Long Live Summons Chapter 950

Yue Yang had encountered countless beautiful women.

Some possessed a gentle demeanor like tranquil waters, others were vivaciously charming and adorable. There were those who sizzled with heat and sex appeal, alongside others radiating affection and enchantment. Some exuded a deadly allure, while a few maintained a cool, aloof presence like snow queens.

It seemed nearly impossible to find two identical beauties in the world, as each woman harbored her own distinct personality.

[T/L Note: Facts right there!]

Naturally, beyond their unique individualities, most beauties shared common traits.

Their stunning appearances, for instance.

Yet, Yue Yang found himself captivated by a beauty as different as the Liberty Queen.

The woman confined within the prison cart by the Heaven Rankers was not the most exquisite woman Yue Yang had ever laid eyes upon. In fact, her looks fell short of his initial imagination. However, this Queen was undeniably the most divine, enduring, and kind-hearted woman he had ever encountered. Despite her title as the Liberty Queen, she bore no resemblance to any queen depicted in the world. Instead, she looked like an ordinary, impoverished girl, clad in tattered garments. Even the threadbare cloth barely covering her frame was marred by stains of dust and dried blood.

Her attire was practically indistinguishable from that of starving citizens roaming the desolate streets, awaiting their grim fate.

Nevertheless, such circumstances did nothing to diminish her inherent beauty.

Nor did they lessen Yue Yang's astonishment at her presence!

Even while imprisoned in the cart, she offered a smile as if she were not being taken to confinement, but rather arriving at a sanctuary meant to protect her.

This smile was not a facade; it was an expression born from the pure kindness and benevolence residing within her soul.

Such a smile emanated a unique maternal gentleness, akin to the luminous moon gracing the night sky.

It was a smile that could only blossom from the depths of one's heart. Like a crystalline spring flowing through a forest, it possessed the power to instantly cleanse the anger from a person's heart. As she offered a slight nod to the kneeling, famished populace lining both sides of the street, her smile served to reassure them. Yue Yang suddenly perceived this as an immense power, unattainable by any mere Heaven Ranker. It had to belong to a powerhouse beyond the Innate Supreme level, one possessing an unyielding will to harness such potent belief.

“Do not weep; whether it be hunger or pain, I shall endeavor to alleviate it. Regardless of the circumstances, do not relinquish hope, for hope always persists!”

“I am well; you need not fret.”

“Live your lives to the fullest!”

The Liberty Queen’s words lacked fervent passion or agitated fervor.

Her delivery was remarkably subdued, akin to stating a simple fact or offering counsel to loved ones at home. Yet, even Yue Yang, a formidable individual who had attained the Innate Supremacy realm and possessed an unshakable self-belief, found himself unable to disagree with her pronouncements. It seemed she held no psychological reservations against this 'absurd persistence and conviction.'

Had anyone else uttered such words of comfort, Yue Yang would have undoubtedly scoffed.

Would merely waiting passively truly foster hope?

Would resigning oneself to impending death yield any hope?

However, when the Liberty Queen spoke, Yue Yang found himself surprisingly disinclined to refute her.

The reason was that her assertions felt undeniably correct. What force prevented his iron will from resisting the potential irony? Her words carried a potency rivaling the will of a deity! Indeed, it might even surpass the typical divine will, as Yue Yang himself could not help but acknowledge the truth in her statement.

Yue Yang unexpectedly realized that despite the Liberty Queen’s bright eyes, they lacked any visual focus.

This meant she was, in fact, blind!

The Liberty Queen, unable to perceive the world visually, observed it through a form of inner sight.

As she smiled, a unique tenderness and tolerance manifested in her unfocused, bright eyes. An indescribable gentleness graced her countenance, directly touching the hearts of others, even impacting Yue Yang's own heart, which he so often kept guarded.

In the presence of this Liberty Queen, even a Heaven Ranked powerhouse would exhibit deference.

This was not due to her strength, but rather her profound tenderness and kindness, her empathy resonating with all living beings.

A woman like her was destined for the world's respect, regardless of her confinement in a prison cart, her ragged attire, or her lack of imposing power.

The Liberty Queen presented two immaculate and fair porcelain arms, yet her legs were gone—the parts beneath her lower abdomen had vanished. Yue Yang had previously learned that her lower body was sacrificed to eradicate the illnesses and curses afflicting the devout and starving populace.

Her very being wasn't entirely composed of flesh and blood; she was essentially a hybrid of flesh and energy. Without an unknown Divine power sustaining her, the Liberty Queen would have long since passed away. Curiously, this same Divine power was what Yue Yang had extracted from the Bull Brothers, implying that the brothers' lives were actually preserved by the Liberty Queen, not some deity.

How could a Liberty Queen, who wasn't even a Heaven Ranker, wield Divine power? Yue Yang found himself entangled in confusion.

“Is that so? Have many people been cursed? I understand,” the Liberty Queen responded with a nod after hearing this. Despite lacking visual focus, she 'looked around' at the individuals nearby, a peculiar habit she retained. Yue Yang quickly surmised that this blindness wasn't congenital but rather a sacrifice of her eyesight, made for some reason, perhaps to save lives. The Liberty Queen then proposed a condition: “If the residents of Green Willow City can be fully fed, I will willingly lift this curse for everyone. However, I fail to grasp why it must be relocated to the Central Island of Zhi Feng... Perhaps this curse is a form of vengeful retribution requiring a unique solution.”

“Regardless, please accompany us to Central Island. We are all quite well, but some exceptionally important guests from the Upper Realm arrived to offer congratulations and were unfortunately cursed by mistake. Nevertheless, this is truly Zhi Feng’s doing,” Country Lord Zhi Feng introduced Yue Yang, Young Master Titan, Sky Execution, and the others to the Liberty Queen.

Finally, the Country Lord of Zhi Feng offered a guarantee: “Whether the curse is successfully resolved or not, the hungry people of Green Willow City will receive their rightful share of sanctuary.”

Upon hearing his words, the Liberty Queen’s unblemished face bloomed with a smile.

A sense of profound joy welled up from the depths of her heart.

She bowed deeply, clasping her hands, “Goodness will always be met with rewards; Country Lord Zhi Feng shall undoubtedly receive the highest return for his benevolent act today.”

Yue Yang remained silent. He had encountered countless beauties throughout his life, not to mention numerous women with vastly different personalities. He recalled the Scarlet Concubine, consumed by her love for the Scarlet Emperor, vowing to follow him eternally without self-regard. He remembered Zhu Guang, adored by thousands yet harboring selfish desires. He thought of Fairy Qi Luo, who perished fighting her enemy, forever trapped in the same realm. He had even witnessed the Navagraha Empress, driven by a pursuit of ultimate strength to the point of wagering her entire clan’s fate… Yet, he had never encountered anyone as selflessly kind as the Liberty Queen.

In Yue Yang’s estimation, the Liberty Queen, beyond words, was the greatest fool!

Yet, seeing her with his own eyes, he couldn't help but be stirred!

What form of power was it that could evoke such a response within him?

She was aware that Country Lord Zhi Feng, Qinglang, and the others were utterly depraved. They had planned to burn her alive and never once showed her compassion as the ropes bit into her skin when she was confined in the prison cart. So why did she blindly consent to their terms, agreeing to resolve the curse based on their solitary request?

If this Liberty Queen were his own woman, Yue Yang would absolutely discipline her.

This was far too foolish to overlook!

However, gazing upon the Liberty Queen’s broken form and her gentle, kind smile, Yue Yang found himself unable to label her a fool.

In this world, there would always be individuals who loved without seeking anything in return. Without any expectation of reward, they were the sort who, despite already suffering and being exhausted, would silently endure and offer their complete sacrifice… His own Si-niang, for instance.

Si-niang differed from the Liberty Queen in that her compassion was strictly reserved for her family members, unlike the Liberty Queen’s kindness towards all.

Yet, in certain aspects, she shared a similarity with the Liberty Queen.

Si-niang’s devotion to Yue Yang, Yue Bing, and the young girl surpassed even the Liberty Queen’s dedication to the world. It was as if Si-niang poured all her immense love onto Yue Yang and his siblings, nurturing him into the content person he is when surrounded by family. While he couldn’t claim to be a saintly figure, Yue Yang chose not to dismiss this contribution, as doing so would invalidate Si-niang’s efforts.

The moment the Liberty Queen departed on the opulent airship, accompanying the Country Lord of Zhi Feng to confront their adversaries on the Central Island of the Wind-stopping Swamp, the famished residents of Green Willow City experienced relief in the form of sustenance for the first time.

Everyone understood.

These provisions were a sacrifice, a concession the Liberty Queen made with their lives, leaving the people with no recourse but to weep and implore for aid.

Yue Yang observed all of this, carrying his most significant query aboard the airship. As Country Lord Zhi Feng and his strategists conferred with Sky Execution regarding the prevention of enemy ambushes and encirclement, Yue Yang sought out the Liberty Queen. He inquired, "Should Country Lord Zhi Feng renege on his pledge, what would be your course of action? He possesses power, rendering his promises optional. Moreover, you lack the means to compel his adherence, even if he breaks his word."

The Liberty Queen 'gazed' at Yue Yang, her eyes unfocused, and offered a smile as gentle as a spring breeze. "Are you the renowned Young Master Titan from the Upper Realm? Despite your seemingly defiant demeanor, I perceive a golden soul within you, unique among so many... Here, yours is the only voice to pose such a question. This implies that few, save you, possess true empathy, particularly those wielding significant power. They seldom recall its significance until their authority wanes—yet, empathy is the most formidable power! Those capable of empathy are the truly mighty!"

"How can that be? I find myself in disagreement with your assertion!" Yue Yang had never considered individuals with empathy the most powerful, nor did he view empathy as the ultimate form of strength.

"Reflect upon it. If you possessed absolute power and surveyed the world below, would not all beings appear as insignificant as ants? Observing their frantic pursuits in mundane and sorrowful lives, their emotional turmoil over trivial gains, their craving for fleeting renown. Even their struggles, ending in death without achieving their lifelong aspirations, perhaps in the deluded belief of a 'benevolent sacrifice'— do such actions not strike you as rather comical to behold?" the Liberty Queen countered with a smile.

"That still does not equate an empathetic individual with the strongest person!" Yue Yang's rebuttal was direct, yet for the first time, he found it somewhat challenging to articulate his disagreement.

"A person who genuinely embodies empathy does not necessarily manifest it as I do. My intent is to act rightly, but I fail to elicit true empathy. The profoundest empathy transcends merely providing aid to disaster victims. Allow me to illustrate: only those possessing supreme power, looking down from their lofty vantage point, can truly comprehend the common folk and grasp the essence of 'empathy.' Those truly powerful, ancient Deities reside in the heavens, observing us in the lower realms, witnessing our lives teeming with activity akin to ants, our births, our growth, our struggles for advantage, our fatal conflicts for reputation and riches, our injuries and aging— all part of a relentless pursuit of power and gain before succumbing to illness and eventual demise... Only by perceiving the totality of such existences can one truly unveil the world's verity. To recognize the pitiable state of lesser beings and discern the path to offering genuine empathy to all forms of life!"

As the Liberty Queen spoke, Yue Yang was utterly astonished.

He felt an epiphany dawn within him, a novel sensation erupting from the depths of his being.

Previously, he had been consumed by questions of divinity and humanity, the boundaries of power, and the ultimate aim of his growth. Following this revelation, he abruptly realized he had discovered the most fitting answer.

Only an individual of supreme power, standing at the zenith of strength, could perceive the world's truth and appreciate the humblest of beings.

It was through this understanding that a unique form of empathy would emerge, enabling one to regard others with an extraordinary heart.

Failure to grasp this concept would signify insufficient strength. Conversely, if he could achieve it, why then should he confine himself to the perspectives of those who could not? He finally understood...[1]

[T/L Note: So I’m trying to understand as well, but the gist of it is probably saying that one can only truly empathise if you are strong enough to see the lives of others. To perceive, understand, and to remain grounded— but also know that you are strong enough to bring about change to better someone’s life and empathise with the weak. Alas, I’m not Yue Yang so I’m not smart enough to understand the full meaning, but this should be something like that]

On the outside, Yue Yang appeared unchanged, yet within his heart, a transformation of monumental proportions was unfolding.