[{"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-144":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},2288979,4475,"Chapter 144","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-144",144,"\u003Cp>The cold wind howled, and a blizzard swept down from the heavens, cloaking the pine forests along the official road in a blanket of pure white snow, dressed in silver and glittering with eerie beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky and earth were a hazy, heavy gray-white, as if shrouded in a thick woolen blanket, enveloping this entire realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow on the road had piled to several inches, its thick white layer smoothing out the uneven ground, leaving only a narrow track of hoofprints in the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the wind and snow, that hoofprint was slowly being buried beneath fresh flakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the roadside pines, faint traces of shallow footprints could be seen, their shapes obscured by newly fallen snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep in the snow beneath the trees, nineteen figures lay motionless, like nineteen statues frozen in the snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each of the nineteen wore white cloth robes and wrapped their heads in white cloth; amid the swirling heavy snowflakes, they blended seamlessly with the white, now visible, now hidden, like a band of ghosts in the winter forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their breathing was slow and light, and the faint mist of their breath vanished quickly in the wind and snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their bodies remained utterly still, yet their eyes scanned the road with sharp vigilance, as if calculating something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These nineteen white-clad men lay silently in the snow beneath the roadside pines, like frozen statues, like ghosts concealed, waiting in the blizzard for their prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the snowstorm, a slight man shivered, muttering, “This damn weather’s freezing me to death—Jiang Mingyu’s an hour late, and I’m already half-frozen. Why the hell did Lord Tang make us ambush here? What’s he thinking?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he complained, he unslung his wine flask and gulped down several swallows; warmth returned, and he tied the flask back to his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, a gaunt figure suddenly emerged from the snowstorm, whispering, “Men, attention—the target’s coming! Get ready!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he spoken than two shadowy figures could be seen approaching slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader, sharp-eyed, whispered, “It’s Jiang Mingyu! Everyone, prepare!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his words, each man gripped the hilt of his blade, eyes blazing, fixed unwaveringly on Jiang Mingyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slight man licked his lips and muttered under his breath, “On such a freezing day, we’re forced to hide here like rats. What’s so dangerous about a civil official? Why all this trouble?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up!” The leader shot him a furious glare; the man shrank back, silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu drew nearer; the ambushers held their breath, muscles taut, ready to strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Strike as he passes us!” the leader whispered. “Remember—one blow, one kill. Move fast. Afterward, clean up quickly, bury the bodies in the snow. Leave no trace!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men nodded silently, eyes burning, locked on Jiang Mingyu, waiting for him to pass before surging forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Jiang Mingyu and Tukesiluo marched steadily along the snowy road, heads down against the wind, utterly unaware of the ambush ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as they entered the ambush zone, a thunderous command rang out: “Attack!” Instantly, twenty figures shot from beneath the roadside pines, surrounding the two in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu startled violently, stumbling back a step, immediately assuming a defensive stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scanned the surroundings, desperately trying to identify these men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader stepped forward, lightly caressing the hilt of his long blade, sneering, “Lord Jiang, today your fate is sealed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu frowned deeply and asked coldly, “Who are you? Why do you seek my life?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man laughed aloud, ignoring the question. “Lord Jiang, haven’t you guessed yet? We’ve been sent by someone to send you on your way!” As he spoke, his long blade flashed with cold light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his hand and slashed through the air; behind him, the assassins howled and drew their blades, charging forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s expression shifted slightly, then steadied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo stepped forward instantly, his long blade already drawn, gleaming with icy radiance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lightly tapped the ground and leapt into the air, positioning himself before Jiang Mingyu, saying firmly, “My lord, rest assured—I’ll handle these rabble!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking, Tukesiluo spun, engaging several assassins at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One assassin, fighting Tukesiluo, sneered slowly, “Impressive skill. But the two of you can’t possibly match us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished, his head severed from his neck and rolled into the snow. Tukesiluo’s blade had already struck—clean, swift, lethal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too much talk!” Tukesiluo growled coldly, his body darting like lightning into the thick of the fray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His blade swept through, spraying blood—another assassin fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu stood with his back to Tukesiluo, watching him move as if through an empty field, his aura of death rising like a god of slaughter. His blade struck with lethal precision, severing heads one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins, terrified, retreated in panic, none daring to advance. Tukesiluo pressed forward relentlessly, his blade flashing with crushing force. One raised a hammer to strike—he deflected it effortlessly and sliced off half the man’s skull. Another hurled a chain-spear—he dismissed it with a casual flick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Die!” he roared, kicking aside an assassin and slashing his throat; the man collapsed backward, lifeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In moments, over a dozen assassins lay dead at Tukesiluo’s blade. The leader’s face turned ashen; he barked, “Kill Jiang Mingyu now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining assassins lunged at Jiang Mingyu. Tukesiluo’s eyes flashed with fury; he roared, seized Jiang Mingyu, and hurled him onto his own horse, then slashed down two attackers who charged forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassins surged again at Tukesiluo, but his furious blade forced them back. He parried blow after blow, locking them in a fierce stalemate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the white-clad leader smirked coldly, flipped his hands—and two meteor darts shot toward Jiang Mingyu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu gasped in shock, too late to react—he felt a chilling wave of killing intent rushing at his face. Tukesiluo’s eyes snapped to the darts; he slammed his left hand down on Jiang Mingyu’s head and barked, “My lord, duck!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, his right blade swept—three assassins fell instantly. Jiang Mingyu lowered his head; the two meteor darts whistled past his scalp and embedded themselves in the tree trunk behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu staggered, barely regaining his balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up—Tukesiluo was cutting through them like a storm. Of the original twenty-plus assassins, only six or seven still stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The snow around them was stained crimson with blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-clad leader’s face turned pale with shock; he stared at Tukesiluo, utterly unable to fathom how powerful he truly was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo sneered, swinging his blade toward the survivors: “Want my lord’s life? First ask my blade if it agrees!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-clad leader’s face twisted; he screamed, “Men, retreat!” Before the words left his mouth, he turned and fled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo laughed coldly, leaping high into the air like a great eagle, shouting, “Run? Too late!” As he spoke, he split his hands—and his long blade shot forward like lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two screams rang out; two more assassins collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white-clad leader, terrified, dropped his armor and fled desperately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo’s long robe fluttered like a crane’s wings as he landed gracefully. He sneered, “Pathetic little pests—dare you even touch my lord? Try this!” Before he finished speaking, his blade flashed like thunder, striking straight for the leader’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader felt a freezing chill—knew he was dead—and rolled forward desperately. Tukesiluo’s blade grazed him, slicing off only the tip of his hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader scrambled to his feet, eyes darting backward, still trembling with terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo burst into loud laughter and strolled forward calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said with casual disdain, “Ha! So you’re just a bunch of trash—even a three-year-old child’s better than you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Tukesiluo’s blade nearing, the leader realized his end was near—he lunged forward with a dagger, reckless and desperate. Tukesiluo’s eyes held only contempt; he snatched up his blade with one hand and met the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp clang rang out—the dagger flew from the leader’s hand and stuck quivering in a tree trunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Jiang Mingyu shouted urgently, “Tukesiluo, stop! Take him alive!” Tukesiluo spun his blade, pressing its edge against the leader’s throat and growled, “Want to live? Kneel now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader’s face turned deathly pale; he trembled violently and dropped to his knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo snorted coldly and bound him tightly with rope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu stared at the carnage around him and said coldly, “Daring to commit murder on an official road, plotting treason—this is unforgivable. Tukesiluo, take this man back to the state capital. Let’s see what Tang Cheng has to say for himself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo laughed heartily, “Yes! Let him meet his master and tell him his little ants couldn’t even survive one of my blows!” He grabbed the leader and threw him onto the horse, then leapt up behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sima Mansion, study.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Cheng’an paced back and forth in his study, brow furrowed, his expression tense with anxiety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Ma stepped forward to soothe him: “My lord, please calm yourself. Jiang Mingyu’s frail frame makes it impossible for him to escape alive. Better to assume he’s dead and consider how to stabilize the army’s morale, seize control of the Shangmu forces, and aid Prince Qi in conquering the realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Cheng’an sighed deeply, his expression darkening. “This will be exceedingly difficult. The Shangmu command means everything to Wang Zhe—even if Prince Qi himself demanded it, he’d never surrender it. And His Majesty watches closely, determined to claim it. We must plan carefully to succeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Ma, hearing this, inwardly winced—his lord’s plan was far too reckless. If they acted rashly, death was certain. Both men fell silent, brows knotted, faces grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they pondered their strategy, a rapid footstep sounded outside. Tang Cheng’an’s face lit up with joy: “Perfect timing! The assassins must have returned with Jiang Mingyu’s head!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They exchanged glances, both smiling eagerly—when the door burst open and Xiao Liuzi entered. Tang Cheng’an’s expression froze: “It’s you? Where are the assassins?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Liuzi knelt and said, “My lord, the Inspector’s office has sent to summon you for an urgent meeting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Cheng’an frowned, but thought—year-end affairs were always busy; a meeting made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He told Master Ma to devise another plan, then straightened his robes and stepped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way, Tang Cheng’an’s doubts churned—but by the time he reached the Inspector’s mansion, he suppressed them and entered the meeting hall.\u003C\u002Fp>",1709,"2026-06-20T03:28:17.113Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6ec89e405b98692e7078eb3bb25cc851b8f030dba3360b8d91e87ecbe4cbf1b9","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-145","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-143",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]