[{"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-612":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},596822,846,"Chapter 612: Phoenix","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-612",612,"\u003Cp>\"Feng Zhi, why are you acting so strangely today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you don’t want him for yourself, why stop the rest of us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be that this kid has ulterior motives?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Doesn’t seem like it. At first glance, he looks like a righteous gentleman. My eyes never deceive me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Feng Zhi, have you lost your mind lately?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Celestial Clan was utterly baffled by Feng Zhi’s behavior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Zhi remained silent. Under the scrutiny of so many eyes, she didn’t know how to explain. Should she say this was Ying Bing’s family?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wanted to, but Ying Bing wasn’t in the city at the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, even if Jiang Yu didn’t say it outright, she could sense his wariness toward Ying Bing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could she explain this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Zhi racked her brain. After a moment, she waved her hand, summoning a wind barrier to encircle them, cutting off the noise from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So secretive—what’s really going on?\" Lei Ze asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Zhi took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since things have come to this, I won’t hide my plan any longer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What plan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve long intended to send someone to infiltrate Mo City to gather intelligence. After much observation, I’ve chosen the perfect candidate—Li Mo!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"??\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Celestial Clan members leaned back slightly in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noble families beneath them had often hinted at this place in their conversations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, they paid no mind, dismissing it as trivial conflicts among the lower ranks. After all, who would interfere in their pets’ squabbles?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But lately, that city had grown stronger, even producing individuals capable of threatening the Celestial Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I originally planned to carry this out in secret and reveal it only after results were achieved. But he’s proven even more exceptional than I anticipated.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Zhi spoke with solemnity, her tone grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this succeeded, Li Mo would return to his homeland while also solving the problem of drawing too much attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After spending so much time among mortals, her mind had grown sharp. She mentally gave herself full marks for this scheme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Mo... Mo City... Did you start planning this over a decade ago?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly. He’s highly talented, skilled in martial arts, young, and has admired demon-slaying since childhood. He’s also had dealings with bounty hunters. Such a person would undoubtedly be valued.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Zhi grew more confident as she spoke, adding,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unifying the three cities has also been Emperor Jiang’s long-cherished wish. This is of great importance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Celestial Clan members sighed in admiration, offering no further objections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Zhi was clearly ambitious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below the platform, the crowd congratulated Li Mo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their eyes, he had caught the attention of so many high-ranking Celestial Clan members—even prompting a private discussion—so his future achievements were bound to be extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, everyone was curious about which Celestial Clan member would bestow their legacy upon him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, a voice rang out from above:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Mo, step forward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a pat on the shoulder from Old Li, Li Mo ascended the jade steps to the summit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he reached the top, all sound was drowned out by the howling wind, and countless scrutinizing gazes fell upon him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo clasped his hands in salute, meeting their eyes with calm composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Li had briefed him on most of these Celestial Clan members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had to choose one, he’d probably pick...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Mo, we’ve reached a decision.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We unanimously agree to send you to Mo City as an undercover agent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Zhi’s announcement left the Celestial Clan members nodding, though their expressions varied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you... Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo leaned back slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even for a prodigy like him, it took a moment to process what had just happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Happiness had arrived... so abruptly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do well. If you succeed, you may choose any legacy upon your return.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha! I’d say there’s a good chance you’ll join the Celestial Clan in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aim to rise quickly within their ranks and complete the mission as soon as possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Celestial Clan harbored few doubts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Li Mo hailed from the Earth City, with his entire family under their rule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temptation of ascending to the Celestial Clan, combined with Feng Zhi’s claim of \"over a decade of preparation,\" convinced them that Li Mo would excel in this task.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Background check: ✔\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ability: ✔\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo had no reason to refuse. He saluted the Celestial Clan members and, as he descended, cast a glance at Feng Zhi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this her idea?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was almost certain it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking back, his family had only run a blacksmith shop, with shallow roots in the city. It was Feng Zhi’s inexplicable protection and favor that allowed the Li family to thrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, she hadn’t let him receive a legacy—nor allowed others to grant him one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the moment they met, she had called him \"brother-in-law\"...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So who was her sister?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sister of the Celestial Clan would also be a Celestial, yet that person was conspicuously absent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was Feng Zhi sending him to Mo City because of her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone, come to our manor for a feast in a few days!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surrounded by well-wishers, Old Li beamed with pride, as if already envisioning the Li family’s meteoric rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had even prepared a banquet, eager to reclaim all the gifts he’d given away over the years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo hesitated but ultimately boarded the carriage without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, Old Li joined him. After instructing the coachman to head home, he asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Which Celestial Clan member granted you their legacy? Not Feng Zhi... was it Lei Ze?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo didn’t know how to respond and shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yan Rong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not him either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chun Mang? Yan Tu? Yuan Rong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Li listed several names, but Young Li kept shaking his head. Stunned, Old Li exclaimed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t tell me... more than one?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No. They want me to be a spy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I knew it... Wait, what? Say that again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A spy. The kind who gets sliced into a thousand pieces if caught. They told me to work hard, and my family might one day produce a Celestial Clan member.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Li felt the Li family’s hopes had just been dashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, he asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our Li family has only one heir in three generations. Couldn’t you have refused such a dangerous task?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn’t want to go either. As a bounty hunter, I’d rather slay demons and roam the martial world freely. But you can’t fight fate. Refusing wasn’t an option.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Li glared at him. \"You’re practically grinning! Just looking at you pisses me off!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s done was done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two days later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the festive lights of Earth City’s nightscape, Li Mo waited at home until the holiday arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the lively celebrations, the Li family’s sole heir—who had failed to receive a Celestial Clan legacy—left in despair, slipping out of the city unnoticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A perfectly plausible story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a bundle on his back and travel funds secured, Li Mo leaped onto the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden intuition made him glance back—and in the darkness, he spotted a figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the courtyard was unlit, he recognized Old Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d agreed to pretend ignorance, but Old Li couldn’t help himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll return soon and lift our family to greatness. Life is full of opportunities...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He told himself silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Li watched him vanish beyond the wall, whispering in his heart:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come back soon...\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1246,"2026-05-30T17:19:14.063Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.889Z",1,"novelbin.me","dba4be1b8d85f0c8e1ad56da5d8c1a4ba9ac3d99862c3307e122fe39ddeff6c7","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-613","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-611",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]