[{"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-257":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},596967,846,"Chapter 257: Mingjiao: \"Are You Even Polite\"","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-257",257,"\u003Cp>The dark figure stirring the whirlpool loomed in the lake, roughly ten zhang in size—already a colossal behemoth to ordinary people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's the Roaring Drake again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May the Witch Spirit show its divine power!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the third time this month the Roaring Drake has attacked our town. Why is it back...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the villagers by the altar did not scatter in panic. Though their faces were filled with terror, they knelt even more devoutly, praying fervently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This only made the Witch Spirit idol glow with an even more eerie radiance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Huang Donglai did not retreat behind the crowd but stood beside Li Mo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Xiao gazed curiously at the lake—he had never seen another Roaring Drake before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo, however, narrowed his eyes, activating his Heavenly Fate Divine Sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deafening roar—or was it a screech?—from the Roaring Drake echoed across the lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky darkened further, as if threatening rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, a massive Roaring Drake emerged from the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its form bore an eighty percent resemblance to the one Li Mo could transform into, though with subtle differences—most notably, it lacked the majestic horns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Name: Wu Dameng]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Age: 48]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Root Bone: Hybrid of Roaring Drake and Earth Dragon.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Cultivation Realm: Peak of the Seventh Tier.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Heavenly Fate: Blue]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Evaluation: That night, the Roaring Drake and the Earth Dragon had too much to drink.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Recent Events: Made a deal with a town priest to harass the settlement for free meals.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The information revealed by the Heavenly Fate Divine Sight was not what Li Mo had expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, he swept his gaze over the terrified yet increasingly pious villagers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bet you didn’t expect this! Your grandpa’s back again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Roaring Drake, Wu Dameng, actually spoke in human tongue, its voice as grating as nails on a chalkboard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the high priest wearing a bronze mask leaped from the altar, treading on the water’s surface as he charged toward the drake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint silhouette materialized behind him, identical to the bronze Witch Spirit idol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two clashed on the lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite being clearly weaker, the priest fought the drake to a standstill, as if aided by some unseen divine force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer disparity in their sizes made for a striking visual spectacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The villagers’ devotion grew even more fervent, like drowning men clutching at a lifeline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This doesn’t make sense,\" Huang Donglai muttered, puzzled. \"That drake is obviously stronger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It harasses villages, yet it’s my kin... No, I’m human...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Xiao clenched his fists, his expression flickering with intense conflict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew his state was abnormal—worse than during his time in the Divine Edge Cave. Even reciting Buddhist sutras in his mind did nothing to calm him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, warmth bloomed in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Xiao opened his eyes in surprise to find a string of pristine, jade-like Buddhist relics glowing with sacred light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Congratulations, Host. You have successfully invested in Murong Xiao, aiding him in suppressing his bloodline power.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Investment Reward: Nine-Dragon Strength Pill.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now wasn’t the time to tally rewards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo grinned at Murong Xiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Murong, I’m going to teach your kin a lesson.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Under the bright heavens, in the vast mortal realm—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clutching the relics, Murong Xiao now looked even more solemn and dignified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I shall also assist Brother Li in cleansing our ranks!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You should just rest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaking his head, Li Mo let out a thunderous shout amid the crowd’s gasps:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Huang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Got it—combo move!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, Huang Donglai found the idea of a \"combo move\" a bit odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then he remembered all the rare treasures and elixirs Li Mo had given him, and it suddenly made perfect sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, under countless awestruck gazes, the two shot into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd was utterly baffled, even forgetting to worship the Witch Spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the lake, the battle raged with rolling mist and thunderous clashes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the priest and the drake seemed locked in fierce combat, it was all sound and fury—little actual force behind their blows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"About done yet?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Dameng swung his tail, deliberately missing the priest but sending a massive splash his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smirked inwardly—just a little effort, and these humans were already terrified out of their wits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The priest better reward him with an extra cow for this performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he played along, pretending the priest was a match for him, he’d get livestock delivered afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These scrawny villagers barely had any meat on them anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their lives were so bitter—they probably tasted awful. No comparison to plump cattle and sheep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he spotted something in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"???\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Dameng’s massive frame froze. \"This wasn’t part of the deal! It was supposed to be one guy. Why’s there an extra now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it’s three people, the payment better increase!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The priest turned—and nearly jumped out of his skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fiend, don’t even think of escaping!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo brandished a gleaming hammer, descending like an avenging deity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, this new kid’s got decent acting chops,\" Wu Dameng mused, deciding to play along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He charged at the youth, intending to make it look good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as they closed in—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something felt off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lake water turned solid as iron, immobilizing him. His movements slowed to a crawl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his vision, the hammer’s shadow loomed larger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo struck from above, his \"Calming the Storm\" technique crashing down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>dUang~~~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hammer slammed into Wu Dameng’s skull, the force rippling through his body and exploding across the lake’s surface in a towering geyser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had the drake’s body not been so resilient—had Li Mo not held back—this blow would’ve flattened him instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the onlookers, Li Mo now seemed like a god descended from the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did that warrior just slay the Roaring Drake?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Which Witch Spirit does he worship? He’s even mightier than our high priest!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could he be an incarnation of a Witch Spirit, walking among mortals?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Li Mo’s voice carried across the shore:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From now on, the Roaring Drake will trouble you no more. Rise, everyone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words, the figure lifted the drake’s massive form and vanished into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd stood in stunned silence. This divine being hadn’t even left his name—how were they supposed to worship him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who in the blazes are you people?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forget the extra payment—let’s talk this out!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Dameng never imagined that after countless staged battles, this one would turn real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was downright dishonorable!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why did you attack the village?\" Murong Xiao demanded sternly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A drake’s gotta eat...\" Wu Dameng mumbled before cautiously adding,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Might I ask... what do you heroes want?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing too serious, really.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo cleared his throat, deciding to ease the drake’s nerves first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can you... give birth to a cow?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Roaring Drake fell silent, a giant question mark practically materializing above its head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are you serious?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was just biologically impossible!\u003C\u002Fp>",1151,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.270Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.889Z",1,"novelbin.me","556bdddbbbbc90f77099f6560e389153d4f2c541aff09410b04eafc21573e941","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-258","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-256",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]