[{"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-335":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},2289170,4475,"Chapter 335: The Princess","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-335",335,"\u003Cp>The princess, dressed in dazzling finery, stepped out of the hall, her steps swift as wind; two palace maids hurried after her in a run. She said not a word along the way, yet her brow radiated an air of certain victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Princess, where are we going?” one of the maids could not help asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess replied coldly: “To meet someone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who is so important that the princess herself must come?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone crucial to this war,” the princess paused, a faint smirk curling her lips, a glint of cunning flashing in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maids exchanged uneasy glances but dared not ask further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess arrived at a secluded side hall and lightly knocked on the door. The door creaked open a narrow slit; a masked figure’s eyes peered out, scanning her from head to toe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get lost! We don’t welcome pampered noblewomen like you!” the figure growled harshly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess smiled faintly, lifted her hand, and pulled back her veil, revealing her famous beautiful face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, is your master here? Call him out—I have urgent business to discuss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man froze in shock, then bowed deeply: “Your Highness, please come in, please come in! I’ll summon my master at once!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people inside swiftly parted to make way. The princess glided in, the maids hurrying behind. Inside the spacious side hall, lanterns hung bright, charcoal burned fiercely, and a group of elegantly dressed young lords laughed and chatted loudly. One of them was none other than Western Xia’s top warrior, “Flying Devil Hand” Fan Qici.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess gave not a single glance to the others, walking straight to Fan Qici and saying coolly: “General Fan, I’ve come to see you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone fell silent in terror, staring at the princess. Fan Qici, however, remained calm, bowing from afar: “What does Your Highness command?” He lifted his eyes slightly, his gaze sharp as a blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess did not flinch, locking eyes with him, each word a gem: “I’ve come for your life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?!” Everyone gasped, stepping back. Fan Qici burst into laughter: “Your Highness is joking—my life? That would be difficult indeed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess’s expression turned icy. “Do you think I’m joking? Complete this mission well, and you’ll rise in rank and title; fail, and I’ll torture you to death—no whole corpse left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Qici’s face darkened, yet his smirk remained: “Bold words indeed! But Your Highness, you jest—I dare not take on such a weighty task.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not joking!” the princess snapped. “You must help me. Otherwise, I’ll have your family’s heads brought to me at once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Qici’s face turned deathly pale. He glared fiercely: “Are you threatening me, Princess?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” the princess’s eyes glinted with frost. “I’ve chosen only you for this mission—because only you can accomplish it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Qici’s lip twitched. After a long silence, he spat out bitterly: “Fine! Give your orders, Princess—I swear I won’t fail you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess finally smiled slightly: “General Fan, your reputation is well deserved. I’ll tell you my plan...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the princess laid out her grand scheme in full detail to Fan Qici. Gradually, Fan Qici understood why she had taken such a desperate risk and spared no cost to seek his aid—this mission could truly be accomplished by no one but him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Qici fell silent for a moment, then said solemnly to the princess: “Your Highness, rest assured—I will give this mission my all. But...” His eyes flickered, his throat bobbed as he struggled to speak: “Could you please ensure the safety of my family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess’s face finally lit with joy: “Rest easy—your family will be unharmed. If you complete this mission as I’ve said, you’ll rise even further—to noble title and ministerial rank.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, may you live ten thousand years!” Fan Qici exclaimed in delight, bowing again. The princess gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the maids trembled in fear, unsure what dark plot these two were hatching. The princess wore a serene smile, her eyes gleaming with cunning; Fan Qici beamed with excitement, as if they had just sealed a momentous pact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Jiang Mingyu stood in his tent, his face grave as he studied the map. This was already his fifteenth or sixteenth time meticulously analyzing it. Tukesiluo watched him anxiously and spoke softly: “Big Brother, you look exhausted. Don’t you need a rest?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu shook his head, lifting the map to examine it closely: “I must run the strategy once more. This battle determines our great cause. Western Xia’s capital is heavily fortified; a frontal assault is like throwing an egg against a stone. I must devise a brilliant stratagem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve schemed for days already—you should rest,” Tukesiluo urged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, not yet!” Jiang Mingyu suddenly brightened, a spark flashing in his eyes. “I think I have an idea—this may be the only chance to break the city!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo asked urgently: “Big Brother, what’s your plan? Tell me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s finger tapped the map. “We’ll use the tactic of feinting east, striking west. Over these days, I’ve had scouts carefully survey the city. The northern gate’s wall is weakest. We split our forces: I and Fang Hang will launch fierce assaults on the eastern and western gates, forcing Tuoba Jiqian to shift troops to defend them. Then you lead the main force to strike the northern gate swiftly—we’ll win decisively!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo looked even more worried: “Big Brother, you can’t save the child without breaking the piggy bank! Putting yourself in danger—if anything goes wrong, our great cause collapses!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu spoke firmly: “At critical moments, there’s no room for weakness. As commander, I must lead from the front to inspire our troops. The most precious thing in life is pursuing ideals and justice—what are a thousand obstacles?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo wanted to argue further, but seeing the resolve in Jiang Mingyu’s eyes, he could only sigh and shake his head: “Big Brother, your mind is made up. I have no words. Only promise me—be careful. Don’t risk yourself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu clapped his shoulder: “Rest assured—I’ll be extra cautious. Our army has won steadily, morale soaring—we will crush Western Xia’s capital.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu immediately sent messengers to Fang Hang with word of the feint-and-strike plan. The couriers raced over mountains and valleys, swift as wind. Five days later, the various armies began marching, heading toward Western Xia’s capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, Jiang Mingyu inspected his troops closely and found them orderly, brimming with vigor. This filled him with deep satisfaction and strengthened his certainty of victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet as the capital drew nearer, Jiang Mingyu’s thoughts grew heavier. He recalled past hardships and setbacks, standing alone once more in his tent, staring at the torn old map, mourning fallen comrades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old comrades, we’ve shed countless tears and blood to reach this point. At this final moment, I swear I will not fail you. Guard us from beyond the grave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the army reached fifty li beyond Western Xia’s capital. Jiang Mingyu immediately ordered a halt to rest and recover, preparing for the coming battle. He knew his soldiers were utterly exhausted—they needed strength restored to fight at full capacity. The weather had turned abnormally cold; dark clouds churned, snow and wind howled. Jiang Mingyu gazed up at the sky, wondering if heaven itself warned of the coming bloodshed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Tukesiluo reported: “Big Brother, as ordered, I’ve sent messengers to contact Lord Fang Hang. Should we notify Fang Chuan as well, so he can coordinate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded: “Notify him at once. The feint-and-strike tactic requires both flanks advancing together to deceive the enemy. Send word to Fang Hang immediately: in five days, we strike together. My forces will launch a furious assault on the eastern gate to draw Tuoba Jiqian’s defense; Fang Hang will strike the western gate to pin down his forces. Then you lead the main force to circle behind and seize the weak northern gate—we’ll break in with one decisive charge!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo remained deeply uneasy: “Big Brother, acting as bait is too dangerous! If the eastern gate falters, your safety is at grave risk!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu spoke firmly: “At a critical moment, how can I avoid danger? With my name, Tuoba Jiqian will see my banner and vow to kill me first. That’s exactly what I want—he’ll be trapped at the eastern gate, leaving the northern gate vulnerable to your breakthrough. Don’t worry—I have elite guards with me. The enemy won’t get near me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo understood his brother’s confidence and bowed to obey, immediately arranging the messenger dispatch. Soon, a young courier slipped quietly out of camp, beginning his secret journey through the snowstorm...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s only order was for the entire army to rest and recover, gathering strength for the decisive battle. He knew the soldiers’ courage and stamina would directly determine the outcome of this life-or-death clash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, inside Western Xia’s capital, all was calm—no sign of Tuoba Jiqian’s movements. But Jiang Mingyu was certain: the enemy was secretly preparing, hiding immense power!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This stark contrast heightened the tension, adding layers of mystery and uncertainty to the long-anticipated battle...\u003C\u002Fp>",1513,"2026-06-20T03:28:18.279Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","294c627e08a65ede8bd67e542de2a0e8697384bde8adc1e8bb23342f9e30baec","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-336","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-334",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]