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

Chapter 692 What is the root of cowardice? (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)

At this moment, Matvey couldn't think of anything else. He only felt that he was extremely fortunate to have survived and received the "protection" of the shaman. Hearing this, he felt as if he had been granted a pardon and immediately kowtowed three times, his voice trembling with tears and a hint of relief.
"Disciple Matvey greets Master! Thank you for taking me in! I will certainly obey your instructions and never dare to disobey!"

Looking at Matvey kneeling at his feet, calling him his disciple, Li Chen finally showed a satisfied smile.

The perfect time has come to move into the capital and take complete control of the game.

This is a chessboard where only the emperor can play, where each move is countered by the last.

Ivan was still too inexperienced; Li Chen naturally guessed it was Romanov's scheme.

Since Li Chen accepted Matvey as his disciple under the identity of the Witch Ancestor, it was naturally not just a matter of putting on a show.

During his stay in the sacred land of the Witch Clan, he personally took action, expending some of the resources within his own cave to cleanse Matvey's meridians, forcibly boosting his cultivation level significantly.

This transformed him from an ordinary cultivator into a respectable one.

Li Chen also "meticulously" tailored several seemingly profound cultivation techniques for him, but in reality, they had huge loopholes and flaws. He also bestowed upon him a large number of radiant and spiritually powerful "heavenly treasures" and protective magic weapons.

He even personally took him to the perilous outskirts of the holy land for "training".

Whenever they encountered ferocious monsters or seemingly dangerous restrictions, Li Chen always intervened at the "perfect moment," easily resolving the crisis and protecting the terrified Matt behind him.

Matvey went from being terrified at the beginning to gradually developing a strange sense of dependence.

So this is what it feels like to have an incredibly powerful master! Even if the sky falls, your master will hold it up!

This sense of security—being protected by the strong and not having to face the storms alone—was like the first drop of spring rain, quietly seeping into his parched and timid heart.

This is a seed that Li Chen planted, a seed about "dependence" and "power".

Li Chen didn't expect the seed to grow into a towering tree immediately; it might even never sprout.

But this is part of his grand scheme.

He was betting on the weak father-son relationship between Matvey and Ivan.

If Ivan truly only saw Matvey as a pawn to be sacrificed at any time, rather than a son by blood, then after Matvey experienced the protection of another kind of "patriarchal authority" (mentor authority), the probability of him being turned against him was not nonexistent.

After all, everyone knows that Matvey is cowardly and dares not fight, but what is the root of this cowardice?
It's simply because they lack the strength to back them up.

Now, Li Chen has personally given him a seemingly indestructible backer—the Witch Ancestor!
Having acquired this identity, did he never, deep down, ever have the thought, "Perhaps I could truly become an emperor"?

Being timid and cowardly doesn't mean having no ambition at all; it may just mean that one has been suppressed by reality for too long.

Like an animal that has been kept in captivity for a long time, once the cage door is opened and there is a powerful protector outside, who can guarantee that it won't tentatively extend its claws?

Sergei, another disciple of Li Chen, is the best example. He used to be so obsequious in front of his father, Andrei, but once the opportunity arose and he had Li Chen's support, didn't he immediately overturn the table? Of course, Li Chen knew very well that Sergei was an obvious ambitious man who was easily instigated.

Matvey, on the other hand, may have been suppressed to the point of losing his edge, or perhaps he simply lacked that courage in his bones.

Therefore, Li Chen's strategy against Matvey was more of a casual move; it would be good if it worked, but it didn't matter if it didn't. His core objective was always to cultivate Sergei as a sharp weapon for direct attacks.

For Matvey, all he needs to do is follow the established procedures and maintain the "mentor-apprentice" relationship.

During his time at the sacred site of the shaman, Matvi truly felt an unprecedented sense of "respect".

Here, whether they are powerful shamans or tribal leaders, they all bow respectfully to him and address him as "Your Highness" or "Disciple of the Shaman Ancestor." Their heartfelt reverence is completely different from the superficial obedience, which may be tinged with contempt, that one might find in the palace.

Matvey also had his own reasons. Despite having the title of emperor, when he returned to the Holy City, real power was still firmly in the hands of his abdicated father, Ivan, and his grandfather, Romanov.

He lived in a side hall, and government orders rarely left the palace; he lived like a high-ranking prisoner.

In contrast, here, as the only disciple of the Witch Ancestor, his status is extraordinary, and his every word and action is highly regarded.

This contrast stirred up some indescribable emotions within him.

Soon, the good news that the Witch Ancestor had agreed to send his wizards to assist the Great Luo Dynasty in fighting against the Tian Ce Army reached the Holy Capital Palace.

Upon learning this, Ivan finally broke into a long-lost smile, and said to Romanov with a hint of smugness:
"Ancestor, your method is indeed brilliant! That Witch Ancestor is ultimately a man who cares about his reputation. Since he agreed in public, he probably won't go back on his word. With the help of the Northern Witches, the pressure on our defenses will be greatly reduced!"

Romanov stroked his beard and chuckled, his eyes radiating an air of absolute confidence: "Heh, in all my years, I know these self-proclaimed detached individuals, who in reality value their reputation more than anyone else."

They are often bound by so-called 'righteousness' and 'promises.' No need to worry too much; as long as the Witch Ancestor and Sergei's sides are temporarily at peace, we can concentrate our forces to deal with that scoundrel Tian Ce!"

When Li Chen was mentioned, Romanov's face instantly darkened, and a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

He still vividly remembered the humiliation he suffered in the capital of Tian Ce. If it weren't for the greater good, he would have wanted to fight Li Chen to the death.

Just as the two felt the situation had eased slightly and they could finally breathe a sigh of relief, a trusted eunuch rushed in to report: "Your Majesty, Ancestor! We have just received an urgent report that the Grand Ancestor and His Majesty the New Emperor are on their way back to the Holy Capital!"

"What?!" Ivan's smile froze instantly, and he abruptly stood up. "The Witch Ancestor is coming to the Holy Capital? Isn't he walking right into a trap?"

In his view, the Holy Capital was the royal family's stronghold for thousands of years, full of experts and densely packed with formations. If the Witch Ancestor dared to come, wouldn't he be courting death?
Romanov reacted even faster than Ivan, his face turning extremely grim as he exclaimed in a deep voice, "Oh no! We've fallen into a trap! This shaman is using himself as bait!"

"Using yourself as bait?" Ivan didn't react for a moment.

"Think about it!" Romanov said urgently. "The domestic situation has just been stabilized with the help of the 'promise' of the Witch Ancestor and public opinion. Sergei has also temporarily ceased his actions. If we attack the Witch Ancestor who came to 'help' us at this time, even if we successfully kill him, what will the wizards of the world think?"
How will the people, whose hearts have just been appeased, view this? Our royal family will be branded with the eternal infamy of betrayal and the cruelty of our allies! At that time, Tian Ce won't even need to lift a finger; the domestic wizarding forces and the enraged populace will be enough to cause us endless trouble!

Sergei now had every reason to raise the banner of rebellion again! The Witch Ancestor's move had turned him into an untouchable hedgehog! Brilliant!

(End of this chapter)