[{"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-364":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},2289199,4475,"Chapter 364: Shadows of Ghosts","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-364",364,"\u003Cp>In the pitch-black night, the village’s outline flickered in and out of view. In the distance, a group of riders approached silently, their steps light and noiseless, like ghosts in the darkness. The slender man at their head gazed toward the village and whispered, “Commandant Wu, Jiang Mingyu’s troops are inside the village. Shall we enter now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was low and cautious, like a feather drifting on the wind, carrying not a single trace of noise. He was a spy planted by Tong Wa in this area, having shadowed Jiang Mingyu for days. Seeing the army enter the village with no guards, he immediately returned to report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man called “Commandant Wu” narrowed his eyes and stared intently. The dark, silent mountain village showed no sign of movement—not even a shadow of a night watchman. He paused, then smirked faintly and whispered, “Not yet. You know the terrain—sneak in first. Once Jiang Mingyu falls for the trap, I’ll move in and eliminate the remnants.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was as low as a snake’s tongue, laced with cold cruelty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember, Jiang Mingyu is extremely cunning. Thoroughly investigate. Caution is paramount. Go!” His face was indistinct in the night, but his tone betrayed his anxiety—he knew this battle was of critical importance and could not afford failure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slender man obeyed with a single nod, his form flickering into the darkness. He moved like a cat, stirring not a whisper of wind. Commandant Wu watched the spot where he vanished, his eyes sharp as blades, brimming with murderous intent, as if awaiting a gruesome feast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, deep within the nearby village, all was deathly silent—not even the chirp of insects or the hoot of owls. Tents of all sizes were faintly visible, filling Commandant Wu with joy—Jiang Mingyu’s men were unprepared! They must have fallen for the trap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he thought this, a sharp, clear birdcall pierced the silence—short and piercing. Commandant Wu’s heart tightened. It was his secret signal with the spy! Something was wrong! He instinctively gripped his waist sword, eyes locked on the village, as if time itself had frozen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the third watch, the night was pitch-black, the village utterly still. Then a figure darted out of the darkness—none other than the spy sent to scout. His steps were light, his face radiant with uncontainable joy as he reported excitedly, “Commandant Wu, the village is littered with corpses, tents and huts abandoned. Jiang Mingyu is finished!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the faint moonlight, Commandant Wu froze for a moment, then burst into loud laughter, shattering the night’s silence. “Good! Excellent!” He could no longer contain his ecstasy. With a sweeping gesture, his eyes flashed with icy light: “Charge into the village! Find Jiang Mingyu’s head!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers roared in response, raising their weapons and surging toward the village. The silent mountain village offered no resistance—empty houses and hollow tents yawned like gaping mouths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Commandant Wu entered the village himself. Bodies lay scattered everywhere, faces blue-purple, twisted in agony. He looked up—the full moon hung high, its clear glow revealing a scene more horrifying still. A cruel smile spread across his face. He had finally waited for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Search swiftly! Find Jiang Mingyu’s head before dawn!” he commanded, voice sharp and stern. A single thought haunted him: if he succeeded, glory and riches would be his for the taking. The thought sent his blood surging, his excitement and joy impossible to suppress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers scoured the village and quickly returned with reports—but no trace of Jiang Mingyu’s corpse. Commandant Wu’s cruel smile froze. Alarm bells rang in his mind—he sensed disaster looming. Then a soldier rushed forward, clutching a severed head. “Commandant Wu, I found a head—could it be...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking, Commandant Wu snatched the head to examine it—when suddenly, a deafening *BOOM* erupted behind him. Dozens of oil jars exploded, blinding flames instantly illuminating the entire village!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fire roared skyward, casting light over the surrounding darkness. With a thunderous *CRASH*, the oil jars burst, and from the thick smoke surged the figures of the Great Jiang Army. They held long swords and battle spears, faces expressionless, advancing steadily to encircle the Southern Army unit—each warrior forming an iron ring around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You...” Commandant Wu’s face turned ashen, eyes bulging in terror, speechless. He looked around—only then did he realize the ground was littered with dummies! The joy and triumph he had just felt now shattered into dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve been tricked!” he roared, drawing his sword to break through. At that moment, a rapid clatter of hooves drew near. Jiang Mingyu, clad in silver armor, eyes like lightning, face grim and deadly, rode into view: “You hoped to annihilate my entire Great Jiang Army? Tong Wa underestimates my million troops too much!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled the reins tight, his steed halting before Commandant Wu. Jiang Mingyu looked down, sneered, his eyes radiating lethal coldness: “Today, I will exact blood vengeance upon you.” His tone was arrogant, cruel—as if pronouncing the Southern Army’s inevitable doom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commandant Wu trembled violently, wanting to retort but unable to utter a word, helplessly pinned by Great Jiang warriors. At this moment, the Southern Army unit, once dreaming of wealth and glory, now wore deathly pale faces, their will shattered—they knew tonight was their end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu gave a dismissive wave to Tukesiluo, whose gaze, sharp as a hawk’s, fixed coldly on the Southern soldiers. “Bring them forward. Immediately behead them and hang their heads on the city walls—to warn Tong Wa!” His voice was calm, yet laced with icy murder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop! Spare us!” Hearing this, Commandant Wu collapsed to his knees as if struck by lightning, weeping uncontrollably, begging for mercy—but it was useless. The riches he had imagined moments ago now vanished into nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo smiled coldly, slowly raising his longsword, eyes glinting with merciless frost: “The Emperor has ordered no survivors. Kill them all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this cold, heartless command, Commandant Wu’s face changed—he knew it was time to fight. He yanked his sword free and roared: “Brothers! Fight to the death! Kill one, we gain one! Kill two, we gain two!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing their commander’s cry, the remaining five thousand Southern soldiers finally unleashed their desperate rage, eyes blazing red. “Kill these Great Jiang dogs!” “Stand together! Kill them!” “Kill!” Amid the roar, the five thousand fought with their last breath, trying to break the encirclement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But these pitiful five thousand, before the hundred-thousand-strong Great Jiang cavalry, were but a grain of sand in a raging river—swiftly swallowed. By the time they finished shouting, few still stood beside them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Commandant Wu showed no fear, continuing to shout as he led his remaining men in a desperate charge. Three Great Jiang soldiers fell beneath his blade. Tukesiluo frowned, then spurred his horse forward. “Move aside!” Before the crowd could clear a path, a flash of cold light—Commandant Wu felt a searing pain in his neck, hot blood gushing out. He tried to clamp the wound, but his arm collapsed, powerless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Commandant Wu fell, the Southern Army’s morale shattered completely. The few hundred remaining soldiers were swiftly cut down, none surviving. The watching Great Jiang soldiers erupted in cheers, congratulating Tukesiluo on slaying the enemy commander. But Tukesiluo’s face remained expressionless. He sheathed his blade, feeling no joy. To him, this was merely fulfilling Jiang Mingyu’s order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Jiang Mingyu’s white steed walked slowly forward. His face held no triumph—only a cold, detached gaze over the sea of corpses. He nodded slightly. To him, this battle was but a minor episode. The grand goal was to crush the Southern Army and reclaim lost lands. Any sacrifice, in his eyes, was necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s expression was calm, his voice cold as steel, his gaze sharp as a blade, lips slightly downturned, brows furrowed. He spoke slowly, each word clear and deliberate: “Cut off every enemy’s head. Fill the carts. Deliver them swiftly to the gates of Xiongzhou—let Zuo Zhao and Tong Wa witness this horror with their own eyes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soldiers moved swiftly, raising their blades without hesitation. *Swish-swish*—heads fell one after another, rolling aside, blood splattering everywhere. Some heads still wore expressions of terror, eyes wide, mouths agape; others were lifeless, faces gray with death. The soldiers’ faces were blank, mechanical, chopping head after head, piling them onto the carts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several heavy carts, pushed by soldiers, trudged forward. Thick wheels crushed broken bodies and scattered limbs, soon caked in dark red blood. The convoy moved slowly away, bearing countless shattered lives, trudging alone across the barren wilderness toward distant Xiongzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu watched the carts vanish beyond the horizon. Only then did his furrowed brow relax, his clenched fist loosen, his expression soften slightly. Yet a cold, unyielding chill still lingered in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tukesiluo, have the army rest here. Wait for the messenger’s report on Xiongzhou’s reaction before deciding our next move.” He gave a casual order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, our army has penetrated deep into enemy territory. Water is running low. How shall we solve this?” Tukesiluo asked hesitantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu gazed up at the towering peaks piercing the clouds. After a long pause, he made his decision: “Lead a detachment up the mountain to dig for water. The Southern lands are rainy and humid—mountains must have springs. There must be pure, sweet springs waiting for us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, less than an hour later, Tukesiluo and his men emerged from the mountains, faces beaming. “Found it! We found the spring!” he shouted. The soldiers cheered with him. Clear, sweet spring water gushed continuously. Soldiers rushed to scoop it up, drinking greedily—their exhaustion vanished instantly, their spirits revived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu took a small sip of the spring water. The chill slid over his lips and tongue. He stared at his clear reflection on the water’s surface, glimpsing deep within his eyes the turmoil of emotion. At this very moment, was his beloved, whom he longed for day and night, safely arrived at the distant land? Was she, too, gazing at the same blue sky?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A breeze brushed his face. Jiang Mingyu whispered softly: “By now, Yifei should have reached Qusheng... Take care, my dearest...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood quietly, waiting for the messenger’s return from Xiongzhou—and news of Yifei’s safe arrival. Though the wait was long, the dawn of victory was already firmly in his grasp. Jiang Mingyu believed this without doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up again at the clear sky above—a lone eagle circled overhead...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, the messenger Jiang Mingyu had sent to Xiongzhou finally returned to camp. But the soldier, compared to when he left, had one major change—he now had only one ear. Where the other had been, only a bloody hole remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu frowned instantly, understanding what it meant. This was clearly Tong Wa and Zuo Zhao’s provocation and mockery. His face darkened to iron, his fist clenching unconsciously. The generals around him also turned grim, glaring furiously at the wounded soldier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tong Wa, Zuo Zhao—you’re too arrogant!” Tukesiluo’s eyes blazed red, his whole body trembling. He slammed his fist onto the table—*THUD!* “Brother, since they’ve shown such shamelessness, let’s launch an immediate attack! Crush Xiongzhou! Kill Tong Wa, Zuo Zhao, and every last one of their dogs! If we don’t exterminate them, what honor remains for Great Jiang? How can our elite troops endure such humiliation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo’s roar echoed through the tent. Li Goudan and He Jing also glared with murderous intent, furious beyond words. Such open provocation was something they had never encountered in years. All three burned to march out and tear Tong Wa and Zuo Zhao into pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu nodded calmly. “Good. Mobilize the army. Attack Xiongzhou with full force.” His voice was calm, but his eyes held a chilling glint that sent shivers down the spine. An unprecedented wave of murderous intent rose from him, cold and suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the commander’s order to strike, the entire camp erupted. Exhausted soldiers suddenly perked up, as if injected with stimulant. Some rushed to rummage through chests for usable weapons; others checked armor and warhorses. Every unit swiftly prepared, ready for total assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This time, we’ll kill Tong Wa and his dogs—only then will we wash away Great Jiang’s shame!” A young warrior gripped his longsword, slashing the air with *zing-zing* sounds, eyes blazing with resolve and fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The State Protector is right. If we don’t avenge this, what’s the point of maintaining an army? This time, we’ll slaughter every last enemy!” Another soldier clenched his fist, spitting out the words with hatred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the soldiers prepared and stood ready, Jiang Mingyu stood alone atop a high ridge, gazing down at the reorganized army. He sighed deeply, his mind churning with countless thoughts. Unconsciously, he thought of his long-absent wife, Yifei, and his distant homeland, Fengzhou. To protect his family and people, he must win this final victory!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu took a deep breath, wiping away the tear at his eye. He knew this decisive battle would be brutal—but he had no choice. For Great Jiang’s future, he must personally eliminate Tong Wa and Zuo Zhao, the greatest threat to his realm. Jiang Mingyu gazed solemnly at the sky, silently vowing: “Yifei, you must be safe!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, his deputy rushed in: “Your Majesty, all units are ready. Awaiting your order to advance!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu turned to his deputy and nodded. “Issue my command: Full army, march on Xiongzhou!” His eyes burned red, murderous aura radiating from him. Clutching his cold iron blade, he swore to exterminate Tong Wa and the bandits once and for all, to bring peace to his subjects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Jiang Mingyu was only fifty-six *li* from Xiongzhou. After two hours of galloping, the city’s battlements came into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu stared ahead. The earlier taunting challenge had enraged him. Now, seeing Xiongzhou’s well-prepared defenses, his face turned as still as water, brows furrowed, murderous aura surging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tukesiluo, challenge them.” Jiang Mingyu ordered coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Your Majesty!” Tukesiluo’s eyes flashed with brilliance. He spurred his horse forward, racing to the city gates. One hand gripping his three-foot blade, he roared toward the ramparts, voice like thunder: “Tong Wa, Zuo Zhao—come out and face me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the city walls, two middle-aged men clad in heavy armor stared in stunned silence at the giant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo was towering and broad, wielding a three-foot blade, radiating an innate aura of power and dignity. His iron-hard eyes now fixed on the two stunned men atop the wall, piercing as torchlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Speak! Which one of you bastards is Tong Wa? Which is Zuo Zhao? Get on your knees and confess your crimes!” Tukesiluo bellowed, his voice thunderous, echoing across the square.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The city guards leaned out to stare. The Commandant looked up, recognizing the barbarian giant, and shuddered. He hurried inside to report: “Quickly inform the two Governors! Jiang Mingyu’s army has arrived! Archers, take position! Prepare logs and stones! Defend against assault!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The city erupted into chaos. Guards scattered, checking bows, sharpening weapons, preparing in orderly defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, footsteps *tap-tap-tap*—two armored men strode onto the ramparts—Tong Wa and Zuo Zhao, the two Southern generals. Their faces were grim, eyes resolute, ready to die with the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing them, Tukesiluo’s mouth curled into a cruel, chilling smile, radiating deadly malice. He raised his sword, point aimed directly at them: “You two scoundrels! You dared plot to poison my army—and dare to murder Great Jiang’s envoy? You deserve death!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes blazed with fury, voice sharp and fierce: “Come out of the city now! You’re lucky—I might still leave you a whole corpse!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Tukesiluo’s eyes turned blood-red, his entire body brimming with malevolence. He slapped his palm against his horse’s flank. The steed neighed, rearing up on its hind legs, then slammed its hooves down, kicking up a cloud of dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Surrender and die! Today is your funeral day!” Tukesiluo grew even more arrogant, his aura soaring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The city guards, seeing this, recoiled a step. They knew—if they truly fought this barbarian general, victory was nearly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the bearded man, Tong Wa, sneered, straightening his chest: “I am Tong Wa. Leave now, or do you truly wish to be annihilated here?” His tone was arrogant, unafraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Insolent!” Tukesiluo exploded in rage, voice like a bell. His eyes burned red, his malice erupting like a volcano.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I come under the Emperor’s command to punish you—and you dare to be so arrogant?!” In his fury, he slapped his horse’s flank again. The steed neighed, rearing up like an enraged lion, matching its master’s fury with overwhelming might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Surrender and die! Today is your funeral day!” He swung his sword, blade flashing—determined to slice them into minced meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tong Wa and Zuo Zhao paled, stepping back involuntarily. They knew—if they truly fought Tukesiluo, they could not withstand his blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesiluo was ecstatic, openly smug. He roared: “You two scoundrels—what more is there to say? Surrender and die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes glinted with murderous intent, voice cruel: “Come out of the city now—I might spare your lives. But if I give the order, when the city falls, I’ll tear you into a thousand pieces!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Tukesiluo’s chilling aura made the air freeze. The city walls fell utterly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>",2876,"2026-06-20T03:28:18.279Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ddde13f2d08f3da9aab6247f2a6f43d30599c3024abec27956021bd3dd718916","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-365","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-363",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]