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

## Chapter 87: The Maverick Empress, Night Intrusion into Ying Bing's Room "She possesses unparalleled beauty, transcendent and ethereal, acknowledged as a true goddess in the martial world." "With her esteemed status, she exercises decisive might, a single person causing the realms to tremble in fear." "Her strength is formidable, her sword's light chilling nineteen provinces." "Her name is Leng Qingqiu, an empress, known across the realms as the Cold Demoness. Her strength makes her a taboo existence." With just a few words, Li Mo brought to life the image of a powerful and indifferent empress. Shang Wu pondered, questioning skeptically, "Does such a person exist? I've never heard of her." Ying Bing also turned towards Li Mo, her eyes slightly narrowed. Li Mo coughed lightly and said, "It's said she's a taboo presence, and it's been ages past. It’s normal you haven’t heard of her." "Even the Grand Shang Dynasty once flourished, yet countless prominent figures have since faded into obscurity." Shang Wu pursed her lips, took a sip of wine. "Alright." Li Mo continued, "However, a tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind, especially an empress like her, unaligned and uncontrollable, inevitably seen as a threat." "To deal with her, the righteous and demonic paths joined forces, driving her to the edge." "That day, the sun and moon dimmed, the heavens and earth overturned, gods and Buddhas wept, and night ghosts wailed." "Her palace became a river of blood, corpses piled like mountains, countless formidable experts fell, shaking the world." "Leng Qingqiu, despite her strength, was driven to exhaustion, nearing a cliff's edge." Shang Wu's almond eyes sparkled with curiosity, clearly absorbed in the story. Ying Bing's expression grew contemplative, finding some familiarity. Though her past life had differed in name and experiences, some encounters struck a chord. In her past life, she was also unaccepted by the realms. Even though she never intended to stir the winds, focusing solely on her martial path. Yet the martial world came to her regardless. An immensely powerful and uncontrollable existence naturally attracted animosity. However, her ending was different from the empress in Li Mo's tale. "With nowhere left to go, she left a final message, 'To pursue the martial heart even unto death with no regrets,' before leaping off the cliff." "What happened next?" Shang Wu eagerly inquired. Does the protagonist really die right at the beginning? Is that the end? Li Mo chuckled softly, "Master, don't rush. You see, if this secret tale could spread, how could the protagonist truly perish? Truth be told, this tale was left by Leng Qingqiu herself." "In her moment of near death, she invoked an artifact known as the 'Spring Cicada.'" "So!" "She not only survived but also returned to her youthful days!" With Li Mo's storytelling, it was almost like experiencing the tale firsthand, his words resonating deeply. Shang Wu: "!" Clatter— For the second time that day, Ying Bing, lost in thought, dropped her chopsticks. Shang Wu smirked, "Little Bing, you think it's too outrageous too, right? How could something that revives and reverses time exist?" "Moreover, it's not merely resurrection, it's time reversal!" Of all things, life and death are the hardest to overcome. Of all things, time is the most heartless. Countless outstanding figures and peerless masters ultimately succumb to time, unable to transcend life and death. "Transcending life and death, reversing time... how could that be possible?" Shang Wu spoke, her tone inexplicably wistful. "Perhaps... it might be possible." Hmm? Shang Wu turned back, curiosity piqued. Why did little Bing have such a sense of involvement? Seeing Ying Bing so engrossed in the story, Li Mo felt gratified. Then he turned to Shang Wu impatiently, "Master, if you interrupt again, I won't continue." "Alright, alright, you're the master storyteller." Shang Wu poured him another cup of wine, indicating she would listen attentively and stop interrupting. After all, when it comes to legends, who knows how much is true and how much false. It's entertaining regardless. Li Mo took another sip of wine before continuing. As he recounted, a solitary and extraordinary woman emerged, devoted to martial prowess. In this life, leveraging her past life's experiences, she swiftly rose again. Yet, in an unexpected turn after her rebirth, she met an untrained man. Thereafter, she pretended to be ordinary, got acquainted, and eventually moved by him. So, this mighty empress ended up with a rather ordinary husband. Many amusing incidents ensued. Bizarre yet rational, filled with untainted sweetness. Moreover, after gaining love, her martial progress excelled further. As Li Mo continued to drink the Immortal's Delight, his storytelling became more engrossing. His narrative unfolded with twists and turns, gripping the audience. Shang Wu was completely captivated. This story, compared to folktales and other storytelling, was a different league altogether. Despite knowing the implausible elements, It was simply... too enthralling! "In the end, Leng Qingqiu with her family retreated from the martial world..." "Without rain and storm, how could one see a rainbow?" "Hic~ Even though her life was fraught with challenges, experiencing defeats, even life and death." "But she was never defeated, ultimately achieving both martial prowess and love." Li Mo concluded with his own insights. Li Mo's point was clear. See, if even life and death can be transcended, the ups and downs of life will eventually see clear skies. Young maiden, your life is only just beginning, why fret over temporary gains and losses. An uplifting conclusion. We spin tales for a touch of optimism. "So that's it." Shang Wu remained unsatisfied. She wanted to urge Li Mo for another story, but saw that he, the storyteller, had collapsed onto the table, lightly snoring. He had drunk a third of the Immortal's Delight. Thus, after finishing the story, he peacefully fell asleep. "Tsk tsk, when it comes to drinking, you have much to learn from me." With no other choice, Shang Wu carried him back to his room, finished the last bit of wine, and went to sleep herself. "Martial prowess and love... a double harvest?" Ying Bing lay on her bed, the scent of someone lingered on her nose, and the echoes of a story filled her mind. For some reason, In the deep night, with practice temporarily put aside, her mind wandered. Li Mo's words... were they fiction or a fraction of truth? Wait. Ying Bing suddenly remembered she had a system punishment incomplete. But… sharing a bed. Ying Bing's brows furrowed. Does it mean she has to... sneak into Li Mo's bed at night? This... this this. It wasn't much. However, after having heard that story, just imagining the scene stirred unusual emotions... Clatter— Unexpectedly. The door pushed open. A figure staggered in, collapsing onto the bed. Ying Bing swiftly moved aside, her delicate hand already on her Tian Shuang Sword. But a strong scent of alcohol overwhelmed her, followed by light snoring. "Mm... hehe..." The boy on the bed murmured, seemingly dreaming a sweet dream, smiling foolishly even in sleep. It was Li Mo. Ying Bing stood quietly by the window, her expression hidden in the darkness. [Ding dong, the first day is about to end.] [Please complete the punishment promptly, or the system will unbind.] [Countdown: 10, 9, 8, 7...] Ultimately. A soft sigh echoed in the room.