67 - Investing in the Reborn Empress, She Actually Calls Me ‘Husband’

Home / Fantasy / Investing in the Rebirth of the Empress, She Calls Me Husband Chapter 67: Shang Wu: “Hmph, Rebellious Disciple...” and the Troubled Xiao Qin "Master, actually, you're still a bit late. I've been back for a few days." "You... you ate it?!" Shang Wu was momentarily stunned, looking at her precious disciple, who nodded with a melancholic expression. She sighed lightly, hands behind her back, gazing up to the sky. Silence fell over Autumn Water Pavilion. No words were exchanged. Today's wind suddenly seemed a bit unruly. Seeing her beautiful master covering her mouth, with large almond-shaped eyes intensely wavering, Xiao Li’s feelings were actually not that delightful. He felt her gaze was quite impolite. He remembered, as a child, when he boasted among friends, saying, "My brother dares to eat poop," the other kids gave him a look quite similar. "Master, if Ying Bing’s cooking wasn’t that awful, it could still be considered..." "I understand, no need to elaborate. You've returned, alive and well; that calls for a celebration. Let's have a drink together to celebrate your survival." Shang Wu uncorked a small gourd, taking a celebratory swig, then passed it to Li Mo, giving his shoulder a hefty pat: "Good job." "..." So how did it end up with us having a drink together? Crisis averted, Shang Wu happily reclined on her rocking chair, her almond eyes closing into a relaxed squint. Today's sun was blazing, and as she lay back, a picturesque image was sketched by the light. A poem might describe it: From the side it’s a peak, from the end a ridge... Seeing Li Mo about to leave, she turned her head, sleepily asking: "By the way, my dear disciple, what’s for dinner tonight?” The implication was clear: since you're heading out, I'll be placing an order. Li Mo couldn't help but grin: "Leftovers. You know, with the Nine Peaks Martial Arts Tournament approaching, I've been busy training." "Mm?" "I didn’t finish that day, there’s still some Nine-Turn Intestines, spicy fried meat..." “!” Seeing his master wide awake, Li Mo suppressed his laughter and slipped away quickly. As his footsteps faded away, Shang Wu glanced at the empty spot by the water barrel where the vegetable basket used to be, and softly muttered: "Hmph, rebellious disciple..." ... Meanwhile, at the Outer Affairs Hall. "Confirmation complete." "Inner disciple Xiao Qin, for pursuing and killing a criminal perfected in Qi and Blood realm, is rewarded with one thousand contribution points!" The steward at the Outer Affairs Hall diligently verified the token, then smiled and nodded at the young man across from him. Having just entered the inner sect and already able to kill a dangerous criminal at Qi and Blood perfection in real battles, this demonstrated that the disciple had promising potential. Some of the disciples there to hand in their tasks cast curious glances at him. Tracking criminal tasks yielded ample rewards, but also had high failure rates and posed significant dangers. Consequently, few disciples undertook such tasks, many doing so to hone their skills. "One thousand contribution points..." "May I ask, how many contribution points are required for rare treasures beneficial to the soul?" However, Xiao Qin's face showed little joy. "Rare soul treasures?" The inner hall steward was momentarily taken aback, shaking his head: "I can tell you without checking, there are none below thirty thousand contribution points." "Those are items for those in the Visualization Realm, focusing on them now is premature; don’t aim too high." "I suggest you exchange for some healing items first, to prevent leaving hidden injuries." The steward liked him and offered some extra advice. "Thank you!" Xiao Qin cupped his hands in gratitude, but couldn't help sighing. As he suspected. During his tasks outside the mountain, he inquired about similar items but found either none available or prices far beyond his imagination. While exchanging with contribution points within the sect was a bit cheaper, it still exceeded his affordability... “My child, don’t fret, I’m merely weakened, not to the point of vanishing.” The voice of Qianxing Martial Lord echoed, weaker than before. “It’s all my fault, for my momentary negligence.” Xiao Qin's face showed guilt. In pursuing the criminal, he failed to verify information, unaware the criminal had accomplices, getting himself surrounded. His master had to expend much soul energy to rescue him. "Everyone has youthful days, achieving what you did in your first life-and-death battle is commendable." "You’ve reached Qi and Blood perfection, but alas, I am too weak to refine a Tiger Tendon Qi Condensation Pill for you." Though weak, Qianxing Martial Lord’s tone held comfort. With the Nine Peaks Martial Arts Tournament imminent, Xiao Qin had hoped to break through to the Internal Breath realm for a decent ranking. But fate had other plans.... "Senior Brother Xiao? You're here too." As he stepped out the door, someone called out. Xiao Qin instinctively turned back. There stood Li Mo, smiling at him. "Junior Brother Li, are you here to hand in tasks too?" "Yes, I took on a pursuit task as well." Li Mo nodded, noticing Xiao Qin's lingering wounds from a recent battle. "It's a case of ‘do not judge a scholar after three days’." Xiao Qin couldn’t help but feel emotional. Looking at Junior Brother Li, clearly he had completed his task with ease. Pursuit tasks were heavy, targets were at least Qi and Blood perfection; below that, they were handled by local authorities, not reported to Qingyuan Sect. Recalling their first meeting, Junior Brother Li had just opened his meridians; now he could easily tackle Qi and Blood perfection. "I was lucky, the criminal was injured, only able to exert sixty or seventy percent of his strength." "I see." Hearing Li Mo's words, Xiao Qin slightly relaxed. "Oh, by the way, Senior Brother Xiao, I was looking for you yesterday." "What can I do for you, Junior Brother Li? Feel free to ask, as long as it’s within my ability..." "I obtained an item by chance, unsure of its effects, thought you, known for your erudition, could help identify it." Li Mo reached into his sleeve, producing a piece of wood-like stone and handed it to Xiao Qin. "I'm afraid I..." Xiao Qin smiled wryly. Usually, for items he couldn’t identify, he’d turn to his master. But his master went into hibernation after a few words... "It's the Yin-Nurturing Soulwood!" The unexpected, resonant voice stirred within him, with a hint of excitement. Wasn’t the master resting? How did he suddenly become so animated? Yet soon, Qianxing Martial Lord spoke faster, "This is a rare treasure for nurturing the soul, requiring a unique spirit wood struck by lightning, then submerged into a water vein, slowly transforming over many years, from wood to stone to jade." "Many strong ones without any breakthrough hope use this wood as coffins, preserving their bodies and nurturing their souls, awaiting a new age." "This piece of Yin-Nurturing Soulwood has reached the stage of wood-to-stone transformation." Xiao Qin understood. The master implied that this item was valuable, of great use to him. But it was Junior Brother Li's property... Xiao Qin took a deep breath, earnestly saying: "Junior Brother, this Yin-Nurturing Soulwood is profitable for nurturing the soul, quite precious." "You’d best keep it, it’ll prove invaluable once you reach the Visualization Realm." Ah. Old Xiao, if you’d just claim it’s worthless, I’d have handed it over without fuss. But then again, that’s not him... Li Mo could only respond: "Since it’s for the Visualization Realm, why did Senior Brother Xiao seem interested?" “In truth, I do need something similar.” Xiao Qin awkwardly scratched his head. His master was internally cursing him as a rebellious disciple. After pondering a moment, Li Mo suggested: "Why not borrow it for now?"