[{"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-297":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},597007,846,"Chapter 297: Aoki Camp, the True Spirit of Yazi","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-297",297,"\u003Cp>The carriage creaked as it advanced through the streets of Qingmu City, heading straight for the Qingmu Barracks, which were established within the city walls to guard against emergencies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they traveled further, armored soldiers clad in sturdy armor and wielding sharp weapons became an increasingly common sight, marching in disciplined formations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hiss...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the carriage, Li Mo sat with a pensive expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Li, are you worrying about how to handle my military formation later? Nervous, aren't you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Zhenyue sat with his legs spread wide, hands resting on his knees, grinning broadly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A military formation diagram lay before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Li Mo had been deep in thought the entire journey, his expression serious. Zhong Zhenyue felt he ought to match that level of seriousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, it’s not just the formation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Zhenyue raised an eyebrow, intrigued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve met... the Frost Fairy, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This morning, she gave me this look.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo narrowed his eyes, lowered his gaze slightly, then tilted his chin up, mimicking the Frost Fairy’s expression with about thirty percent accuracy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mental image of \"Frost Fairy’s Stare – Li Mo Edition.jpg\" flashed through their minds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hiss...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Zhenyue leaned back in shock, spilling hot tea all over his lap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Based on your experience with women, what do you think it means?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I don’t have any experience in that area, Brother Li.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo recalled the time Zhong Zhenyue had been drooling over a seductress who hadn’t even used any mind-bending martial arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asking him was pointless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This guy probably only had \"fight, fight, fight\" in his head, on the same level as the muscleheads from the Gangdou Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, they arrived at the Qingmu Barracks. As the heavy gates slowly opened, the two stepped out and proceeded on foot. The sight before them was a flurry of diverse military drills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were new recruits, mostly at the Qi-Blood Realm, practicing basic thrusting techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others, at the peak of the Qi-Blood Realm, were stripped to the waist, grappling in pairs like massive bears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweat, muscles, a true man’s one-on-one battle...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most elite were the archers, all at least at the Internal Breath Condensation Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, many had features distinctly different from those of the Great Yu people—likely locals recruited from the Southern Border.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How many troops are stationed in Qingmu Barracks? Is that something you can disclose?\" Li Mo asked, gazing at the seemingly endless camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Care to take a guess, Brother Li?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Three hundred thousand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo had seen TV shows where armies of hundreds of thousands were commonplace. Given the sheer scale of the camp before him, he figured he was being conservative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, it’s eighty thousand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Zhenyue strode into the barracks, his demeanor taking on a more authoritative air. \"A force of three hundred thousand would be more fitting for Nanguan City. Back in the day, Nanguan truly had a million-strong army.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had heard his father drunkenly boast about it before—there had been no Qingmu City in the past. Nanguan had been the Great Yu’s sole bulwark in the Southern Border.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, the calamity beasts had been far more rampant than now, and Nanguan had faced the threat of falling multiple times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, Brother Li, regarding Lu Yi—the person you asked me to find—it might take another two or three days at the earliest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s already quick. If only every garrison army were as disciplined as Qingmu Barracks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My father does what he can, but his hands are tied.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Zhenyue understood Li Mo’s implication and fell silent for a moment before adding,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Emperor no longer prioritizes Nanguan as he once did. Perhaps it’s no longer necessary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo seemed to grasp something, pausing before smiling faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That just means the Southern Border is less likely to see war. A good thing, really.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"True. After you, Brother Li.\" Zhong Zhenyue also smiled, gesturing ahead toward his personal guard’s training ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spacious drill field was occupied by a unit of heavily armored soldiers, numbering around three to four hundred. They were practicing formations, each exuding a fierce and spirited aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commanding them was a striking female general, holding an ornate carved bow in one hand and a command flag in the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Personal guards are all battle-hardened elites, their killing intent palpable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo felt a stir within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aura they gave off bore some resemblance to what he sensed from the Yazi Spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before they finish drills, how about a spar, Brother Li?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Zhenyue was eager.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Certainly.\" Li Mo drew his Chixiao Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having not wielded a sword in some time—and after a night communing with the Yazi Spirit—the swordsman in him was itching for action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Yazi Spirit governed blades and reveled in battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their duel lasted only briefly, but Zhong Zhenyue had clearly improved—not just in skill but in experience as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo restricted himself to swordplay, and it wasn’t until the eightieth exchange that Zhong Zhenyue began to falter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, a familiar system notification chimed in Li Mo’s ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Congratulations, Host. Successful investment in ‘Zhong Zhenyue’—identified flaws in his martial techniques.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Investment Reward: Hundred-Man Formation (Black Scale Formation)]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A military formation technique?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo mused that he wasn’t a soldier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wondered how this formation compared to the Zhong Family’s Iron Formation of the Southern Suppressing King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Given time, once I reach the Internal Scenery Realm, I’ll shed the nickname ‘Eight-Armed Young Flood Dragon.’\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drenched in sweat, Zhong Zhenyue leaned on his spear, eyes alight with determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had lost, but he had gained much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So nicknames can be changed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course. What’s yours again, Brother Li?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm... the Lone Strange Sword!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo declared with utmost seriousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, Li Mo’s ears twitched, but he made no move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thwack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An arrow embedded itself into the ground three inches from his foot, its fletching quivering violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The female general standing atop the command platform called out,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The eleventh-ranked genius of the Hidden Dragon Ranking can’t even dodge a stray arrow? Did you earn your spot solely by...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Being a lucky charm for wives?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo: \"......?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face darkened instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Really? That’s the topic you bring up?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Zhenyue glanced at Li Mo’s sleeve, relieved to see he was still holding Chixiao, then scowled and reprimanded,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhong Ling, Brother Li could’ve easily dodged your arrow—he just chose not to retaliate. Since he’s still holding his sword, you’d better apologize now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by her age, Zhong Ling was likely Zhong Zhenyue’s elder sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Ling shot Zhong Zhenyue an angry glare before turning her gaze back to Li Mo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You wanted to challenge our Zhong Family’s military formation, didn’t you? I’ll command it, with Zhenyue as the vanguard. Does the ‘Hidden Dragon Heavenly Flood Dragon’ dare to face us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gladly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo sheathed Chixiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had intended to temper himself against the army’s killing intent anyway, to better harmonize with the Yazi Spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Zhenyue: \"?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since when was I the vanguard?! I never agreed to this!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Ling, though usually fiery, wasn’t one to act recklessly. What had gotten into her today?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How about adding a wager?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine. If you lose, you’ll serve as the cooks for my personal guards for a few days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Ling seemed to have prepared this in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Deal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And if you lose, you’re never allowed to call me the ‘Lucky Charm Battle Soul’ again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo stripped off his upper garment, revealing a lean, panther-like torso.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His muscles, brimming with power, shimmered with a dark aura, radiating a fierce, weapon-like sharpness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, the faint silhouette of a ferocious beast began to take shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yazi!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Zhenyue: \"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is it too late to withdraw from the competition now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting online, kinda urgent.\u003C\u002Fp>",1302,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.270Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.889Z",1,"novelbin.me","293d4a63c4c0fa491238f308c27b7eb86c63676790a005d53c7bb4479ae9b798","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-298","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-296",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]