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Chapter 20
Imu truly hadn't expected this.
A man who single-handedly established an empire on Sabaody Archipelago, Proclaiming himself emperor and boldly challenging both the World Government and Marine Headquarters— Tian Chen the Great Emperor!
Was this polite?
The moment he opened his mouth, he was vulgar beyond belief.
Seeing her celestial beauty, he immediately wanted to possess her. And so directly!
After snapping back to her senses, Imu sneered coldly in her heart.
On the surface, however, she put on an act of fear and slight nervousness:
"I-I'm sorry…" "If you're only confessing your feelings because you find me beautiful…" "To be honest… this feels very sudden, and I really can't accept it." "Besides, I'm a rather traditional girl." "Without a sufficient emotional foundation between us… I won't casually agree to anyone!" "Even if—even if you are Tian Chen the Great Emperor of the Giant Empire… it's still impossible!"
"So please… Great Emperor, have some self-respect. Don't continue being so casual and frivolous with me."
Imu spoke with feigned apology.
But buried within her words… Was a subtle hint.
She could be willing— If they first deepened their emotional connection.
Of course… This was just Imu's little scheme.
She wanted more close contact with Tian Chen. So she deliberately employed a subtle "play hard to get" tactic.
Fortunately, Tian Chen was a seasoned expert in romance. How could he fail to see through Imu's intentions?
He burst into loud laughter.
"Self-respect? How exactly do you want this Emperor to show self-respect?" "Are you telling me that you, Imu-sama of the World Government, came all the way here— Not to become this Emperor's beloved concubine… But to personally erase this Emperor from existence?"
Imu's heart jolted.
What did those words mean?
Had her identity already been exposed? Or… Was Tian Chen testing her?
Yes! He must be testing her.
How could anyone possibly know her true identity?
"Hmph! Stay calm. Absolutely cannot admit it."
So Imu put on a look of pure confusion.
"What Imu-sama?" "Tian Chen the Great Emperor… have you mistaken me for someone else?" "This little lady's name is Paris Shabai." "My true identity is a princess from the Paris Kingdom in the South Blue."
Imu spoke with perfect composure. Her acting remained flawless.
Tian Chen sneered coldly in his heart!
Imu must have prepared this backup identity before coming here!
She really was meticulous. No wonder she had ruled the world from the shadows for over eight hundred years.
"Hahaha… this Emperor sees now. You truly aren't Imu-sama of the World Government." "Actually… this Emperor doesn't even know what Imu-sama looks like. I was just being cautious!" "That's why I tested Miss Shabai a little."
Tian Chen had no intention of exposing Imu's identity so soon. He was only giving her a little scare!
Besides… Hadn't Imu just handed him a kingdom on a silver platter?
If he played his cards right… He might be able to snatch the entire Paris Kingdom for free— And add it to the Giant Empire!
"Uh… so that's how it is." "But… who exactly is this 'Imu-sama' you speak of, Great Emperor?" "The Paris Kingdom has also attended the World Conference. We only know of the secret existence of the Five Elders within the World Government… We've never heard of anyone called Imu-sama." "And yet… you seem to be quite wary of this Imu-sama?" "But this little lady has heard that your strength is unfathomable." "A few days ago, you single-handedly established an empire here and proclaimed yourself emperor." "You even withstood Marine Headquarters' Buster Call… and the World Government's ultimate weapon!"
Imu continued acting— Trying to lower Tian Chen's suspicion.
Tian Chen replied:
"Imu is the secret mastermind behind the World Government." "This Emperor only knows of her existence… but not her appearance." "But Miss Shabai… you really are a princess of the Paris Kingdom? That truly surprised this Emperor!" "I wonder… would Miss Shabai be willing to persuade your father, the king, To bring the entire nation and its people to join this Emperor's Giant Empire?"
At that moment, Imu wanted nothing more than to curse Tian Chen to death in her heart.
This bastard really had boundless ambition.
He actually wanted to rule The entire world she had ruled!
But… He had just laid his ambition bare in front of her.
And now he wanted the Paris Kingdom? In his dreams!!!
"I-I'm truly sorry!" "This little lady is only a princess traveling outside the kingdom… I'm afraid I cannot involve myself in such major national affairs."
Imu spoke with perfect apologetic sincerity.
Tian Chen's expression suddenly turned icy cold.
"Hmph! Since Miss Shabai is unwilling to cooperate… don't blame this Emperor for being ruthless!"
"Isn't the Paris Kingdom one of the World Government's allied nations?"
With those words— Tian Chen's mind moved.
He unleashed the Supreme King's Power, instantly binding Imu completely.
By the time Imu reacted and tried to resist… She found herself utterly unable to break free from the strange, oppressive force wrapping around her.
Only now did Imu realize— She had severely underestimated Tian Chen's true methods.
How laughable… She had thought herself different from others. That with her overwhelming power, she could threaten Tian Chen.
Yet in an instant… Tian Chen the Great Emperor had completely and utterly sealed her.
"Tian Chen the Great Emperor… what is the meaning of this?" "Just because the Paris Kingdom is an allied nation of the World Government… You're going to use this little lady to threaten the Paris Kingdom into forcibly joining your Giant Empire?"
Imu pretended to be upset and disappointed.
"Originally… this little lady thought Tian Chen the Great Emperor was an extraordinary man." "But now it seems… that was just a façade. In truth, you're nothing but a hypocritical and despicable villain!"
Tian Chen remained completely unfazed.
"Hmph! This Emperor has always lived by one principle: Better that this Emperor betrays the world— Than let the world betray this Emperor!"
"A delicious delicacy who delivers herself to my door— How could this Emperor possibly let you go? Even if the methods are despicable, so what?"
"Now this Emperor will give you only one choice!"
"Make the Paris Kingdom join this Emperor's Giant Empire."
"Otherwise… not only will this Emperor refuse to release you— This Emperor will imprison you… And turn you into nothing more than a plaything beneath this Emperor!"
...
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