[{"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-29":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},2288864,4475,"Chapter 29: Death Star","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-29",29,"\u003Cp>“What!” Master Zhang exclaimed in shock: “You… you’re a disciple of Master Qi Hai Li!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon learning that Li Xuan was a disciple of Master Qi Hai Li, Master Zhang appeared deeply astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held Master Qi Hai Li in the highest esteem, so upon hearing that Li Xuan might receive his true transmission, he was naturally stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuan: “I am unworthy—my sect is but a minor branch of the Apricot Grove. Has Master Zhang ever heard of it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve heard your name reverberate through the heavens!” Master Zhang replied: “If Master Qi Hai Li calls himself a minor branch, who in all the world dares call himself the True Dao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Xuan humbly claimed his Apricot Grove Sect was but a minor branch, Master Zhang immediately refuted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhang’s reverence for Master Qi Hai Li seemed to elevate the man to divine status in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait…” Jiang Mingyu asked, bewildered: “Listening to you two go on like this… just who is this Master Qi Hai Li?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mutual praise between Li Xuan and Master Zhang left Jiang Mingyu in a fog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he sensed their deep reverence for Master Qi Hai Li, he knew nothing of the man himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, as they continually invoked his name to express their admiration, Jiang Mingyu could only stare blankly, utterly clueless as to who this man was that inspired such awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhang seized the opportunity to give Jiang Mingyu a brief overview of the current ranking of Daoists in the martial world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever the current ranking of Daoists was mentioned, Master Qi Hai Li’s name invariably stood at the top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fame spread across the four seas; his spiritual powers were boundless, and no Daoist could match him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to other Daoists, Master Qi Hai Li towered above them all, the supreme grand master of this age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His most renowned practice was the Taiyi Golden Immortal Dao, mastering the power of life and death. The Qiankun Divine Art had been lost for ages, yet he had perfected it to its utmost limit—truly unfathomable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some martial artists claimed to have witnessed him summon storms and rain, command nature itself—as if a god, inspiring awe and fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumor held that Master Qi Hai Li possessed an extremely precious secret scripture, recording ancient lost arts and several long-vanished supreme techniques. This book was the foundation of his profound cultivation and ever-growing spiritual power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some speculated that if he were willing to transmit this scripture, he would create a grand master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alas, Master Qi Hai Li was notoriously secretive, rarely taking disciples, so his scripture remained hidden, unseen by any.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to Master Qi Hai Li’s might, Master Huanxi, though formidable, was vastly inferior—utterly incomparable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, in the Daoist rankings, Master Huanxi ranked among the top five, yet still fell far short of Master Qi Hai Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Qi Hai Li’s spiritual power was simply beyond reach—this was the primary reason he held the top rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing this, Jiang Mingyu could not help but feel profound respect. Though he had heard of Master Qi Hai Li’s name before, he had never imagined him to be so powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon learning of Master Qi Hai Li’s profound cultivation, Jiang Mingyu immediately requested: “I am eager beyond words—please, Master Li, guide me to pay my respects.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuan looked uneasy, then said slowly: “Visiting him isn’t impossible, but… the mountain path is treacherous, the journey long. I fear it may be too harsh for Your Excellency’s health.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu blinked, asking: “Just how far is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuan paused, then said: “My master resides beyond ten thousand miles of clouds, at the far edge of Yasi Mo Regional Military Commissioner, on Snowball Mountain. From the capital, one must cross endless high peaks and traverse vast snowfields.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu had no grasp of the geography beyond the passes, so he turned to Master Zhang and asked timidly: “Just how far is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhang: “From the capital, even at six-hundred-li express speed, it would take at least three days and three nights!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu, ignorant of the endless snowfields and boundless mountains, stared in disbelief. He turned to Master Zhang and asked timidly: “Is it really that far?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhang sighed heavily: “From our starting point, we must cross countless passes, traverse a thousand li of ice, and march across boundless snow. Your Excellency must consider carefully. Three days and three nights are merely the beginning—more time will surely be needed to reach Snowball Mountain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After careful thought, Jiang Mingyu concluded the visit was necessary and decided to leave the passes for Snowball Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving the Ministry of Justice, Jiang Mingyu had barely returned home when Minister Tu arrived; the three of them—Minister Tu, Master Zhang, and Jiang Mingyu—then conversed in the study. Minister Tu did not conceal his purpose: he had come regarding the case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu, without suspicion, recounted every detail of the investigation to Minister Tu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon learning the progress, Minister Tu left Tang’s residence and immediately went straight to Ah Wei’s home!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing Ah Wei, Minister Tu shoved an eight-hundred-silver-note into his hand and said anxiously: “Go home at once, pack your belongings, leave the capital tomorrow. Use this money to start a small business. Never, under any circumstances, set foot in a kitchen again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle, what’s going on?” Ah Wei asked, utterly baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I told you you’re a death star, and you still deny it!” Minister Tu said, frustrated: “Destroying three shops was bad enough, but I never imagined you’d actually… kill the Emperor!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah Wei frowned, defending himself: “The Emperor took the medicine himself—he killed himself! That’s not my fault!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare you speak like that! ‘Killed himself’? Do you still want your head?!” Minister Tu continued: “You must leave before this death star rumor reaches the imperial kitchen. If the case expands, even innocence becomes guilt!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah Wei asked, confused: “Is it really that serious?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t understand…” Minister Tu said solemnly: “Our Great Feng Dynasty’s founding emperor once executed over twenty thousand people due to the Hu Chancellor case. History doesn’t fear repetition—it fears startling similarity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, Ah Wei hastily packed his belongings. At dawn, as soon as the city gates opened, he fled the capital at top speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, at the imperial kitchen, Minister Tu had to clean up Ah Wei’s aftermath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He returned to find Eunuch Hai, pretending Ah Wei’s hometown had suffered a sudden catastrophe, forcing him to resign abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Eunuch Hai was puzzled and saddened by Ah Wei’s departure, he could not say much, given Minister Tu’s status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After settling Ah Wei’s affairs, Minister Tu slipped two silver notes to Eunuch Hai—one for him, one for the kitchen staff to buy tea and meals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu used his imperial envoy authority to requisition Li Xuan from the Imperial Medical Academy. After finishing his duties, Li Xuan arrived at Tang’s residence with his luggage, joining Jiang Mingyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhang remained in the capital to help Elder Crane establish a firewall, coordinating Lv Muyou’s intelligence network and Lu Family’s escort guards to conduct a citywide search for the Invisible Master!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Zhang believed that if they captured the Invisible Master, the “Seven Times a Night Pill” case would never reach Elder Crane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu accepted Tu Kexiluo’s advice and chose to travel discreetly—traveling light, without fanfare, to avoid interference from eunuch or Mei faction agents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuan and Jiang Mingyu boarded a humble carriage, its interior holding only two long benches covered in straw, plainly furnished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, Tu Kexiluo led two horses—one black, one white—tall and sturdy, clearly chosen for long-distance travel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trio traveled without attendants or farewells, silently departing Jiangfu’s main gate under cover of night, heading north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They made no sound, lit no lanterns, fearing to disturb anyone, eager only to leave the capital as quickly as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep night fell; the moon sank behind the western hills, and starlight gradually vanished beneath clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage jolted across the pitch-black grasslands, creaking loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold winds blew from all directions, making those inside shiver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet no one complained; they simply wrapped themselves tightly, trying to avoid the jolting stones from piercing their feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, dawn broke. The horses, exhausted, no longer ran as fiercely as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their figures flickered faintly in the morning mist, obscuring their identities and reducing the chance of detection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The long night had drained them all, yet the destination still lay ahead—they gritted their teeth and pressed on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As His Majesty’s imperial envoy, Jiang Mingyu naturally carried the Imperial Gold Token to signify his status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever he presented the Imperial Gold Token, local officials bowed and trembled, never daring to utter a word of complaint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At every checkpoint, travelers were halted—but upon seeing the token, they were immediately released without obstruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Jiang Mingyu remained silent, his carriage radiated an aura of authority and unapproachable dignity, making Li Xuan uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Few in this world received the Emperor’s personal appointment and the Imperial Gold Token; Jiang Mingyu, as one of them, must be of extraordinary status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such effortless passage, granted without question, was truly enviable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu held the Imperial Gold Token like a universal pass—granting him unimpeded access wherever he went. Such privilege was rare indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinary martial artists, no matter how long they traveled, faced endless inspections upon entering Yasi Mo Regional Military Commissioner—time wasted was unimaginable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After passing through the northern gate, Jiang Mingyu finally exhaled, taking a closer look at this place called Yasi Mo Regional Military Commissioner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After seven days of bumpy travel, they finally arrived. The exhaustion and excitement intertwined, leaving them with a faint sense of refreshment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yasi Mo Regional Military Commissioner differed sharply from central lands: the Manchus formed the majority, while Han people were a minority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manchu men all wore the distinctive copper-coin rat-tail hairstyle, starkly contrasting with Han men’s long hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two radically different hairstyles became the key marker distinguishing Manchus from Han.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuan, relying on memory, led them to a Han settlement at the foot of Snowball Mountain: Shangmu County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though called a Han settlement, Shangmu County had fewer than two thousand residents—its scale was tiny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to central cities, it was barely a small town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The houses lining the streets were dilapidated and crude; shops were scarce, clearly unable to thrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the open-air market, only a few vendors called out, the place eerily empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the sun set and darkness fell, Shangmu County, already sparse by day, became utterly silent at night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Occasional pedestrians hurried past; most households had shuttered doors and windows, preparing for bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the bustling nights of central cities, Shangmu’s nights felt lifeless, chillingly desolate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shangmu County’s scale and commercial potential paled far beyond those of central cities—it was truly a backwater town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Han residents lived under Manchu rule, integration between the two groups seemed poor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold, barren nights here made Jiang Mingyu and his companions yearn for the vibrancy and nightlife of central cities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The land of Yasi Mo Regional Military Commissioner was indeed vastly different from central lands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Different lifestyles, different ethnic compositions—all felt alien. For Jiang Mingyu and his companions, this alienation was most pronounced at night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They checked into an inn named “Rumeng Xiaoye.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Shangmu County lay on the empire’s frontier, travelers were rare; the inn primarily operated as a tavern, rarely hosting guests. Fu Qing, the innkeeper, usually had little business, so the arrival of guests delighted him immensely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He warmly welcomed Jiang Mingyu and his companions, ordering the apprentice to immediately clean Room Son of Heaven No. 1, striving to ensure the guests had a comfortable night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fu Qing treated these rare guests with extreme warmth, repeatedly apologizing that Room Son of Heaven No. 1 was rarely used and needed time to be cleaned, begging their understanding, and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eagerness seemed born of a deep appreciation for business, bordering on excessive, leaving Jiang Mingyu and his companions slightly uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shangmu County, on the frontier, had almost no travelers—let alone ones choosing to stay at the tiny Rumeng Xiaoye Inn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, as innkeeper, Fu Qing spared no effort to please every guest, fearing they’d be dissatisfied and never return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This eagerness might seem excessive, yet it allowed guests to truly feel his devotion to his trade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Jiang Mingyu and his companions were unaccustomed to such over-the-top hospitality, they could still appreciate the comfort it brought in a foreign land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this quiet little county, encountering such a warm innkeeper was indeed a blessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, they would surely sleep soundly—thinking so, it even felt dreamlike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Xuan and Tukeslu entered Room Tian-1, they were disappointed—it was worse than the latrine at Zui Baxian Inn! Compared to Zui Baxian, the accommodations in Room Tian-1 were worlds apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zui Baxian was spacious and clean, its furniture exquisite and luxurious, its walls adorned with opulent decorations, not to mention its layered courtyard structure, which resembled a miniature palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Room Tian-1 was merely a dilapidated side room, its furniture consisting of cheap wooden benches and tables, its walls looking like ancient plaster that seemed ready to flake off at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The floor bore obvious cracks, and they worried it might collapse at any time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The windows were ragged and torn; wind blew in, freezing cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accustomed to the gilded splendor of the capital, Tukeslu and Li Xuan were deeply troubled by this “coarse” environment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuan even regretted choosing this inn and wished to check out immediately, searching everywhere for a better one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu, however, paid it no mind; the scene vaguely reminded him of the peasant homes in his hometown of Dongzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plain, humble setting felt natural and relaxed, allowing one to rest fully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the room was dry and well-ventilated—in Jiang Mingyu’s view, this was preferable to any lavish environment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The familiarity made him feel unusually comfortable, even stirring a quiet homesickness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heaven above, how could three men traveling together have such vastly different expectations for lodging?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having lived too long in the capital, Li Xuan had grown accustomed to luxury and could not appreciate Jiang Mingyu’s simple adaptability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukeslu, as a personal guard, had also grown used to a life of comfort and ease under his master’s protection in the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Jiang Mingyu still retained that rustic simplicity, making him somewhat enviable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time they settled their luggage, evening had fallen. All three were hungry and decided to go downstairs to see what food and drink the inn could offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three arrived at the inn’s dining hall, sat down, and Li Xuan—who had once lived here for years—ordered several local dishes with ease: roasted lamb, stewed whole rabbit, dried yellow weasel, wild mountain greens, and so on; then he ordered two jugs of the famed Shaodao liquor, ready to drink heartily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, their table was piled high with dishes and drinks. Li Xuan enthusiastically introduced the local delicacies and eagerly invited Tukeslu and Jiang Mingyu to drink—but they had no idea that this very meal had already drawn the attention of the guests at the next table!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of all the tables in the dining hall, theirs was by far the most lavish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to other tables with just two small dishes and coarse, cloudy wine, the contrast was enormous; added to their clothing, speech, and mannerisms, it was clear they were outsiders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their table was laden with roasted lamb, stewed rabbit meat, and wild greens; bottles and jars of Shaodao liquor were emptied without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The roasted lamb had crisp skin and tender meat, exuding rich aroma; the stewed rabbit had red broth and white meat, tender and delicate; the wild greens, harvested and prepared by an old mountain farmer’s secret recipe, tasted like rare delicacies. Both jugs of Shaodao were empty, yet the lingering scent of wine in the bottles lingered like the fragrance of books at sunrise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three, full and content, were deep in lively conversation when a group arrived and shattered their rare peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as they had finished five courses and drunk three rounds, a band of menacing figures suddenly stormed into the inn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group entered and headed straight for their table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wore solemn expressions, their frames massive and rigid, like wooden statues; every gesture radiated violence, stirring an inexplicable fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They immediately spotted Jiang Mingyu and his companions and marched straight toward them, clearly eyeing their lavish meal. Jiang Mingyu and Tukeslu recognized trouble and instantly tensed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuan, though unaware of the danger, noticed their reaction and fell silent, watching closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the men drew near, a violent clash seemed inevitable...\u003C\u002Fp>",2772,"2026-06-20T03:28:17.113Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","fabb4cb37bf4ee2fee02c4741c70361defa63d2177389352eb4a4eea721248fc","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-30","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-28",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]