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

Chapter 694 Close Control of Matvey! This is a decisive move! (Please subscribe and vote with monthly tickets)
The guard captain was terrified out of his wits. Enduring the excruciating pain, he struggled to his feet and kowtowed repeatedly in Matvey's direction, his voice trembling with sobs and unprecedented fear: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing my life! Thank you, Your Majesty! I know I was wrong! I will never dare to do it again!"

From that day on, the attitude of the guard commander and all his guards toward Matvey changed completely, becoming extremely respectful and even fearful, for fear of the slightest neglect.

Matvey knew very well that this respect did not stem from his personal approval, but from his fear of the powerful and protective master behind him.

But so what?
Fear can sometimes be a source of strength.

A force known as "borrowing the tiger's might".

Seeing those who once looked down on him now trembling and bowing before him, a complex emotion, unprecedented in its mix of exhilaration, dependence, and a hint of secret ambition, began to quietly grow and spread in Matvey's heart, which had been suppressed for too long.

It turns out that the feeling of having power, even borrowed power, is so wonderful.

The emperor's procession finally arrived in the capital. Banners fluttered outside the city gates, and the ceremonial guards were solemn, giving the emperor a grand and impressive display.

However, Matvey knew perfectly well that this grand welcoming ceremony, with its eagerly awaiting officials and throngs of onlookers, was not meant to welcome him, the new emperor in name only.

Instead, they wanted to see the true face of the legendary ancestor of witchcraft and see if he was truly as the legends said, a being who could stand shoulder to shoulder with the gods.

Li Chen was well aware of the importance of this first formal entry into the core of the Great Luo power base.

He will not only come, but he will also make his grand entrance in the most awe-inspiring way, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of the people and soldiers of the Holy City, as if a god had descended upon the world.

When the imperial carriage arrived at the majestic city gate, Li Chen did not rush to enter the city. Instead, he slowly stood up from the carriage, holding the "Words of the Stars" scepter, and stepped into the void, standing in mid-air.

He didn't say much, but simply tapped the scepter in his hand lightly.

"Om-!"

In an instant, the weather changed dramatically! Centered on him, a vast amount of natural spiritual energy surged and converged like a tide!
The emerald green core at the top of the scepter burst forth with dazzling light, shooting straight into the sky, as if connecting heaven and earth.

In the sky, the once clear sun was shrouded in a hazy, colorful glow, and countless raindrops of light fell like petals, carrying a refreshing fragrance and a rich sense of life.

On the ground, at the base of the city wall, and in the cracks between the stone slabs, tender green grass and delicate flowers were growing at a speed visible to the naked eye, as if the harsh winter had been instantly reversed into a warm spring!

A faint, ancient chanting echoed in the air, like a prayer from ancient ancestors.

This is not an attack, but a pure display of life and nature, a miraculous sight!
"A miracle! It's a miracle!"

"Lord Witch Ancestor! It is Lord Witch Ancestor manifesting his power!"

"Greetings to the Ancestor Witch! May the Holy Light of the Ancestor Witch Shine Forever!"

Below the city, countless onlookers were utterly awestruck by this sight beyond comprehension, feeling a deep sense of awe and reverence. Like a tidal wave, they knelt down and excitedly chanted the name of the ancestral shaman.

Even the well-trained soldiers guarding the city, armed with sharp blades, felt as insignificant as ants before this immense power of heaven and earth. Their legs went weak, and they involuntarily knelt down, their eyes filled with horror and submission.

The overwhelming power and wondrous sights imbued the appearance of the Ancestor of Witches with unparalleled awe and sacredness.

Standing on the imperial carriage behind Li Chen, Matvey gazed up at his master's imposing figure, which had stirred up extraordinary phenomena in the heavens and earth, his eyes filled with immense awe and envy. Was this the true power of the Ancestor of the Witches? Manipulating nature, influencing celestial phenomena, like a god walking among mortals!

An indescribable emotion welled up in his heart. Although his initial apprenticeship might have been forced by circumstances and contained some pretense, at this moment, the power Li Chen displayed and his "protection" of him gave him a kind of illusion.

Perhaps, this powerful master truly had some teacher-student affection for him? This thought brought him a sense of warmth and dependence.

Of course, the deep-seated fear he harbored for his father Ivan and grandfather Romanov was still far more profound and heavy than this brief gratitude.

After entering the city, the next step was to arrange accommodations for the ancestor of witchcraft. Following Ivan and Romanov's prior instructions, Matvey somewhat timidly said to Li Chen, "Master, I have prepared an extremely luxurious and comfortable manor for you in the west of the city. The environment there is tranquil, the scenery is superb, and it is perfect for your quiet cultivation..."

He tried to recall the prepared arguments, attempting to arrange for Li Chen to be placed far away from the Holy Palace, the center of power.

It was something Ivan and Matvey had already planned out.

However, Li Chen wasn't buying it at all.

He glanced at Matvey indifferently, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable air: "There's no need for such trouble. Now that I've accepted you as my disciple, I should fulfill my duty as a teacher and stay by your side at all times, so that I can guide you in your cultivation at any time. If you encounter any difficulties in handling government affairs, you can also ask me in a timely manner. I can simply reside in the Holy Palace."

Li Chen's actions were clearly premeditated.

He wanted to completely sever the physical connection between Matvey, the puppet, and the real manipulators behind him (Ivan and Romanov).

Once Matvey is placed under one's watchful eye, and his frequent contact with Ivan and others is cut off, over time, this long-suppressed puppet will inevitably develop an independent consciousness.

Matvey was indeed afraid of Ivan, but if he didn't see the source of his fear for a long time, his fear would naturally fade, while the influence of his "powerful and seemingly caring" master would grow day by day.

The Witch Ancestor requested to reside in the Holy Palace! This was unprecedented in the entire history of the Great Luo Dynasty!
According to ancestral rules, the Holy Palace was the exclusive residence of the emperor. Apart from princes and necessary guards and servants (eunuchs were not considered major male characters), no males of other surnames were ever allowed to reside there for an extended period.

Not to mention wizard leaders with such enormous influence.

This is undoubtedly a challenge to and a breach of the sanctity of imperial power.

However, Li Chen's reason was quite grand: to teach the emperor cultivation and assist in government affairs.

Given his transcendent status as the Ancestor of Witchcraft, the slight dependence Matvey had developed on Li Chen, and his cowardly nature, he dared not refuse his master's request outright, and so the matter was agreed to.

When the news reached Ivan, who was "recuperating" in a villa outside the city, and Romanov, who was secretly "in seclusion," both were greatly surprised.

"What?! The Witch Ancestor is actually going to move into the Holy Palace?! What is he planning? Is he going to completely control that good-for-nothing Matvey?" Ivan was both shocked and furious.

Romanov's face was grim as he slowly said, "We underestimated his audacity and methods. We had just made one move, sidelining Matvey and 'moving' him and you and me away, when he immediately took the second step, moving directly into the Holy Palace to keep Matvey under his close control! This is a move to undermine him!"

The emperor and his minister exchanged a glance, both seeing solemnity in each other's eyes.

This silent power struggle surrounding the core of the Holy Capital has become even more unpredictable and intense because of Li Chen's unexpected move.

(End of this chapter)