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

### Chapter 80: On the Day of the Full Moon, The Results Are Revealed "So... who won in the end?" "Can't you see? We're the ones who lost!" "No way, man, I'm betting my life savings here!" "Alright, alright, you rascal..." "Damn, let go of my hand already!" Amid voices filled with envy, complexity, and a hint of vulnerability, the world around them was teeming with emotions. Li Mo was finally able to move. He looked up, only to meet those clear, cold eyes—an enigmatic expression as mysterious as snow beneath the frost. Yet, amidst the clamoring voices, Li Mo found peace. He noticed a heart beating unusually faster than before. "Ahem!" An untimely cough interrupted the moment, courtesy of Shangguan Wenchang. Good times are fleeting, indeed. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Li Mo awkwardly rose. His mind was in a jumble too. What exactly had happened just now? Oh, right—he had accidentally stumbled into Ying Bing's arms. But who could blame him? The chill hidden in her sword energy was too cold to resist. Was it really his fault? Pondering, Li Mo glanced at Ying Bing side-eye. She didn't look at him; if not for the lingering fragrance at the tip of his nose, it would've seemed as if nothing had occurred. Yet Li Mo was certain—the heart that suddenly beat faster wasn't his... "Glad to see neither of you are hurt." "As for the outcome..." Shangguan Wenchang's eyes swept over the young man and woman, carrying a hint of helplessness—this decision was indeed a dilemma for him. "He/She won," they said in unison. Ying Bing was referring to the wager, while Li Mo believed he shouldn't boast after such luck. In truth, Li Mo acknowledged his loss—it was undeniable, though Ying Bing had not delivered a finishing blow after he fell into her embrace. There was indeed a gap in their abilities. Unless he used the world seed or the catastrophic meteor hammer, but even with that, he couldn't completely control such power, at least not yet. Reflecting on this, Li Mo added, "Our personal bet is solely between the two of us." Seeing his sincere manner and lack of attachment to the title of chief disciple, Shangguan Wenchang nodded, "In that case, Ying Bing shall be the champion and the current chief." As his words fell, cheers erupted from the crowd below the stage, and the spectators on the grandstand stood to collectively offer their congratulations. The title of chief among the cohort naturally warranted acknowledgment. In the crowd, the white-robed gentleman from Fen Yulin's faction looked intensely at Li Mo beside him, a trace of defiance in his gaze. The red-robed gentleman did not rise but his eyes were no longer relaxed; instead, they carried a lingering sense of danger and thoughtfulness. On the stage, Ying Bing seemed indifferent to the title or being chief. Both she and Li Mo were among the top three, and that was sufficient. The designation of Qingyuan Sect's chief held little significance—it wouldn't affect the system's rankings, which gauged talent over fame. Shangguan Wenchang felt a bit exasperated. He had some understanding of Ying Bing's character, a determination not swayed by outside matters. It was perhaps this resolve that allowed her to reach such remarkable heights among her peers. Two qualified candidates for chief, yet neither showed interest in the position. It was frustrating, yet leaving no other solution. He clasped his hands behind his back, loudly declaring, "For those who place well in this tournament, rewards await." "The top three may enter the library to select a powerful martial art, while the rest will receive respective prizes." "You all possess extraordinary talents—a beacon for our sect. In these turbulent times, continue to strive forward." Upon hearing about the powerful martial arts, countless gazes again fell on the pair possessing the Heavenly Frost and Crimson Sky swords. Rumors about these swords had long persisted within the sect. Was there any truth to the legends? If the two selected the corresponding sword techniques, it might finally lay the rumors to rest. ... With the conclusion of the Nine Peaks Tournament, many changes and new rumors arose within the sect that day. Yet, in Autumn Water Pavilion, life continued as usual. Humming a tune, Li Mo busied himself in the kitchen, pots clanging as he prepared a meal. The stream running through the courtyard seemed increasingly spirited, causing the peach blossoms by its edges to bloom more vibrantly than ever. A single blossom drifted down on the breeze, landing softly on the pages of a book, becoming the bookmark for a young woman reading. The book’s title was boldly inscribed as: "Moonlight Sword Manual" Meanwhile, another tome, "Sun Wheel Sword Manual," sat quietly nearby. "Dinner's ready," Li Mo called out from the kitchen. Ying Bing stood to help bring the dishes to the table. "Master? Master?" Li Mo gently shook the woman in the rocking chair, who did not respond, her back a charming silhouette. Assuming his master was asleep, Li Mo walked around to face her. Her eyes were void, as if her soul had departed, muttering softly under her breath. Leaning in closer, he made out words that sounded like: "My money... my money..." Li Mo: "..." It seemed his master had once again faced financial ruin, lost in heartbreak. Not that it was his fault. Well-versed in handling such situations, Li Mo placed two jars of fine wine by her side. Once she drank and slept it off, she’d return to her usual self. With these tasks finished, he returned to the table. Flipping through sword manuals while eating, he found himself deeply absorbed. It was his first encounter with a top-tier sword technique, even if it was a basic one. But after some reading, he sighed deeply. These advanced sword techniques were difficult indeed... He felt like a middle schooler tackling college-level problems. Was Ying Bing already...? "I'm done," she said, handing him the "Moonlight Sword Manual," suggesting a swap. Li Mo was taken aback. Since he couldn't grasp it anytime soon, he passed her his sword manual. After a while, Ying Bing's soft voice asked, "Made any sense of it?" "Uh... I'll take a closer look in my room later." Li Mo focused on his meal. He recognized every word in the sword manuals, yet together they seemed so foreign... Post-meal, Li Mo clutched both manuals, planning to return to his room. But Ying Bing's voice stopped him. "You should stay further away from me tonight." "Or you might get hurt." Hmm? Li Mo didn't fully understand but nodded anyway, "I’ll sleep in the guest room then." Ying Bing raised her head, eyes fixed on the incomplete moon rising in the sky. Today was the day for the system's result comparison, coinciding with the dark moon—a time when her powers surged, even beyond her control. Stepping softly, she returned to her quarters, awaiting the slow passage of time. Other matters could wait. This life differed from her past; unanticipated events had occurred. But. Her first-place standing remained unchanged. The only question left was... could Li Mo rank among the top twenty?