[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-top-scholar-of-da-ling":3,"chapter-the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-105":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Top Scholar of Da Ling",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2288940,4475,"Chapter 105: Use My Own Technique Against Me?","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-105",105,"\u003Cp>The Poison Scorpion’s lips trembled, his voice shaking: “You… how did you do this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu stared at the Poison Scorpion, his tone dripping with mockery: “You’ve heard I wiped out hundreds of Western Xia cavalry, but do you know how they died?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison Scorpion instinctively pressed: “What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Jiang Mingyu explained, the Poison Scorpion felt a chill, as if an invisible hand had clamped around his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized he was trapped—his plan had utterly failed, and Jiang Mingyu before him seemed to wield some impossible power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s expression remained cold, his voice laced with disdain: “It means the method I used back then was nearly identical to the one you just prepared.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He launched into a detailed account, laying out every detail without mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison Scorpion sat stunned, as if struck by wave after wave, unable to recover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu continued: “If we’re being polite, I’m your ancestor when it comes to schemes and tricks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From the moment you feigned surrender, I knew it was a trap—set for me.” He dismantled each step of the Poison Scorpion’s plan like unwinding a precision mechanism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s tone teemed with mockery: “With your two-bit tricks, how dare you show your face before me? Still think His Majesty went blind? Still want to burn paper money for me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice dripped with mockery, as if taunting a foolish clown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison Scorpion’s face turned from red to pale, desperate to crawl into a crack in the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s eyes held contempt: “You called me mud that won’t stick to the wall—then what are you? Mud that won’t even stick?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He goaded further: “You really think your schemes are flawless? To me, your little tricks are no different from a clown on stage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s tone grew even more contemptuous: “You say I’ve passed my naive years? I say you, Master Pei, are adorably childish.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sneered: “A brain short on weight—do you really think you’re fit to scheme against me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s voice brimmed with disdain: “To be honest, your head only serves to make you taller—it does nothing else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Jiang Mingyu’s mockery, the Poison Scorpion lost the last shred of his dignity, his fury and shame twisting together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face contorted, as if on the verge of collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison Scorpion cried in disbelief, voice shrill and rapid, terror and despair etched on his face: “You drank the poisoned wine—why didn’t you die? Why?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu slowly raised his damp sleeve, his voice calm: “See clearly? While the lamps were dim, we poured all the poison onto our sleeves—this was my plan from the start.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for why I knew the wine was poisoned—it was because your men brought the wrong wine, and your odd behavior gave you away.” Jiang Mingyu spoke slowly, each word deliberate: “You thought you could outwit me? How naive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now your bandits and you are surrounded by my troops—will you surrender, or not?” Jiang Mingyu raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison Scorpion scanned the room quickly, realizing escape was impossible. He forced a twisted smile: “Lord Jiang, you’ve gained the upper hand this round. But you’re still in my hands—my men still have a chance to live.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished, he yanked a dagger from his waist and pressed it to Jiang Mingyu’s throat, his voice icy: “Order your men to let us go—or I’ll kill you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m a nervous man, easily startled. If my hand slips and I miss my aim, I’ll be terribly sorry, Lord Jiang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu frowned, yet showed no fear—only a weary shake of his head: “On the way here, my men said you were clever. Looks like we misjudged you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can’t you see the situation? You think holding me hostage lets you walk away alive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu suddenly asked: “Tell me, do you know a bandit named Old Yu on Black Wind Ridge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison Scorpion nodded: “He was the most feared gang leader in Shangmu—who doesn’t know him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled: “You’ve got some sense. Then do you know who killed him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Poison Scorpion hesitated, Tukesiluo, cloaked in a dusty mantle, spoke softly: “I did.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Poison Scorpion, stunned, felt his vision blur—and his wrist holding the dagger went numb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time he reacted, the dagger was already firmly held in Tukesiluo’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo traced the blade’s edge with a finger, skeptical: “This thing can kill?” He applied slight pressure—the gleaming dagger snapped cleanly in two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu shook his head: “Show me your last tricks—let me see what else you’ve got.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crisp clatter of the fallen dagger shattered the Poison Scorpion’s final illusion of control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His legs buckled—he collapsed to his knees before Jiang Mingyu: “My lord, I was wrong. I’ll never dare again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll disband my gang at dawn tomorrow and return to farming. Please spare my life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was dry, as if he hadn’t drunk water in days—his plea to return to farming and beg for mercy filled every word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu sneered: “You won’t get that chance. If you were me, would you spare someone who tried to kill you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was mocking and cold: “In your own words, your fate is one: die far from home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu ordered loudly: “Arrest these bandits. Anyone who resists—kill on sight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hundreds of bandits, faces ashen, were forced to submit and be bound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo asked: “My lord, how shall we handle this treacherous Poison Scorpion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu surveyed the scene: “Keep them all under close watch. Tomorrow morning, I still have use for them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu commanded: “Dog Egg, take your men and search the gang’s hideout thoroughly—see if any stragglers remain.” Hu Zi, bearded and gruff, answered with a grunt and dragged the still-pleading Poison Scorpion out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Poison Scorpion and captives were led away, Jiang Mingyu’s stomach growled loudly. He immediately snatched a chicken leg from the table and shoved it toward his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him devour like a starving ghost, Zhuge Yu rushed forward to stop him: “Master, what are you doing? Don’t you want to live?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu didn’t hesitate—he bit down hard: “The poison was all in the wine. This is fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression was certain, as if he’d already seen through the Poison Scorpion’s tricks. Zhuge Yu stared, surprised, then nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Poison Scorpion may have stored plenty of grain, but he wouldn’t be so wasteful. If they poisoned the wine, they wouldn’t touch the food.” Jiang Mingyu’s tone was confident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved to the soldiers before him: “What are you standing around for? Eat! Three days of dry buns—meat’s far better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their county magistrate eat without restraint, the soldiers—who rarely tasted meat—quickly joined in, enjoying a long-awaited feast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only complaint: the wine and meat left outside the hall had grown tough to chew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuge Yu, of noble birth, looked down disdainfully at Jiang Mingyu, who devoured meat with grease dripping from his lips: “Gulping like a beast—what decorum!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even Zhuge Yu couldn’t resist the scent. After hours without food, his stomach began to protest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After brief inner struggle, the ever-meat-fed Mr. Zhuge joined the feast without hesitation: “So good.” His face glowed with satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the crowd feasted hungrily, Li Dog Egg burst in, panting: “My lord! We’ve found something huge!” His voice trembled with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu still chewed meat, his words muffled: “Found what?” Li Dog Egg didn’t answer—he grabbed Jiang Mingyu’s arm and dragged him straight to a secret chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, stacks of gleaming silver ingots shimmered under the candlelight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is…” Jiang Mingyu’s eyes widened, disbelief etched on his face. “My lord, preliminary estimate—at least tens of thousands of taels of silver!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dog Egg replied nervously, unsure of Jiang Mingyu’s reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu fell silent, then gritted his teeth: “Of course. This Poison Scorpion has preyed on this region for years—how much wealth has he stolen from the people?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait—by tomorrow at the latest, I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished, another soldier ran in: “Outside, we’ve found more strange things—you must see them yourself!”\u003C\u002Fp>",1345,"2026-06-20T03:28:17.113Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","3010bef94077bd3a197e8c6ee2aca750fa73a353cd09585c73521e396276af54","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-106","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-104",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]