[{"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-253":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},596963,846,"Chapter 253: Combo Skill —— Ice Cold","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-253",253,"\u003Cp>Li Mo and his two companions emerged from the camp of the garrison troops, traveling over a hundred miles through the dark night before finally setting foot on Treasure Vase Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for why they went to the military camp—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, to clarify the frequent locations where the Roc Demon appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, to \"amicably\" take out a hammer and remind Commander Qi that he would be back, hoping Fu Yingzi's family would remain unharmed by then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, within three days...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the night sky, towering trees loomed like woven nets, with the occasional chirps of insects and birds piercing the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Donglai darted through the shadows like the wind, his nose twitching as he moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While searching for traces of the Roc Demon, he casually plucked herbs along the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Huang, your movement technique...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Xiao watched with envy, wondering when he himself would make it onto the Hidden Dragon Ranking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No wonder they call you 'Flying Poison Two-Faced Turtle.'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Donglai stiffened mid-step, nearly crashing into a tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Huang, have you found where the Roc Demon has been nesting recently?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo looked up and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is indeed one of the places it frequents,\" Huang Donglai nodded, then added with a hint of reluctant admiration,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But it’s likely wary of ambushes—like a cunning rabbit with three burrows, this is probably just a decoy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then where is its real lair?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t worry, Brother Li, I’ll find it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Donglai picked up a clump of soil and carefully tasted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Reliable!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo gave a thumbs-up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bringing Huang Donglai along had been an exceptionally wise decision. Not only did he help avoid many troubles, but he also served as a living map of the Southern Border—even equipped with built-in tracking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, $2t the mountain peak, near a sheer cliff, $2uang Donglai took another bite of the soil and nodded toward a nearby cave:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This should be the Roc Demon’s true nest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But it hasn’t returned for about two or three days—likely because of Fairy Ying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then it’ll probably come back here eventually.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo pinched his nose, blocking out the foul stench from the nest, and frowned:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Huang, shouldn’t we prepare something?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Roc Demon’s flight speed was terrifyingly fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speed happened to be Young Li’s current weakness. Even with a top-tier movement technique and Cloud-Treading Boots, he couldn’t hope to match the innate speed of a winged demonic beast with extraordinary bloodline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Donglai, on the other hand, could keep up in speed. With the Cloud-Treading Boots, he’d definitely catch it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he might not be able to take it down alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Murong Xiao...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Internal Breath realm, he barely counted as half a combatant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Traps for avian demonic beasts...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Donglai pondered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could settle on the safest approach, $2oung Li’s quick-witted brain had already sparked an idea!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, Brother Huang, you can catch up but might not win, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can’t catch up, but I can definitely win, yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Naturally.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Donglai was puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their strengths couldn’t just merge like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he saw Li Mo grin and say:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In that case, why don’t I just ride on you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Donglai: \"??\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo then turned to Murong Xiao:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Murong, you have the Bloodline of the Howling Serpent, right? And the Howling Serpents and the Roc Clan are mortal enemies?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm, my family’s letters warned me to avoid Roc territory at all costs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Xiao snapped back to reality—he had indeed told Li Mo this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo clapped his hands together, grinning:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then it’s settled! Brother Murong, you’ll be the bait! I’ll teach you some tricks to provoke it. Once it charges at you in rage, throw the Muscle-Softening Powder.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Xiao pointed at himself: \"Me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo declared confidently:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once it’s fixated on you, I’ll ride Brother Huang and ambush it—how will the Roc possibly counter that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our chances of annihilating it will be a thousand percent!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This strategy fused the essence of brawling mastery, his own combat prowess, and Huang Donglai’s speed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was absolutely flawless!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Xiao leaned back in tactical shock. Huang Donglai sucked in a sharp breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had faced countless foes, but never had he encountered such an unorthodox approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If roles were reversed, even he would likely fall victim to this combo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank the heavens he and Brother Li were on good terms!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next evening, $2utside Treasure Vase Mountain, the shadow of a massive avian creature soared across the sky. Its passage stirred violent wind pressure, scattering birds and beasts in terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a powerful Roc on the verge of reaching the sixth rank, it preferred independence over clan life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the entire Treasure Vase Mountain was its domain—what could be better?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The setting sun gleamed on its head, reflecting dazzling light, though its mood was far from bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Little Qing won’t even see me anymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s all that human woman’s fault!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Roc Demon cursed mid-flight, its tone a mix of fury and fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course it feared her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Azure Phoenix Clan had once thrived during the era of Great Shang, standing as one of the mightiest lineages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, they had joined Great Shang’s elite in guarding the Southern Border.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, when the border armies and experts withdrew to the imperial capital, the Azure Phoenixes remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after the fall of Great Shang’s capital, they had quietly recuperated in the Southern Border ever since.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That woman actually managed to enter the Qingluan Clan's territory as a mere human.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And she even received such special treatment...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muttering to itself, it flew toward the cliffside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After circling a few times, it still refused to land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was very off—that scent...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With its keen vision, it narrowed its pupils and spotted... a bald figure sitting right in front of its nest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A monk?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of monk dares to be this bold?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait, no—it wasn’t just a monk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Roc Demon flew closer, recognizing the scales on the man’s neck and those claw-like hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That revolting stench—it was a Mingjiao!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Roc Demon already despised monks, let alone one with Mingjiao blood. And right now, it was furious enough to swallow the guy whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it still had some restraint left and didn’t recklessly charge in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bald bird!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Xiao suddenly shouted, pointing at it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roc Demon: \"?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you even know how handsome I was before I went bald?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before it could react—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Xiao silently chanted Amitabha in his heart before yelling:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I still can’t forget the feeling of French-kissing your mom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those duck tongues in the hotpot last time? Absolutely delicious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My mom’s not a duck, you bastard—I’LL DEVOUR YOU!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Roc Demon’s bald head practically glowed red with rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Already seething, it was now utterly incensed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It threw caution to the wind and dove straight down, ready to gulp down this foul-mouthed bloodline rival in one bite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before it could close in—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several jars were suddenly hurled by Murong Xiao, smashing against the ground and filling the air with dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A trap?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Roc Demon recognized the scent immediately—a numbing weakness spread through its limbs. But as a veteran of mountain forests, used to outwitting beasts and demons alike, it halted mid-air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a powerful flap of its wings, it summoned a gale to scatter the dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This Seven Wonders Soft-Bone Powder is better than nothing, I guess.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice rang out nearby—Huang Donglai, who had been lying in wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s take it down first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another figure burst from the dust, wielding a hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft, you think this is enough to defeat me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Roc Demon soared back into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though its opponents were weaker in cultivation, they’d clearly prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The poison had already taken some effect—a direct fight might not end well. And who knew if more ambushes lurked nearby? Tactical retreat it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humans couldn’t fly unless they reached the Inner Scenery realm, and even then, they’d never match its speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eat my droppings, fools!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Roc Demon decided to leave them with one last insult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the next moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It witnessed something it would never forget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Huang! Combo move!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Donglai, now wearing Cloud-Treading Boots, bent forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, Li Mo’s yell inexplicably fired him up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A weight settled on his back—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo, hammer in hand, leaped onto Huang Donglai’s back as the latter unleashed his full movement technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo rode Huang Donglai as they shot toward the sky, swift and menacing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combo Skill—Double Trouble!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in this life-or-death moment, the Roc Demon couldn’t help but feel its scalp tingle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell is this?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only I could see you all supporting me in my dreams—that’d be true bliss. OrZ.\u003C\u002Fp>",1473,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.270Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.889Z",1,"novelbin.me","c663cacf642ea606c0e751d4c905959bbc3c8504eb3a2996367b838ac2dd30fc","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-254","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-252",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]