[{"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-427":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},596400,846,"Chapter 427: Not Hot, Not Warm, The God Deep in the Fire Vein","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-427",427,"\u003Cp>The scorching waves of fire distorted the sky's light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep within the Forging Hall, the blistering heat made every breath feel like an infernal torment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Mo's talent with the hammer is beyond doubt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Hanhe and Elder Zeng, two old men who often bickered, had for the first time reached swift agreement on a matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every inner disciple who ascended the Divine Arms Peak had to first temper their hammer techniques before entering the Forging Hall to learn the art of smithing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the \"Little Tyrant of the Divine Hammer\" skipped this step entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A skilled craftsman usually wields the hammer with mastery,\" Elder Zeng stroked his beard and chuckled. \"But not everyone skilled with the hammer can become a grandmaster smith—it requires extraordinary endurance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smithing wasn’t just about striking iron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Mo, I heard you once refined pills with Old Xue?\" Elder Hanhe set down his hammer and asked curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time he met Xue Jing, the conversation about Li Mo inevitably circled back to the same lament within three sentences:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ah, how foolish I was! Why didn’t I make him my disciple in pill refining back then?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Hanhe wholeheartedly agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether Li Mo had talent in pill refining or not, it was still better than following that troublemaker Shang Wu...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo thought for a moment and replied, \"To be precise, I was the one being refined.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Hanhe: \"?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Zeng: \"?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did this kid’s words always carry an inexplicable charm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come with me. Let’s see how much heat you can endure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Hanhe opened the rear door of the Forging Hall, revealing a downward passage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll join as well,\" Elder Zeng followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo trailed behind them. The moment he stepped into the passage, a wave of scorching air assaulted him, distorting the very atmosphere as if the stone walls themselves glowed a deep crimson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this the fire vein where the hammer treasure had once been placed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deeper they descended, the more intense the heat grew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rhythmic clang of metal being forged echoed through the passage, growing sparser the further they went.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To become a smith, the first step is learning to temper iron. The higher the temperature, the better the quality of the refined material,\" Elder Hanhe explained as they walked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Zeng added, \"If you can’t bear it, speak up immediately. Don’t push yourself—burning your meridians or organs is no small matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two elders exchanged a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking for a while longer—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How’s Li Mo holding up?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Hanhe exhaled heavily, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He should be near his limit.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The first time I came here, I only made it a hundred paces into the fire vein.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Zeng glanced back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two old men shared the same thought. They locked eyes, then turned around simultaneously—only to see Li Mo strolling leisurely, looking around with utter ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing their pause, Li Mo asked curiously, \"Why’d you stop?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh... I thought you’d reached your limit. Let’s keep going.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kid, I’m curious to see just how far you can go,\" Elder Zeng said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, Li Mo followed them deeper into the earth’s veins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten minutes later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo was now leading the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, Elder Hanhe was drenched in sweat, his body trembling faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Zeng’s eyes were glazed over, as if he’d aged several years in moments. He discreetly pulled out a bottle of Frostspring Pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Zeng, give me one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These are Frostspring Pills! I only take them when forging divine weapons! How can you ask so shamelessly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just... give me one...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two elders whispered and fumbled in the background.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo, noticing the commotion, turned and asked, puzzled, \"Elders, why are you moving so slowly? If it’s too hot, you should tell me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was impervious to fire and water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two old men immediately straightened up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah... just an old leg acting up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A mere bit of heat means nothing to a forging grandmaster like me. I’m just... invigorated.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Li found it odd but didn’t dwell on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, when he retrieved the hammer treasure, he’d seen a forging platform deep in the fire vein.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He assumed it was Elder Hanhe’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surely the elders had their own ways to withstand the heat...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, that platform belonged to the founder of the Divine Arms Peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking a while longer, the glow of flames became visible ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something’s off... this kid... something’s off...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Hanhe’s vision blurred, his voice hoarse like a broken bellows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cough! Water... water...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Zeng seemed to have shriveled, shivering uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when Li Mo turned back questioningly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two elders instantly stood tall, hands clasped behind their backs, feigning serenity as if out for a casual stroll.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elders, want some barbecue?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo had taken the opportunity to roast some lamb skewers using the fire vein’s heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah... seems like it’s mealtime, huh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mmm, I do love lamb skewers. Smells delicious...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They accepted the skewers, staring at the fiery red chili flakes coating the meat. Their dry throats convulsed in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they refused—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wouldn’t it seem like they were weaker than this junior?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could they call themselves master smiths afterward?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What face would they have left at the Forging Conclave?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their pride as lifelong craftsmen steeled their resolve. They took a bite of the spicy lamb skewers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh... did I add too much chili? It’s already pretty hot here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hiss... not spicy at all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Phew... not hot either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the two elders turn redder than copper ore, Li Mo finally realized something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two old men now looked like brittle crackers, as if they’d crumble at a touch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re practically dehydrated! And it’s not like the three suns are engaged in a three-body problem!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he considered using his Heavenly Eye to check on them—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two dull thumps. The elders rolled their eyes and collapsed backward, unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An indeterminable amount of time later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elder Hanhe and Elder Zeng groggily opened their eyes. The lethal heat of the fire vein seemed to have vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the flickering flames before them confirmed they were still deep within its depths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What happened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thunderous strike rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two elders instinctively looked up toward the sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another explosive impact, like a mountain crumbling or thunder erupting from the earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sparks erupted violently, reflecting in the elders’ widened eyes, illuminating the figure of a hammer-wielding youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the flames, beside the flowing magma, he stood bare-chested, breathing in fire and wind. His crimson-glowing divine hammer rose high before crashing down with unwavering determination, strike after strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He resembled an ancient deity of fire and forging, hammering out mankind’s first iron tool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—that was no god.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Li Mo.\u003C\u002Fp>",1140,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.270Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.286Z",1,"novelbin.me","79eeeede9d3d5279ccc69bb9384dffe2fbdfc04ebc94675fd2b4481e9f44f650","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-428","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-426",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]