[{"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-17":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},596540,846,"Chapter 17: Is Overcharging Considered an Investment","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-17",17,"\u003Cp>Divine Edge Peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Forging Hall was a place where scorching heat and icy cold coexisted, with the rhythmic clanging of hammers echoing incessantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Hongfeng rushed in frantically, blurting out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Fu Tu, you must go now! Elder Shangwu said if she doesn’t see you within a quarter-hour, she’ll storm Divine Edge Peak herself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his words fell, the burly, bare-chested men in the forging hall broke into a cold sweat, as if recalling some unpleasant memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all turned their heads toward the towering giant nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Tu’s face twitched violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His grip loosened, and the forging hammer clattered to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Hanhe slammed the table and stood up, furious:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Summoning and dismissing our Divine Edge Peak’s elder as she pleases, threatening to storm our peak—does she think we have no one left?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group of muscular men lowered their heads, pretending to be busy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahem, Fu Tu, you should go first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Elder.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Tu’s expression shifted before he strode out of the forging hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Elder Hanhe ask with a dark face:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder He, what exactly is going on?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fu Tu’s disciple had a sparring match with the newly promoted true disciple...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Hongfeng recounted the events in detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Hanhe’s anger flared to the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A senior disciple picking a fight with a new recruit—how shameless!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And to make it worse, he lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, with that troublemaker Shangwu involved, who could twist even the flimsiest excuse into a justification, things were bound to escalate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, you mentioned Li Mo forced Wang Hao to use his Inner Breath?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly. In truth, Wang Hao had been secretly using it earlier, but only a sliver. He only lost his temper after suffering a setback against Li Mo’s perfected Six Harmonies Fist.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This isn’t your fault.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Hanhe stroked his graying beard, his eyes flickering with thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfected Six Harmonies Fist!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opening his meridians in a single day!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With just these two points, Li Mo was nearly on par with Ying Bing, if not equal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ascending Stone Steps never erred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps this boy’s physique was uniquely suited to martial arts, explaining his monstrous progress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a prodigy, yet he ended up under Shangwu’s tutelage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he only learned skills, it’d be fine—but if he picked up that madwoman’s bad habits...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Hanhe’s head ached just thinking about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martial Training Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Fu Tu stepped inside, he saw his disciple embedded in the wall, unconscious, while Shangwu sat imposingly in the seat of honor, sipping tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a deep breath, suppressing his rage:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Shangwu, what is the meaning of injuring my disciple like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shangwu’s brows shot up, her voice even louder:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He struck first!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She then lifted Li Mo’s arm, pointing to the bruise on his palm:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I hadn’t arrived in time, my exceptionally gifted disciple would’ve been strangled to death by yours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo coughed lightly, trying to pull his hand back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wouldn’t budge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait, Master, this bruise came from me hitting him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A little longer, and it would’ve faded on its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Tu reached out with his qi, yanking Wang Hao from the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After feeding him a healing pill, he turned back with a cold expression:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was just a spar between fellow disciples. Elder Shangwu, you’ve gone too far. Wang Hao has the duty to guide newcomers—perhaps he was merely instructing him in fist techniques.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sparring? Using Inner Breath is also instruction?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shangwu slammed her teacup down, her voice laced with fury:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Mo, recite the Qingyuan Sect’s rules.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those who harm fellow disciples may be executed on the spot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo chimed in appropriately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Useless! What good are you?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Tu glared at the unconscious Wang Hao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bullying a disciple who just joined yesterday, and resorting to Inner Breath?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, with the charge of harming a fellow disciple hanging over them, they had no choice but to swallow the humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid his anger, he couldn’t help but glance at the youth beside Shangwu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew Wang Hao’s limits—how could he fail to subdue the boy without Inner Breath?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then... thank you, Elder Shangwu, for disciplining my disciple. Farewell.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Tu hoisted Wang Hao over his shoulder and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he took two steps, a chilling aura locked onto him, making the hairs on his neck stand on end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Divine Edge Peak still owes me an explanation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shangwu spat out a tea leaf in disgust:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bring me ten thousand jin of Frost Iron, a thousand jin of Crimson Gold, and ten jin of Refined Iron. If even a single tael is missing, you won’t leave this hall alive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone present gasped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was equivalent to Divine Edge Peak’s output for a decade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Elder Hanhe might not be able to produce so much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veins bulged on Fu Tu’s forehead:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Such outrageous demands! Shangwu, don’t push your luck!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what if I do?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scorching aura erupted, suffocating the air itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a fleeting moment, Li Mo thought he saw a lotus of fire blooming around his beautiful master, its flames eternal and unyielding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Tu’s momentum faltered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With anyone else, he’d be certain they wouldn’t dare attack within the sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Shangwu—when this madwoman lost her temper, even the Sect Master gave her space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seizing the moment, Li Mo played mediator:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Fu Tu is only a steward of Divine Edge Peak. Asking for so much is truly beyond his means.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moreover, I wasn’t injured. Perhaps... we could reduce the compensation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shangwu snorted:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fair enough. Disciple, what do you think would be acceptable?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo cleared his throat: \"Bring me pen and paper!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swiftly wrote out a list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Tu glanced at it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the items were fine wines Shangwu favored, along with various rare treasures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it would still cost him dearly, it was nowhere near as outrageous as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come to Divine Edge Peak to collect them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the master-disciple duo’s performance, Fu Tu’s expression darkened, but he had no choice but to swallow the loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, that’s more like it. If only you’d been this reasonable earlier.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shangwu’s oppressive aura vanished instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after Fu Tu left with a cold snort did she beam with joy, suddenly pulling her precious disciple into a tight embrace, burying his face in her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Li Mo had to describe Shangwu’s figure at that moment, he’d call it suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As expected of my disciple! You’ve already learned a third of my skills.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master, can I have a share?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo asked shyly for his cut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\" Shangwu instantly grew wary, eyeing him like he was no longer her dear little disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ten percent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beautiful elder held up a finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re only taking that much, Master?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One-tenth is yours. Nine-tenths are mine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo sighed: \"Actually, I just wanted some exotic beast meat to grill...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grilled meat?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shangwu’s eyes lit up: \"You can cook?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course! In Purple Sun Prefecture, I’d rank first—no one would dare claim second.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With modern seasonings, he had every reason to be confident!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking, he felt himself being lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surroundings blurred, rushing past at breakneck speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Li Mo was about to vomit, his feet finally touched solid ground again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where was this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the clanging of metal, the dazed young man looked around in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before his eyes lay a massive cavern, within which faint glimmers of cold light could be glimpsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the left and right of the cave, two rivers flowed—one scorching hot, the other piercingly cold—each channeled into the courtyard through separate aqueducts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of burly blacksmiths toiled away in this courtyard, heads bent over their work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is this place...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's the Divine Edge Cave. It existed even before our Qingyuan Sect was established.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu was in high spirits and happy to explain a few things to her novice disciple:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That place is full of scrap metal. Back when I killed an assassin from the Fine Rain Tower, I tossed his sword in there. Elder Hanhe said something about it being nourished by the sharp aura of weaponized slaughter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sharp aura of weaponized slaughter?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo's heart stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wouldn't this Divine Edge Cave be the perfect place to cultivate the Extreme Weapon Slaughter Body?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph, those are not mere scraps of metal, Shang Wu. Show some respect for the predecessors of our Divine Weapon Peak!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Hanhe stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression full of displeasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu wasted no time arguing. She simply stretched out her hand:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where are the goods?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph—Fu Tu!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his command, Fu Tu emerged, dragging a horse-drawn cart behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo guessed that this must be some steward named Fu Tu, who had prepared the items so quickly because they were requisitioned from the Divine Weapon Peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything had been requested by his master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed this had been planned for a long time—only things that could be easily obtained were chosen...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu narrowed her almond-shaped eyes, grinning like a fox that had successfully stolen its prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Hanhe, I’m surprised you’re being so generous this time. Fine, consider the matter settled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Congratulations, Host. Your investment has succeeded—acting as Shang Wu’s accomplice in extortion has yielded rewards.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Investment Feedback: Three jars of Icefire Wine.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Investment Feedback: Two bottles of Six-Rune Clarity Pills.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Investment Feedback: Ten pounds of Iron Essence.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Clarity Pill: Possesses a calming effect, capable of suppressing distracting thoughts to a certain degree. Each pill lasts for two hours, with a maximum of one pill per day. Excessive consumption may lead to emotional numbness and loss of humanity.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Iron Essence: A single ounce refined from ten thousand pounds of iron. Adding even a trace to an ordinary weapon can make it sharp enough to split a hair. A must-have material for forging divine weapons.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Li was also delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would have thought that helping his master extort goods would count as an investment?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a jackpot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might not be the highest-quality reward he had ever received, but it was certainly the most abundant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The value of these rewards far exceeded the sum of everything his master had painstakingly plundered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph, do you think I would lose both face and advantage?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hope when you lose, Shang Wu, you won’t go back on your word either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Hanhe snorted coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was referring to their bet—a competition between their disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stakes of that wager were far more valuable than this mere cart of goods—no, they couldn’t even be measured in gold or silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I’ll give you a chance... to lose.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu grinned and gave a thumbs-up—then flipped it downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo: \"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master, where did this confidence come from?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he remembered correctly, Murong Xiao possessed the Cry of the Flood Dragon physique and was hailed as a once-in-a-decade genius of Purple Sun Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for Ying Bing, Murong Xiao would undoubtedly be the top disciple of this generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Hanhe’s confidence likely stemmed from that half-demon bloodline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The defining trait of half-demons was their exceptionally high starting point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph, my disciple may not be particularly talented, but at the Qi-Blood Realm’s fifth meridian, he can already descend to the second level of the Divine Edge Cave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shameful, truly shameful—he’s only slightly surpassed this old man’s achievements from back in the day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Hanhe took a leisurely sip of tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu was genuinely surprised. \"He’s only at the fifth meridian of the Qi-Blood Realm, and you’re already having him train in the Divine Edge Cave?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mysterious smile played at the corners of Elder Hanhe’s lips. \"This old man has his own plans. No need for you to worry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His disciple possessed a half-demon physique, with a bloodline leaning toward the flood dragon lineage, renowned for its formidable physical strength. Under his guidance, the boy had also cultivated body-refining techniques, fully capitalizing on his innate advantages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, relying solely on his physical body, he could lift boulders weighing ten thousand pounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo might go far in the future—but so what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Nine Peaks Tournament was just around the corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the short term, there was no way he could surpass Murong Xiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph, so what if he can enter the Divine Edge Cave...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu pouted but ultimately refrained from saying, \"My disciple can do it too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weapons inside the cave were all instruments of slaughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Individually, they might not amount to much, but when gathered in a certain arrangement, they could harm from a distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, some of these weapons had claimed countless lives, carrying with them a terrifying killing intent capable of shaking one’s soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering was a trial for both body and mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even she couldn’t reach the deepest levels of the Divine Edge Cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Hanhe, may I ask if outsiders are permitted to enter the Divine Edge Cave?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Hanhe paused mid-sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu also subtly signaled her disciple with her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Foolish disciple, we don’t have to compete in everything...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Hanhe’s gaze swept over them:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Entry is permitted, but I advise you to think twice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apart from Murong Xiao, every disciple inside the cave was at least at the Inner Breath Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former could enter due to his innate physical resilience, while the latter could protect themselves using inner breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll start at the periphery. If it’s too much, I won’t push myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo’s eyes burned with determination—his words were meant for both of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Hanhe inwardly shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder this boy had clashed with others so soon after entering the training hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having just made some progress in martial arts, he was already getting ahead of himself, constantly seeking to prove his superiority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps a little hardship would temper his arrogance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You may enter, but you assume all responsibility for your safety. If something happens, don’t blame this old man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo cupped his hands in respect, then glanced at his master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu narrowed her almond eyes in thought before pulling out a small bell from her sleeve:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you can’t endure, shake this twice with force.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a Harmony Bell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When one bell was shaken vigorously, the other would ring in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as they weren’t separated by a thousand miles, it would work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite her carefree demeanor, Elder Shangwu didn’t want her precious disciple to get seriously hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After pocketing the bell, Li Mo strode toward the entrance of the Divine Edge Cave.\u003C\u002Fp>",2435,"2026-05-30T17:18:59.992Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.286Z",1,"novelbin.me","034df0c27c6603c83161b128195bac5de2e6d7afb4d58f81ea10a18151fd2842","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-18","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-16",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]