Long Live Summons Chapter 1 – Into another Dimension
Yue Yang noticed a figure soaring through the heavens and craned his neck, shouting, “My dear, hurry out and witness a divine being!” The airborne silhouette, brandishing a sword, faltered in its flight, appearing as though it might plummet.
“Brother, do not fly so swiftly, your trousers are descending…” Yue Yang bellowed again.
As if in response, the celestial traveler descended headfirst onto the ground.
Yue Yang, an ordinary high school student, bypassed any concern for the fallen individual. Instead, he seized the sword shimmering with golden radiance. “Master, this flying sword is a treasure! You’ll damage it by flinging it about so carelessly. What if it strikes innocent children? Even if it misses them, it’s still a shame if it harms nearby flora. Might I suggest your disciple take custody of this sword? And the Universal Pouch? A master as potent and sagacious as yourself shouldn’t be burdened with such an ancient pouch at your waist… Your disciple shall safeguard them for you…”
The aged Daoist priest, sprawled on the earth, nearly expelled blood. Having existed for millennia, this was his inaugural encounter with such an utterly shameless individual who had presumptuously claimed him as master.
“Master, your disciple has reached a marriageable age, yet remains unpaired. Do you happen to possess a granddaughter? Her appearance or age is of little consequence to me; I am not one to be picky…” Yue Yang chuckled lewdly. The incensed priest could no longer endure it and delivered a swift kick to Yue Yang’s posterior, bellowing, “Begone! Be gone, you impudent brat!”
And thus, Yue Yang was unceremoniously propelled into another dimension.
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“Ah! His eyes moved, he’s conscious! Xiao San-gege has finally awakened!” Before Yue Yang’s eyes had even fully opened, a voice as clear as chiming bells reached his ears.
“Shuang Er, do not be disrespectful to your elder brother…” Following this, a warm, gentle, and maternal voice, imbued with affection, made itself heard.
As Yue Yang’s eyes fluttered open, the old Daoist priest had vanished. In his stead, an adorable and spirited young girl sprang into his view. She was a petite lass clad in a blue-green Chinese gown, her fair arms peeking from the sleeves. Her hair, adorned with red ribbons on either side, cascaded down to her waist. A silver bracelet, from which a tiny bell dangled, graced her pearly white wrist.
The small girl playfully reached out, pinching Yue Yang’s nose.
As her soft, supple arms moved, the bells on her bracelet tinkled, echoing her crisp, clear giggles.
Eh?
Yue Yang felt a sense of bewilderment. Could this girl be the old Daoist priest’s granddaughter? Such a high-quality lolita! Just as he was contemplating making a move on the girl, a pair of arms suddenly emerged from behind, encircling the mischievous child and lightly swatting her small hands. Deeming the playful reprimand sufficient, the girl was then enveloped in a warm embrace. Unfazed, the small girl found the situation amusing, giggling merrily in her mother’s arms. Yue Yang, observing the endearing scene with a slight grimace, pondered the peculiarity of it all. His gaze drifted around the room, settling upon the woman behind the small girl, and an involuntary sigh escaped his lips.
Oh my, what a beautiful wife…
A woman, appearing to be around thirty, sat before Yue Yang.
She possessed delicate features, her complexion as fair as the moon, and her eyes as clear as a spring. A smile, as gentle and refined as flowing water, graced her lips.
Her lustrous black hair was elegantly swept into a bun, minimally adorned with a single purple phoenix hairpin—simple, yet exuding style. Her overall demeanor radiated a beauty enhanced by wisdom. Dressed in a sky-blue gown and a jade bracelet adorning her wrist as she held the small girl, she was a captivating sight for Yue Yang!
If I could marry a woman like this, I would desire nothing more.
The beautiful woman’s smile faltered upon noticing Yue Yang was awake. Her jade-white complexion was tinged with a sorrowful and remorseful expression. “San-er, do not be so rash again. Who put it into your head to drown yourself when faced with hardship? Fortunately, we managed to save you in time. Otherwise, how could I… how could I face my elder sister? When Big Sister entrusted you to me, Si Niang, I had already considered you my own child. San-er, through all these years, I could never bring myself to punish you. This time, you’ve committed a grave error, and if I do not ensure you learn your lesson today, I would be failing my elder sister. Next month, when your Fourth Uncle returns, you shall receive a beating from him as your penance.”
A little girl twitched her nose and followed along, saying, "Ask him for a beating, 'papapa' – let him beat you until your butt is swollen!"
Huh?
Yue Yang was perplexed. When had he ever attempted to drown himself? Where was he? Had the old Daoist Priest sent him to some unknown place, perhaps mistaking him for someone else?
A peculiar thought crossed his mind: Could it be that someone who looked just like him had drowned in the river, and this beautiful woman had saved him instead of the other fellow, leaving that unlucky chap to become fish food? The notion made sweat bead on his forehead.
This misunderstanding was far too significant!
The person who had been transported to another dimension was afraid of saying the wrong thing if he opened his mouth. He dared not try to explain the misunderstanding, let alone inquire about his location.
If the other party realized he wasn't her precious San-er, she might just toss him back into the river. That would be disastrous.
The beautiful woman observed the nervous Yue Yang, whose forehead glistened with sweat and whose face was as pale as a sheet. She interpreted his demeanor as guilt, finding it quite endearing. Her voice softened considerably as she spoke, "San-er, it's alright if you understand your mistakes. Young people shouldn't fear making errors, but it becomes a problem if they fail to learn from them. Si Niang has watched you grow up and knows you understand what is good and bad for you. It's simply that the matter of the Xue Family's daughter rejecting your engagement has hit you too hard, causing you to act rashly. San-er, though the Xue Family's daughter is a fine person, if her heart is not set on you, let the engagement go. If you cannot share your troubles and happiness with your wife and support each other through difficult times, then marriage is not advisable. Look at our Yue Family; we are one of the four great families. There are countless girls in this world; do you truly believe you won't find another?"
"Yes..." Yue Yang resolved to pretend to be the fool who had drowned himself in the river. Once the immediate crisis passed, he would find an opportunity to explain.
"San-er, it's good that you understand. Si Niang is relieved now." The beautiful woman had been prepared for a lengthy persuasion, but the boy unexpectedly came to his senses after one dip in the river. She truly believed miracles could happen.
The beautiful woman then instructed Yue Yang to rest well.
She released the little girl and stood, preparing to leave the room.
Yue Yang let out a sigh of relief in his heart, grateful he had managed to conceal the truth. However, he now needed to devise a plan to slip away, just in case the fellow who had drowned himself hadn't actually died and were to return. That would expose everything.
As the beautiful woman held the small girl's hands and walked toward the door, she suddenly turned back and inquired, "San-er, will you promise me you won't do anything rash again? You may appear frail, but you possess a strong mind. Despite your agreeable exterior, you have a stubborn heart, which I know well. Please, don't wait until I'm gone to do foolish things behind my back... You truly won't do anything rash again, will you?"
"No, I won't," Yue Yang shook his head vigorously.
Why would he kill himself? He still needed to find that old Daoist Priest for revenge!
The beautiful woman gazed at Yue Yang's face, filled with apparent sincerity, and her heart felt much lighter. "Si Niang trusts you, San-er. Never attempt to take your own life again. Your parents are no longer here. Your Fourth Uncle had no sons, and I am infertile. Bing-er is a girl, and Shuang-er is still very young. Your father and fourth uncle had no one else to continue our family's lineage, so it all rests upon you now. Remember this, alright?"
Yue Yang broke out in a cold sweat, thinking: no, you can't leave it up to me! I'm not your San-er. Your San-er has already become fish food... I'm afraid this matter of continuing the bloodline will never be fulfilled...
But, of course, he could not voice these thoughts. He simply nodded and mumbled a quiet "yes."
The small girl, growing bored, released the woman's hand and darted out the door, scampering away in an instant.
The beautiful woman called out at the small girl, but she didn’t heed. Thus, the woman had no choice but to chase after the skipping child. Even as she stepped out the door, she turned back once more, her voice laced with worry, "San-er, don’t let despair consume you. Even your rather foolish uncle only managed to forge his first contract a month shy of his twentieth birthday. Don’t you still have three months remaining? You’ve toiled for so many years. It’s far from over, are you truly contemplating surrender now? None in our Yue Family has ever failed to establish a contract with a summoning grimoire. Have faith, you shall not be the first... Perhaps it’s because your parents chose to seal your grimoire when you were young. They likely wished to prevent you from achieving a grimoire contract at such an early age, lest you become overly proud. Please, continue to train diligently, alright? Otherwise, with the innate talent you've demonstrated since childhood, how could you possibly fail to form a contract? Believe in me, you possess your parents’ bloodline; you are destined to become a gifted and exceptional individual in the future. Success awaits you, so you absolutely must not falter or lose heart, but strive even harder...!"
A grimoire contract?
Just what exactly is this summoning grimoire?
Perhaps the bloodline of that drowning fellow was indeed remarkable, but he wasn't that person; he was merely an ordinary individual.
If he possessed any notable abilities, it could solely be attributed to his exceptional gaming prowess, particularly with games originating from overseas.
Yue Yang had no clue how to forge a contract with any grimoire, yet after absorbing the beautiful woman’s words, he surmised that the individual bearing his likeness had chosen to end his life out of complete hopelessness.
That person had no parents and had failed for so long to successfully contract with whatever grimoire, and then his fiancée broke off their engagement. He must have felt life was too arduous to endure and decided to drown himself.
What compounded the tragedy was that despite his attempt at self-drowning, the one miraculously saved was actually another individual who happened to look just like him... In the end, he himself was transported here, while that pitiable eighteen-year-old lad had likely purchased a one-way express ticket to the ocean's depths.
The sole aspect Yue Yang found baffling was his presence within the river.
Could it be that the old Daoist Priest had hurled him into the water?
But why would he do such a thing? Or perhaps that ancient geezer intended for him to be reborn into the guise of this unfortunate soul?
Yue Yang pondered until beads of sweat trickled down his brow.
This bizarre turn of events had gone far too astray…
"San-er, you should rest now. These are my sincere sentiments... Even if you cannot successfully forge a contract with the grimoire, you will always be my cherished San-er. I regard you as my own son, and thus, even if we must liquidate all our assets, we will find a way to secure your future. Your Fourth Uncle, though he may not voice it openly, shares the same unwavering conviction. San-er, simply focus on your recovery. Perhaps tomorrow, you might unexpectedly succeed in forming a contract." The beautiful woman implored him repeatedly to rest before gracefully turning and departing the room.
Yue Yang was deeply touched by her words.
Although her profound concern was not genuinely directed towards him, her kindness towards that unfortunate fellow was undeniable. He considered the very idea of suicide to be utter foolishness.
Such a devoted stepmother – where else in this world could one find such a treasure?
Instead of appreciating the immense love he was offered, that pathetic boy chose to drown himself over a broken engagement. A fitting end, indeed! Yue Yang’s heart, now clouded, was no longer reasoning objectively. He had yearned for someone to love him so dearly, yet he couldn't attain such affection.
He watched the beautiful woman exit the chamber and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. If only he *was* that San-er, blessed with such a kind-hearted stepmother. Alas, he was not that unfortunate soul.
Returning to recline on the bed, his gaze drifted to an immense tome with a gilded cover resting upon the table.
It possessed a faintly bronze hue, its color having faded with time, lending it an ancient appearance. Strangely, it was exceptionally thick, measuring two to three times the girth of a standard book. The cover itself was adorned with peculiar, archaic script.
Yue Yang felt an inexplicable pull towards this volume.
It was as if an unseen entity was subtly beckoning him closer. That sensation mirrored the eager anticipation felt just before installing a game, the impatient urge to guide the mouse and click the 'Start' button... Subconsciously, Yue Yang extended his hands, intending to caress the peculiar, golden-hued book. Unbeknownst to him, the instant his fingertips brushed against its surface, the book erupted in a resplendent golden radiance.
The entire chamber became suffused with an incandescent golden light.
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Shielding his eyes from the dazzling brilliance, Yue Yang squinted, nearly unable to open them due to the overpowering luminescence bathing the room.
An overwhelming deluge of information violently flooded his consciousness. This influx was so powerful that resisting it was impossible. Yue Yang had no chance to react as his mind was forcefully crammed with unfamiliar knowledge to its very limit. Meanwhile, the book continued to radiate an intense light, suggesting that even more information was yet to be transmitted.
His mind seemed to grasp countless concepts, yet simultaneously failed to truly comprehend them. He couldn't isolate the core knowledge and found himself unable to clearly understand what he had absorbed.
Yue Yang found himself in a perplexing state of seeming understanding yet lacking clarity, a haze of confusion obscuring his thoughts.
Within his physical form, a transformation appeared to be occurring, as if something dormant had been roused.
It felt akin to a mystical power, which had lain dormant within him for an immeasurable time, being awakened. This awakening resonated like the jubilant hymns of celestial beings at the pearly gates, sending shivers through Yue Yang's entire being.
Though his physical ears remained deaf, his heart perceived the profound "voice" with absolute clarity. Indeed, an enigmatic force was stirring within him, calling out to him. Yet, its meaning remained elusive, only the mysterious summons reaching him. This was an utterly unique sensation, the voice more heavenly than any angelic choir, drawing him into its depths. Such transcendent beauty in a voice could stir a person's very soul, reminiscent of a mother's soothing lullaby during childhood sickness. Words failed to capture the essence of that feeling... Simultaneously, within the landscape of his consciousness, Yue Yang glimpsed a flying sword emanating an unusual luminescence. It spun mysteriously of its own accord, its peculiarity defying description.
The flying sword was then gently taken into the hands of an ethereal maiden. She appeared to be singing and dancing with captivating grace, her movements fluid and free in the boundless expanse.
"What, what in the world is all of this?"
The golden radiance enveloping Yue Yang gradually receded, retreating back into the book, its light now barely visible between Yue Yang's fingers and the tome itself.
Silence descended once more as the mysterious call faded. The ethereal flying sword also began to vanish without a trace. Yue Yang abruptly returned to his senses, startled to discover his fingers glowing with light.
Yue Yang remained frozen, flexing his fingers. The golden illumination slowly dissipated.
However, the bronze-hued book, which had seemed remarkably heavy, unexpectedly began to levitate, hovering in the air before him. The sensation it now evoked in Yue Yang was not that of a weighty tome, but rather of an integral part of himself, as natural as an arm or a leg.
Standing at the doorway, the beautiful woman was captivated, her face streaked with tears.
She leaned against the doorframe, using it to steady her trembling, overwhelmed form. Then, her strength seemed to desert her, and she collapsed onto the floor.
She had witnessed everything, her features a mixture of utter astonishment and profound joy. Tears streamed down her face, soaking her clothes.
"San-er, did you manage to form a contract with a summoning grimoire? Is, is this truly happening? Am I dreaming? Oh, merciful heavens, this is all thanks to my elder sister’s blessings. Elder sister, did you see? San-er succeeded in forming a contract! I always said San-er was not a complete waste... Thank goodness he isn’t. I thank you from the depths of my heart on behalf of our San-er..." The beautiful woman knelt on the ground, her emotions overwhelming her. She performed a sincere kowtow, offering gratitude to the heavens for their benevolence.
Her pale forehead turned red from the repeated impact of her kowtows, and her tears dampened the floor.
Yet, disregarding the physical discomfort, the beautiful woman persisted in her ritual of kowtows and expressions of thanks.
Yue Yang quickly approached and attempted to help Si Niang to her feet. Despite his pretense, he was genuinely moved by the woman's heartfelt display.
At the entrance, the young girl had also reappeared, clutching a large red pinwheel. Tilting her head, she inquired, "Mom, why are you crying on the floor?"