[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet-":3,"chapter-i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--chapter-47":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Just Maxed Out, and You Want Me to Be a Puppet Emperor?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2336486,4569,"Chapter 47: Li Clan","i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--chapter-47",47,"\u003Cp>Because Li Ran was blind, the room had no lamps lit and was pitch black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps due to occasional cleaning by palace maids and eunuchs, it wasn’t particularly dirty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two talked seriously for a while, then Li Ran told Li Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To become emperor, you need strength and subordinates—neither can be lacking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for subordinates, Li Ran certainly can’t provide any; he’s now a broken man, his mother is dead, and her faction has likely been wiped out or defected to other powers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only thing Li Ran can now offer Li Chen is access to vast resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the saying goes, even a dead camel is bigger than a horse; Li Ran’s mother had hidden countless rare treasures in a mysterious location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Li Ran and his mother knew where that place was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen can use these resources to strengthen himself and build his own followers; if possible, bring some to the palace for Li Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you cooperate with me, I’ll tell you where it is. Honestly, I have no right to cooperate with you—I’m begging you to help me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran had lowered himself completely, speaking in a pleading tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew that if Li Chen took the resources and reneged, he’d have no way to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget it, I’m just teasing you. I’m the emperor now, and I’ve reached the Saint Realm—I just passed by and sensed someone practicing dark arts here, so I came to check.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen spoke casually, but these words were a thunderclap to Li Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell? Are you even aware of what you’re saying?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We were just talking about how to make a comeback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now you tell me you’ve reached a realm I could never dream of?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s like two beggars discussing where to beg for their next meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then one suddenly stands up and says, “I’m done pretending—I’m a billionaire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other is utterly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s exactly how Li Ran feels right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So all that heartfelt confiding? You were just using me for entertainment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most importantly, Li Chen had just slightly released his aura. Li Ran didn’t know if Li Chen was truly in the Saint Realm, but that terrifying, fear-inducing presence proved he wasn’t lying—at least a hundred times stronger than Li Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a long time, Li Ran sat with his mouth open, then finally said: “Then why the hell did you waste my time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen shrugged and replied: “I was bored.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran desperately wanted to curse, but his upbringing told him not to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re really the emperor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would I lie? The Crown Prince died suddenly, the other princes are all hiding far away, and a few days ago the emperor had an incident—he passed away so fast the Empress Dowager declared ‘the state cannot be without a ruler’ and forced me to take the throne. I thought, I’m already in the Saint Realm—what’s there to fear? So I agreed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And then? Did they give you trouble?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On my first day in court, the second prince caused a scene.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen briefly recounted what happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahahaha, that’s hilarious! Those bastards never imagined you were in the Saint Realm—no wonder you’re so steady. Too bad I’m blind, can’t see their ugly faces.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran thought this was deeply satisfying—those schemers who always plotted and manipulated suddenly faced an unpredictable force. How amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After thinking for a moment, Li Ran asked: “If you knew I was practicing dark arts, why not deal with me? You’re the emperor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen replied: “You practice dark arts to seek revenge, not because I harmed you—why should I care?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, Li Chen had pretended he wanted to be emperor just to test Li Ran’s sincerity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran’s attitude was acceptable, so Li Chen saw no need to punish him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, the dark arts Li Ran practiced only harnessed his own negative energy and harmed no one. Many dark arts are ambiguous—like the Blood Burning Art, which damages the practitioner’s lifespan to boost cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Li Ran had been killing people to cultivate, Li Chen wouldn’t have given him a chance to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, you’re the emperor now—I have no right to make demands. You know my talent. Give me some resources, and when I reach the Saint Realm, I’ll be your enforcer, how about that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran knew this was just empty promises, but talent was his only advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who wouldn’t want a Saint Realm subordinate? Which Saint Realm cultivator willingly serves another?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Li Chen helped him now, Li Ran would truly become his loyal subordinate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Duikunba, you’re being too formal—you can go wherever you want, no problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen’s words were crude, but Li Ran felt deeply moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Royal family members are usually each other’s enemies; he didn’t ask Li Chen to help him—just not to harm him was already the greatest favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Li Chen had said that, Li Ran solemnly promised: “I know you hate trouble—I’ll handle all your problems. The second prince, the third prince, even the Empress Dowager—you’re the emperor, you can’t act directly or you’ll be branded a villain. Leave them all to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen coughed and said: “Leave the Empress Dowager alone—I have no conflict with her for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Ran smiled slightly, as if to say, “I understand you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately added: “I get it—I’ll clear her faction for you. She’s yours to keep.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen blinked in surprise, as if to say: You understand nothing—but that idea’s not bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not hearing a reply, Li Ran continued: “Don’t underestimate the Empress Dowager. When my mother investigated her, she found ties to remnants of the previous dynasty—though no proof was ever found. You know how the previous dynasty fell, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen replied: “I don’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran was genuinely surprised—he could answer “I don’t know”? Wasn’t this basic education for imperial princes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then again, since Li Chen had reached the Saint Realm without anyone intervening, perhaps the late emperor truly didn’t care about him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran briefly explained: the previous dynasty’s nobles, to extend their lives and boost cultivation, used living people as fuel—they drained their vital essence through special methods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When this was exposed, the entire nation erupted in shock and panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re saying the late emperor’s death might be connected to the Empress Dowager?” Li Chen asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not necessarily—there are many remnants of the previous dynasty hidden in the harem,” Li Ran replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why did the late emperor keep so many previous dynasty remnants in the harem? For thrills?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t forget—the so-called aristocratic families were mostly former nobles of the previous dynasty. They betrayed the old imperial clan and defected to our Li family, which allowed us to succeed in rebellion—no, in righteous uprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even our own Li family held status under the previous dynasty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now Li Chen understood—the harem was far more complex than he’d realized. Thank heaven he hadn’t acted rashly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, Li Ran revealed many things his mother had uncovered. After the Li clan seized the palace, the previous dynasty’s loyalists set fire to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many crucial documents in the library may have been burned—or secretly moved beforehand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The founding emperor, per agreement, banned dark arts—any violator was executed—and slowly developed the realm, allowing the Tian Ce Dynasty to reach its current glory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran knew far too much information to cover in one night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen asked: “So any woman connected to the previous dynasty is off-limits?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran smiled faintly: “Not necessarily. If you find the five volumes of the Emperor Dragon Holy Scripture, you can suppress these dark arts—and strengthen your body. With your power, even three thousand concubines aren’t a problem—three ten thousand wouldn’t be either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ran was no longer capable of intimacy, but he knew what men desired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After talking so long, he realized Li Chen had this taste—and naturally found a way to please him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Chen patted Li Ran’s shoulder and said: “Brother, I leave this task to you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you pull it off, we’ll be brothers bound by life and death!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1356,"2026-06-20T21:59:17.413Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","60cc43b6c0522ce41f7b669f57ab93ef2d7087f4878d864faa17660683bd8c11","i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--chapter-48","i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--chapter-46",766,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--cover.jpg"]