[{"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-347":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},596770,846,"Chapter 347: What Era Is This, Still Acting Like a Traditional Deity","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-347",347,"\u003Cp>The rain continued to fall, the atmosphere tinged with awkwardness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo remained in his original posture, yet nothing happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fat Priest hastily picked up the bronze staff from the ground and pointed it at Li Mo, his voice fierce but hollow:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Impostor! You’ve been exposed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo pondered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What would Ice Block do in this situation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, probably nothing—just ignore it outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the Heavenly Venerable paid him no mind, not even a flicker of expression. The effect was striking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It only made the Fat Priest’s frantic hopping around seem all the more clownish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that with a mere wave of his hand, he would move the mountain blocking their town?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Town Chief stood in the heavy rain, his eyes gleaming with hope. Even with the so-called blessings of the \"Spirit of the Witch,\" they had always been forced to take long detours to reach the outside world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the mountain ahead vanished, wouldn’t their path be clear from now on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least one direction would no longer be obstructed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This hope rose in his heart, but reason told him such a thing was impossible...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at that very moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint tremor shook the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rumble—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came an earth-shaking roar!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Town Chief and the townsfolk staggered, falling to the ground, but their eyes remained fixed on the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The mountain moved! The eastern mountain moved!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From now on, we won’t have to take the long way east!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We won’t need divine protection to leave these mountains anymore!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heavenly Venerable!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rain ceased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gates to the outside world slowly opened for Sanshan Town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ray of dawn light fell upon the figure of the composed young man, casting a glow of hope over every inch of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, countless townspeople widened their eyes, the shadows in their gaze dispelled by that silhouette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fat Priest collapsed onto the ground, his face drained of color:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m the fake one now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other might not even be real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a disciple of the Demon Summoning Sect, he had spent enough time in the southern border to recognize some things about the demon races. He had realized—this was likely a high-ranking demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, how could they command wind and rain or move mountains?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was clearly a premeditated act!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless the main sect sent experts, there was no way to contend with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought to slip away unnoticed while the others were still stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph~ Trying to run~~~?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice crackling with electricity suddenly rang out from behind. Manbo rubbed his palms together, summoning an arc of lightning that shot toward the Fat Priest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The electric serpent danced wildly, too fast for the naked eye to follow, striking him squarely in the backside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manbo was a Great Demon, two realms above the Observation Divine Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zzzzt—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fat Priest convulsed instantly, his body jerking and blackening under the current. Even if he recovered, he’d likely be left drooling for life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo, seeing this, gave Manbo an appreciative nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Senior Manbo knew how to adapt on the fly—definitely deserving of extra credit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t wanted the Fat Priest to escape either, but subduing him instantly would’ve required pulling out the hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if he did that, all the buildup would’ve been for nothing—the Heavenly Venerable’s mystique would’ve crumbled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heavenly Venerable!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Town Chief cried out, leading the townsfolk as they knelt before the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people now regarded Li Mo with absolute reverence, prostrating themselves en masse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo’s lips twitched, but this time, he didn’t utter the words \"Do not kneel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the townsfolk, one had merely offered them some protection while traversing the wilderness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in their eyes, he had moved a mountain. Who was real, who was fake—it was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet none of them ever considered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this world, there were no gods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo raised his hands slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My task here is done. I shall take my leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re leaving?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Town Chief jerked his head up but didn’t dare stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you displeased that we worshipped a false god? I’ll gather the elders at once to topple that imposter’s idol and erect yours in its place!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gritted his teeth. \"The offerings... they’ll be richer than ever!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the mountain gone, traveling east would be ten times easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could scrape together more offerings if they had to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo looked down at the trembling townsfolk, their fear palpable—afraid he would never return. His gaze was complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you truly wish to worship me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I don’t want the usual offerings—livestock, fruits, grains. Such things mean nothing to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No ordinary offerings...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Town Chief’s face paled, his body shaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he... demanding human sacrifices?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, the town held a grand ceremony once a year, drawing lots among families with children to select a boy and girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sanshan Town’s population was already dwindling...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But other villages had divine protection. Whether real or fake, they at least had something. If the Heavenly Venerable left, what would become of their town?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind waged war with itself, but just as he steeled himself to agree—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice drifted down from above:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want stones from the mountains. A great many of them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd was baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo remained expressionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Including the mountain I just moved, these three peaks have absorbed the essence of sun and moon for countless eons. Your mortal eyes simply cannot perceive their spiritual nature.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You claim sincerity?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then hollow out the remaining two mountains as offerings to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But... how could we possibly hollow out two mountains...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Town Chief’s face twisted in distress. They lacked the means for such a task.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you cannot do it in your lifetime, let your sons and grandsons continue the work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fill this temple with stones every year, and only then will I believe your devotion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fill the temple?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That didn’t seem excessive, but it would take generations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young men of the town eyed the temple’s size, silently calculating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chief, we can do it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, we’ve got nothing but strength to spare!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At least getting food from the east will be easier now. Digging stones beats starving.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing their voices, the Old Town Chief nodded firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to inform the Heavenly Venerable of their decision—but a white cloud had already risen high into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that remained were two booklets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curious, the Old Town Chief picked them up and called over the village’s literate schoolteacher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do these say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One is called 'Mountain-Splitting Hammer Art'! The other... 'The Second Set of Radio Calisthenics'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These seem to be martial arts manuals, marked as 'advanced.' They must be extraordinary!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Heavenly Venerable’s meaning must be for us to train our strongest youths to quarry more stones for him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, that must be it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what’s written at the end?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those who help themselves shall be helped by Heaven.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... if we work hard, the Heavenly Venerable will continue to aid us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the white cloud above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shang Qinqing gazed at the celebrating townsfolk below, deep in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those two martial arts—did you create them yourself?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yep.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t spend any martial insights on hammer techniques, but he did use some elements from calisthenics to refine a basic martial art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly worthy of the title \"Divine Hammer Little Tyrant!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Yuangou grinned, his teeth bared: \"Tsk tsk, giving away martial arts in exchange for stones—what kind of deity does something like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s a new era. Who still acts like a traditional god these days?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But don’t you need vast amounts of mortal faith? Aren’t you afraid they’ll learn martial arts, dig through the mountains, and stop revering you as a deity?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That would be perfect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo relaxed his icy, aloof expression and touched the scorching Emptiness Myriad Colors Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Playing the lofty immortal is exhausting. Let someone else take on that role if they want it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1338,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.270Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.889Z",1,"novelbin.me","176b15b4304bc1d2231f30a13aedf7f7d12af307a0bbd46464c73481c195e217","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-348","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-346",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]