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

Chapter 686 Our Boss is Tempted! (Please Subscribe, Please Vote for Monthly Tickets)

Li Chen has been traveling to various countries recently and already has a clear understanding of the power rankings of the various forces on the mainland.

In terms of overall national strength among human nations, the Tian Ce Dynasty and the Yong Zhou Empire are undoubtedly superpowers on par with each other, like two peaks facing each other, overlooking all others.

Now that he is the Emperor of Tian Ce, he commands a powerful army and wields immense power in the northern border. If he can take another step forward, he can also bring the Yong Zhou Empire under his control.

Wouldn't that mean we could really do whatever we want on this vast continent?

The reason why the current war with the Great Luo Dynasty has become a protracted and protracted conflict is precisely because the Great Luo Dynasty's national strength is not to be underestimated, firmly ranking among the top five on the continent.

Li Chen has successively annexed the Snow Eagle Royal Court and the Sassanid Dynasty, greatly enhancing his territory and strength.

If we can conquer the Great Luo Dynasty and the Yongzhou Empire, then "unification of the world" will no longer be an empty slogan, but a tangible reality!
The information brought by Carlos was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up huge waves in Li Chen's heart and making him extremely excited.

However, as an emperor, he had to think more deeply and further ahead.

Li Chen had seen that old pope with his own eyes.

His true strength is unfathomable; he is undoubtedly among the top in the world today.

The Pope is indeed very old, and anyone can see that his lifespan is not long. But according to Li Chen's judgment, his vitality has not yet been exhausted, and he still has at least a few years or even a dozen years left.

This is precisely why, despite the undercurrents within the Vatican, the struggles among the cardinals were kept within certain limits, because they all knew that the old man was still alive and his influence remained.

The most likely explanation for the Pope's sudden "disappearance" is not that he died of old age, but that he is trapped in some extremely dangerous or bizarre "secret realm of heaven and earth".

These kinds of secret realms often contain unique laws of nature, and if those who enter cannot meet certain conditions, they may never be able to escape.

This speculation sparked Li Chen's interest. Perhaps he could try to find and "rescue" the Pope in exchange for huge benefits, or take the opportunity to do something else.

But a huge doubt then arose: Could this be a trap set for him? A carefully orchestrated assassination plot by the Eternal Day Empire?

Upon closer examination, however, many doubts arise.

The biggest internal conflict in the Eternal Day Empire is the opposition between imperial power and divine power. What is the point of them going to such lengths to kill their own emperor, the Heavenly Strategy Emperor?
Even if successful, the Tian Ce Dynasty would at most have a new emperor, and its national strength might be temporarily damaged, but its foundation would not be shaken. It would not directly help the Yong Zhou Empire resolve its internal conflicts.

Moreover, if the Pope is really not here, who in the Eternal Day Empire can be absolutely certain of keeping Li Chen here?

Of course, if the Pope himself set the trap, the situation would be completely different. With the Pope's power and control over the Papacy, the trap he set could definitely threaten Li Chen's life. It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark.

“This matter is definitely not simple.” Li Chen pondered, his eyes deep.

He had more than just Carlos as his spies within the Vatican. Although Carlos was absolutely loyal to him, information from others also needed to be cross-verified.

Thinking of this, a figure suddenly flashed through Li Chen's mind: Charles, the Emperor of the Eternal Day Empire!

“If Charles is behind this, then everything makes sense!” A glint flashed in Li Chen’s eyes. Charles was in his prime, ambitious and full of energy. When Li Chen talked with him, he could clearly feel the resentment and repression he felt towards the Vatican’s constraints.

This emperor definitely had the motive and the ability to orchestrate this!

He may have used or even fabricated the Pope's "disappearance" in order to incite internal strife within the Papacy and then take the opportunity to dismantle this theocratic giant who had been overshadowing him for hundreds of years!

If that's the case, then Charles's ambitions are far from small, and his skill and patience far exceed what outsiders imagine.

Li Chen's gaze returned to Carlos, who was kneeling on the ground. He had made up his mind and said in a deep voice, "You go back to Everlasting Day and continue your investigation in secret. You must find out the truth behind the Pope's disappearance and the true whereabouts of the cardinals."
At the same time, you can begin to spread the message on a small scale and selectively, saying that my position in the Papacy, that is, my position as a member of the Papacy's central guard, is, in accordance with the Pope's will, to temporarily assume the Pope's throne in order to stabilize the situation within the Papacy. Carefully probe the reactions and opinions of the other cardinals on this matter, and report to me immediately if you have any information.”

Carlos was overjoyed upon hearing this.

He knew that his boss was interested!
As Li Chen's mole planted in Yongzhou, his interests are closely tied to Li Chen's, and Li Chen's ambition is his stepping stone to advancement.

He immediately kowtowed with a thud, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement: "Your Majesty, I understand! Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will handle this matter perfectly and will never fail Your Majesty's trust!"

Li Chen waved his hand, signaling him to step back.

Watching Carlos's hurried departure, Li Chen leaned back on the dragon throne and rubbed his temples.

He really wanted to wade into the muddy waters of the Eternal Day Empire. Last time he went to investigate, he only had time to appreciate some of the local customs and culture, and there were still many beauties he hadn't had the chance to see, which was a real pity.

However, the game on the side of the Great Luo Dynasty is at a critical moment. As "Master Ulge" and "Ancestor of the Witches", he still has many roles to play and is simply unable to be in two places at once.

"Alright, one must take things one step at a time." Li Chen suppressed the agitation in his heart. "Let's put the matter of Yongzhou aside for now and let them be in chaos for a while, which will make it easier for me to intervene later. The most urgent thing is to return to Da Luo and deal with Ivan and those nobles completely."

After making up his mind, Li Chen rested for two days in the Tian Ce Palace, fully comforting the eager concubines, especially the understanding Chu Ruoyan.

He then made no further delays, arranged affairs in the court, and quietly set off again, his figure disappearing in the direction of the Great Luo Dynasty.

On the chessboard of the mainland, the pieces belonging to the "Witch Ancestor" are about to be placed once again.

When Li Chen set off north, the court officials all knew that His Majesty often traveled incognito to observe the border situation or handle certain "special matters." They were already used to it, so naturally no one dared to stop him, nor could anyone stop him.

To reach the Great Luo Dynasty, which was in the midst of war, it was impossible to take normal diplomatic or trade routes. The only way was to detour through the formidable pass of Han Tie Pass in the northern border of Tian Ce.

When they arrived at Hantie Pass, Feng Shuo, the fat captain, was on duty at the city gate.

Although this was not the main battlefield, border checks were exceptionally strict and the atmosphere was tense during the war between the two countries.

Feng Shuo saw the familiar figure riding towards him from afar. Although the other person was dressed in ordinary martial arts attire, he recognized him at a glance. He was so frightened that his legs went weak and he knelt down on the ground with a "thump," his movements swift and decisive.

This was almost an instinctive reaction, because he had already seen through Li Chen's true identity as the current emperor!
(End of this chapter)