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

# Chapter 91: The Gold Crow's Blood, the Inception of the Infernal Trial, Zuo Qiu Yang Several days passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, Li Mo maintained a very regular schedule. In the mornings, his master trained him in the art of combat. Though he still couldn't fully withstand Shang Wu's "intent," his endurance was increasing, even developing a mysterious "sixth sense." This greatly aided his dual cultivation sessions at night, allowing him to control his inner energy with precision and not burden his partner, Ying Bing, too much. Li Mo realized that with their joint practice of "Phoenix Sings Across the Heavenly Marsh," their progress was unbelievably rapid. Ordinarily, even if he could reach a unity with the heavens and earth, he would still need to continually absorb the essence of the universe to convert it into his own "chi." But with Ying Bing, this process was accelerated tenfold. The unity with nature, rare elixirs, his master's rigorous training, and the combined cultivation with Ying Bing... Somehow, it felt like something bizarre had mixed into the process. Nonetheless, the speed of his progress in the Condensing Qi stage was like riding a rocket. However, there was some bad news. He initially miscalculated. His dantian's capacity seemed boundless, akin to a sea accepting rivers. He initially thought he would condense his qi into a liquid state in about ten days or eight months, but it seemed more effort was required. Li Mo wasn't in a hurry. After all, the process of cultivation was rather enjoyable... **System Notice:** Congratulations, Host, for successfully assisting Ying Bing in cultivation. **Investment Feedback:** One drop of Gold Crow's Blood. The "Gold Crow's Blood" is described as: "A bird, essence of the sun, containing a trace of the solar power of the Gold Crow." Within the World Seed, Jiang Chulong held branches in both hands, their vigorous waving producing a continuous sound. Master Yuanshi took out a crystal bottle. Inside were a few drops of pale golden liquid. Though liquid might be a misnomer, as they didn't merge but burned distinctly, emitting bright, pea-sized flames. This was the outcome of several days of dual cultivation by Li Mo and Ying Bing. "Teacher... this little bean... is so warm," whispered Jiang Chulong as she crouched nearby, hugging her knees, her eyes reflecting the flickering flames. "This is the Gold Crow's Blood," Master Yuanshi said with a light chuckle, as if it was nothing out of the ordinary for him. "Gold Crow? Teacher, you even have this?" Jiang Chulong exclaimed, her small mouth agape in surprise. "You've seen this before?" he asked. "I've... seen something somewhat similar," Jiang Chulong stammered, recounting her past experiences. She used to sneak out of the cold palace when no one would play with her. One time, she wandered far and saw "many little nameplates" and a statue of the great ancestor, with a three-legged crow pecking at it. Li Mo quickly realized she was describing the ancestral shrine. He understood her recounting after listening for a while. Young Princess Jiang had seen a black three-legged bird pecking at the statue of the Martial Emperor, and when it was captured and killed, its blood resembled the Gold Crow's Blood in his hand. "That bird likely wasn't a true Gold Crow, merely possessing a trace of its bloodline," Li Mo smiled. "A true Gold Crow can transform into a great sun." Jiang Chulong nodded thoughtfully but still appeared puzzled, "But isn't the sun supposed to be the Martial Emperor?" This stumped Li Mo in an area where his knowledge was lacking. Historical records indeed stated the great ancestor Martial Emperor transformed himself into the sun, but whether it was true, who could say for sure? Nevertheless, Princess Jiang didn't dwell on the question for long. "Teacher, this is... for you," Jiang Chulong said, pulling a sachet from her pocket. Though it lacked embroidery, its material was decent, and its stitching was neat. She hesitantly offered it, fiddling nervously without daring to meet his gaze. "I... I made it myself," she added. "And you know this?" Master Yuanshi was surprised. "Yes, yes... learned from the palace maids." "Where did you get the materials?" "I bought them," Princess Jiang relaxed as she saw her teacher seemed pleased, speaking with more confidence. "Lately, there are many things to pick up... knives, swords, and the like... always in the same place." "Hmm?" Master Yuanshi was puzzled. Could a street supply knives and swords that restocked automatically? After listening to Princess Jiang recount her experiences over the days, he realized the Infernal Trial had begun. Every day, there were battles between wandering martial artists. The more honorable ones would duel in picturesque locations, allowing Princess Jiang to quietly wait for them to finish before collecting from the battlefield. She would even dig holes to bury the defeated, laying them to rest. Li Mo: "..." Looting corpses? He never anticipated Princess Jiang's hobby of picking up "garbage" to evolve... "Is that... not allowed?" "Still, prioritize your safety," Li Mo advised, finally teaching her a technique to conceal her presence. "By the way, teacher... when will Brother Li return?" Jiang Chulong asked, a question she asked daily before parting. "Today," Master Yuanshi assured her confidently. The sect was sending disciples and elders to the city to prevent chaos, and he knew he would need to be at the forefront as one of the top fighters. But... shouldn't it be time by now? Why hadn't there been any communication from the master? ... "What? To Ziyang Prefecture?" Shang Wu lay back in her chair, bemused when asked by her precious disciple. She took a swig from a small gourd before scratching her fluffy cloud-like shoulder, finally recalling, "There really is such an event." "We were supposed to have set off two days ago," she added. Li Mo: "..." So, she had forgotten? After some inquiries, they discovered Elder Xiao had already departed ahead of schedule and was likely waiting at the rendezvous point for two days. Thus, Li Mo, along with Ying Bing, pulled their master along to board the carriage heading down the mountain... ... Without a sunset, the evening enveloped the relay station a hundred miles from Ziyang Prefecture in torrential rain. The heavy downpour pounded the eaves, filling the air with white mist. The relentless rain surprisingly brought more business to the relay station, glasses clinking amidst the never-ending noise. "Did I leave too early?" pondered a young man in a corner, donned in a rain cape with a broken sword on his back. He occasionally glanced toward the door as he ate. After a moment's thought, Xiao Qin concluded it wasn't his fault. The recent days had been fraught with disturbances at the relay station, often bloody and fatal. The fierce conflicts were evident that the Infernal Trial had begun. "Hmph, the Infernal Trial," an elderly voice grumbled in his ear, "Those infamous rats, sticky like dog skin plaster, infiltrating everywhere." "If not for being targeted by two Earth Sha assassins...," the old Martial Lord lamented. "Teacher, what kind of entity is the Fine Rain Pavilion?" Xiao Qin asked, curious about the situation severe enough to drive his teacher into hiding. "Within the Fine Rain Pavilion, the highest rank comprises Thirty-Six Heavenly Killers, directly under the lord's command, followed by Seventy-Two Earth Shas, Three Hundred Sixty Man Slaughters, and countless assassins of lesser rank." "Those causing disturbances in recent days, none truly belong to the pavilion," the old voice scoffed. "You mean...?" "They're mere outsiders trying to stir trouble," the old voice clarified disdainfully. --- This translation captures the original Chinese narrative's essence by maintaining the flow and character interactions while ensuring the tone and style familiar from web novel contexts are reflected respectfully in English. # Chapter 91: The Gold Crow's Blood, the Inception of the Infernal Trial, Zuo Qiu Yang (Part 2) "Heh, none of those causing a stir lately could truly gain entry into Fine Rain Pavilion." "Those qualified to enter Fine Rain Pavilion wouldn't be rash duelists in broad daylight. They're a band of opportunistic serpents, unscrupulous in their dealings." "Fine Rain Pavilion isn't afraid to assassinate even royals." "Pay them, and they'll handle matters for you." Master Thousand Forms had a lasting impression of Fine Rain Pavilion. Xiao Qin pondered, then asked, "Would their assassination attempts ever fail?" "If they fail, it means you didn’t pay enough, and they'll simply ask for more." "..." In a way, Fine Rain Pavilion had a peculiar persistence. Xiao Qin found himself feeling a mix of respect and cautious distance toward the mercenary ethos of Fine Rain Pavilion. He preferred dealing with a gentleman like Brother Li. At that moment, a figure burst through the curtain of rain and entered the relay station. The bustling sounds within abruptly fell to a deathly silence. The newcomer was remarkably lean, with a short sword at his waist. As he stood there, the ground beneath him slowly turned red. What dripped from him wasn't rainwater, but blood. Clang— With all eyes upon him, he walked straight to Xiao Qin and took a seat across from him. "Mind if I join you?" he asked, ordering a bowl of beef noodles from the waiter. "Feel free," Xiao Qin replied, his expression somber. His teacher had warned him that this man was not to be underestimated. "Here you are, sir—your beef noodles, just as you ordered, without any scallions," the waiter said with a smile, hustling over swiftly. The man squinted at the bowl but didn't touch his chopsticks. Instead, he grinned and said, "But... I don't eat beef." Those words shattered the tense calm before the impending storm, triggering a sudden eruption of murderous intent. Whoosh— The waiter, still wearing a grin, whipped off the towel from his shoulder, revealing a torrential shower of slender needles, akin to a rain of pear blossoms. Around the relay station, the sound of blades being drawn filled the air. "Zuo Qiu Yang, today you're going to die!" shouted many of the patrons, the innkeeper, and even the stable hands, all charging at him with lethal intent. Xiao Qin: "?" So the reason that man sat here was because... He was the only non-assassin in the entire relay station? It was quite a jarring realization. --- This portion of the translation preserves the original’s narrative voice while accurately reflecting the dramatic shift in tone and events unfolding at the relay station. It maintains the integrity of the unfolding intrigue and ensures that the atmosphere of suspense and danger is effectively conveyed.