[{"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-97":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},596470,846,"Chapter 97: Please, dont I look like a bad guy","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-97",97,"\u003Cp>Under the night sky, $2urple Sun Prefecture lay silent, like a colossal beast crouching motionless under the moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dry weather and flammable goods!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Beware of fire and candles!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hoarse voice of the night watchman echoed through the empty streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recently, Purple Sun Prefecture had been restless at night, with even the patrolling constables increased in number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, compared to the vast city, their presence was but a drop in the bucket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Yao, clad in black night attire, moved stealthily through the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had heard from her senior brother that the prefecture was hosting the Misty Rain Tower's Endless Trials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the participants slaughtering each other, many others were taking advantage of the chaos to loot and stir trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, assassins preferred to act under the cover of darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Luo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've been waiting for you for quite some time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she passed by a narrow alley, a voice called out to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the darkness stood a gaunt figure, as if he had been there all along—or had materialized out of thin air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His withered frame was draped in a black robe that clung tightly to his body in the night breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qi-Blood Realm, yet not staying near the Scorching Jade Forest, and still daring to flaunt a famed weapon so openly? I thought you might have a master escorting you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Turns out, you really did sneak out on your own.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice grew increasingly ethereal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his words fell, an eerie chill swept through the air, sending shivers down one's spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Night Ghost Liu Heng?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Yao recognized the man and paled in terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Night Ghost Sect passed down its legacy to only one disciple per generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was because its martial arts were bizarre, requiring a unique bone structure. Practitioners of the Night Ghost Sect's techniques became emaciated, their appearances inhuman, their temperaments twisted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, their power waned during the day but surged at night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previous sect leader, Liu Heng's master, had died in the siege of the Scorching Jade Forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I love eating children the most.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Especially those in the bloom of youth, like you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My father killed your master, so I’m not afraid of you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her panic, Luo Yao struck first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gentleman's Brush hidden in her sleeve shot out like a cold star, swift as lightning—capable of piercing even refined steel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, just as she thought she had succeeded, Liu Heng's figure dissipated like an afterimage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"An illusion?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Keh keh keh... Your Violet Star Eyes are still far from mastery.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An owl-like voice echoed from all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mere soundwaves sent Luo Yao flying backward, tumbling several times across the ground. Her pristine brocade robes were instantly soiled with mud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse, a sharp pain shot through her hand—the Gentleman's Brush was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A famed weapon indeed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Judge will surely be pleased...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Heng toyed with the brush before tucking it into his robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leisurely, he positioned his back to block the moonlight as he advanced toward Luo Yao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took great pleasure in watching the expressions of righteous heroes in their final moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would this little girl beg for mercy in tears?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or would she offer riches to buy her life?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps... threaten him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Yao's face was deathly pale, her eyes filled with despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was both regretful and bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the martial world truly this treacherous?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her opponent was clearly at the Profound Core Realm—why would someone so strong stoop to bullying a mere Qi-Blood Realm practitioner? That was just unfair!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back home, she had never felt such pain before...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was she... going to die?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tears streamed down the girl's face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t want to die...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Keh keh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not at the hands of such an ugly monster... Waaah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Heng's laughter abruptly ceased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hated nothing more than being called ugly—even if it was true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lies didn’t hurt; the truth did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re dead!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All desire to toy with her vanished. He raised his palm, ready to end Luo Yao’s life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the critical moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that thunder?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—it was the sound of air exploding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A streak of black light, like divine punishment or a falling meteor, came crashing down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer pressure of the wind made it hard to breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who goes there?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Heng repeated his earlier trick, vanishing from sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, the black light halted mid-air, revealing the figure wielding it—a tall man wearing a bronze dragon-head mask. The black light turned out to be a short-handled hammer in his grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A divine weapon!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Friend, you must be from the same world as I.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How about this—you take the girl’s life, and everything else is yours. What say you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Heng’s pupils flickered as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn’t the Endless Trial a fight to the death upon meeting?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon-masked man chuckled lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One should pick their battles wisely. With your strength, we might even become colleagues in the future. Why spill blood needlessly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Heng sounded utterly sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine, have it your way. Go ahead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon mask nodded twice, as if agreeing to the terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Heng had barely taken half a step when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gust of sinister wind billowed under his robes as he suddenly attacked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what awaited him was a hammer radiating murderous intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Knew you couldn’t be trusted!\" x2\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo’s hammer smashed into Liu Heng’s claw, sending sparks flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Heng’s figure was flung backward, vanishing once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice echoed from all directions:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Keh keh keh, so you haven’t even reached the Jade Marrow Realm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just relying on a divine weapon and brute strength to challenge someone two realms above you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And it’s nighttime!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless ghostly shadows, carried by the eerie wind, surged forward. Liu Heng’s figure seemed to flicker along with his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, behind the dragon mask, a pair of eyes calmly closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the hammer rose again, the air itself seemed to freeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After honing his skills in the Merchant’s Dance Arena, Li Mo no longer needed his eyes to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By sensing killing intent alone, he could pinpoint his foe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hammer passed through the swarm of ghostly shadows, slow yet unstoppable, before landing squarely on one particular figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Heng’s expression hadn’t even had time to change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unavoidable strike reduced him to a mist of blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The force of the blow was so concentrated that not a single brick or tile around them was damaged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know, if you wanted to fight, you should’ve done it sooner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Instead, you had to play cat and mouse...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo paused mid-sentence, suddenly recalling—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back when he played games, he too loved to toy with his opponents when he had the upper hand, trapping them in their spawn instead of ending the match...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did he suddenly understand how villains thought?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-Who are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’re going to kill me... at least let me die knowing why.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trembling voice of a certain \"mouse\" betrayed her fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can call me the Hammer King of the Northwest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo casually picked up the Gentleman’s Brush, glanced at it, and tossed it back to the girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re not going to kill me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you don’t scram right now, I’ll hammer you to death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo feigned menace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t sure how to react to this girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seriously, do I not look like a bad guy to you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of running while you can, you’re still asking questions?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you... but I’ve never heard of you. Which sect are you from?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Hard as Iron Gang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll remember this. I'll repay you someday...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Yao ran a few steps away, then turned back abruptly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, by the way... do you know where Luo Yu from the Blazing Jade Forest is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's at the prefectural office.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo felt a vein throb on his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks! You're actually pretty nice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Luo Yao left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not long after her departure, $2nother cautious figure slipped into the alleyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You again—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo initially thought Luo Yao had returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet when he looked properly, $2e saw a small beggar girl with threadbare but meticulously clean clothes, scurrying in like a little mouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She carried a bamboo basket filled with odd trinkets, her eyes still wrapped in tattered cloth. Clutched in her arms was a broken tree branch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lifted her head slightly, the wariness in her white-blindfolded eyes almost palpable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Um... do you have... anything you don't need?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo: \"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1415,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.269Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.286Z",1,"novelbin.me","e2b132b81884f64f2bce03bba06d811cf50b9970340c17ac0176cd4557fdd64c","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-98","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-96",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]