[{"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-216":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},596339,846,"Chapter 216: Xiao Lis Path to Breakthrough","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-216",216,"\u003Cp>In the darkness, killing intent was laid bare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sliver of blade devoured all light in its path as it shot straight toward Li Mo's throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trapped in the shadows, it felt like sinking into quicksand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Li Mo felt his body weighed down unbearably—an ordinary practitioner at the Observation Spirit Realm would likely be unable to even twitch a finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with all four of his Mystic Pills operating in unison and the moonlight's radiance enveloping him, he had already regained his mobility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he didn’t dodge. There was no need.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Money Tree rapidly sprouted, instantly illuminating the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As vision returned, the bizarre black longsword was seen blocked by a Dragon-Tiger Alchemy Furnace, its wielder forced back by a combined strike from Elder Xue and Elder Qian, who shouted simultaneously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Keshan hadn’t come alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the rooftops and through the windows, black-clad assassins swarmed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Phoenix Aura condensed like a frigid current of mercury, forming a sword of tea in Ying Bing’s palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a mere flick, hundreds of sword intents and energies erupted, freezing several assassins into ice sculptures riddled with holes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So many took the bounty?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo swung his Crimson Sky Sword, weaving through gaps in the enemy’s defenses before impaling both man and dagger in one strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Gui and his guards also joined the fray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In moments, the grand tavern descended into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Li Mo never let his guard down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on his experience, assassins from the Drizzle Tower were no suicide squad—they would retreat after a failed strike, biding their time for another opportunity rather than fighting to the death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But these killers showed no intention of leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had this thought crossed his mind—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The floorboards suddenly shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chain lashed out like a living thing, coiling like a frenzied dragon surging from the depths, dragging a torrential tide in its wake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also the work of an Inner Landscape Realm expert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only, their domain had been compressed to its limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it lacked overwhelming presence, the lethality was concentrated to an extreme, its aura of annihilation freezing thoughts in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thwack—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A delicate fist, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, punched straight into the storm. It was Shang Wu, who had remained idle until now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In one motion, she seized the chain, and golden flames surged backward along its length.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the beautiful master made her move, the battle was already over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Inner Landscape assassin hiding in the shadows never expected the seemingly drunken woman in palace robes to be this terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene turned brutal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minutes later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tavern’s furnishings—tables, chairs, doors, and windows—lay in ruins, the floor a mess of debris.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Observation Spirit Realm assassins sprawled lifelessly in disarray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the Drizzle Tower’s killers, only two Inner Landscape assassins remained—if barely clinging to life counted as resilience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A momentary lapse, nothing more. We didn’t expect you to be so prepared. But...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chain-wielding Inner Landscape assassin, grievously wounded, glared defiantly at the encircling group and sneered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’re just the beginning. Hehehe... Save your breath. We’ll say nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, so you won’t talk?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu’s expression remained blank as she drove her fist downward, crushing his skull into his ribcage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Keshan fell silent for a moment before forcing a grimace uglier than tears. \"Ask away. I’ll talk...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head exploded like a melon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ask your mother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu scoffed, kicking Peng Keshan’s very unpeaceful corpse into the Fish-Dragon Lake outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The body spun three and a half times midair, landing with all the grace of a cannonball, sending up a splash fit for dynamite fishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Li Mo rated it a solid zero—disqualified from the competition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A word of advice for Contestant Peng: Reflect well in the next life, and don’t repeat such mistakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gulp...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Gui swallowed hard, snapping to attention the instant the palace-robed woman’s gaze landed on him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I swear on eighteen generations of my ancestors’ honor—this has nothing to do with me! That crate was supposed to hold Mystic Crystals...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Wu and the two elders turned to Li Mo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As everyone knew, Young Li had an impeccable eye for people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sheathing his Crimson Sky Sword, Li Mo nodded. \"He’s telling the truth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Sun Gui truly bore no hostility, nor had there been any hints of conspiracy in recent events.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once cleared, Li Mo noticed his master’s displeasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably because... she couldn’t extort compensation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Sun Gui was quick on the uptake. Not only did he offer reparations for emotional distress, but he also pledged full cooperation with the Qingyuan Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he bore some responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Gui departed for the Flourishing Trade Guild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence returned to the ruined tavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some hasty cleanup, the group gathered around the sole intact table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the storm had passed, Xue Jing’s frown remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can’t stay on guard forever. Only thieves strike daily, not defenders.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Bufan nodded. \"As long as that bounty stands, there’ll be no peace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not just the bounty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo interjected. \"Right now, the Drizzle Tower likely considers me a traitor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever succeeded wouldn’t just claim the reward—the Tower had additional incentives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So even with Inner Landscape protectors, desperate souls would still take the risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing’s face darkened further. \"Traitors of the Drizzle Tower face endless pursuit—until death. None have ever escaped it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Some have.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing spoke up unexpectedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes turned to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips parted slightly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Reach the Seventh Realm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such flawless logic left no room for rebuttal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many Seventh Realm experts existed in the world? Those revered as Saints could give even the Great Yu Dynasty headaches if they focused on dismantling an organization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who could survive the Drizzle Tower’s full wrath long enough to reach the Seventh Realm?\" Xue Jing sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, how many even attained that level?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Add relentless assassins to the mix...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Bing’s gaze flickered toward Li Mo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had done it once before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Li felt the ice block’s inexplicable confidence—she genuinely believed he could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s a viable path, if a tad lengthy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not that I lack confidence, but constant assassins are a nuisance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Actually, the Drizzle Tower has a weakness we can exploit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gears in Li Mo’s mind turned as he straightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group focused on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another solution?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A weakness? What is it?\" Ying Bing asked softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo smacked the table as if struck by inspiration:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re greedy! Profit-driven to the core!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh? Is that a weakness?\" Shang Wu sat up, brows knitting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For most, no.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo smiled modestly. \"But I happen to be... moderately wealthy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one disputed that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Xue Jing stroked his beard, unconvinced. \"So what? The bounty was posted by the Holy Maiden. You can’t hire their assassins to kill Yin Mianmian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if she died, the bounty would remain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Much like how Xu Yi had once killed both of his employers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was just how the Drizzle Tower operated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Xue's thinking is still too narrow. I have an idea.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo smiled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll go to the Black Tower and hire assassins from the Drizzle Pavilion to protect me. Problem solved, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Jing froze, leaning back slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait... that could work?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Bufan hesitated, \"But they only accept contracts for killings...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If someone tries to kill me, they kill that person first—isn’t that still a killing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo saw no flaw in this logic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bounty he’d place for his own protection would surely be higher than the one for his assassination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the latter was already tempting, the former would be irresistible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the Drizzle Pavilion would turn into a dark forest, with every assassin wary of their own comrades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one would know which bounty their peers had taken, leading to internal bloodshed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only would this neutralize the Drizzle Pavilion’s threat, but it would also plunge them into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A true two-for-one masterstroke!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Li couldn’t help but marvel at his own genius—damn, he was brilliant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Bufan and Xue Jing’s minds exploded with possibilities, their eyes gleaming with dawning enlightenment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the Drizzle Pavilion’s rules...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo’s plan violated none of them!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This... might actually work!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No way, this is allowed??!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Haven’t slept before 2 a.m. in ages. This struggling author really needs to recharge—good sleep is key to maintaining writing quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lately, my rest has been awful. Last night, I dreamed I woke up to play games, but no matter which one I opened, I’d immediately check the comments section... only to find readers spamming demands for updates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absolutely terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two chapters today, then early bed. Will try to update sooner tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeking your support—mwah!\u003C\u002Fp>",1454,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.270Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.286Z",1,"novelbin.me","ead168fe98a8bce17e7ff718e0febadde7836f4ddf567c970a3887dc06e1c8a1","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-217","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-215",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]