[{"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-54":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},596427,846,"Chapter 54: Instant Kill, Did I Underestimate Myself","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-54",54,"\u003Cp>Muddy Corner Alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Peng leaned against a crooked-neck tree, seemingly waiting for something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Killing Li Mo and staining my blade with the blood of a genius will elevate my Blood Saber to new heights.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just wonder if, apart from the Murong family, he has other experts by his side...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As these thoughts ran through his mind, a yellow-furred rat crawled up from his pant leg to his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few squeaks, a sinister smirk curled at the corners of his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little beggar had succeeded in leaving a trace on the target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he could use the mutant rat as his eyes, gathering every detail about his prey—his martial arts, whether he had mentors nearby, even his daily habits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When you know a person completely, killing them becomes effortless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Footsteps sounded in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Peng glanced up—it was the little beggar he had sent out earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that his goal was achieved, the beggar had outlived his usefulness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come here for your payment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled out a string of copper coins from his sleeve and jingled them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His other hand, however, was already gripping the Blood Saber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could strike, the yellow-furred rat squeaked urgently into his ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart lurched, and he whipped his head around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, standing silently, was a young man in cloud-patterned brocade robes, his smile warm and unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cui Peng, you look nothing like your portrait.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo spoke unhurriedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t expected this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, he’d been helping the \"ice block\" search for someone, but now he’d stumbled upon Cui Peng before the Murong family could even send word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did you find me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Peng’s voice was like a frigid wind from the depths of the underworld.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every nerve in his body was stretched taut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing his enemy had made him feel like a hunter, confident and in control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, with his prey standing before him, the roles had blurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who was the hunter, and who was the hunted?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are many things in this world beyond your understanding.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his Divine Eye of Fate, Cui Peng’s information unfolded:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Name: Cui Peng]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Age: 28]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Physique: White Ape Arm]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Realm: Inner Breath Condensation]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Fate: Green tinged with gray]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Evaluation: A ruthless, fortunate blade master—a born killer.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Recent Events: His Blood Saber Technique has reached a bottleneck. Still recovering from injuries, desperate, he plans to ambush Li Mo, a true disciple of the Qingyuan Sect, to join the Drizzle Tower.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Peng’s eyes bore into Li Mo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faintly crimson short saber, reeking of blood, slid into his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The alley’s air thickened, heavy with killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little beggar stood frozen, his young mind blank with terror, the rice bag slipping from his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go on, leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo walked over and patted the boy’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Th-thank you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beggar stumbled away, his legs giving out multiple times before he reached the alley’s mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the exit, he cast one last glance back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he didn’t fully grasp the situation, he instinctively knew—the kind Li Mo of the Qingyuan Sect was the good man, while the one who’d paid him was the villain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Peng!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That madman who’d recently taken lives!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his panic, the boy stepped on a twig.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound shattered the tension in the alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough of your tricks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Coming alone to face me? Today will be your last!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Peng’s eyes darkened with malice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Blood Saber flashed, carving a vicious arc toward Li Mo’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade shrieked, carrying with it...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sharp aura of a weapon’s killing intent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And a faint trace of blood?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo’s expression turned odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Peng wasn’t holding back—for him, a desperate, swift strike was the best strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what a coincidence...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So this is how you cultivate your blade technique—by killing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d planned to test his hammer skills, but now it seemed unnecessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a flick of his wrist, the Scarlet Sky Sword slid into his grasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang! Clang! Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the blink of an eye, the Scarlet Sky Sword shattered the inner breath enveloping the saber and clashed with the Blood Saber thrice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Cui Peng’s disbelief, the near-famed weapon chipped, tiny gaps marring its edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes bulged with fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could react, explosive force erupted from their clash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Saber shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The backlash of weaponized killing intent tore through his arm, rendering it useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You... know the Blood Saber Technique too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Peng’s mind reeled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What nonsense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splat—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood sprayed, dripping down the Scarlet Sky Sword’s blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Peng died peacefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even at his peak, an Inner Breath Condensation cultivator wouldn’t stand a chance against me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo was slightly surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he grown this strong?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That had just been an \"ordinary strike,\" yet he’d effortlessly slain someone a realm above him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then again—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though only at the Blood Qi Realm, he’d surpassed the twelve-meridian limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Extreme Weapon Slaughter Physique naturally unleashed weaponized killing intent, piercing through an Inner Breath cultivator’s defenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he wielded a mystic-grade sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These extraordinary advantages had allowed him to achieve the \"feat\" of a one-strike kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’d hoped Cui Peng would give me some combat experience.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaking his head, Li Mo rifled through the corpse’s belongings—a habit from his gaming days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Silver notes... the Blood Saber Technique manual... Bone-Strengthening Pills...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of it was worthless to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Saber Technique, Cui Peng’s prized possession, was merely a mid-tier martial art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver and pills? Li Mo lacked neither.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers brushed against something hard and sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pulling it out, he found an iron swallow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The material was ordinary, just common iron, but the calligraphy etched into it was strikingly fierce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It read:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[\"Swallows that once graced noble halls, now nest among common homes.\"]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A Drizzle Tower’s Swallow Token.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo recognized it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His beautiful master had mentioned it in passing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Drizzle Tower was one of the most infamous organizations across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even their initiation rites were inhumane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joining wasn’t a matter of applying—they came for you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An iron swallow meant you’d been marked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Willing or not, you’d participate in the \"Endless Trial.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trial? A free-for-all in a designated zone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the last survivors earned membership.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So the Drizzle Tower’s Endless Trial is coming to Purple Sun Prefecture?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo had no interest in such organizations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Best to let the Qingyuan Sect’s elders handle Cui Peng’s corpse once the constables arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just ahead!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice of the young beggar rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accompanying him were Murong Hai and Murong Xiao, grandfather and grandson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing no movement, Murong Xiao grew impatient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t worry, young friend Li Mo is safe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Hai, a powerhouse of the Observation Divine Realm, possessed keen perception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could sense only Li Mo's aura within Mudhorn Alley—steady and undisturbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most likely, Cui Peng had fled...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the thought could fully form, $2is eyes landed on the young man standing over a corpse, idly twirling an iron swallow in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>",1182,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.269Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.286Z",1,"novelbin.me","83a52d07de030fbb15f53e7562c1d92878db167afd3046444cfd855b8257f29b","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-55","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-53",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]