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

Chapter 691 A teacher for a day, a father for life! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
"Even simpler?" The old wizard Canggu was completely dumbfounded. Shouldn't the higher the prestige of the royal family, the more difficult they are to deal with?

He was completely unable to comprehend the profound meaning behind the words of the shaman.

Just then, a wizard rushed in and reported: "Your Majesty, Sergei is outside requesting an audience, saying he has urgent military news!"

Li Chen's lips curled slightly: "Oh? He's quick, even faster than the new emperor who's currently kowtowing in the snow. Let him in."

The old wizard Canggu remained kneeling on the ground, his mind still struggling to process the meaning of Li Chen's words, "even simpler." Meanwhile, Sergei, one of the key figures in breaking the deadlock, had already arrived in haste.

Sergei hurriedly entered the main hall of the Witch Ancestor and saw Li Chen sitting on the throne. He knelt down and bowed respectfully.

After all, the person before him was not only the mysterious and powerful ancestor of witchcraft, but also his master who imparted his skills and guided his path.

He dared not be negligent in the slightest and immediately gave a detailed report on how the new emperor had exonerated him, bestowed upon him the title of Grand Duke, and how Romanov had used public opinion to turn the tide.

“Master, that’s the situation. That Romanov is cunning and treacherous. In this way, my righteous cause of raising an army has almost disappeared, and there are already signs of instability in the army.”

Sergei's tone was anxious, "Do you think we can take advantage of the new emperor's ascension to the throne and the instability of the throne to secretly contact those princes who are dissatisfied with Matvi, such as the deposed crown prince, and let them cause some trouble in the Holy Capital and create internal strife?"
Then, I will join forces with them, launching a coordinated attack from within and without! At the same time, I implore Master to find a way to intensify the Tian Ce's offensive, thus tying down the main force of the Da Luo border defenses. We can then seize the opportunity to take the Holy Capital in one fell swoop!

This was the most feasible counterattack strategy he had come up with after much deliberation.

However, Li Chen slowly shook his head, rejecting his suggestion: "No. If we follow this plan, even if it succeeds, we will still suffer losses."

"Not worth the risk?" Sergei was taken aback and asked doubtfully, "Master, what should we do? Are we just going to watch them dismantle my forces and let this great opportunity slip away?"

Li Chen's gaze was calm, his mind clear: "Since the new emperor has already shown weakness, agreed to exonerate you, and promised you high-ranking positions and generous salaries, you should just go with the flow and agree."

"Agree?" Sergei was even more puzzled, and even a little anxious. "Master! If you agree, how can your disciple rebel? Wouldn't that be tantamount to surrendering to Romanov?"

"Foolish!" Li Chen scolded lightly, then patiently explained, "This is a game of chess. The opponent has anticipated that you might resort to desperate measures and forcefully start a rebellion. If you do that, you will fall into their trap and face enormous resistance, with little chance of winning. Since they are using softness to overcome hardness, you cannot follow their strategy."

He paused, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "They offer you the title of Grand Duke, and you accept it! Not only that, but you demand an exorbitant amount, taking the opportunity to ask for more rewards, more fertile fiefdoms, more people, and more resources!"
Think about it, once you rightfully possess a large fiefdom and population, wouldn't that be equivalent to dividing up a portion of the Great Luo Dynasty's strength without bloodshed?

You need to understand, that new Real Madrid president, Trevor, is weak and easily bullied. He can bow down to you and me, so why would he dare refuse your 'reasonable' demands? You've been leading troops in battle for so long, are you really afraid of a puppet emperor like him?"

Upon hearing this, Sergei was first taken aback, then his eyes grew brighter and brighter, and finally he slapped his thigh, suddenly realizing: "Disciple understands! Master is wise! It was my foolishness that led me to only think of head-on confrontation!"
In this way, the disciple transformed from a rebel leader into a Grand Duke and meritorious official bestowed by the imperial court! He could rightfully occupy territory and accumulate strength! Before, it was about plundering; now it was about 'rewarding,' a completely different matter, and naturally, there would be far less resistance!

Once the disciples have absorbed these territories and resources, and their strength has grown, wouldn't it be much easier to make moves in the future? Such a great benefit—why not take it if it's too good to pass up!

He figured out the key to it and became excited, all his previous anxiety vanishing.

"Master, what about you?" Sergei asked again, concerned about Li Chen's plans. Li Chen smiled calmly, confident: "Don't worry, as long as Matvi completes his 'devout' worship and comes before me, I have a way to deal with him. You just need to go back and think about how to ask your 'new emperor' for a reward."

Seeing his master's unwavering resolve, Sergei felt much more at ease.

He had an almost blind trust in Li Chen; if his master said there was no problem, then there must be no problem.

He asked no more questions, bowed respectfully, and hurriedly left to prepare for his grand plan to "seek a title."

Several days later, after enduring wind and snow and "devout" worship, Matvey finally arrived at the sacred site of the shaman, looking ragged and haggard.

Li Chen gave him ample face, ordering a grand and ancient welcoming ceremony to be held. The drums and music resounded, and the shamanic dances were performed, fully demonstrating the profound heritage and powerful aura of the shamanic lineage. This made Matvey feel even more insignificant and the shamanic lineage unfathomable.

Inside the solemn and majestic Hall of the Witch Ancestor, in front of numerous tribal chiefs and shamans, Matvi, the new emperor of the Great Luo Dynasty, actually knelt down on both knees, prostrating himself before Li Chen in the most humble posture, his voice trembling with sobs as he pleaded:
"Supreme and most revered Ancestor! This junior, Matvey, humbly begs for your mercy, protection of my Great Luo Dynasty, guidance through the maze, and salvation of my people from suffering!"

All of this was, of course, a script that Romanov had prepared beforehand.

He was certain that in order to maintain his image as aloof and a protector of all living beings, the ancestor of witchcraft would never openly break his promise and refuse to provide "help" after the emperor pleaded so humbly.

However, Li Chen had already seen through all of this and took advantage of the situation to turn the tables on him.

You can use Matvey's cowardice to morally blackmail him, and I can do the same to achieve my goals!

Li Chen sat high on his throne, his voice majestic yet indifferent: "Since you sincerely pray, for the sake of all living beings, I, the ancestor, will grant your request."

Upon hearing this, Matvey was overjoyed and immediately kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Ancestor Witch! Thank you, Ancestor Witch! This junior wishes to serve Ancestor Witch as the Grand Preceptor of my Great Luo Kingdom, a position of utmost honor, equal to that of the Emperor."

Before he could finish speaking, Li Chen suddenly let out a cold snort, and an immense pressure instantly enveloped the entire hall. His voice was as cold as ice: "Imperial Preceptor? Hmph! I am beyond the mundane world, the ancestor of all witches, the guide of all living beings. How could I be appointed by your royal family? You think you can make me serve you with the mere position of Imperial Preceptor? It's utterly absurd!"

Matvey trembled with fear at the oppressive aura, swallowing back his words. His face turned deathly pale, cold sweat poured down his back, and he prostrated himself on the ground, stammering, "Ancestor Witch, please calm your anger! Ancestor Witch, please calm your anger! It was my ignorance, my stupidity! Everything is up to you, Ancestor Witch! Whatever you say, will be done!"

He was already timid, and now, frightened by Li Chen, he was completely at a loss and had no choice but to hand over the initiative.

Seeing that the time was right, Li Chen slowly withdrew his oppressive aura. His tone remained indifferent, yet carried an undeniable air of authority: "Although your talent is mediocre, I see that you still possess some desire for the Dao, and you have come for the sake of the countless lives in this northern land. Very well, I will make an exception and accept you as a disciple in name only. From now on, you must observe the proper etiquette of a disciple and strictly obey your master's orders. Are you willing?"

Once a teacher, always a father!

Even the most foolish Matvey understands this principle.

Becoming a disciple of the Witch Ancestor was a far more prestigious position than the ethereal "National Preceptor," but it also meant that, in terms of law and morality, the emperor was completely inferior to the Witch Ancestor!
(End of this chapter)