Investing in the Reborn Empress, She Actually Calls Me ‘Husband’
Chapter 238: Dream Collaboration, Chang Bolong Also Stands Straight

Chang Bolong was subdued in a manner that left him utterly humiliated—a way he could never have imagined in his wildest dreams.

Originally a deputy general in the southern border army, his potential was limited, leaving him with no hope of reaching the External Scenery Realm. That was until he encountered an envoy of the Demon Summoning Cult. Using fragments of the cult’s forbidden scripture bestowed upon him, he abused his authority in the region he guarded, and his strength surged by two entire realms.

But as the saying goes, "He who walks by the river will eventually get his shoes wet."

His misdeeds were eventually exposed, forcing him to flee his post with the envoy’s help.

Perhaps fate still favored him.

While passing through Yunzhou, he stumbled upon a "Divine Child"—a half-demon, one blessed by the gods. Delivering such a being to the cult would earn him immense merit.

The Divine Child kept muttering a name:

"Brother Li will come to save me..."

Li Mo, the prodigy ranked 19th on the Hidden Dragon Ranking?

At best, a Hidden Dragon Ranking prodigy might escape with his life from Chang Bolong’s grasp—let alone attempt a rescue.

And even if Li Mo did possess the strength to fight, what good would it do if he couldn’t find him?

But Chang Bolong never expected...

Li Mo actually came for him.

Not only that—he brought along a joint enforcement team from the Drizzle Pavilion and the Horizontal Cloud Sword City!

What kind of absurd collaboration was this?!

"Who dares call us ‘dogs of Horizontal Cloud’? Today, we’ll make you crawl!"

"Think you can offend Brother Li and just run away?"

"So this is what it feels like to capture someone—damn satisfying!"

"Today, we’ll make sure this is done right for Brother Li. Not a single one escapes!"

The tranquil temple was instantly thrown into chaos.

Chang Bolong was no saint, but his strength was undeniable. Alongside his remaining border troops, he formed a military formation, amplifying his domain.

For a moment, the traitors didn’t fall immediately.

But it was only a matter of time.

The assassins from Drizzle Pavilion included experts of the Internal Scenery Realm, their methods unpredictable, striking like hidden vipers.

Meanwhile, the enforcers from Horizontal Cloud Sword City unleashed razor-sharp sword qi.

Domains clashed, chaotic energies surged, and the Golden Light Temple was reduced to rubble in moments. The very earth trembled under the force of multiple Internal Scenery experts in battle.

Not far away...

"Thankfully, I disguised myself as a pilgrim and poisoned them. This Chang Bolong is a tricky one."

Huang Donglai exhaled in relief, then cupped his hands toward Li Mo.

"Brother Li, we’re still too close. Should we retreat further?"

"How about here?" Li Mo took a few steps back.

"Further..."

"Here?"

"Back, back, back!"

Huang Donglai stood by the riverbank, ready to dive in and escape downstream at the first sign of danger.

"..."

Li Mo’s lips twitched.

From this distance, he could barely even see what was happening in the temple.

And how had Huang Donglai retreated so far in an instant? His footwork was absurdly fast—even with Li Mo’s Cloud-Treading Boots, catching up would be difficult.

Clearly, Huang Donglai’s movement techniques had improved again...

Shaking his head, Li Mo turned his gaze to the battlefield and activated his Heavenly Fate Divine Eye.

He had intended to locate Murong Xiao first.

But the information he gleaned about Chang Bolong made him frown.

"A member of the Demon Summoning Cult?"

"Then that means..."

Just as Li Mo was about to warn the others—

Chang Bolong let out a sudden roar. Blood mist erupted from his subordinates’ bodies as their essence condensed into crimson pills, merging into him.

Tearing out hearts and lungs—a classic move from the Demon Summoning Cult’s playbook.

Whoosh—

Empowered, Chang Bolong’s figure blurred as he accelerated.

"Die!"

The roar was directed at Li Mo.

Yes, Chang Bolong intended to flee—but not before making Li Mo pay.

Cloaked in blood qi, his head now crowned with a pair of bull horns and eyes burning crimson, he charged like a divine mountain.

The air around Li Mo grew heavy.

"Brother Li!"

Huang Donglai’s eyes widened.

He should have insisted Li Mo retreat with him earlier!

This was an Internal Scenery expert’s desperate strike, fueled by forbidden arts—enough to shatter a small mountain!

The assassins and enforcers panicked, but the attack was too sudden. They couldn’t intervene in time!

And yet...

Something felt off.

Chang Bolong noticed it too.

A woman in palace robes stood lazily nearby, yawning as if bored.

She was clearly Li Mo’s protector, yet she made no move to act.

Even more baffling—the slender young man before him showed no fear. His expression was almost... amused.

"Looking down on me?!"

Consumed by bestial rage, Chang Bolong didn’t dwell on it.

The phantom of a colossal bull manifested behind him, carrying enough force to topple mountains as he crashed forward.

At the last moment...

He glimpsed a faint, glass-like golden glow enveloping the youth.

Then—

CLANG——!

A deafening metallic clangor resounded.

Before Chang Bolong could process it, he felt as if he’d rammed into divine iron. His horns snapped clean off.

Dazed, stars swimming in his vision—

Then came an even more excruciating pain at the back of his skull.

How painful?

Enough to hammer those stars into the shape of his ancestors welcoming him into the afterlife...

"Hope I didn’t kill him."

Li Mo retracted his fist and nudged the unconscious Chang Bolong with his foot.

What was he thinking?

Challenging my Indestructible Vajra Body head-on—did he really think he stood a chance?

Just like that, Chang Bolong was captured.

His subordinates had already been "donated" for his power-up.

The battle ended as abruptly as it began.

The enforcers and assassins stood awkwardly. They’d been ready to rush in for a heroic rescue, only to witness Chang Bolong knock himself out against Li Mo.

Not advancing now would make the whole situation feel anticlimactic.

But advancing would just highlight how unnecessary they’d been. Should they ask if Young Master Li had eaten lunch?

Frankly, they were questioning if they were even awake.

An Internal Scenery expert knocked himself out charging at an Observation Divine Realm cultivator?

The silence was palpable.

Fortunately, Li Mo broke it:

"Could you all help dismantle that statue?"

"Ahaha, it seems Young Master Li has a profound connection to the Buddha’s wisdom!"

"Indeed, indeed! Let’s relocate this golden figure."

"By the way, which bodhisattva is this?"

"Uh... That’s Murong Xiao."

"???"

......

At the lakeside tavern, as dusk settled...

The breeze from the lake was gentle.

Sheathed, the Frost Heaven Sword rested in the arms of a young woman, her gaze fixed on the southern horizon—toward the borderlands.

Chang Bolong’s appearance had stirred a memory.

Footsteps approached.

A familiar figure emerged at the forefront, his features outlined by the setting sun.

"Icy Block, I’ve brought Murong Xiao back. Chang Bolong’s been dealt with too."

Li Mo tilted his chin up slightly.

"Mn."

"Do you know what just happened? That Chang Bolong actually tried to ambush me..."

The young man sipped his tea, recounting the incident with a casual laugh.

Ying Bing watched him, her serene gaze flickering slightly. She parted her lips as if to speak, but in the end, the words remained unvoiced.

Just then, a voice called out from the courtyard:

"Junior Brother Li! Chang Bolong has woken up!"