[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal":3,"chapter-investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-116":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Investing in the Reborn Empress, She Actually Calls Me ‘Husband’",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},596876,846,"Chapter 116: The Seal of Bronze Creation: A Team-Building Mini-Game at the Autumn Water Pavilion","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-116",116,"\u003Cp>After agreeing to watch each other's backs in the Blood Phoenix Secret Realm, Li Mo descended the mountain under the setting sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt somewhat exhausted, his body weak...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, that was just an illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Li knew he was actually stronger than before his ascent—the nine-petaled lotus in his dantian had now bloomed two petals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it still paled in comparison to the sensation of having a Dragon-Tiger Golden Core, where one commanded the winds and clouds, with all their qi condensed into unity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Senior Brother Xiaobao left, Li Mo felt his body grow heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With this experience, condensing my own Mystic Core in the future will be much easier.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Li was brimming with anticipation for his Mystic Core realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he walked down the mountain, heading to the outer affairs hall to buy groceries, Li Mo checked the feedback from his recent investment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Investment Reward: Ancient Bronze Creation Seal.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ancient Bronze Creation Seal]: \"When used on a Divine Insight Diagram, it can elevate a diagram of upper-grade or lower by one tier.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Creation Seal... something like a Heavenly Script Seal?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo pondered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He only had two Divine Insight Diagrams on him. One was the Golden Crow Sun Visualization Diagram, of the supreme tier—utterly incompatible with the Creation Seal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other was the Night Ghost Stone Carving, a lower-tier diagram.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using it on that would be a waste of a treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With my dashing looks, practicing this thing would be an even greater waste.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Li decided to store the Creation Seal for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time he returned to Autumn Water Pavilion, dusk had settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he stepped inside, $2 lingering chill greeted him, carried by the wind—enough to make an ordinary person shiver uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, a certain ice block had just finished training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just a bit of frost, nothing more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo strode in with his grocery basket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes landed on a young woman sitting beneath a tree, playing chess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had dug out a chessboard from somewhere and was now playing against herself in her spare time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows over her and the board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing footsteps at the door, her tall nose twitched:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's that... smell on you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo sniffed his sleeve and realized:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The medicinal fragrance from Dan Ding Peak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, why are you playing chess against yourself?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing glanced at Shang Wu beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their master didn’t seem the type to play chess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo thought it might be time for some team-building activities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was necessary for maintaining good relations with his icy benefactor!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perfect timing—today we’re having a feast, so we can eat and play.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Later, I’ll teach you all a type of chess even Master can learn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu looked up and rolled her eyes at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a pot was set up in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bubbling stew of pickled vegetables and tofu gurgled merrily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is what you call a feast?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu’s lips curled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She preferred hearty meat dishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This just shows Master’s lack of refinement. Do you even know the saying—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo hummed a tune as he sliced tofu:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eating pickles with hot tofu~ Even the emperor can’t compare to me~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, the pickled tofu wasn’t ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As everyone knew, Young Li wouldn’t pass up a prime investment opportunity just for a change of taste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tofu was ground from Exquisite Cardamom, and the pickles were made from Seven-Leaf Qi-Nourishing Grass—absolutely delicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu mimicked the tune, took a bite of tofu, and her almond eyes lit up:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eating hotpot and singing does seem pretty fun, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master’s voice is oddly pleasant. Ever considered letting me be your manager? We could debut at the Pavilion of Blossoms.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph, no thanks. If I went, would there even be a competition for their top spot?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"True, true.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master and disciple bantered as they ate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing, whose nerves had been taut, found herself inexplicably relaxing again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had only learned of the Blood Phoenix Secret Realm today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her past life, she obtained the Blood Phoenix Essence by slaying Han Zhen, and that was during her Dharma Body realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unlike before, this time the secret realm had stirred up a storm, drawing factions from all directions—and with that came countless variables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ice block.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you get it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing delicately placed a piece of tofu in her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gomoku. If you didn’t, I’ll teach you again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting for her answer, Li Mo picked up a piece and demonstrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like this—five in a row, and you win.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn’t this a child’s game?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her lack of interest, Li Mo shrugged and continued playing with Shang Wu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their beautiful master had never lost a game of chance but never won a game of skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master, you’re terrible at this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gah! I refuse to accept this!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slip of paper clung to Shang Wu’s brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two minutes later:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’re bad, just practice more... But losing to the Chess Saint of Qingyuan Sect is an honor in itself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo’s dramatic side took over as he clasped his hands behind his back, striking a pose of invincibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Little Bing, avenge me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu called for backup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She already had two slips of paper on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo grinned and glanced over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the ice block had called it childish, her eyes had been glued to the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Want to play a few rounds?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You said it’s a kid’s game—prove you can beat me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anyone else had said this, Ying Bing would’ve ignored them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t need to prove herself by winning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this was Li Mo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She set down her chopsticks, her cool gaze locking onto him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo: \"!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange—why was her competitive spirit burning so fiercely?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More intense than during the Nine Veins Tournament on the arena stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ice block’s drive to win was baffling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Young Li was the 'creator' of Gomoku—how could he back down?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph, with just a flick of my wrist, I’ll send you fleeing in defeat!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One minute later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo stared at the board in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lost?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He, a Gomoku grandmaster! The grid paper he’d used in middle and high school could wrap around Autumn Water Pavilion three times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he lost the very first round?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seems we won’t be playing many rounds.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing spoke softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of amusement passed through her moonlit, spring-clear eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine, fine. A bet’s a bet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her expression relax, Li Mo cut a slip of paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go on, stick it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing took the paper, paused for a few seconds, then pressed it onto the spot between his nose and lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo: \"?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1144,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.269Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.889Z",1,"novelbin.me","031ca5938f3306942cd2b50c88c49f299328039b809a70fcf14154e8c97f8d5c","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-117","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-115",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]