Investing in the Reborn Empress, She Actually Calls Me ‘Husband’ Chapter 4: Pure Yang Pill, Special Critical Strike Rebate

Inside the guest room, Li Mo finished organizing his belongings. He let out a long yawn before pushing the window shutters open.

A breeze from the river wafted inside, bringing a clear view of Qingyuan Mountain as it sat nestled within a shroud of misty clouds. The jagged outlines of various structures were visible on the peaks, resembling a silent titan that stood watch over the sprawling city below.

"The scenery from the top must be even more magnificent."

Li Mo whispered the thought to himself.

Since he had transmigrated into this world, he couldn't possibly be satisfied with living out his days as a mere commoner.

However, considering his current abilities, he likely wouldn’t even match Wang Hu’s performance during the upcoming Sect initiation ceremony.

Possessing the physical constitution of a predator, Wang Hu was gifted with exceptional innate talent—the most impressive among their age group.

New disciples were categorized as outer, inner, or core disciples based on their natural gifts, and the Sect employed a strict system to weed out the weakest members.

It was obvious that starting at a higher rank allowed one to associate with those destined for greatness, leading to massive returns on such social investments.

If he were relegated to the outer Sect, for instance, he wouldn't even have the opportunity to cross paths with Ying Bing.

"That reminds me, Father mentioned he is acquainted with a highly skilled physician here in the city."

Li Mo turned his head and suggested softly, "How about we pay him a visit today?"

Sitting by the tea table, Ying Bing took a sip from her cup and shook her head in refusal.

"No need."

Li Mo let out a sigh. "We should at least attempt to soothe your condition."

Ying Bing went silent, shifting her gaze away from her tea. Even the rising steam failed to mask the sharp intensity within her eyes.

She observed Li Mo closely, as if trying to detect a hidden motive behind his expression.

"Father provided the silver for this trip. I want to be able to give him a proper report when I return."

"Three Suns Clinic is quite close—just two streets away."

Li Mo intentionally knitted his eyebrows together.

Three Suns Clinic?

Ying Bing took another measured sip, appearing to contemplate the name itself.

After a brief moment of reflection, she eventually gave a small nod.

"Very well."

---

As evening descended, Purple Sun Prefecture was illuminated by the glow of countless lanterns. Flower boats and paper lanterns drifted along the riverbanks, while the wide thoroughfares were packed with silk-clad nobles and easily identified travelers.

The triennial disciple recruitment of the Clear Abyss Sect had turned the city’s usual vibrancy into a fever pitch.

The most crowded area was Golden Ring Street, where the shops sold herbs, weapons, and mounts specifically for those on the path of Cultivation.

At the Three Suns Clinic—

"Please let the master know we have arrived."

Li Mo pulled a letter from his sleeve that had been written by his father.

The young apprentice looked at the name on the envelope and immediately straightened his posture.

"Please wait a moment. The master is currently away on a house call, but he is expected back shortly."

"Much appreciated."

Li Mo and Ying Bing took their seats to wait.

Before long, the sound of footsteps resonated through the hall.

A middle-aged man walked in, looking weary from travel; his hemp robe was covered in patches, suggesting a life of long journeys.

He had a thin face and a long beard that reached his chest, yet his eyes shone with a startling level of energy.

"Master!" The apprentice presented the sealed letter.

The man scanned the contents, and a faint smile touched his lips.

"Da Long, that boy... he still remembers this old man after all these years."

Ying Bing’s eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly at those words.

Li Mo noted the strange phrasing. The man didn't look any older than his own father—so why did he speak like an ancient elder?

The apprentice standing nearby spoke up with pride, "My master celebrated his ninety-sixth birthday this year."

"Ninety-six?!"

Li Mo’s mouth hung open in shock.

People often said medicine could extend one's life, but this was practically reversing the aging process!

Had he mastered a specific longevity technique or some form of Cultivation?

This world truly defied all logic.

"Just a minor technique, nothing to boast about."

"Your father's letter says the patient is this young lady. Come closer."

The man in the hemp robe signaled for her.

As Ying Bing sat across from him, he flicked a golden thread that wrapped itself around her pale, delicate finger.

Li Mo watched the process with intense curiosity.

Seeing his worry, the apprentice offered reassurance, "Don't be anxious. There are very few sicknesses that my master is unable to cure."

The physician's lips curled slightly at the compliment.

However—

In the next breath, he let out a sharp gasp, his brow furrowing deeply.

Hum—

The golden thread began to vibrate.

A layer of white frost erupted from Ying Bing’s fingertip, surging rapidly along the length of the strand.

Snap!

The man jumped back as if he had been electrocuted, intentionally breaking the thread.

He let out a shaky breath.

"What terrifying ferocity!"

"Well? What's the verdict?" Li Mo asked, preparing for bad news.

The physician's frown deepened into heavy lines.

Following a long silence, he shook his head slowly.

"Unbelievable. According to all medical logic, you shouldn't even be breathing right now."

In his eighty years of medical practice, he had never witnessed such a concentrated amount of Yin-cold energy inside a human body.

"Young lady, you have been told you have Meridian Extinction before, have you not?"

"Yes," Ying Bing replied with a nod.

The man stroked his beard, lost in thought.

"This old man suspects this isn't Meridian Extinction at all, but rather a legendary constitution. As for the specifics... I would need to search through ancient records."

"If it isn't a disease, there is no 'cure.' At most, I can give you something to dull the symptoms."

Ying Bing’s eyes shimmered for a moment before returning to their usual calm.

The fact that he could realize this much proved his abilities were among the best in Purple Sun Prefecture.

Even she hadn't discovered the truth until much later, within the secret archives of an ancient Sect in the Central Divine Land.

The Lunar Phoenix Physique.

Ancient texts spoke of ten mythical constitutions known as the Ten Supreme Physiques.

Out of those ten, nine—the Lunar Phoenix included—had become nothing more than legends, with only vague theories remaining.

The only one that could be verified was the Imperial Dragon Physique of the Great Yu Martial Emperor, which was said to carry the weight of an entire empire's fate.

"This is my Pure Yang Elixir. It should provide some relief. Two hundred taels."

The man held out a small porcelain bottle.

"That's a fair price." Li Mo reached for his money pouch.

The physician calmly held up one finger.

"Per pill."

Li Mo: "..."

Did you really have to pause like that for dramatic effect?

The apprentice wiped his mouth and chimed in, "It’s a bargain! Master only gave you this price because his professional pride took a hit today—"

"Ahem."

A sharp look from the master silenced him immediately.

"It's not expensive at all!"

"I'll take a hundred of them. Thank you."

With a grand gesture, Li Mo slammed a thick stack of banknotes onto the table—followed by several heavy gold ingots.

Apprentice: "!"

Master: "?"

Ying Bing’s elegant eyebrows shot up in surprise.

The entire clinic went dead silent.

The pile of silver notes easily exceeded ten thousand taels. The gold was worth even more. Since gold was rare in the common markets, its actual exchange value far surpassed its face value.

Altogether, it totaled twenty thousand taels—enough to purchase a palatial estate in the most expensive districts of Purple Sun Prefecture.

"I've managed to save up a bit," Li Mo said with a sheepish grin. "This should cover it, right?"

"A hundred pills? Are you trying to stock a warehouse? Do you plan to eat them like candy?"

"One bottle. Twelve pills."

The master pushed the vial forward, his eyelid twitching in disbelief.

"Fine," Li Mo agreed with a resigned nod.

After offering a polite bow, he and Ying Bing left the building.

As he watched them disappear into the night, the master rubbed his chin, looking baffled.

"Weren't those two supposed to be on bad terms? Why is the boy throwing money around like it's dirt?"

He picked up the frost-covered thread, his thoughts racing.

If that truly is a special constitution...

That girl's innate talent might be beyond anyone's comprehension!

"Master, a message has arrived from the Sect."

A medicine boy returned with a falcon, pulled a bamboo tube from its leg, and rewarded the bird with some dried meat.

The letter was clearly addressed:

【For Elder Xue Jing of the Sixth Hall.】

After skimming the contents, he smacked his lips and looked toward the back of the clinic.

"We are returning to the Sect. Pack the alchemy furnace."

"Yes, Master."

The healthy-looking medicine boy nodded, dashed to the backyard, and—with a grunt of exertion—lifted a massive dragon-tiger bronze furnace onto his small shoulders, spinning it into place with ease.

......

......

Meanwhile.

The frantic energy of the night market was beginning to fade, the crowds thinning out until only the flickering street lamps remained. As the smell of street food dissipated, the starry sky above finally became visible.

"What a pity."

"I heard the snacks at the Purple Sun Prefecture night market were incredible. I'll make sure to come earlier next time."

Holding two skewers of the city's famous willow-leaf grilled fish, Li Mo took a bite—it was tender and flavorful, with no fishy aftertaste and bones that were perfectly crunchy.

"Want a bite?"

Li Mo turned around, offering her a skewer.

Ying Bing didn't even look at the food; her eyes were fixed on the boy whose lips were still shiny with oil. A sense of confusion grew in her heart.

Having been reborn, she had assumed that every event would play out exactly as she remembered.

Yet, he seemed to be the one variable she hadn't accounted for.

"Why?"

This was the very first time Ying Bing had been the one to start a conversation.

Li Mo, feeling cheerful, gave her a wide grin:

"Force didn't get me anywhere, so I decided to try being kind instead."

"Who knows? Maybe you're the type who melts when treated well, and then—boom—you'll fall straight into my arms?"

The second the words left his mouth, a heavy silence filled the air.

Ying Bing’s face remained stone-cold, clearly treating his joke as nothing more than nonsense.

Of course, a literal block of ice like her wouldn't have a sense of humor...

"Relax, take it easy."

"You've put up with a lot of my nonsense in the past. Think of this as an apology, or perhaps an investment."

"It's only a few thousand taels of silver. Once I've joined the Clear Abyss Sect, this will be nothing more than pocket change."

Li Mo waved his hand dismissively, radiating confidence.

Regardless of his current strength, he was certain of one thing—he would never be poor again.

Ying Bing’s brow furrowed slightly.

Where was this sudden confidence coming from?

In her previous life, Li Mo had barely managed to squeeze into the outer division of the Sect—his bone structure was completely average.

Yet here he was, blissfully unaware of his limits, seemingly dreaming of shocking the world in a few days...

"Whoosh—"

A gust of night wind blew past, causing the lanterns to sway and casting dancing shadows across the boy's face. His burning ambition seemed to flicker between the light and the dark.

Suddenly, Ying Bing went still.

A memory she had buried long ago came to the surface—a distant, almost forgotten version of herself.

Years ago, she had been the one kneeling before an Elder of the Clear Abyss Sect while a crowd mocked her, swearing that she would open her Meridians within six months.

Back then... what was it that had given her such absolute certainty?

"This favor... I will keep it in mind."

Her clear, crisp voice had barely drifted away when—

【Investment successful. Investment: Twelve Three-Line Pure Sun Pills.】

【Investment successful. Your words have shifted the target’s state of mind.】

【This investment has successfully altered the target’s destiny. Feedback reward will receive a critical enhancement.】

【Congratulations, Host. You have earned a special feedback reward!】

"I changed her state of mind?"

Li Mo was confused. He hadn't said anything particularly deep or philosophical.

But then again, this was a Child of Destiny—even a tiny nudge could lead to a massive moment of enlightenment.

A special feedback... a critical reward boost...

This had all the markings of a massive jackpot!

"Are you sure you don't want any grilled fish? It's really good."

"No."

"Uh... here comes the flying fish~?"