Long Live Summons Chapter 952

On the opulent airship en route to the Wind-stopping Swamp, Yue Yang emerged from his quarters, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings until he located the Liberty Queen in the rear chamber.

The Heaven Rank experts accompanying them were either engrossed in cultivation, like Sky Execution, or were occupied in the front hall with a reception. The sounds of revelry and acclaim emanating from there caused Yue Yang a bout of dizziness. To him, it seemed less like they were embarking on a potentially perilous quest and more like they were attending a festive wedding!

“You’ve undergone a considerable change,” The Liberty Queen, who had been in meditation, suddenly turned to ‘observe’ Yue Yang as he appeared and exclaimed.

“What difference do you perceive?” Yue Yang found it rather amusing, questioning what she could possibly discern with her sight.

“Naturally, this isn’t something visible on the exterior; it’s a subtle feeling even within one’s heart. Yet, I sense you possess an innate gift for concealment. However, your soul radiates a brilliance that cannot be masked – it is simply dazzling. I’ve encountered souls radiating such brilliance before, comparable to powerhouses nearing the level of Gods. But when measured against yours, the disparity in quality is akin to comparing a firefly’s glow to the radiance of the full moon. It appears you’ve discovered the correct passage through the realm of the Gods,” the Liberty Queen stated, leaving Yue Yang secretly astonished. Throughout his journey, only a handful of individuals had exhibited the capacity to perceive his inherent talents and his ability to shield his aura.

“I must express my sincere gratitude for your profoundly insightful words,” Yue Yang offered a slight, yet genuine, bow to the Liberty Queen.

“It is not my enlightenment, but rather an epiphany that has finally surfaced through your growth – an explosion following immense accumulation, if you will. It was an inevitability on your path of continuous discovery, not due to my presence or my words,” the Liberty Queen replied with a smile.

“Regardless, your words have indeed provided me with enlightenment,” Yue Yang acknowledged, sensing the Liberty Queen’s reluctance to claim credit. He then inquired, “May I discuss something with you?”

“Me?” The Liberty Queen appeared slightly taken aback by the subject.

“Have you never contemplated your own existence?” Yue Yang probed.

“I have, frequently pondering my future actions and the significance of my endeavors. Much like you, I am also seeking the meaning of life and striving to experience a higher plane. For instance, just moments ago, I was contemplating a particular question,” the Liberty Queen affirmed, speaking about herself with the ‘stranger’ Yue Yang for the first time.

“And what was occupying your thoughts just now?” Yue Yang inquired further.

“I was considering the optimal course of action: should one adhere rigidly to their original convictions, or emulate your stance, observing from a higher realm as the surrounding masses scurry like ants, without lifting a finger to intervene?” the Liberty Queen responded.

“Ha, isn’t such non-interference rather detached?” Yue Yang remarked with a smile.

“Towards a life driven solely by selfish and base desires at a lower level, it is indeed a form of detachment – a self-centered, egoistic indifference. However, from the vantage point of a higher, more distant realm, discerning the issue becomes more complex. It’s not the same perspective, and certainly not something selfish individuals can grasp. It parallels an ordinary person interfering with the lives of ants. Providing them with sustenance and protection wouldn't elevate them beyond their ant-like existence; they remain ants. If the ants were suffering, offering them aid would merely prolong their agony, failing to grant them true happiness or liberation... Life holds such insignificance in the grand tapestry of the universe, and existence itself is a manifestation of the world’s will. Perhaps influencing another life with one’s own capabilities is merely an expression of this universal will. Yet, it’s possible this is a flawed execution, as one cannot escape the world’s will, nor truly comprehend its underlying truths. In fact, the more one interferes, the greater the potential for things to go awry. This is a question that has occupied my thoughts, leading me to observe that beings of greater capability often overlook those of lesser standing. Why did the ancient Gods not alleviate the suffering of all humble beings? Why did they not bestow powerful abilities upon the weak? Had the ancient Gods desired to do so, they possessed the means to establish such rules. Yet, they refrained…” The Liberty Queen’s words once again deeply astonished Yue Yang, who had traversed dimensions to arrive at this point.

“If that’s the case, why must you unconditionally offer aid to others?” Yue Yang sought the resolution to this most pressing question.

“Because I am not an ancient God. I lack the perspective from a higher, more distant realm to observe matters. When I perceive the suffering of those near me, I cannot help but be moved. Though I possess no profound will and reside in a low station, my heart is easily swayed by others. Witnessing the plight of those around me and their desperate need for assistance compels me to act... At times, I recognize my actions are flawed, yet other times, I simply do not concern myself with it. Regardless of my choices, my heart drives me to act, even if it leads me astray,” the Liberty Queen elucidated.

“You are compelled to act, even when aware of wrongdoing? Perhaps you lack the unyielding resolve of the Innate Supreme Being, but you possess a compassion absent in others—a tenderness that still extends aid to the suffering, despite comprehending the truth. I struggle to articulate it. You might be a reflection of the world's will. This world requires diverse existences: those detached like myself, and those compassionate like you,” Yue Yang mused for an extended period before affirming his thoughts.

“Is that so? Hearing your words of comfort fills my heart with an unparalleled warmth,” the Liberty Queen beamed, her face illuminated by a genuine radiance originating from deep within.

“Have you ever contemplated your own mortality?” Yue Yang inquired, after a moment's hesitation.

“Indeed, I have pondered this question. While I will not perish as long as my Divine Power remains, you understand that continuing thus will inevitably lead to my life's end. I harbor no fear of death; in truth, my current existence is more agonizing than oblivion. Perhaps death offers a welcome respite!” the Liberty Queen then turned the question back to him, “Have you ever considered death?”

“No, I fear it, so I endeavor not to think on it. For every extra day I can endure, I shall persist in living, haha!” Yue Yang responded with laughter.

“The moment you laugh, your words cease to hold truth,” the Liberty Queen observed, her perception cutting through Yue Yang’s pretense with ease.

“Ahem, I am but an ordinary cultivator; a fear of death is natural for me…” Yue Yang felt a flush of embarrassment, beads of sweat appearing on his brow. Under different circumstances, Yue Yang might have cleaved his interlocutor with the Crescent Moon blade. Yet, for reasons unknown, he found himself incapable of striking the Liberty Queen, who had consistently been forthright and unguarded with him.

“Perhaps in your nascent stages, you harbored a fear of death, a natural instinct for all life. But today, with your indomitable will and impervious power, you likely haven't dwelled on this matter for a considerable time. While I cannot fully grasp your true nature, I sense vaguely that you transcend the very will of this world. In time, you may forge your own realm... How, then, could an existence such as yours fear death? You merely empathized with my pitiful state, your guarded heart stirred by my circumstances; is that it? Even if you deny it, I shall still find joy, for there is someone who acknowledges my existence!” The Liberty Queen, suspended in mid-air, offered a slight bow to Yue Yang.

“Must it conclude in such a manner?” Yue Yang posed his final question.

“I do not know. But what recourse does someone like me have, besides this? You possess a clear objective, but I, regrettably, do not object if you find my situation amusing; I lack my own life's purpose. Without action, I feel adrift,” For the first time, the Liberty Queen displayed a charming, almost girlish demeanor. In that instant, she seemed less like the Liberty Queen and more like an inquisitive, uncertain young girl.

“I comprehend. We shall meet again,” Yue Yang replied, a smile gracing his lips. Her unfeigned expression was utterly captivating. Suppressing the urge to playfully pinch her cheek, he waved his hand and proceeded towards the main hall.

“What an peculiar individual... awkward in manner, yet trustworthy.”

The Liberty Queen touched her left cheek.

Her gesture mimicked Yue Yang’s imagined touch as her hand remained on her cheek.

Upon entering the front hall, Yue Yang surveyed the surroundings. Not finding Ming Ri Hao, he employed his senses and located the young man asleep in a chamber. Without preamble, Yue Yang sent his leg forward, kicking the door inward.

Ming Ri Hao’s eyes snapped open, and he stared dumbfoundedly at student Yue Yang, perplexed as to when he had incurred the young man's dramatic wrath.

His gaze, in particular, made Ming Ri Hao feel inexplicably guilty, despite having done nothing wrong. “Whatever has transpired, I believe it bears no relation to me— I was merely asleep!”

Yue Yang let out a cold snort. “It’s as clear as day that Zhu Guang is a fugitive slave from your family; even a blind person could see the change in your appearance. What I want to know now is her relationship with you. Don’t try to fool me with claims that an ordinary fugitive slave would possess a Prayer Bead of Quasi-Divine Artifact level. And spare me those rhetorical words meant to pacen children. If it were a simple master-servant dynamic, would you have abandoned everything to hunt her down? Furthermore, if you had already seen her and chose not to arrest her immediately, what exactly are you trying to conceal or abscond with?”

Ming Ri Hao broke into a sweat. “Can’t I come for the Divine Grimoire? And perhaps apprehend a fugitive slave along the way?”

Yue Yang delivered two sharp taps to his head, remarking with utter disdain, “Do you honestly believe that anyone with a modicum of intelligence would accept such an explanation? My own intellect, I might add, is more than double yours, you know?”

Ming Ri Hao grew angry.

In terms of intelligence, regardless of how sharp he considered himself, did Yue Yang really need to state it was double?

Damn it, he was undeniably clever, but must he flaunt it and belittle those less astute?

He was about to retort when student Yue Yang interrupted, “If you refuse to answer directly, then this Young Master will lead our team back to the Tong Tian Tower. I’ve just remembered an important task that remains undone. You can stay here and deal with this mess yourself.”

How else could Ming Ri Hao handle this? Faced with such an impudent individual, he had no recourse but to confess. “Fine, let’s just say that Zhu Guang was, in fact, one of the important attendants by my sister's side. She was tasked with returning to request reinforcements during the battle, but they never arrived. Subsequently, the Prison Emperor suffered serious injury from a sneak attack by an inexplicably appearing powerhouse. In the ensuing conflict, we were all sealed within the Prison Emperor’s Palace by the Three Divine Artifacts. So, you see, can I simply abandon Zhu Guang, a runaway slave who might have ties to the Central Palace?”

Yue Yang clapped his hands together. “Alright, alright, what a flimsy excuse! Let me guess? I suspect Zhu Guang was your little lover back then, or something similar. Otherwise, why would you dispatch a maid you didn't fully trust to seek reinforcements? Aside from the primal bonds of parent and child, or familial ties, the relationship between lovers is the second strongest. So, there’s no point in arguing further. I'm not blind, nor am I a fool. I can overlook Zhu Guang being your secret paramour, but I do desire that Prayer Bead Quasi-Divine Artifact she wears. Ah, why don't you just present it to me as part of the bride price when Ming Yue Guang marries me?”

“Why don’t you go and steal it yourself?” Ming Ri Hao was so enraged he nearly vomited blood. He had never encountered anyone like this before. This brat was unbelievably shameless—how had the heavens not struck him down yet?