[{"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-57":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},2288892,4475,"Chapter 57: The Qi Wang","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-57",57,"\u003Cp>The next morning, as the sun just peeked over the horizon, Cloud of the Murong led the group into the gates of Shangmu County. Under the morning light, the county town had already awakened, with scattered pedestrians beginning their busy day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, Jiang Mingyu had long received word of Cloud of the Murong’s return and had been waiting anxiously at the city gate for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he saw Cloud of the Murong’s figure, Jiang Mingyu’s face lit up with joy, and he rushed forward with three steps in one stride to warmly embrace him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Cloud of the Murong, you’re finally back! Did you complete the mission successfully?” Jiang Mingyu’s face beamed with delight as he asked eagerly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks to Brother Xingqiu’s brilliant planning, I and Tukesiluo completed the mission without disappointing you,” Cloud of the Murong replied, a hint of pride visible on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excellent! Your actions will surely bring earth-shattering change to Shangmu County. All the people here ought to be grateful to you!” Jiang Mingyu praised happily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You flatter us, Brother Xingqiu. We merely followed orders—you are the true hero,” Cloud of the Murong waved off the praise humbly, unwilling to claim all the credit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough with the modesty, Brother Cloud of the Murong. I’ve been waiting impatiently—tell me every detail of how it went!” Jiang Mingyu’s curiosity burned as he pressed urgently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the two walked and chatted, a sudden “clanging, clanging” sound of a drum echoed outside the dilapidated yamen, so loud that everyone involuntarily turned to look, startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu and Cloud of the Murong exchanged glances, both eyes filled with caution and suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sudden drumming signaled that another major crisis was about to strike Shangmu County!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their expressions darkened instantly; they cut short their conversation and hurried toward the source of the drumming...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the yamen gate, Wu Xiao, thin as a monkey, and Li Goudan, broad-shouldered and burly, stared fixedly at the plain-dressed old woman before them, both faces tinged with quiet exasperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Madam, the Imperial Commissioner is not in the yamen. Please come back another day,” Wu Xiao urged as politely as he could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman wouldn’t believe it. She fixed them with a steady gaze and declared firmly: “I know the Imperial Commissioner is sleeping right now, but I have urgent business and must see him. Go tell him it concerns his life or death—he’ll see me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Xiao glanced helplessly at the large cart behind her, where two unconscious men caught his attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about to urge her again to leave when crisp hoofbeats sounded from afar. Wu Xiao instantly brightened: “Look, the Imperial Commissioner has returned—I didn’t lie to you, did I?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu dismounted hastily and strode forward. He immediately sensed the tense atmosphere at the gate and asked: “Xiao Er, Goudan—what’s going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, this old woman came at dawn to beat the drum demanding to see you, claiming it’s urgent. I told her you weren’t here, but she wouldn’t believe it. She’s just an old woman—nothing serious,” Li Goudan replied quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu paid no heed to Li Goudan’s muttering. He strode straight to the old woman and asked gently: “Madam, what’s your matter? Speak quickly—I’ll do my best to help you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman immediately knelt down: “Sir, don’t you remember me? Earlier, on the street, you helped me recover my stolen money—I’ll never forget your kindness!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu suddenly recalled. He quickly helped her up and looked at the two men on the cart, puzzled: “I remember you now—what happened? Tell me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman grew wildly agitated. She puckered her withered nose and snorted coldly: “These two are no good!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She calmed slightly, recalling as she spoke, like an old grandmother telling a story to her grandson: “Last night, these two came to my house asking for lodging. I was just bringing them water when I overheard them talking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu, seeing her agitation, patiently asked: “Madam, what exactly did they say? Take your time and tell me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman paused to recall: “Yes, they said they came from some damn place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They were ordered by someone called Qi—Qi Wang, yes—ordered to make trouble for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s heart lurched. So the Qi Wang still hadn’t given up on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression darkened. He lowered his voice urgently: “What else? Did they say anything else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They boasted they’d teach you a lesson—that made me furious!” the old woman declared indignantly. “You’re our benefactor in Shangmu County—how dare they insult you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So while they slept, I called over a few young men from my family. We each gave them a solid blow with a club—knocked them out cold. They woke up a few times, but my boys subdued them again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only just now did we bring them here to the county yamen. Then my boys went home to sleep.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, the old woman grabbed Jiang Mingyu’s hand, her voice pleading: “Sir, you must punish these villains severely—don’t show them any mercy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu deeply appreciated her actions. He bowed solemnly: “Madam, you’ve saved my life. I’ll never forget this debt—I will repay you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After careful thought, Jiang Mingyu decided to suppress the matter: “No matter what, this cannot leak out. You must keep it secret.” “You’ve worked hard—go home and rest. I’ll visit you personally to thank you another day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman smiled kindly: “I understand, old woman will leave now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the old woman’s hobbled figure fade into the distance, Jiang Mingyu ordered sternly: “Keep these two villains under tight guard. Lock them in the dungeon. Do not lower your vigilance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Cloud of the Murong’s expression grew grim...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cloud of the Murong abandoned his usual casual demeanor, speaking with grave seriousness: “Brother Xingqiu, what’s coming cannot be avoided!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t care about princes or kings—I know only that you are the hope of Da Feng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, Cloud of the Murong let out a faint, bitter smile: “Didn’t you once ask me why I insisted on staying in Shangmu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His Majesty once told you I returned home to mourn my father—my father was killed by foreign invaders.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I must avenge my father—I swear to kill every foreign invader who set foot in Da Feng. As long as one remains free, Cloud of the Murong will not rest in the grave!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, his narrow eyes hardened with boundless killing intent and icy fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in an instant, he returned to his usual warm smile: “I know you’ll help me avenge my father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu clapped Cloud of the Murong’s shoulder firmly: “Good. The day of vengeance is not far off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come. Let’s go to the dungeon and meet these two ‘envoys’ sent by the Qi Wang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But for now, don’t let Goudan or the others know—don’t cause panic in the county,” Jiang Mingyu decided to keep this secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cloud of the Murong nodded knowingly: “I understand. I’ll keep my mouth shut.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two quickly reached the dungeon. Jiang Mingyu immediately dismissed Goudan and the others, ensuring privacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cloud of the Murong poured a basin of cold water over the heads of the two unconscious men, slowly bringing them to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the dim dungeon and unfamiliar faces left them bewildered, unable to grasp their situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, the man with a fiery red birthmark on his left cheek spoke in a hoarse voice: “Where the hell is this?” His voice was as dry as if he hadn’t drunk water in days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More strikingly, this man had unusually large cross-eyes, making him look absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu listened to the man’s bland opening, then chuckled lightly: “Shangmu Dungeon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Jiang Mingyu calmly say “Shangmu Dungeon,” the birthmarked man turned pale with fear. He stared at Jiang Mingyu, stammering: “Y-you know who we are... and still dare lock us up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu remained calm, smiling leisurely: “Of course I know your origins. You weren’t sent by the Qi Wang to humiliate me, were you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The birthmarked man panicked, face ashen: “Y-you’re Jiang Mingyu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu shook his head, smirking: “You came to cause me trouble but don’t even know who I am? Isn’t that ridiculous?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The birthmarked man realized there was no turning back. He sneered defiantly: “Jiang Mingyu, you know we’re the Qi Wang’s men—how dare you act so boldly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll tell you plainly: the Qi Wang is waiting for our good news. If you lay a single hair on us, the Qi Wang will never forgive you!” the birthmarked man threatened viciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Release us immediately, treat us well with food and drink, and maybe we’ll spare your life. Try saying one more no—I’ll make you wish you were dead!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the other silent man spoke up: “Y-yes... g-get... g-get us... out...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xing... Xing... Xing...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stammering voice left Jiang Mingyu speechless. After listening to his rambling for ages, the man still couldn’t form a coherent sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After another long pause, the stutterer finally finished: “D-don’t... d-don’t... push your luck...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The birthmarked man, clearly used to his brother’s speech, took over: “My brother’s right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t push your luck—we’re being reasonable with you, that’s giving you face.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you keep meddling, when we meet the Qi Wang, you’ll die a miserable death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu calmly adjusted his robes and spoke softly: “Do you really think you’ll ever get back to see the Qi Wang?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1562,"2026-06-20T03:28:17.113Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","30a75216c997af046de58ac786919ddcd243b5e8d65257b6b67d6ed7e29df785","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-58","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-56",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]