[{"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-453":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},596576,846,"Chapter 453: The Bamboo of a Sincere Gentleman: A Questioning","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-453",453,"\u003Cp>Shortly after, Luo Yexian and Tan Zhuyin returned from their investigation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So soon?\" Yuwen Cuojin glanced at the two, his expression unreadable as he asked, \"Well? What did you find?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Zhuyin nodded. \"We’ve gathered information about everything that immortal has done since arriving here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He descended upon this place at the beginning of the year, moved one of the Three Peaks Mountains, and drove out our sect’s priests.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Strangely, he then ordered all the townsfolk to mine stones from the other two mountains as offerings to him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not only that, after collecting the stones, he regularly distributes food and tools to the townspeople.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Zhuyin’s expression grew increasingly peculiar as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Cuojin and the other demonic sect members frowned. Trading food and tools for stones? That was clearly a losing deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deputy sect leader snorted coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If mortals have no worries about food and clothing, what need do they have for gods?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t help but lecture those present:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you want a stable, long-term supply of mortal energy, you must keep a leash around the necks of those ignorant fools. If they grow too comfortable, tighten the leash. If they’re about to suffocate, loosen it a little.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Too loose, and they lose their fear. Too tight, and they’ll fight back like ants trying to shake a tree. The best state is keeping them half-dead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonic sect members nodded in admiration. Truly, the deputy sect leader had his ways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What a bastard...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Cuojin turned, glaring at Luo Yexian with a dark expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Yexian straightened his face. \"This subordinate was just thinking that the deputy sect leader’s wisdom bears a striking resemblance to livestock management.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Humph. What about your investigation? Did you uncover why the mortal energy here is so abundant?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Cuojin believed that with such preaching methods, the mortal energy here should be dwindling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the opposite was true—there had to be another trick at play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This subordinate obtained this from one of the townsfolk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Yexian produced a clay jar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These are quite common. Many townsfolk know the scent inside. I suspect this is how that so-called immortal spreads his influence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Cuojin cautiously opened the jar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rich, intoxicating aroma wafted out. The demonic sect members, exhausted from days of travel and rough living, couldn’t help but inhale deeply, their faces filled with rapture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What... what could possibly smell this good?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was downright hypnotic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This smells... familiar somehow...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Barbecue? No... even better than that!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So where can we get some?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Yexian answered the eager question. \"I asked the locals. The temple is holding a feast right now—everyone in town is invited. Just go there, and you can get a free bowl of braised beef noodles.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you no shame?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Cuojin swallowed hard, though his reprimand was punctuated by drool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph! Just as I suspected. That so-called immortal is using this trick to control the townsfolk. There must be something illicit in this!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The temple, you say? Follow me. Let’s see what kind of heresy he’s peddling!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonic sect members stormed toward the temple with fierce determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What greeted them was a scene of bustling excitement—both literally and figuratively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless people had brought bowls from home. Those who had already received their noodles squatted on the ground, slurping loudly, while a long line of townsfolk waited their turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the end of the line stood a figure in front of a roaring stove, flipping a wok with explosive flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s the immortal?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Yexian’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So this is the so-called immortal?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Cuojin stepped forward, ready to unleash his aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then, the woman assisting at the stove suddenly looked up, her gaze locking onto them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhangan realm?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a fellow Zhangan expert, Yuwen Cuojin instantly sensed her power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t afraid of someone of equal strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was—a Zhangan realm expert was willingly chopping scallops like a kitchen apprentice!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then just how powerful was the dark-skinned immortal wielding the spatula?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Saint, let’s get in line,\" Luo Yexian said, wiping his drool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get in line? What status do we hold? What standing does the deputy sect leader have?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of hesitation, Yuwen Cuojin slowly declared:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get in line!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, the esteemed deputy leader of the Summoning Demons Sect and his entourage obediently joined the back of the queue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one left bewildered wasn’t just the Summoning Demons Saint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li the Chef, the dark-skinned immortal, was equally confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s their deal?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Yuzhi had already whispered to him that a Zhangan expert had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Mo looked up, he saw Luo Yexian and Tan Zhuyin politely standing at the end of the line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since when are demonic sect members... so well-mannered?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Proof of my excellent management!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Yuzhi lifted her chin, looking smug.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......Let’s focus on how to handle this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo hadn’t expected a Zhangan expert to show up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Summoning Demons Sect, Fatian realm cultivators were already high-ranking elders. A Zhangan expert was likely at the sect leader level!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they weren’t here to cause trouble, why send such a powerhouse?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if they were here to cause trouble... why were they so polite?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo activated his Heavenly Fate Divine Eye for a quick scan and decided to play it by ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One had to admire Li the Chef’s efficiency. His massive wok flipped with practiced ease—a skill honed from smelting steel at the Divine Arms Peak. A thousand bowls? No problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the townsfolk happily returned home with full stomachs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temple fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two sides sat across from each other in front of the stove, the atmosphere tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Slurp slurp...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Cuojin turned to see Luo Yexian helping himself to a second bowl, chewing noisily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disgraceful fool! Couldn’t he read the mood?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What brings you here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immortal Li Heitu greeted Luo Yexian casually before turning his calm gaze to the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before we speak, I’d like to take a precaution.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Cuojin pulled an object from his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a section of jade-green bamboo, shimmering with spiritual energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the Bamboo of Honest Hearts. If it detects a lie, it will grow rapidly. This way, we can speak openly. Agreed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo wondered if Pinocchio’s nose was made of this stuff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Yuzhi snapped, \"You insolent brat! How dare you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former sect leader was really getting into her role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Cuojin blinked but remained composed, watching Li Mo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo smiled and nodded. \"I, Li Heitu, have always acted with a clear conscience. A true gentleman fears no test of honesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good. Then about the Yunmeng Underground Palace—care to explain?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuwen Cuojin’s gaze bore into Li Mo’s eyes, a hint of his Zhangan realm pressure seeping out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice dropped low as he activated the Bamboo of Honest Hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a lie was spoken, it would grow instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>",1152,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.270Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.286Z",1,"novelbin.me","50284804fc13bb947652b1dadae779447a89f9f91a3786944bfab27a47b59bd7","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-454","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-452",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]