Chapter 730: I was truly blinded by greed—I

Li Chen watched his reaction closely, his tone darkening slightly with a subtle scrutiny: “What, disciple? Have you sat upon this dragon throne and now find it impossible to bow your head, unable to let go of the emperor’s hollow title? Do you believe submitting to a stronger power is a disgrace?”

“No! Not at all! Master, please don’t misunderstand!” Ma Te panicked, waving his hands frantically, his inherent cowardice resurfacing.

“Disciple… disciple does not crave empty titles. For the survival of the Great Luo Dynasty, for the countless subjects spared from war’s flames, even if I must bow my head and submit, even if I must endure greater humiliation—I am willing to do it!”

He drew a deep breath, genuine worry etched on his face: “But Master, that Tiance Emperor Li Chen is brilliant and ambitious—will he even accept our submission? Will he grant me, grant Great Luo, this chance? I fear that even if we wish to submit, he will still seek to exterminate us utterly!”

Hearing this, Li Chen finally understood—the boy was worried about this.

He found it somewhat amusing; he couldn’t just tell the boy he was the Tiance Emperor himself.

So he pulled out the same excuse he’d used to deceive Xie Ergai, his tone veiled with mystery: “So this is what you’re worried about? There’s no need to fear.”

“Your master and that Tiance Emperor Li Chen once crossed paths during our travels years ago—we’re old acquaintances. Though ambitious, he is not a mindless killer; he understands the wisdom of subduing enemies without battle.”

“With me mediating and delivering your message, he should grant me this favor and accept Great Luo’s submission. After all, gaining a vast vassal state without bloodshed is far more economical than exhausting the empire in a war of annihilation.”

Ma Te’s eyes lit up instantly, as if a sliver of light had pierced endless darkness!

So his master actually knew that fearsome Tiance Emperor! This changed everything!

The heavy stone in his chest vanished—he was so elated he nearly leapt to his feet: “So that’s it! Master, you’re truly extraordinary—you can even speak to the Tiance Emperor! Wonderful! I’ll prepare the state letter at once, and make sure its wording is earnest, fully expressing our sincerity in submission!”

He already saw the hope of avoiding national destruction, his energy surging.

Just as Ma Te was about to take his leave to draft the letter, Li Chen spoke again, uttering words that struck Ma Te like lightning:

“If this succeeds, the Great Luo legacy will be preserved, the border wars extinguished. The court’s affairs are settled, external threats neutralized. At that point, it will be time for your master to retire in triumph and return to the Wu Clan’s sacred land for quiet cultivation.”

“What?! Master, you’re leaving?!” Ma Te shot up, his face drained of color. Ignoring imperial decorum, he collapsed to his knees, grabbing the hem of Li Chen’s robe, his voice trembling with tears and panic.

“Master! Why?! Have I done something wrong? Have I angered you? Or have my recent purges of court officials been too brutal, disappointing you? I can change! Please don’t go! Great Luo cannot survive without you!”

Seeing his heartfelt, almost frantic distress, Li Chen felt a flicker of emotion—but his plan could not be altered.

He reached out and helped Ma Te rise, his tone gentle yet firm: “Stand. You’ve done well—better than I expected. You’ve grown mature and decisive. A young eagle must eventually leave the nest and spread its wings. An emperor must ultimately face his realm alone.”

“The road ahead is long, and you must walk it yourself. Your master cannot accompany you forever. I am a man of the outside world, drawn to stillness. I entered this realm first to spread the Dao, second to see the people’s suffering. Now that the tide has turned, I must return to my immortal haven and resume my cultivation.”

“Should you ever face a dilemma beyond your resolution, send a messenger to the sacred land. If I have leisure, I will answer your plea.”

Hearing Li Chen’s heartfelt, unreserved words, Ma Te’s tears could no longer be held back—they spilled over.

He bowed his head three times with a thunderous crash, so hard his forehead turned purple and bruised, blood seeping from the impact.

His agitation stemmed not merely from reluctance to part, but from a surge of profound guilt and gratitude.

Before this, others had whispered in his ear—many so-called “trusted advisors” had subtly warned him to beware the “Ancestor of Wu,” fearing his greatness might overshadow the throne.