Strip me of my armor? I'll summon the Emperor in a flash!

Chapter 14 Dr. Garru
The ruined Shadow Realm base was littered with rubble, and the air was filled with lingering shadow energy.

The ugly general knelt on one knee, and even though the pebbles on the ground pierced his knee, he dared not move an inch.

"My lord, what brings you here so suddenly?" he asked, his back hunched, his voice trembling with obsequiousness. "Please give me any instructions."

Beneath drooping eyelids, the eyeballs are moving wildly.

"That damned old bastard had to show up right after the Shadow Guardians were defeated," he cursed inwardly, his nails digging deep into his palms.

"Ugly General—"

Black Emperor's leather shoes clattered on the gravel in the silent ruins.

The old man stood before the former throne of the King of the Realm, his black suit fluttering in the wind, but his antique gentleman's hat remained perfectly still.

"Long time no see!"

"I wonder if you've missed me?"

"Of course I miss you, sir!" The ugly general's fake smile froze on his face, not daring to show the slightest dissatisfaction.

"Heh heh." Black Emperor suddenly turned around, his signature mustache peeking out from the shadow of his hat brim. "I've been thinking about you guys every single day while I'm out there!"

His withered fingers traced the marks on the throne.

The veins on the back of his hand suddenly bulged out, winding like a venomous snake awakening.

"I just didn't expect to see such a spectacular mess as soon as I got back."

A chill ran down the spine of the ugly general.

The Black Emperor's leather shoes were now pressed against his chin, the metal plates inlaid on the toes reflecting his distorted face.

"My Lord," his Adam's apple bobbed laboredly, his emotions filled with fear and unease, terrified that the Black Emperor would kill him.

He smelled the old man's distinctive cigar scent—mixed with some strange aroma.

The Black Emperor suddenly leaned down, the silver chain hanging from the brim of his gentleman's hat brushing against the ugly general's cheek: "Those few useless protectors couldn't even handle the armor summoner."

Her withered, twig-like fingers gripped the back of his neck. "From now on, you'll follow me."

"Follow me to rebuild the film industry, and you'll be its second-in-command!"

The ugly general's pupils suddenly contracted.

Second in command?
The second-in-command in the film industry?

However, in their Shadow Realm, both the Shadow Overlord and the Realm King are now dead.

The Shadow Guardian was nowhere to be found; no one knew where he had escaped to.

Therefore, there are only two of them left in the film industry now!

But in this case...
"Your subordinate will go through fire and water!" he declared, suddenly banging his head on the ground with unwavering loyalty and devotion.
“Very good.” The tip of the Black Emperor’s umbrella lifted his chin.

You will never regret the decision you make today!

……

The burger joint was filled with the unique aroma of fried food, and the afternoon sun slanted through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the bar counter.

Mei was wiping the coffee machine when the doorbell suddenly rang crisply.

She looked up and unconsciously clenched the rag in her hand—Li Yan was walking in with composed steps, the hem of his black trench coat swaying slightly with his movements.

"What are you doing here?" Meizhen subconsciously straightened her back, her knuckles turning white from the effort.

Her gaze was fixed on Li Yan like that of a hawk, and she unconsciously softened her breathing.

Ever since Li Yan left them, every time he comes here, something bad happens!

Just like last time.

When Li Yan arrived here, he stole the Wood Shadow Stone from the ERP Research Institute that Dong Shan used to summon the Wind Eagle Armor!
This prevented Dongshan from summoning the Wind Eagle Armor.

This has further weakened the strength of their armored squad!

This time, Li Yan came uninvited.

I don't know what he's up to or what he's trying to do.

Li Yan seemed oblivious to her wariness, slowly pulling out a high stool in front of the bar and sitting down, his boots making a slight rustling sound as they rubbed against the metal chair legs.

“What,” he tapped his long, slender fingers lightly on the marble countertop, “is this how you run a burger shop?”

A playful smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "A customer's here, and you can't even offer them a glass of water?"

Meizhen noticed his teasing gaze and dared not meet his eyes again.

She forced herself to look away, but her voice was more strained than she expected: "If you're here for a burger, I'll make you one right now."

She deliberately tied the apron straps tightly, "But what if you have other intentions?"

"Oh?" Li Yan suddenly leaned forward, casting a shadow over half of the bar counter.

Meizhen caught a faint scent of cedar on him, mixed with a hint of metallic coldness.

"What's the purpose?" he asked in a low voice, each word sounding like a probe.

Li Yan looked at Mei Zhen with interest, "Judging from what you said, you seem very confident!"

"Could it be that your headquarters has made a new breakthrough?"

Mei-zhen's pupils suddenly contracted, and the coffee cup slipped from her trembling fingers, slamming onto the bar with a dull thud.

She hurriedly bent down to pick it up, taking the opportunity to hide her suddenly pale face.

This action caused her to miss the fleeting glint of light in Li Yan's eyes.

“Looks like I guessed right.” Li Yan straightened up, his gaze sweeping over Mei Zhen, trying to find some flaw in her.

"Then let me guess what new research results headquarters has achieved."

"So that Dongshan and the others can summon armor without using the Light and Shadow Stone?"

"Or have they found a way to summon the Emperor Armor?"

"I think it should be the first one."

"right?"

Li Yan suddenly stepped forward, closing the distance between himself and Mei Zhen.

Meizhen's expression changed drastically, and she kept backing away until she reached the cabinet behind her.

"The technology that allows Dongshan and the others to summon armor without relying on the Light and Shadow Stone is truly something to look forward to." Li Yan looked at Meizhen.

"Is this your confidence?"

"I feel like it's not enough?"

Mei Zhen suddenly looked up, her pupils contracting sharply—Li Yan had somehow already stood in front of the restroom door, just a step away from the hidden entrance to the ERP Research Institute.

His slender fingers rested lightly on the door frame, tapping rhythmically with his fingertips, making a soft "tap, tap" sound, as if he were calculating some kind of countdown.

"What are you going to do?" Meizhen's voice suddenly rose, her fingertip already pressed on the emergency communication button on her wristwatch.

Her heart was pounding like a drum, and her back was taut, as if she were about to rush up and stop him at any moment.

"The research institute doesn't welcome you!" she emphasized, her eyes sharp as knives. "Leave immediately!"

Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at the hidden door—Dongshan was training inside, along with Xinnan and Beimiao.

If they were to meet with Li Yan...

Just imagining that scene made Meizhen's temples throb.

Especially Dong Shan, who had just regained the power of the Wind Eagle Armor and was already burning with fighting spirit, would be further provoked by Li Yan...

"Heh." Li Yan chuckled lightly, his gaze passing over her as if he could penetrate the walls and see directly into the interior of the research institute.

“Don’t be nervous.” He slowly withdrew his hand and put it in his suit pocket. “I’m not here to see you today.”

"I have come to see the old man of the sacred mountain."

His tone was casual, yet it sent a chill down Meizhen's spine. Her fingers unconsciously clenched the edge of her apron, her knuckles turning white.

Meizhen suddenly took a step to the side, blocking the toilet door—where a secret entrance to the research institute was hidden.

She spread her arms wide, blocking Li Yan's path, her fingertips trembling slightly from the force.

"I said, it's impossible!" Her voice was firm and unwavering. "The research institute forbids you from entering, no matter who you want to see!"

Li Yan's eyes suddenly turned cold, and the surrounding air seemed to freeze.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, a dangerous glint flashing in his gaze.

"Are you sure?" His voice was low and slow, carrying a chilling sense of oppression. "The consequences of stopping me... you can't afford to bear them."

Meizhen bit her lower lip, her back already beaded with cold sweat, but she still wouldn't budge an inch.

Just as Li Yan raised his hand, seemingly preparing to force a breakthrough—

"Meizhen, let him in."

A deep, steady male voice suddenly came from above.

Li Yan paused, slowly raised his head, and fixed his gaze on the surveillance camera in the corner.

The red indicator light flickered slightly, as if a cold eye was watching him.

“Dr. Garu?” Li Yan’s lips curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile. “It really is… a long time no see.”

Meizhen abruptly turned to look at the monitor, her eyes filled with disbelief: "Brother?!"

Dr. Garrut's voice remained calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority: "Let him in. We need to have a proper talk."

Meizhen's fingers clenched and unclenched, her chest heaving violently.

Finally, she reluctantly stepped aside, making way for the passage.

Li Yan chuckled softly, stepped forward, and as he brushed past her, whispered, "A wise choice."

Meizhen stared intently at his retreating figure until he stepped through the hidden door and disappeared into the depths of the corridor.

Her fists were clenched so tightly they turned white, her nails digging deep into her palms.

"Brother... what are you thinking?"

Li Yan walked through the dimly lit corridor and stepped into the core area of ​​the research institute.

The lights suddenly turned on, making him squint slightly.

Once his vision cleared, he glanced around the room, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips—

Xin Nan, Dong Shan, Bei Miao, Kun Zhong.

The armored squad was almost all present, except for Xi Zhao.

Li Yan remained calm, as if he had only met a few unimportant old acquaintances.

However, the reactions of the people on the other side were completely different.

Dongshan suddenly stood up, sweat dripping down his tense jaw, his breathing slightly heavy from the intense exercise he had just undergone.

But the moment he saw Li Yan's face, all his weariness was replaced by a surge of anger.

"Li Yan! How dare you show your face here?!"

His voice was almost a growl, and his knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists.

Not long ago, he regained the method to summon the Windhawk Armor through headquarters' technology.

At this moment, he longed for battle more than ever!
"Dongshan! Calm down!"

Xin Nan and Bei Miao acted simultaneously, pressing down on his shoulders from both sides and forcibly pushing him back into his seat.

Bei Miao's fingertips trembled slightly—memories of his previous crushing defeat flooded back, instantly causing a layer of cold sweat to seep onto his back.

But he forced himself to stand up, his voice more hoarse than he expected: "What exactly are you doing here?"

Li Yan didn't even glance at them, and walked straight to the central holographic projection screen.

On the screen, Dr. Garrut's image was clearly displayed. He wore his signature white lab coat, and his gaze behind his gold-rimmed glasses was deep and unfathomable.

“Doctor,” Li Yan nodded slightly, his tone playful, “I wonder what you specifically wanted to discuss by having me come in?”

The air in the research institute seemed to freeze.

Kunzhong, who was in the corner, subconsciously reached for the summoner, but was stopped by Xinnan with a look.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for this dangerous conversation to unfold.

The blue and white lights in the laboratory reflected a cold halo on the metal walls, and the faint electrical sound emitted by the holographic projector was particularly clear in the silent space.

Dr. Garrut's image flickered slightly, his gaze behind the glasses as deep as a still pool.

"Naturally, I wanted to talk to you about the future." His voice was as calm as if he were discussing the weather.

Li Yan's slender fingers tapped lightly on the control panel, producing a rhythmic sound from the metal surface.

He squinted, scrutinizing the man in the projection who was called a "genius scientist".

"What about the future?" A playful smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "But who can say for sure about the future?"

If the other person hadn't been Dr. Garrut, he would have turned and left long ago.

This man's wisdom is worth lingering over for a moment longer.

“I know you want the remaining two Light Stones,” Dr. Garru said suddenly, adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses. “I can make the decision to give them to you.”

This sentence made the air in the laboratory freeze instantly.

Dongshan abruptly stood up, the training chair screeching loudly. "Doctor! This won't do!"

His voice trembled slightly with shock.

Li Yan did not respond immediately.

He walked slowly toward the holographic projection area, his boots making a crisp sound as they hit the metal floor.

"Oh?" He stopped a meter from the screen, arms crossed. "This is truly...surprising."

The surveillance camera rotated silently, capturing his every micro-expression.

“Conditions,” he asked bluntly, his gaze sharp as a knife.

Dr. Garrut's image tilted slightly forward, and the main light source in the laboratory dimmed accordingly, making the projection clearer.

“My demands are simple,” he suddenly lowered his voice, “We want to study your Dark Emperor Armor.”

"Bang!" Bei Miao slammed his fist heavily on the control panel, and the alarm system immediately emitted a short beep.

"Doctor! Do you know what you're saying?" His voice was filled with disbelief.

They gave up their last two Light and Shadow Stones in order to study that dark armor!
Li Yan suddenly burst out laughing, the sound echoing in the sealed laboratory.

He turned and looked around, his gaze sweeping over each armored summoner who appeared to be on high alert.

“Interesting,” he said slowly. “You want to use the Light and Shadow Stone to exchange for the opportunity to research the Dark Emperor?”

"You want to find the Dark Emperor's weakness? And then defeat me?"

Dr. Garu's image suddenly switched to a data stream, and the three-dimensional model of the Dark Emperor Armor slowly rotated in the air.

“Based on our current data,” his voice became unusually calm, “your armor differs from the orthodox Imperial Armor by 13.7%. These differences are worth studying.”

Li Yan's eyes suddenly turned cold.

He hadn't expected the other party to have grasped the matter to this extent.

The temperature in the laboratory seemed to drop, and Dongshan involuntarily shivered.

"What if I don't want to!"

(End of this chapter)