[{"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-164":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},596687,846,"Chapter 164: Reward You for Hitting His Hand with Your Butt","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-164",164,"\u003Cp>As the general outline appeared in his mind, Li Mo froze in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt as though he had been transported into a graveyard of weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blades, spears, swords, halberds—countless ordinary weapons lay scattered about, yet some carried such a lingering, ominous aura that even he felt a chill in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them sat a man clad in coarse linen, his face obscured, surrounded by countless sword marks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fluctuations of primordial energy around him were faint, almost imperceptible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gazed at the heavens, as if sensing something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hum—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wooden sword appeared in his hand, causing every blade in the graveyard to resonate in response, like fish darting through the void.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swung the sword toward the sky, and his withered body erupted with an unparalleled sword intent—as if drawing a divine blade from an unremarkable sheath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The void shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo felt his mind tremble violently, as if pulled by an unseen force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That glint of cold steel seemed to pierce through endless time and space, striking him from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unavoidable. Unblockable. Every variation, every possibility, contained within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the depths of his consciousness, the general outline flowed through him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Return to the maiden, approach the unerring; the unerring approaches the fellowship; the fellowship approaches the abundance; the first shifts to the third, the third to the seventh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo's head throbbed with pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system had already presented the essence to him in the gentlest way possible, yet the mental burden was still immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he not yet reached the Insight Realm, he likely would have lost consciousness, just as he had when receiving the Crimson Lotus Art of Karmic Flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Nine Swords of Dugu embodied the pinnacle of variation and transformation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its profundity could no longer be called mere swordsmanship—it was a principle, expressed through the medium of the sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder it had no rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The martial evaluation system of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths simply couldn't measure it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wonder if my martial insights will be enough to burn through...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, Li Mo felt uncertain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite possessing seven hundred and eighty years' worth of martial insights, he suddenly felt... poor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a young dreamer like Li Mo, who yearned to become a swordsman, the Nine Swords of Dugu was nothing short of a dream come true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the greatest challenge of this martial art lay in a single word:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Comprehension!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that it lay before him, he couldn’t just stand there and stare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is the ice block awake yet?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever Li Mo practiced swordsmanship with the \"ice block,\" he could save a considerable amount of martial insight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seated atop a bed of Cold Marrow Jade, Ying Bing sat cross-legged, continuously refining her spiritual will with the essence of the Lunar Yin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the newly opened acupoint in her body, $2 crystalline figurine, carved as if from glass, shimmered brilliantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Lunar Yin energy circulated and her focus deepened, divine patterns on the figurine began to take shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alongside the Lunar Yin patterns, traces resembling avian creatures flickered in and out with each breath of energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This process had lasted the entire night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, Ying Bing opened her eyes, about to rise—only to see illusory words hovering before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You have an unclaimed reward: Grade D-Lower.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing prepared to ignore it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After last time, she had no desire to...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[YOU! HAVE! AN! UNCLAIMED! GRADE! D-LOWER! REWARD!!!!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The system’s words, as if afraid she might miss them, enlarged tenfold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing: \".....No need.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Detected the word 'need' in the host's response.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Reward distribution in progress....]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing grew increasingly certain that the system’s rewards were anything but good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine. Let it be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, no matter what it was, she would simply disregard it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[This Grade D-Lower reward is:]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The privilege to strike Li Mo’s hand with your buttocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing: \"?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sight of this so-called \"reward,\" the corner of her striking phoenix-like eyes twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You call this... a reward?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold, dignified Empress of the Phoenix Heaven was struggling to maintain her composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the system had a physical form, $2t would have already been reduced to dust by her sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I don’t do it, the reward doesn’t exist.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing smoothed her brows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had long lost interest in the system’s evaluation rewards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because none of them were proper!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ranking rewards were enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock knock—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, ice block, you awake?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Time for sword practice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo’s voice came from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After obtaining the Divine Skyheart Sword Canon, she hadn’t practiced it yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, time for swordsmanship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Banished the absurd system reward from her mind, her gaze steadying as she picked up Frostfall and opened the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the door opened, their eyes met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That face, bathed in the morning light—bright, handsome, and smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After entering the Insight Realm... his aura seemed to have changed slightly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Admittedly, $2i Mo was exceptionally good-looking, inheriting the best traits of both his father and mother. His smile, in particular, carried a warmth that could melt hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he were to strike...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing’s thoughts faltered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was that just now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo, oblivious, asked, \"So, uh... feeling better today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That certain visitor definitely hadn’t left yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some girls suffered more than others, writhing in pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm? Mm...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing nodded reflexively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better? Worse?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, she wasn’t feeling great at all...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because that strange sensation wasn’t just psychological.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Itchy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a tiny ant crawling down her tailbone...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This had to be the so-called reward’s doing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’re feeling better, let’s grab breakfast first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We can practice after eating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo, completely unaware of Ying Bing’s inner turmoil, turned and headed downstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t until breakfast that he noticed something was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master’s sleeping in again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the courtyard, Li Mo scratched his chin as he sat down with a basket of freshly steamed buns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a bite, only to realize Ying Bing was still standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sit down and eat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo found it odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her imposing presence just standing there, he felt like sitting on pins and needles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing felt even more like sitting on pins and needles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she had sat down earlier, that sensation had surged even stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, I’ll stand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you sure you’re okay?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Ying Bing’s stiff posture and flushed neck, Li Mo frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... can handle it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing took a slow breath, her slender fingers tightening around her sword hilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her ice-clear eyes hardened with resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she could empty her mind, then... what did this matter?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had endured far worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When forging her Dharma Body, she had seemingly provoked the heavens—cataclysmic tribulations descended, as if intent on erasing her from existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That agony, too, she had withstood!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All because of her unyielding will!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s begin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing drew Frostfall, its edge gleaming like snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her dark hair fluttered, but nothing could obscure the fire in her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo scratched his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was with the ice block’s sudden competitive drive?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever they sparred, he was usually the one learning from her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmmmm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she testing his progress?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won’t hold back!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo stood, still munching on his bun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Armed with the Nine Swords of Dugu (even if he hadn’t mastered it yet).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the very least, show that ice block a thing or two!\u003C\u002Fp>",1239,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.270Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.286Z",1,"novelbin.me","a977cb1580db036f552a7bf6e14acb701e37e4249ae2cd137b4f5ea7c3ee3820","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-165","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-163",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]