Douluo: This Legend of the Dragon King is not quite right

Le Zheng'en strode forward, pressing his hands firmly on Xu Tiandi's shoulders, and growled in a low voice, trying to awaken the leader he respected so much but was also deeply worried about at that moment:
"Xu Tiandi, you better pull yourself together!"

"Look at the state you're in now! The entire Federation's burden, the future of countless people, rests on your shoulders!"

"How can you face the soldiers who fought for you and sacrificed for the Federation in this state?!"

Seeing that Xu Tiandi's eyes flickered slightly, seemingly regaining some clarity, Le Zheng'en immediately pressed his advantage, speaking urgently:
"Over in the Eastern Continent, the remnants of the Tang Clan and the Green Skull organization are taking advantage of the gap left by our main force's westward expedition to become increasingly rampant, and the situation is tense. They urgently need our support and stabilization!"

"There's a whole host of military and political matters waiting for you to decide! The Federation is beset by internal and external troubles right now, and there's no time for you to wallow in despair here!"

He stared into Xu Tiandi's eyes and said, word by word:

"Our Sun and Moon Federation needs you! We need you, Emperor Xu!"

Leh Jung-eun is truly anxious.

During the years that Xu Tiandi served as Speaker, the Federation's national strength, military power, and soul guidance technology all made rapid progress. It even accomplished an unprecedented feat—completely annihilating Shrek Academy, which had dominated the continent for ten thousand years!

This achievement is enough to make Xu Tiandi's name go down in history, rivaling Xu Tianran, the emperor who unified the continent ten thousand years ago.

He absolutely could not stand by and watch the leader who led the Federation to its peak fall into ruin.

Xu Tiandi remained silent for a long time before his gaze slowly fell upon his legs, which were covered by a blanket but whose empty outlines were still visible.

His disability... this was the painful price he paid for this victory, and it is now the biggest excuse for his political enemies in Parliament to attack him.

He raised his head, his gaze returning to Le Zheng'en, whose face was filled with anxiety, and asked in a hoarse but calm voice:

"What's the progress on Professor Kong's side regarding the development of the robotic legs?"

Le Zheng'en paused for a moment, then realized what he meant: "You mean..."

"Hmm," Xu Tiandi replied indifferently.

Yu Guanzhi, who was standing nearby, quickly took over the conversation and respectfully replied:

"Reporting to the Speaker, news has come from Elder Kong that the latest soul-guided adaptive mechanical prosthetic limb can be installed and tested for you in three days. However..."

He paused, his tone becoming hesitant and serious.

"Speaker, the situation on the Eastern Continent is extremely urgent. Furthermore... there is considerable controversy within the Xu family, as well as among councilors from other factions, regarding your... disability in both legs."

"In the Federal Parliament, nearly 70% of the members have jointly initiated an impeachment motion, believing that you are disabled and no longer suitable to serve as the Speaker of the Federal Parliament."

Xu Tiandi lowered his eyelids, concealing the fleeting cold glint in his eyes, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger:
"Is it the doves who are in charge, or the hawks who are leading the charge?"

Yu Guanzhi and Le Zhengen exchanged a glance, both seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes.

Yu Guanzhi took a deep breath and answered truthfully:
"Both factions... are involved. The doves believe that your... health condition will affect the image and stability of the Federation; while some among the hawks believe that... you are no longer able to go to the front line and your deterrent power is insufficient."

Xu Tiandi's gaze slowly swept across the faces of Yu Guanzhi and Le Zhengen, his eyes as deep and unfathomable as a cold pool, making it impossible to fathom his true thoughts.

He suddenly asked, his tone calm yet carrying immense weight:
"In that case... do you two want me to continue serving as the Speaker of the Federal Parliament?"

The air suddenly became stagnant.

Is this a temptation?
Conversing with this deep-thinking, extremely controlling supreme authority requires treading on thin ice with every word.

Yu Guanzhi's heart skipped a beat, and he almost immediately bowed and answered:
"Your subordinates naturally hope that you, Speaker, will continue to lead us. Your talent and contributions to the Federation are unparalleled. Your slight physical inconvenience will not affect your wise decisions!"

Le Zheng'en also snorted heavily and stated: "Me too. I don't care what those congressmen say. Everyone has seen what the Federation has become during your years as Speaker!"

"Destroying Shrek Academy is even more gratifying! Anyway, I, Yue Zheng'en, and the Southern Legion firmly support you!"

Xu Tiandi listened quietly, his face still expressionless, but deep within his empty eyes, something seemed to be slowly re-forming.

He remained silent for a long time, so long that Yu Guanzhi and Le Zhengen felt uneasy, before slowly nodding.

"I understand." His voice remained calm. "You may all leave now. I will handle these matters."

"speaker!"

"Emperor Xu Tian?"

Yu Guanzhi and Le Zheng'en wanted to say something more, but Xu Tiandi waved his hand, his tone carrying an unquestionable decisiveness:
"Go down. Give me some personal space."

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness and worry in each other's eyes, but ultimately bowed respectfully, silently left the office, and gently closed the door behind them.

Once again, only Xu Tiandi remained in the office, along with the eternally bustling Mingdu outside the window.

He turned his gaze back to the window, looking down at the steel behemoth to which he had poured countless efforts.

Bustling with traffic and dazzling lights, power and desire intertwine here, and civilization and technology shine brightly.

He was once the master of all this, but now he seems to be abandoned by it all.

Xu Tiandi took a deep breath, the air still seeming to retain the slight warmth of the soul-guided engine and the coldness of the metal.

The despondency and confusion receded like the tide, replaced by something deeper and colder, gathering and burning in his eyes.

An empty heart needs a new goal to fill it.

The lost power needs to be replenished by a greater power.

The coveted position must be consolidated through ruthless means.

His fingers unconsciously and forcefully gripped the armrests of the wheelchair, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

"I found it……"

He muttered to himself, his voice hoarse yet carrying a desperate madness, his eyes once again blazing with a sharp, almost tangible light, a light mixed with ambition, obsession, and a hint of madness.

"This is the hope that can bring me back to my peak... or even surpass it."

What is that hope?
Is it the soul-guided mechanical leg that's about to be delivered?

Are these dissenting voices in parliament that need to be suppressed?

Or... some unknown opportunity hidden deeper within?

No one knows.

But one thing is certain: Xu Tiandi, the once all-powerful and shrewd Federal Speaker, is rising again from the ruins of defeat and the confusion in his heart.

He might be one of the hopes for the future of the Douluo Continent, or he could be its greatest enemy. (End of Chapter)