[{"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-51":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},2336490,4569,"Chapter 51: Power is something clutched in the hand—who willingly lets go","i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--chapter-51",51,"\u003Cp>At this moment, no minister dared to fear Li Chen less—he was the kind who truly killed when he said so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one dared speak out about Feng Huai’s death; after all, he brought it upon himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor had already said it that plainly, yet he still kept calling the late Emperor ‘the late Emperor.’ If the new ruler were weak, he might have been angry but still followed procedure—sending the Imperial Guard to arrest Feng Huai. Even if arrested, Feng Huai would at most be imprisoned, not killed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then many would plead for him, he’d write a confession, and the Emperor would have to release him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Feng Huai faced Li Chen, a Saint Realm Emperor, with no chance to beg—his body exploded on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the ministers began reassessing how they should speak to Li Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had already feared Li Chen; now they feared him even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Wenyuan had served as Chancellor for decades, always calm as a mountain—this was the first time he’d been so terrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It came far too suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never imagined this new Emperor had such a violent temper!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was clearly the ultimate embodiment of: “If the sovereign commands a minister to die, the minister must die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Emperor truly held no grudges—he exploded on the spot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Commander of the Imperial Guard Li Si Xing led men into the court to inquire what had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen said coolly: “Nothing. I just killed a disobedient subject. Send someone to clean the floor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your servant obeys.” Li Si Xing swallowed hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even from afar, the power of that explosion had terrified him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a Peak of Heaven’s Abyss cultivator, a cultivation prodigy of the imperial clan, rare in a century, raised since childhood on elixirs to reach his current realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even he felt he couldn’t survive a single strike from Li Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Already loyal, he now became even more devoted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before leaving, Li Si Xing glanced around and asked: “Where’s the body?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A nearby general replied: “Reduced to powder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Si Xing: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Li Si Xing and the Imperial Guards departed, eunuchs and palace maids swiftly entered to clean the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Li Chen began muttering to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I already lowered the power to a minimal level—why are you all still sitting on the ground? Next time I act, I’ll lower it even more. Please get up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This remark struck the ministers with even greater horror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Huai of the Ministry of Justice was a cultivated powerhouse—you killed him instantly, and you claim you lowered the power?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you truly unleashed your full strength—or even misjudged your control—wouldn’t we all die instantly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Li Chen knew what they were thinking, he’d say: Obviously—if you didn’t all die, wouldn’t my training be wasted?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you can withstand one of my strikes, then you’re impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen’s words certainly sounded boastful—but he had the power to back it up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The civil officials slowly rose to their feet; the court session resumed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who hadn’t offended Li Chen were merely startled and recovered quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they hadn’t provoked the Emperor—he wouldn’t kill them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But those ministers who had signed the “oath of allegiance” with Feng Huai the night before trembled uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Emperor discovered their involvement, would they meet the same fate?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe after court, I should go to the Imperial Study and beg for mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had been “forced” by Feng Huai—they were loyal to the imperial house, heaven itself bore witness!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the Second Prince? They barely knew him! If you want to die, don’t drag us down with you!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These ministers were already rehearsing how they’d weep, preparing their performances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, the one who felt most fortunate was Minister of Rites Yan Hai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was aligned with the Second Prince, yet he always obeyed Li Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He followed Li Chen’s orders without hesitation; he weighed every word of the Second Prince’s and only acted if it didn’t offend Li Chen. He’d already guessed: offending Li Chen meant dying on the spot—and now someone had paid the price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This incident only strengthened Yan Hai’s resolve never to defy Li Chen again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To speak blasphemously: as long as Li Chen lives, he will remain his subject!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Feng Huai’s death, the farce ended. Li Chen glanced at Zhao Wenyuan and said: “The position of Minister of Justice concerns the state’s security—it cannot remain vacant. Zhao Ai Qing, do you have a suitable recommendation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Wenyuan was Li Chen’s professional scapegoat—anything he didn’t know, he asked Zhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Wenyuan knew he couldn’t avoid it. After a moment’s thought, he stepped forward, bowed, and said solemnly: “Your Majesty, I do have one person in mind who can shoulder this responsibility.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen nodded slightly, urging him to continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Wenyuan took a deep breath and continued: “This man is a Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Justice, named Pang Jin. Since joining the Ministry, Pang Da Ren has worked diligently, solved numerous major cases, and accumulated outstanding merit. He is upright and incorruptible, commanding great prestige among Ministry officials. Moreover, his cultivation is formidable. I believe Pang Da Ren’s ability and reputation make him fully qualified for the position of Minister of Justice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This statement stirred strong reactions among the ministers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Pang Jin was merely a Chief Clerk—a mid-level official with no right to attend court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above him stood higher-ranking officials: Vice Minister, Assistant Minister, and Director of the Ministry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Promoting Pang Jin to Minister of Justice meant skipping several ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Wenyuan recommended Pang Jin because he was not aligned with any faction—he was simply an exceptionally capable administrator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Huai had controlled the Ministry of Justice for years; its Vice Minister, Assistant Minister, and Directors were all his loyalists. Choosing any of them would be inappropriate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Emperor wanted a highly competent official, Pang Jin was unquestionably the best choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Wenyuan’s recommendation surprised the ministers—but also made perfect sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Pang Jin had long served in the Ministry; his ability and strength were well known to all within it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well. I accept your recommendation. Promote Pang Jin to Minister of Justice. Any objections?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen’s words settled the matter—no one dared object.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hadn’t Feng Huai just voiced an objection—and exploded?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the senior officials of the Ministry of Justice hurriedly praised the Emperor’s wisdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They dared not compete for the Minister’s post—Li Chen not killing them was already more than enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such incidents were rare in court—but not incomprehensible. The session continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>News of Feng Huai’s immediate execution by Li Chen spread rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Empress Dowager’s chambers, still shaken, she received intelligence from her trusted maid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Did Feng Huai have the audacity to directly defy His Majesty?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now she understood—the commotion earlier had been Li Chen’s doing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Saint Realm was indeed powerful—her eyes burned with hunger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Correct. His Majesty gave Grand Secretary Feng one chance, but he remained obstinate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maid recounted the events plainly, like a cold-blooded news broadcaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Power—once held in hand, who willingly lets go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress Dowager understood the ministers’ inner thoughts—but they failed to consider who they were dealing with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Li Chen appeared approachable, when he acted, he was utterly unreasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dealing with a Saint Realm cultivator was far more dangerous than dealing with an Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Li Chen held both!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1237,"2026-06-20T21:59:17.413Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5ea80d0c23790a326e926908668bea6f8994c3469ec932fa454955c2d0a8e2d4","i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--chapter-52","i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--chapter-50",766,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--cover.jpg"]