[{"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-735":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},2337174,4569,"Chapter 735: Just a Basic Move in an Emperor","i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--chapter-735",735,"\u003Cp>As soon as these words were spoken, the court atmosphere, which had just relaxed, tightened slightly again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ministers exchanged uneasy glances, unsure what the new Emperor of Dala was driving at.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen also paused slightly, a flicker of surprise passing through his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Alone? Could he have recognized me?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought flashed through his mind, but was immediately dismissed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was confident his disguise was flawless—his aura, appearance, and demeanor were utterly unlike those of the Witch Ancestor; Ma Te could not possibly see through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then why request a private meeting? Is he seeking more lenient terms? Or does he have some secret about Dala’s internal affairs to report?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief pause, Li Chen decided to see what he intended, and replied coolly, ‘Granted. After court, follow me to the Imperial Study.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Thank Your Majesty’s grace!’ Ma Te kowtowed again, his heart churning like fifteen buckets swinging on a rope—up and down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He himself could not explain why he had suddenly made this request; deep within, some inexplicable impulse drove him to seek closer, unobserved contact with this Emperor of Tiance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the Imperial Study, sandalwood incense curled gently, the atmosphere quieter and more oppressive than in the Golden Throne Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen sat upright behind a large purple sandalwood desk, holding a memorial scroll as if deeply engrossed in reviewing it, while his peripheral vision silently observed Ma Te kneeling below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at this ‘disciple’ who had kowtowed to him countless times before, now kneeling before him once more as a conquered monarch, Li Chen felt a strange pang in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said nothing, maintaining only the dignity and silence befitting the Emperor of Tiance, waiting to see what Ma Te’s sudden ‘private chat’ truly intended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he had given no such instruction beforehand—perhaps this boy was improvising?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chief Eunuch, Master Cui, stood nearby, head bowed and eyes downcast, yet his entire spiritual aura subtly locked onto Ma Te.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he knew the Emperor’s cultivation was beyond measure and needed no protection, it was his duty, and no lapse could be tolerated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Te felt the silent gaze above and grew even more tense; his back was already soaked in cold sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a deep breath, kowtowed again, then carefully withdrew from his robe a jade box of exquisite craftsmanship, emitting a faint chill, and held it high with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Your Majesty,’ Ma Te’s voice carried deliberate reverence and flattery, ‘official matters are concluded. This is a personal gift from me—not state tribute—please accept it with kindness.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Chen raised an eyebrow but remained silent, merely glancing at Master Cui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Cui understood, stepped forward, took the jade box, and opened it just a crack—immediately, a refreshing, exotic fragrance spread through the air; inside were three strange fruits, each the size of a dragon’s eye, entirely ice-blue, with snowflake-like patterns slowly swirling across their surfaces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘These are the “Ice Soul Snow Spirit Fruit,” unique to the ten-thousand-year-old glaciers of northern Dala. They are extraordinarily rare and highly effective for nourishing the spirit and purifying spiritual power.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Te quickly explained, then shifted tone to weave in personal ties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I have heard that my master, the Witch Ancestor, is an old acquaintance of Your Majesty, and that the two of you share deep friendship. Your Majesty’s magnanimity in accepting Dala as a vassal and halting hostilities must surely stem from your regard for my master’s humble reputation. I am deeply grateful and have no means to repay you—so I offer this humble gift, not only to express my thanks for Your Majesty’s grace, but also to convey my master’s greetings to you.’\u003C\u002Fp>",611,"2026-06-20T21:59:20.546Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8302c247cbde071a0b3fa7ede8a1ce785901ac65add983560a64c581e97beb76","i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--chapter-736","i-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--chapter-734",766,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-just-maxed-out-and-you-want-me-to-be-a-puppet--cover.jpg"]