[{"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-20":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},596543,846,"Chapter 20: Elder Cold Crane Questioning Life, Are You Here to Stock Up","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-20",20,"\u003Cp>At the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the Divine Edge Peak courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of body-refining martial arts did you teach Li Mo?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han He casually probed for information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he believed Murong Xiao couldn’t possibly lose, knowing one's enemy was the key to victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Shang Wu’s next words nearly made Han He spit out his tea:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Body-refining martial arts? I didn’t teach him any.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You didn’t?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He only opened his meridians yesterday—where would he find the time to learn body-refining techniques?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han He’s aged face twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You don’t even know what your own disciple is practicing, yet you let him enter the Divine Edge Cave?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had assumed Shang Wu had prepared some hidden trump card to win their bet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Li Mo…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he really have picked up some low-tier martial art like Iron Shirt and started training like a fool?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master! Master!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something terrible has happened!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Xiao rushed into the courtyard, his back drenched in sweat—not from exhaustion, but panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Weren’t you training? What’s wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han He frowned at his disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had always believed his disciple possessed a calm temperament, which was why he’d allowed him to descend to the second level of the Divine Edge Cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was he so frantic now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Edge Cave was right under his nose—what major incident could possibly occur?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Li has entered the third level of the Divine Edge Cave!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master, you must go save him!\" Murong Xiao urged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His desperate demeanor made it seem as though his own father had fallen into a river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Li? Which Brother Li?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han He was momentarily confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shang Wu’s true disciple—Li Mo!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han He: \"?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu: \"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo… had gone to the third level?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third level housed named weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was the lingering killing intent of past weapon masters or the innate sharp energy of the Divine Edge Cave, neither was something a Qi-Blood Realm cultivator could withstand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blacksmiths in the courtyard collectively gasped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even they, who worked with weapons daily, dared not linger too long on the third level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For someone in the Qi-Blood Realm, it was certain death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That doesn’t make sense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did he even get down there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han He stood abruptly, his expression shifting between shock and suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To reach the third level, one had to pass through the second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A novice who had just entered the Qi-Blood Realm, with no body-refining experience, shouldn’t even make it past the second level!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Murong Xiao’s expression left no room for doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know either…\" Murong Xiao shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps he possesses a rare treasure that shields him from the sharp energy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han He pondered for a moment before arriving at this possibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He should be fine… right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu’s drunkenness instantly evaporated as she hesitantly pulled out a Resonance Bell from her robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bell hadn’t rung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han He said gravely,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On the third level, your disciple likely lost his mind to the killing intent the moment he stepped in!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With a treasure, he might last a short while…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crimson figure shot out like a meteor, leaving only a crater where she had stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh? What just flew past?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inner sect steward at the entrance rubbed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who are you? Register!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you even know who I am?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh… it’s you…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han He followed swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a true disciple died in the cave, even he, as an elder, would bear responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shang Wu, don’t collapse my Divine Edge Cave!\" he shouted after her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This reaction was understandable. Once, an Inner Breath Realm disciple had accidentally entered the third level and lost his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speed of an Observation Divine Realm expert surpassed even the flicker of flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly, faster than fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu made no effort to conceal her aura, her scorching heat overwhelming even the sharp energy of the weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, the first and second levels of the Divine Edge Cave were left with many trembling martial artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In mere moments, Shang Wu arrived at the third level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then, she suddenly halted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tense expression gradually relaxed, replaced by bewilderment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shang Wu, my disciple has saved yours this time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How do you plan to repay this debt—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Han He descended with his hands clasped behind his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his words caught in his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elder who had overseen Divine Edge Peak for twenty years froze on the spot at the sight before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought this would finally force Shang Wu, that madwoman, to owe him a favor—perhaps she’d stop freeloading off his peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never in his wildest dreams did he expect to witness such an unforgettable scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young man sat atop a bluestone, surrounded by dozens of weapons—each radiating a docile, submissive aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without exception, they were all named weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every inner sect disciple had the right to enter the Divine Edge Cave and choose a weapon. With luck, one might earn the recognition of a named weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, most could only pick from the first or second levels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For an ordinary disciple, gaining the acknowledgment of a single named weapon was already a stroke of immense fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To know, even most elders of the various peaks wield nothing more than Named Weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of Named Weapons recognizing a master at once?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han He would rather believe his old eyes—those of a master in the Internal Scenery Realm—were failing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gulp—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han He swallowed hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told you, this kid doesn’t seem like a fool.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s doing just fine with his training.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu snorted, her lazy demeanor returning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han He was speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was it that nearly crashed into someone several times just moments ago?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, he had no time to argue with Shang Wu. Instead, he fixed his gaze on the youth surrounded by Named Weapons, scrutinizing him again and again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after weathering countless storms, he couldn’t help but question reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This kid really is cultivating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And he’s drawn dozens of Named Weapons—the killing intent and sharpness in this entire area now revolve around him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even someone in the Observation Divine Realm would have to think twice before confronting him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yet he remains completely unharmed...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han He himself was a master craftsman, exceptionally sensitive to weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the more he understood, the more he realized how impossible this feat was for someone in the Qi-Blood Realm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, old man Han He.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Doesn’t your Divine Edge Cave have a rule?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If someone gains the recognition of a Named Weapon, they can take it away, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu wiped the corner of her mouth, her almond-shaped eyes gleaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t even have a Named Weapon herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, that was because she had something better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was dozens of them!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she took her precious disciple for a few more strolls around the third level, there might be even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han He: \"?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are you here to stock up on goods?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re mistaken. Each disciple can only take one weapon from the Divine Edge Cave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That wasn’t the case before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was then, this is now!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The effects of the Tranquil Heart Pill are wearing off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo stopped circulating his cultivation technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opening his eyes, he gazed into the distant, cold glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he had pushed the Extreme Soldier Slaughtering Body to its limit earlier, he had faintly sensed something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That trace of connection was weak, but it undeniably existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep within the Divine Edge Cave, something was calling to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahem, Li Mo, you may choose one of these Named Weapons to take with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice of Elder Han He came from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Li Mo snap out of his thoughts and notice the two figures behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Han He looked resigned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His master, however, was practically drooling over the weapons surrounding him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why were they here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Elder Han He, but I don’t plan to choose a weapon just yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo cupped his hands respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His father’s greatest hobby was collecting all kinds of weapons, often saying he dreamed of owning a Named Weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, Li Mo knew how precious they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the problem was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t trained in any weapon techniques yet. It wouldn’t make sense to just pick a Named Weapon at random and then search for a matching martial skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly, disciple, no rush.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu chimed in, then turned back with a smirk and added, \"Once you can descend to the fourth level of the Divine Edge Cave, we’ll take our time picking one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right, Elder Han He?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han He’s eyelid twitched violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fourth level—those were the treasures the Divine Edge Peak guarded as its very lifeblood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s see if he can even get down there first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sooner or later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu, delighted to see the annoying old man flustered, patted her disciple’s shoulder triumphantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the moment she did, she noticed something odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? Li Mo, why do you feel harder?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guess why I came to the Divine Edge Cave in the first place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo had a retort on the tip of his tongue but held back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, the Extreme Soldier Slaughtering Body technique was indeed remarkably effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, he no longer felt pain when his master slapped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By rough estimate, his physical toughness had increased by at least thirty percent—and this was just the first day of training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would only get stronger from here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once my body toughens up further, I’ll go deeper.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whatever’s calling to me… it’s not on the fourth level. It’s even further down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo withdrew his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>",1614,"2026-05-30T17:18:59.992Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.286Z",1,"novelbin.me","3c6ac5c978a0b8a985b97124aa8ebe95d08457b5d7fea0170d877b057fed572c","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-21","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-19",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]