[Transmigration]

The otaku Yue Yang saw a figure flying across the sky. He craned his neck and shouted, "Honey, come out and look at God!" The sword-riding figure above jolted at the sound, as if about to fall. Yue Yang called out again, "Buddy, don't fly so fast—you haven't zipped up your pants!"

The man above plummeted headfirst...

Yue Yang didn't even check how badly the man had landed. He rushed to pick up the glittering flying sword and shouted, "Master, a flying sword is a treasure. Throwing it around pollutes the environment. What if it hits a child? Even if it doesn't, it'd be a shame if it crushed the flowers and grass! I'll keep it safe for you, Master! What's this? A Little Cosmos Bag? A wise and mighty immortal like you shouldn't have a shabby cloth pouch hanging from your waist. I'll keep this safe for you too!"

The old Taoist who'd fallen from the sky nearly spat blood. In all his thousands of years, he'd never met such a shameless disciple, one who'd claimed him as his master out of nowhere.

"Master, I'm at marrying age, but I still don't have a partner. Do you have any granddaughters? I don't mind whether they're older women or little girls. I'm not that picky!" Yue Yang grinned lecherously. At last, the enraged old Taoist sprang up and kicked him in the ass, bellowing, "Get lost! Get the hell out of here!"

And just like that, Yue Yang had crossed into another world...

"Ah, his eyes moved! He's awake, he's awake! Third Brother is awake!" Before Yue Yang had even opened his eyes, he heard a clear, bell-like child's voice beside him.

"Shuang'er, don't be rude to your brother..." Then came the gentle, virtuous voice of a woman, full of motherly warmth, as she scolded the girl indulgently.

Yue Yang opened his eyes. The old Taoist was nowhere to be seen. Instead, he found himself looking at a lively, adorable little girl, bright-eyed and clever. She looked about six or seven, a tender little girl with rosy cheeks. She wore a pale willow-green jacket with short sleeves, exposing a pair of white, lotus-root arms. Her hair was tied into fine little braids on either side with red string, and they fell long down her back. A single silver bangle circled her smooth, pale wrist, with three tiny silver bells dangling from it, each no bigger than a fingertip.

The mischievous little girl reached out, trying to pinch Yue Yang's nose.

As her soft, white orchid-like hand stretched out, the bells chimed, their jingling adding to her crisp laughter.

Huh?

Yue Yang was surprised. Could this little girl be the old Taoist's precious granddaughter? What a top-tier little girl! He was just about to tease her when a pair of slender arms reached around from behind and gently caught the naughty girl. The woman playfully tapped the girl's chubby hand as punishment, then drew her affectionately into her arms. The little girl wasn't scared in the least; she thought it was fun and giggled nonstop, making a particularly adorable face at Yue Yang, looking very pleased with herself. Yue Yang turned his attention to her and looked closely. When he saw the woman behind the girl, a sigh welled up inside him.

Good heavens, a top-tier wife and mother...

Sitting across from Yue Yang was a beautiful young woman, around thirty years old.

Her brows were delicate, her face as lovely as the moon. Her bright eyes were clear as spring water, and the corners of her lips curved gently, a smile mingling with her happiness. She was serene, yet possessed a tenderness as soft as flowing water.

Her black hair was swept back and coiled high in a bun, adorned only with a wooden phoenix hairpin patterned with clouds, dark purple in color. It was simple and elegant, yet still dignified. Altogether, she looked fresh-faced and spirited, her inner radiance concealed beneath a calm exterior. With her sky-blue gown, its white hem sweeping the floor, and her pale jade arms wrapped around the little girl, she filled Yue Yang with endless emotion.

If a man could marry a woman like her, what more could he ask for?

When the beautiful woman saw that Yue Yang had woken, her smile faded. Heartache and self-reproach appeared on her lovely face. "Third Son, you must never act so recklessly again. Who gave you the nerve to go and throw yourself into the river? Thankfully, we rescued you in time. Otherwise, how could I ever face your sister? She entrusted you to my care all those years ago. From then on, I've been your Fourth Aunt and your mother. Third Son, all these years, Fourth Aunt has never once had the heart to lay a hand on you. But you've made a serious mistake this time. If I don't make you remember this lesson, I'll have failed your sister's trust. When your Fourth Uncle comes back next month, you'll go to him yourself and take a caning!"

The little girl wrinkled her cute nose and imitated her: "Go take a caning! Smack, smack, smack! They'll beat your ass till it blooms!"

Huh?

Yue Yang broke into a cold sweat. When had he ever been so desperate that he'd thrown himself into a river?

Where was this place? Where had the old Taoist kicked him? Had she mistaken him for someone else?

A strange thought crossed his mind: could there have been someone who looked exactly like him, who had fallen into the river at the same time? Then this beautiful woman had pulled him out, while the unlucky fellow had ended up as fish food?

The moment he thought of that, sweat poured down his forehead.

What a massive misunderstanding!

Afraid that he'd give himself away if he spoke, the transmigrator didn't dare say it was all a misunderstanding, much less ask where he was.

If she realized he wasn't her precious Third Son, she might turn on him and throw him back into the river. Then he'd be done for.

Seeing Yue Yang's nervous expression, the sweat on his brow, and the flush on his face, the beautiful woman took it for shame and felt delighted. She thought the boy had finally repented, and her tone softened considerably. "Third Son, it's good that you know you were wrong. Young people needn't be afraid of making mistakes; they just mustn't refuse to correct them. Fourth Aunt watched you grow up. I know you're not the sort to lose all sense of proportion. It's just that the Xue Family young lady broke off the engagement, and the shock and anger overwhelmed you. Your heart was in turmoil, so you did something foolish. Third Son, the Xue Family young lady may be wonderful, but her heart no longer belongs to you. It's no bad thing that the engagement ended. If husband and wife can't share joy and sorrow or stand by each other in hardship, it's better not to marry at all! Our Yue Family is one of the four great families. There are countless women in the world. Surely we can find one fine young lady?"

"Yes..." Yue Yang decided to impersonate the unlucky fellow who'd drowned in the river for now and muddle through. He'd find a chance to slip away later.

"Third Son, I'm glad you see it that way. Now I can rest easy." The beautiful woman had planned to spend a great deal of time persuading him, but the boy had come to his senses after dying once. She felt that the ancestors must be watching over them.

After comforting him a little more, the beautiful woman told Yue Yang to rest well.

She let go of the little girl and stood up, seeming ready to leave the room.

Yue Yang silently exclaimed at how close a call it had been. Luckily, he'd fooled her. Now he had to figure out how to escape, and fast. If the fellow who'd tried to drown himself hadn't died and came back, everything would be exposed.

The beautiful woman took the little girl's hand and walked to the door. Then she suddenly turned back and asked, "Third Son, give me a straight answer. You truly won't do anything foolish again, will you? You're soft on the outside but firm within, easygoing on the surface but stubborn inside. I know you. Don't go brooding over foolish things again the moment I leave... You really won't do anything foolish again, will you?"

"No, I won't!" Yue Yang shook his head like a rattle drum.

Why would he kill himself? He still had to get revenge on that old Taoist!

Seeing how serious Yue Yang looked, the beautiful woman felt reassured. "Fourth Aunt believes you. Third Son, you must never do anything foolish again. Your parents are gone, and your Fourth Uncle has no children. I'm not blessed with good fortune, Bing'er has had a hard life, and Shuang'er is still young. The continuation of your father's and Fourth Uncle's family lines now rests on you alone. Never forget that!"

Yue Yang broke into a cold sweat. He thought, You can't count on me. I'm not your Third Son. Your Third Son probably already became fish food. As for continuing the family line, that's a tall order!

Of course, he didn't dare say that aloud. He could only nod in agreement.

The little girl seemed bored in the room. She let go of the beautiful woman's jade hand and hopped out the door, running off in an instant.

The beautiful woman called after her twice. When the girl didn't listen, she decided to go after her herself. Just before leaving, she turned to Yue Yang, still seeming worried. "Third Son, don't lose heart. Your Fourth Uncle was slow-witted too. He only managed to form a contract in the final month before he turned twenty. You still have three months, don't you? You've gritted your teeth and made it through all these years. It isn't over yet, so why give up now? No descendant of the Yue Family has ever failed to contract a tome. Believe Fourth Aunt—you won't be an exception either... I think your father and mother may have joined hands to seal this Summoning Codex back then. They didn't want you to contract it too early and grow proud and complacent; they wanted to temper your will. Otherwise, with the talent you showed as a child, how could you fail to contract a tome? Believe Fourth Aunt. You inherited your father's and mother's bloodlines. You'll surely be among the very best. You'll succeed. Don't lose heart, and don't be restless..."

The Contract Tome?

What the heck was a Summoning Codex?

Maybe that Tragic Man had a fine bloodline, but Yue Yang wasn't him. He was just an ordinary otaku.

If there was anything special about him, it was that he was particularly good at playing games, especially erotic games from a certain island nation.

Yue Yang didn't know what it meant to contract a tome, but after hearing what the beautiful woman said, he could guess a little. He suspected that the Tragic Man, who looked just like him, had thrown himself into the river because he'd lost all hope.

First, the Tragic Man had no parents. Then he'd failed to contract some tome, and his fiancée had broken off their engagement. His life was a tragedy, so he'd thrown himself into the river.

The most tragic part was that when he'd thrown himself into the river, the person they'd fished out wasn't him but Yue Yang, who looked just like him... So they'd brought Yue Yang back to this room, while the Tragic Man, who'd had eighteen generations' worth of bad luck, was probably already enjoying a free trip to the bottom of the sea.

The one thing Yue Yang still couldn't figure out was why he'd fallen into the river.

Could the old Taoist have kicked him into it?

Why would he kick him into the river? Could the old geezer have wanted him to replace the Tragic Man and be reborn in his place?

The moment Yue Yang thought that, sweat burst out across his forehead.

This was no joke...

"Third Son, get some rest. This is what I think: even if you fail to contract a tome, you'll still be my Third Son. I'll treat you just like my own child. Even if I have to spend every last coin, I'll find a way to help you make something of yourself. Your Fourth Uncle doesn't say much, but he feels the same way. Third Son, rest easy. Maybe one day you'll suddenly see the light and contract it successfully." The beautiful woman urged Yue Yang to rest, then turned and left the room.

Yue Yang was deeply moved by what she said.

Though her concern wasn't meant for him, she truly was good to the Tragic Man. He suddenly felt that the Tragic Man must have been an idiot to throw himself into the river!

How many stepmothers like her were there in the world?

The Tragic Man hadn't cherished her. Instead, he'd thrown himself into the river over some pointless fiancée. Serves him right that he drowned! Yue Yang felt it was unfair. He wanted someone to care about him too, but he didn't have anyone!

He watched the beautiful woman leave and sighed to himself. It would've been wonderful if he really were that Third Son. What a wonderful Fourth Aunt. Too bad he wasn't the Tragic Man!

After lying back down, his gaze happened to fall on the desk. He was immediately drawn to a huge metal book.

It seemed to be made of bronze, its color ancient and its body thick and heavy. It was two or three times larger than an ordinary book, its surface covered in mysterious, profound patterns.

The moment Yue Yang looked at it, he felt strangely drawn to it.

It was as if something silent were calling to him. The feeling was like having just installed a game he'd been looking forward to for ages, and being unable to wait to click it with his mouse... Yue Yang reached out unconsciously, wanting to touch the strange metal book. But the instant his finger brushed against it, the book burst into a dazzling golden light.

The entire room flooded with golden light, gilded from wall to wall.

Bathed in the brilliant radiance, Yue Yang instinctively raised his other hand to shield his eyes. He could barely keep them open.

In an instant, it seemed as if countless pieces of knowledge were pouring madly into his mind. They were being shoved in without the slightest courtesy. Before Yue Yang could react, he found that his head was already crammed full of knowledge, while more kept streaming out of the glowing bronze tome.

He seemed to understand countless things all at once, yet somehow understood nothing. He couldn't grasp a central idea or figure out what he'd truly learned.

Yue Yang was caught in a contradictory state, half-understanding and half-confused, seeing and not seeing, grasping and not grasping.

Inside him, this strange change seemed to have awakened something.

A mysterious energy that had been sleeping within him began to stir as if it were alive. It let out a sound like a heavenly song, making even Yue Yang's soul tremble.

His ears couldn't hear it, but Yue Yang could clearly "hear" it in his heart. A mysterious energy was indeed calling to him from within his body. Yet he couldn't understand what it meant. He could only sense that its call was incomparably wondrous, more melodious and captivating than any heavenly song he'd ever heard. Its beauty could make his soul shiver, like hearing his mother call to him as she held him in her arms when he'd been sick as a child. No words could describe it... At the same time, in the world of his consciousness, Yue Yang saw a gleaming flying sword spinning on its own.

The flying sword seemed to be held by the jade hand of a heavenly maiden from the Ninth Heaven. She appeared to be singing and dancing, Roaming freely through the Void.

What in the world was happening?

As Yue Yang's mind reeled, the golden light filling the room slowly faded, finally shrinking to a single point of light that flickered between his finger and the metal tome.

After calling to him, the mysterious energy fell silent. The gleaming flying sword also gradually vanished without a trace. Yue Yang's mind withdrew from the world of consciousness and returned to reality. To his astonishment, he found his finger shining.

Yue Yang started and pulled his finger back. The golden light vanished at once.

Then the impossibly heavy bronze book rose into the air and floated toward him on its own. It no longer felt like a heavy metal book. Instead, it felt like a part of his own body, joined to him by blood—as if it were an extension of his arm!

The beautiful woman stood in the doorway, tears streaming down her face.

She leaned against the door, trembling as she braced herself with one hand. Her body had gone limp with excitement, and she looked ready to collapse.

Even after seeing everything before her, she still couldn't believe it. Joy and astonishment filled her face, and tears gushed down, soaking her clothes.

"Third Son, you... you successfully contracted the Summoning Codex? Is... is this real? Am I dreaming? The ancestors are watching over us! This is truly the blessing of our forebears! Sister, Third Son has contracted the tome. Can you see him from up there? I always said Third Son wasn't useless. He isn't! I thank the Yue Family ancestors for their blessings. Your great-grandson's wife kneels before you in gratitude, thanking you for not abandoning my Third Son..." The beautiful woman dropped to her knees, unable to contain her excitement. She bowed again and again, giving thanks to the ancestors.

Her clean forehead quickly turned red from knocking against the floor, and black dust smeared across it.

But the beautiful woman felt no pain at all. Still wild with joy, she kept bowing in thanks.

Yue Yang hurriedly sprang up and rushed over to help Fourth Aunt to her feet. Even though he was an impostor, he couldn't help feeling moved by her.

At the doorway, the little girl had returned at some point, holding a large red pinwheel. She tilted her little head. "Mama, why are you crying?"