[{"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-162":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},2288997,4475,"Chapter 162: Dig Up Your Ancestors' Graves","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-162",162,"\u003Cp>Dig up ancestral graves? Tu Kexiluo heard this and immediately perked up: “That’s interesting, Big Brother, let’s go right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had not a single shred of goodwill toward Fei Hou, who was hell-bent on making trouble for Jiang Mingyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yusheng shuddered deeply again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moving Fei Hou’s ancestral graves—what crime could possibly atone for this? If Fei Hou learned he had aided the tyrant, the consequences were unimaginable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Song Yusheng’s face alternate between horror and sorrow, Jiang Mingyu said grimly: “What, County Magistrate Song, unwilling to lead the way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yusheng quickly forced a smile: “Your servant dares not defy my lord. Since the order has been given, I shall certainly guide you to Longyang Town.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for moving the ancestral graves, if Fei Hou later seeks retribution, that’s a matter for later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he angered this unpredictable Jiang Mingyu now, he would likely lose his life immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded in satisfaction: “Then let’s set out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An hour later, Jiang Mingyu led Tu Kexiluo and three hundred troops out through the eastern gate of Longteng County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing at the desolate countryside, Tu Kexiluo sighed: “When spring returns, this will be a fine spot for flower-viewing. Fei Hou’s ancestors really knew how to pick a place—this is a perfect fengshui site.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu could only shake his head helplessly at this peculiar remark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, they arrived at Longyang Town, where Fei Hou’s ancestors were buried. Seeing Song Yusheng leading them, Li Zhihao, the Commandant guarding the imperial mausoleum, immediately stepped forward: “County Magistrate Song, long time no see! What brings you here today with so many men? Are you here to reward us for our hard work?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhihao was of medium build, with a fierce appearance, clad in solemn armor that radiated martial authority. Since he guarded the imperial mausoleum, he showed respect to Song Yusheng but maintained a necessary distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yusheng quickly stepped back, letting Jiang Mingyu step forward. Jiang Mingyu sized up Li Zhihao with a glance, then smirked: “It’s not Song Yusheng leading this party—it’s Jiang Mou. No need to worry. Stand aside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commandant Li Zhihao scrutinized Jiang Mingyu from head to toe, his face darkening instantly: “Who are you? Why have you brought so many men into the imperial mausoleum? What is your intent?” His eyes gleamed with suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu smiled lightly: “I am Jiang Mingyu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the name, Li Zhihao’s eyes lit up, his earlier displeasure vanishing instantly: “So you’re the Jiang my lord  who repelled the Western Xia! I’ve heard your name for years—you’re a hero of Great Feng!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it’s Jiang my lord  visiting, please, come in to pay your respects to the imperial tombs.” He looked as if he’d met a long-admired idol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Jiang Mingyu didn’t move—he shook his head slightly: “You misunderstand. I didn’t come here to pay respects to any ghostly tombs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the shift in tone, Li Zhihao’s face turned icy: “This is the sacred imperial mausoleum. Jiang my lord , watch your words. Desecrating the imperial tombs is a crime punishable by clan extermination!” His hand had already gripped the hilt of his sword, a clear warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu burst into laughter: “Let me be plain—I came to level Fei Hou’s ancestral graves. Step aside, and I won’t harm you. Say another word, and don’t blame me for being rude.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhihao clenched his sword hilt, furious: “Jiang Mingyu! I respected you for your service to the nation, yet you not only desecrate the imperial tombs but speak to me with insolence—you deserve death ten thousand times over!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he scowled and waved to his tomb-guard troops: “Men, seize this madman! Tear him to pieces and appease the spirits of our late emperors!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As five hundred tomb guards surged toward him, Jiang Mingyu’s gaze hardened and he barked: “Last warning—step aside, or you will die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Kexiluo was already poised to strike, his blade gleaming cold as it slashed forward. Li Zhihao opened his mouth to shout—then felt a chill in his throat, his awareness fading...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sudden turn stunned the five hundred tomb guards watching. After a long silence, one shouted: “They’re rebels! Brothers, attack them! The Emperor will reward us handsomely!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knew Tu Kexiluo was so powerful? How could three hundred men stand against five hundred? The tomb guards immediately raised their weapons and charged Jiang Mingyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s eyes narrowed, and he growled: “Since you’ve chosen your own death, don’t blame me for being ruthless! Not one of you will live!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Kexiluo and the three hundred Shangmu troops charged forward into the blades. These peacekeeping soldiers were no match for them—let alone the peerless Tu Kexiluo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid clashing steel, less than two quarters passed, and all five hundred tomb guards lay dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu motioned coldly: “Dig them all up. Take every valuable item—use it for military rations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In moments, the white bones of Fei Hou’s ancestors lay exposed under the sun. Jiang Mingyu looked at the ruined mausoleum and smiled with grim satisfaction: “Blame your descendants for crossing me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to the sweating Song Yusheng: “It’s getting late. I’ll spend the night in Longteng County. Return to the city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yusheng broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly bowed and obeyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moonlight flowed like water, the stars frost-like. The night of Longteng County should have been silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yusheng lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. He kept thinking about how terrible a decision he’d made today—he had followed Jiang Mingyu in desecrating the imperial tombs, a crime against heaven itself. If the court found out, he and his entire family would be executed and exterminated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t fathom how Jiang Mingyu dared to act so recklessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he pondered his grim future, his tightly shut door suddenly knocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tap. Tap. Tap...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yusheng startled, leapt from bed, and walked to the door. He asked cautiously: “Who is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s me.” A low, familiar voice came from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yusheng’s heart stirred—he opened the door, then froze in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How is it you?” he stared at the figure standing at the threshold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The visitor was Li Bo, Commandant of Longteng County’s city defense camp. He was a short, stout man, and one eye had been blinded during a past campaign against bandits. When the Shangmu troops seized the defense camp, he had hidden in the crowd without uttering a sound—so Jiang Mingyu had ignored his existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bo’s dim, single eye cautiously scanned the surroundings. Seeing only a dim oil lamp in Song Yusheng’s room, barely illuminating a table and a bed, he deduced Song had no accomplices present. He whispered: “My lord, may I come in to speak?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yusheng was puzzled—what could Li Bo possibly want? But he stepped aside and gestured for him to enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After entering, Li Bo slammed the door shut. He listened carefully for sounds, then lowered his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, I heard everything that happened today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Mingyu is a court official, yet he committed such an unforgivable crime—he deserves death ten thousand times over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yusheng, who had just been brooding over his own doom, froze, his face paling. He whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commandant Li, what exactly are you suggesting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Bo smiled coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, Great Feng is engulfed in flames. The Emperor hates nothing more than rebels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we kill Jiang Mingyu tonight and send his head to the capital, the Emperor will reward both of us handsomely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yusheng’s face turned even paler. Li Bo, with his single eye, swore earnestly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rest assured, my lord, if the Emperor ever asks about today’s desecration of the imperial tombs—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We will tell the truth: that Jiang Mingyu forced you into it. You had no choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then you won’t be guilty—you’ll be a hero who crushed the rebels. Our futures will be bright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, his dim eye glowed with fantasy and excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with such a massive temptation, Song Yusheng, whose face had shifted through several expressions, fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>",1337,"2026-06-20T03:28:17.113Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2d7b42e8835490cfa6ecf01e4c816df24a84c4c5d76d22f21fbb72f4b721f127","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-163","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-161",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]