annex your opponent?
The Great Luo Dynasty is on the verge of collapse, and you think I'd give you a chance to catch your breath? Do you really think I'm such a foolish woman with a soft heart?! "You!" Romanov finally lost his temper! He had never suffered such humiliation in his life.
Intense anger and resentment instantly overwhelmed the dam of reason, and a vast, abyss-like, and extremely terrifying pressure from the peak of the Saint Realm erupted like an out-of-control volcano!

"Om-!"

Instantly, countless dazzling runes lit up the entire Golden Palace. The great array protecting the palace was activated by this powerful external force, and the light flowed, forming a huge light shield that enveloped the palace.

The officials in the hall were stunned by the sudden pressure. Those with weaker cultivation collapsed to the ground, while even the strong ones turned pale and stared in horror at the scene.

Almost at the same moment that Romanov's aura erupted, Li Chen, who was sitting on the dragon throne, moved.

He didn't even get up; his eyes flashed with a fierce light, and an even more powerful imperial might, seemingly connected to the entire universe, surged into the sky!

That oppressive force was not a simple confrontation of strength, but rather contained the will of order, rules, and supreme authority, like the sky collapsing, crushing towards Romanov!

Two extremely powerful auras collided violently in mid-air!
"Boom!!!"

A deep, thunderous roar exploded across the entire palace. The sturdy Golden Palace, inscribed with countless arrays, shook violently, its beams and pillars groaning under the strain, and its glazed tiles rattling loudly!

The guards outside the palace were on high alert, drawing their swords and forming a battle formation, creating an extremely tense atmosphere!
Romanov's body trembled, and a look of astonishment flashed across his face.

He hadn't expected Li Chen to react so quickly, nor had he expected Li Chen's power to be so terrifying. The aura containing the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth made him feel a chill.

He has truly stepped down from the stage now. To make a move? To fight the enemy's emperor in the heart of the enemy's capital and palace formation? That would be tantamount to courting death!
The stalemate lasted only a few breaths. Romanov's expression changed constantly, but in the end, his remaining rationality and his worry about the survival of the dynasty prevailed.

He gritted his teeth suddenly, and like a deflated balloon, the violent aura receded rapidly like a tide, receding into his body.

The stagnant air in the main hall suddenly relaxed.

Romanov's face was ashen, his chest still heaving, but his voice carried an almost desperate calm: "Then Your Majesty, what exactly do you want in order to cease hostilities?"

Li Chen slowly withdrew his breath, as if the earth-shattering confrontation had never happened.

He calmly adjusted the cuffs of his dragon robe and said in an almost mocking tone, "I am not an unreasonable person. As I said before, since you believe that Andrei and Tuoba Zhen are at fault, then bring them to me alive and provide conclusive evidence to prove that this matter has nothing to do with your Great Luo Dynasty. If you can do that, I can consider a ceasefire."

This condition is tantamount to an impossible task.

Andrei was in a coma and his son was rebelling. Tuoba Zhen had fled and disappeared. How could he be captured? There was no evidence to speak of.

Romanov stared intently at Li Chen, as if trying to etch him into his memory.

He knew this was a rejection, a mockery, but there was nothing he could do.

After a long silence, he squeezed out a few words through clenched teeth:
"Very well! Your Majesty, you wait!"

Having said that, he said no more, not even bowing. He turned around abruptly, his black robe billowing, and strode out of the Golden Palace, his figure quickly disappearing into the light outside the palace, carrying with him unvented anger and humiliation.

(End of this chapter)