I Was Truly Blinded by Lard-Utterly Unworthy of Being His Disciple! (Please Subscribe and Vote with Monthly Tickets)

Li Chen took in his reaction, his voice deepening slightly with a barely perceptible note of scrutiny. "What is it, my disciple? Now that you sit on the Dragon Throne, can you no longer bow your head or let go of the empty title of emperor? Do you consider submitting to the strong a shameful humiliation?"

"No! Not at all! Master, please don't misunderstand!" Frightened, Matvei waved his hands repeatedly and hurried to explain, the cowardice deep in his nature gaining the upper hand once more.

"I... I'm not clinging to an empty title. To preserve the Great Luo Dynasty and spare its countless millions of subjects the flames of war, I would willingly do things far more humiliating than bowing my head and pledging allegiance!"

He took a deep breath, genuine worry appearing on his face. "But Master, that Emperor of Heavenly Strategy, Li Chen, is a man of immense ability and boundless ambition. Will he accept our submission? Will he give me-give Daluo-this chance? I'm afraid that even if we wish to submit, he'll still insist on wiping us out!"

Only then did Li Chen understand. So that was what the fellow was worried about.

He found it rather amusing, but he could hardly tell Matvei outright that he was the Emperor of Heavenly Strategy himself, could he?

Thus, he brought out the same story he had used to fool Sergei, his tone taking on a mysterious depth. "So that is what worries you. On that point, you may rest easy.

"The Emperor of Heavenly Strategy, Li Chen, and I crossed paths during my travels in earlier years. We can be considered old acquaintances. Though he is ambitious, he is not a man who delights solely in slaughter. He understands the principle of subduing an enemy without fighting.