[{"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-318":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},596741,846,"Chapter 318: The Weight of the Best Actor Award, Come and Get It","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-318",318,"\u003Cp>On the broad wooden walls of Qingmu City, $2he outermost edge was lined with grills of all sizes, sizzling with skewered meat that filled the air with an irresistible aroma—a feast fit for warriors before battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo held a skewer, squinting at the dark mass of clouds pressing toward the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The overwhelming tide of soldiers carried with it a savage, bloodthirsty aura, suffocating in its intensity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truth be told, Young Hero Li had never faced such a scene before—nervousness was inevitable. But the soldiers were all watching him now. In their eyes, he was the beacon of their hope for victory...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to step up!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on, eat up, drink up!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need to worry, everyone. Those attacking the city are just my defeated foes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo took a bite of his skewer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers didn’t quite understand what was happening, but since Young Hero Li had joined them on the front lines, sharing their fate, why should they hesitate?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha, even if we end up wrapped in horsehide later, we shouldn’t face the King of Hell on an empty stomach!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, though their hearts trembled with tension, the soldiers followed the plan, eating their barbecue with feigned calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Lang narrowed his eyes at the army below, biting down hard on his skewer:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wonder how much time Young Hero Li’s plan can buy us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qu Sheng exhaled slowly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Every moment counts. Even half an hour is better than nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As long as the enemy isn’t reckless—any commander with half a brain would hesitate at this sight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he were leading the siege and saw the city gates wide open, completely unguarded, he too would pause, gather his officers, and debate the reason behind such a move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t a retreat—it was a stalling tactic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was prepared for the enemy to see through it. The gates could be shut at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingmu City only looked defenseless—it wasn’t truly so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll do my best to prolong the effect of this strategy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the genius strategist Young Hero Li slowly stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officers turned to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qu Sheng asked, \"How do we prolong it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo picked up another skewer, wearing a profound smile:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Actually... I’m an actor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The winner of the first Golden Statue Award for Best Actor—yours truly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qu Sheng and the other officers had no idea what this award was—they’d never heard of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Young Hero Li was a modest man. Even after making the Hidden Dragon Ranking, he never boasted about his titles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, however, he spoke of this \"Golden Statue Award\" with such gravity...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had to be prestigious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded impressive as hell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, below the city walls...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s that smell? So damn good!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait—barbecue? Do they not know we’re here to attack? How dare they feast like this!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it, what are they grilling? Why does it smell so amazing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be... they’re trying to starve us to death with envy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The gates are open—if we charge in now, Qingmu City is ours!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of murmurs rolled through the enemy ranks like thunder, uncertainty spreading like wildfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially around Han Zhen, where the disaster-beast-possessed warlocks roared and snarled, itching to rush into the city and feast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Silence! I haven’t given the order yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Zhen’s deep voice cut through the noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warlocks fell quiet, suppressing their bloodlust as they turned to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grand Sorcerer, why not let us charge? This is a gift from the heavens!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Zhen snorted coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Beast Hall leader pondered for a moment before saying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qingmu City isn’t blind or deaf—they must have received word of our approach. Even if they hadn’t, as the deepest stronghold in the southern pass, they’d never be this lax.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qu Sheng, the city’s commander—I’ve fought him before. He’s strict, a tough opponent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He would fight to the death. So why are the gates wide open? Could it be... a trap?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helian Wu’s eyes flickered with unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their thoughts mirrored Han Zhen’s own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over a hundred thousand soldiers, countless disaster-beasts at their backs—once the city fell, not a blade of grass would remain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet after their long march, Qingmu City wasn’t barricaded, its defenders weren’t trembling in fear...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were just... eating?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could they eat at a time like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so deliciously? It was making them drool!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Extremely wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... what do we do now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind-possessed warlock wiped drool from his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We should first—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oi, old bastard!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Han Zhen could finish, a cheerful voice rang out from above the walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Zhen: \"?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping onto the battlements was none other than the first-ever Golden Statue Award winner for Best Actor!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo held a skewer, his expression utterly relaxed, even amused as he looked down at the army below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I spared your life last time. Knowing I’m here, you still came to throw it away?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Care to step out and fight me for three hundred rounds?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Zhen’s eyelid twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet another unexpected twist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wise man avoids standing under a crumbling wall—Li Mo had to know this siege was aimed at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet instead of hiding, he stood openly on the walls?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he was pointing at them... with a skewer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come at me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today, I’ll make sure you taste steel—white in, green out! Straight through your gallbladder!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then white in, yellow out! Right into your guts!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A collective gasp swept through the army—so strong it diluted the scent of barbecue. Their curiosity only grew: What kind of sauce was on that meat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disaster-beast warlocks recoiled in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Sorcerer of the Great Shang Dynasty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A former seventh-realm expert, a master of profound mysteries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his peak, even kings treated him with reverence. Yet now, this brat was pointing at him, taunting him to his face!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Han Zhen prided himself on his composure, his face darkened. His caution held him back from ordering the attack, but he couldn’t resist retorting:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not really in the mood for your barking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo turned his back on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"??!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kid had the audacity to turn around after provoking them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Insult him, then cut him off?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the middle of a battlefield, he just... faced away, treating a hundred thousand soldiers like they were nothing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were they invisible?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were they even human to him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Mo just... turned his back on us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Beast Hall leader’s eyes widened. He couldn’t make sense of this act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grand Sorcerer, he—he insulted you!\" Helian Wu exclaimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Zhen trembled with barely contained fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were anyone else, he might have let it slide. But this was his mortal enemy—the man who had cost him the Blood Phoenix Essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he endure this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Actually, yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more outrageous Li Mo’s behavior, the more Han Zhen sensed a trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Mo's strike that day didn't land on him but instead shattered the secret realm with a feint, he knew this kid was no brainless fool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing his fury, Han Zhen commanded in a thunderous voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That insolent brat is deliberately trying to provoke me into ordering an assault on the city—just to walk right into his trap.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There must be an ambush lying in wait within those walls.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Scout ahead first. Gather intel!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Han Zhen glanced at the figure beside him—a middle-aged man shrouded entirely in black raven feathers, his pupils crimson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The raven-feathered man gave a slight nod, and the feathers covering his body transformed into countless black crows. With a flurry of wings, hundreds of them took flight, swarming toward the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he wasn’t the only one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several avian calamity beasts also unleashed their bloodline abilities, scouting Qingmu City from every angle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the city walls, Li Mo frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scale of reconnaissance was greater than he’d anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands—a world brimming with mystical power—was nothing like the one in his past life...\u003C\u002Fp>",1336,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.270Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.889Z",1,"novelbin.me","712694360735c0a89571095ede5de8f39eca308b35373acae4edbacce4d5421a","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-319","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-317",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]