[{"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-603":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},596813,846,"Chapter 603: Village Chief Lis Last Day","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-603",603,"\u003Cp>The demons exchanged glances, little question marks visibly popping up above their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s this about locals and outsiders? Since when do demons bother with such distinctions?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the \"local\" demon across from them spoke again, acting rather familiar:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Decades ago, I snuck into this King’s Village and have been living here ever since. So calling myself a local isn’t too far off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve been here for decades, yet the village still stands? Why haven’t you devoured all the humans?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The serpent-headed leader narrowed its reptilian eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It held its position not just because it was stronger, but also because the serpent-folk were notoriously cunning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it sensed nothing unusual about Li Mo’s aura, something felt off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demons were born bloodthirsty—even it couldn’t fully suppress the urge to feed. Yet this serpent claimed to have lived in a human village for decades without harming anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, that? It’s because I’m clever,\" Li Mo replied, not a trace of fear on his face. Instead, he wore a proud expression, speaking with conviction:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I assume all of you share my fondness for eating children, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Absolutely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demons nodded in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The older humans got, the worse they tasted. Was it because the longer they lived, the more suffering they endured?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But children aren’t always easy to come by. You can’t just eat them whenever you want. So, I came up with a plan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo adopted a mysterious tone:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I keep the villagers under my thumb, terrorizing them just enough that they offer regular tributes. Sure, I don’t get to feast all at once, but having a steady supply beats gorging once and starving later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I call this method... sustainable human farming.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hiss...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demons leaned back slightly, their eyes gleaming with newfound wisdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The serpent leader pondered this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they launched a full-scale invasion of the human city, with so many demons feasting, wouldn’t the humans be wiped out too quickly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Celestial Clan was tough to crack, and the Earth City’s warriors were too few to satisfy their hunger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the humans were gone, what would they eat in the future?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, their gazes toward Li Mo turned appreciative. This serpent was clearly a ruthless, cunning genius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling intellectually outmatched and his position threatened, the serpent leader glared at Li Mo and snapped:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This territory is ours now. Get lost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on, we’re practically family! It’s not right to turn away a fellow local without some hospitality. I’m an expert at preparing children—how about I cook a meal for you all?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo was brimming with enthusiasm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing him boast about his culinary skills, the hungry demons grew ravenous, their mouths watering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I say we give it a try.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’d better not be lying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it’s good, we might let you join us—specializing in preparing human delicacies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine, lead the way!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the group’s excitement rising, the serpent leader had no choice but to nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo gestured politely, then slithered ahead to guide them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they walked, he tried fishing for information, but the serpent leader kept his lips sealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, they arrived at a pre-built altar in the village, where a crowd of humans knelt in submission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Large stones had been arranged as makeshift tables and chairs for the demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed Li Mo hadn’t lied—this village, after years under his tyranny, had become his personal playground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demons couldn’t help but feel envious. Owning an entire village with humans as slaves? What a luxurious life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They silently resolved to learn from Li Mo and replicate his methods later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s start with cold dishes first. The meat courses will take a bit longer,\" Li Mo announced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then ordered Er Niu and Tie Zhu to bring out a massive vat filled with fragrant sorghum liquor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a hearty swig, then grabbed handfuls of peanuts and cold seaweed to snack on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s that you’re drinking?\" a rat-headed demon asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, this? It’s alcohol—a human drink. Probably not to your taste,\" Li Mo replied, coughing lightly, as if reluctant to share.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, we’re family! Don’t be stingy—let me have a taste,\" the rat demon coaxed, rubbing its paws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m a snake, you’re a rat. How are we family?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t humans say ‘snakes and rats share the same hole’?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Fair point.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Convinced, Li Mo handed over a jar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To humans, it was a full jar, but for the hulking demons, it was just a single gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rat demon finished it in one go, licking its lips in satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How was it?\" another demon asked, swallowing hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sweet! Spicy! Even better than ambrosia!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me try...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the serpent leader eventually gave in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo sighed, feigning reluctance. \"Fine, since we’re family, I’ll share my entire stash today. Drink up!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jar after jar was brought out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as they drank, something felt off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why do I feel dizzy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Drinking on an empty stomach will do that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then where’s the food?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Coming right up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the dizziness escalated. The world around them turned into a swirling kaleidoscope of colors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Wolf, why do you have three heads now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha, Rat King, your head turned into a duck’s!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This liquor hits hard...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait—we’ve been poisoned!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spider demon, skilled in venomous bites, recognized the symptoms from accidentally poisoning itself once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Panic erupted. The demons staggered to their feet, finally realizing the trap—but it was too late. The toxins had taken hold, leaving them powerless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Minor hiccup, but nothing serious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo hadn’t expected the spider demon to resist the poison, but he’d prepared for some resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stash of toxins he’d dug up at home worked even better than he’d hoped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the spider demon had slipped through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo smashed his cup as the signal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The villagers, who had been kneeling moments ago, suddenly dropped their act and drew weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you doing?!\" the demons roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just a friendly reunion among locals...\" Li Mo hefted his hammer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demons met their end peacefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So brutal...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, onlookers gulped, some covering their children’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Donglai smiled approvingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Li’s preparations finally paid off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pity I couldn’t join him inside—I’d have made it even more spectacular.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd instinctively edged away from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, it’s been a while since we’ve seen Fairy Han.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If she’s not in King’s Village, where did she go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene soon shifted back to the southern gate of the human city’s walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, hordes of demons had poured into the city. With no sign of resistance from the Celestial Clan, the Beast Hall’s forces began streaming through the gates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Celestial Clan isn't all that impressive after all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, does anyone else suddenly feel a chill?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonic cultivators were chatting when they all shivered simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>",1129,"2026-05-30T17:19:14.063Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.889Z",1,"novelbin.me","b7649d4af7bdcd223e32f91b42ac6025098f373a526ca9a5c013553276df6179","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-604","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-602",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]