Douluo: The Unrivaled Demon Lord

Chapter 66 Emperor Summons
The night passed quickly.

Shu Hong, who had been home for only one night, returned to the military camp early. Xuelin sighed softly as she watched her husband leave, but she didn't say anything more.

In such a large Douling Empire, there are only a few who can accomplish anything. The decline of talents has become the norm. Shu Hong alone commands the most elite and powerful army in the entire Douling Empire. This is already the most powerful force in the military field of the Douling Empire. There are other armies, but the combat effectiveness they can exert is really extremely limited and is really not up to standard.

Compared to Shu Hong's busyness, Shu Yan, who woke up naturally, was obviously much more relaxed.

After getting used to the high-intensity lifestyle in the inner courtyard, Shu Yan felt unusually confused and overwhelmed when he suddenly had some free time.

However, before Shu Yan could find something to do, the problem found him instead.

After listening to Shu Junyou's words, Shu Yan was also quite surprised. He didn't understand why his uncle summoned him for no reason.

The emperor would never summon his subjects casually, even if there was some blood connection between them. However, this blood connection was not worth mentioning at all in the eyes of a creature like the emperor.

The current Douling Emperor is not a man of great talent or strategy, but he is cautious and tolerant in his dealings with others. During his reign, he has done several major things that shocked the country with the assistance of many ministers. Although the final results were mediocre, at least he did not achieve nothing.

To put it simply, the current Douling Emperor is a true king who maintains the status quo.

Shu Junyou patted Shu Yan's shoulder lightly, and then said:
"Since His Majesty has summoned you, then go and see him. Don't worry, there will be no accidents."

Shu Yan nodded, but didn't say anything, just a little confused.

……

Walking in this magnificent and tall imperial city, Shu Yan still felt vaguely touched in his heart.

Although Douling was founded only a short time ago, the palace was built in an extremely luxurious and huge way. The continuous palace complex formed a magnificent picture, which gave people a shocking feeling at first glance.

But who could have imagined that, in the original novel, the Sun-Moon Empire razed the entire Douling Palace to the ground with only two soul guide regiments and a ninth-level fixed-type soul guide shell, and the direct members of the Douling royal family were almost wiped out. But even in that situation, Xue Leng and Xue Kui chose to believe the lies of the Sun-Moon Empire and betray their motherland. It can only be said that their brains were probably eaten by sperm.

……

Leading Shu Yan towards the main hall was an old man with a gloomy face.

Shu Yan knew the old man's identity. He was the current Douling Emperor's personal guard, commanding all of the Douling Imperial Family's secret guards. He was also a veteran Titled Douluo, his martial spirit a beast spirit called the Ghostly Bee, exceptionally skilled in speed, reconnaissance, and assassination. Furthermore, he had been nurtured by the Douling Imperial Family since childhood, a true loyalist who only obeyed the Emperor.

Along the way, Shu Yan sensed many powerful people hiding in the dark, among whom the lowest-level ones were at the Soul King realm. Some powerful and obscure auras were hidden in the depths. They were probably roles similar to secret guards. This huge palace could indeed be said to be full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.

When he arrived outside the main hall, Ghost Bee Douluo slowly stopped. He turned sideways, and the sound he made was as dull and unpleasant as the turning of gears.

"Please, Your Majesty has been waiting for a long time..."

"Thank you, Senior..."

Shu Yan casually thanked him and stepped into the hall.

The decoration inside the hall is simple and elegant, without any excessive utensils. Only a huge imperial desk made of dark red wood is very eye-catching. A pile of memorials are piled on top of it. The old man sitting in front of the desk in a brocade robe and looking energetic is the current Douling Emperor Xue Sheng.

"Greetings, Your Majesty..." This was not the first time Shu Yan met his uncle, so he just bowed slightly and did not perform any other etiquette.

Xue Sheng slowly raised his head, and a smile appeared on his face, which did not show any obvious signs of old age. There was a kind meaning in that smile, just like an ordinary old man looking at his younger generation.

"I've already told you that you don't have to address me as Your Majesty. You are my eldest sister's grandson, so just call me Uncle."

"Yes, uncle..."

Shu Yan wisely changed the address. The first time he called him "Your Majesty" was his attitude, but since the other party asked him to do so later, he naturally would not disobey the other party within a reasonable range.

"I heard that you've been shining brightly in Shrek Academy this past year, and are now known as Shrek Academy's greatest genius in the past thousand years. Tell me, what do you think?"

Xue Sheng put down the pen he was using to review memorials, straightened his bent back, and kept his eyes on Shu Yan.

"Uh... To be honest, I don't really have any feelings..."

Shu Yan thought about it, then answered helplessly.

Xue Sheng was stunned when he heard Shu Yan's answer, and then the smile on his face became even wider.

"Indeed, geniuses always think differently from ordinary people. People who are used to honor and praise will gradually become immune to it. Only those who lack confidence and success will seek recognition from others throughout their lives."

"Back then, I was a handsome young man like you, full of passion and vigor. With your grandfather's help, I did many things that seem foolish now, but I have no regrets. Although those years were somewhat dark, they were the happiest time of my life..."

Having said that, a trace of reminiscence appeared in Xue Sheng's eyes. There seemed to be a wave in his eyes, which were as calm as a stagnant pool of water. However, the wave came and went quickly, and disappeared without a trace in just a moment.

“Flowers may bloom again, but people never become young again… The past can be reminisced, but it can only be reminisced. Those who live in the past are doomed to have a bad ending.”

Shu Yan said softly, with a hint of emotion in his voice.

“What a saying: flowers may bloom again, but people never become young again…”

There was a hint of surprise in Xue Sheng's eyes. He murmured softly the poem that Shu Yan had just said, and then he burst into laughter.

"Ayan, I have to say, I really enjoy chatting with you."

"You always bring me a lot of inspiration and comfort with just a few words. If only one of my unworthy descendants could be even a little bit as smart and talented as you, I wouldn't be so worried about the future of the empire..."

After a moment, as the excitement and joy in his heart faded away, Xue Sheng's expression slowly returned to calm, but there was still a smile on the corner of his mouth.

"Perhaps, Ayan, you are also curious as to why I summoned you on the first day you returned to Lingdou City."

"I won't hide it from you. I summoned you mainly to discuss something with you. As for the specific content, I think my elder sister and the others should have already revealed some of it to you..."

……

(End of this chapter)