[{"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-88":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},2288923,4475,"Chapter 88: The Great Battle Is About to Begin","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-88",88,"\u003Cp>Shangmu Garrison Camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the bandit chieftain, disguised as Du Gaocen, sat with the others in the barracks, wolfing down steamed buns, chewing with a secret smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One soldier, voice trembling with fear, said: “So many have died in a single night, yet the county office hasn’t moved a finger—this mysterious way of dying is terrifying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another soldier, equally uneasy, shook his head and sighed: “Over a dozen dead in one night, and one died right beside me—it’s horrifying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The foreigners haven’t even arrived, yet we’ve already lost a dozen men. Let’s run while we still can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Du Gaocen’s lips curled into a sly smile. As he’d anticipated, just one night of over a dozen deaths had severely shaken morale, perfectly achieving his goal of sowing chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, to avenge his brother—Wei Aotian, who had been publicly beheaded by Jiang Mingyu—he had planned to lead his men straight to Shangmu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the scout who brought him news had suggested this scheme to disrupt the Shangmu garrison instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the scout, Jiang Mingyu had over two thousand men under his command—direct assault was hopeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why not throw Shangmu into chaos, make every soldier in the garrison fear for his life, and wait for unrest to erupt?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the main force defending against the foreigners—the garrison—fell into disorder, the entire Shangmu County would collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Jiang Mingyu would be unable to guard both front and rear, and killing him in the chaos would be effortless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plan was unfolding exactly as Du Gaocen had foreseen; many fearful soldiers were already considering desertion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu’s complete inaction only confirmed Du Gaocen’s suspicion: the young imperial envoy had been thrown into panic by this sudden strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he caused a few more deaths, the morale of these forty to fifty thousand troops would vanish entirely, their spirit shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Jiang Mingyu would be flustered and desperate—this was the perfect moment for revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Du Gaocen’s eyes flashed with cold malice, his lips curled upward, silently eager for the plan to proceed smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout the entire day’s training, Black-Faced Yama Tuxeslu had worn a grim, ashen expression—further confirming Du Gaocen’s suspicions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moonlight spilled like water; lanterns in the camp gradually dimmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, many soldiers had been too terrified to sleep after the bizarre deaths of the day, but exhaustion overcame them, and one by one they fell into deep slumber—the entire camp filled with thunderous snores.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the third watch, Du Gaocen opened his drowsy eyes again, slipped silently from his bed, woke the men beside him, gestured for them to follow his shadow, and vanished behind the flickering campfires.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Gaocen lowered his voice, smirking wickedly: “Last night’s operation was a great success. Tonight, we strike again—these cowards are nearly broken.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the scout who had suggested the plan nervously warned: “Chief, I think we shouldn’t strike again. The entire garrison and Jiang Mingyu have shown zero reaction to the deaths—it’s too strange. They might have laid a trap, waiting for us to walk into it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s wait a few more days, let the panic die down, then strike—it’s safer,” the scout said, his voice laced with worry under the moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Gaocen’s eyes flared with rage: “You little brat, what do you know? These cowards are already trembling in fear—if we stop now, are you insane?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we wait any longer, they’ll forget tonight’s terror—how will we ever avenge our brothers?” Du Gaocen’s eyes glinted with ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Du Gaocen spoke, the others immediately rallied behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The chief is right—let’s strike now and avenge our brothers. After we succeed, we can return to the mountain stronghold and live in luxury,” said a burly man with thick eyebrows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly! Endless spear drills, watching these cowards’ faces—what’s the point?” added another middle-aged man, weathered and weary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m exhausted—I can’t take it anymore!” The first scout frowned again, clearly dissatisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing everyone agree, the scout still insisted: “But—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tried to speak further, but Du Gaocen’s eyes widened like copper bells, his brows bristling as he glared menacingly: “What else? Either come with us to kill, or I’ll cripple you first. Choose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Du Gaocen’s monstrous expression, the scout fell silent, ashamed, and fell in behind the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Gaocen and his men carefully avoided patrols, crept further, then Du Gaocen suddenly raised his palm and whispered, low enough only for them to hear: “Strike here. Move fast—erase every trace after!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before anyone could respond, a cold, crisp voice rang down from the rooftop: “Wherever you go tonight, it’s useless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They looked up—Tuxeslu, wrapped in a white cloak, leapt lightly down, his sleeves fluttering as he landed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Gaocen’s heart lurched—he’d been discovered! But he quickly steadied himself, determined not to let his revenge fail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuxeslu stared coldly at the group and spoke slowly: “As the commander predicted, you’ve returned. I’ve fulfilled his orders—I’ve caught you red-handed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He calmly rested his hand on the hilt of his waist sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are you? Why infiltrate our camp to kill?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Gaocen, seeing Tuxeslu alone, sneered with bold confidence: “You don’t need to know who we are—you’ll die here soon enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He threatened: “Don’t shout and alert others. Maybe you’ll get a few more breaths. If you cry out, I’ll slit your throat.” With that, his broad curved blade pressed against Tuxeslu’s neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuxeslu calmly brushed back his wind-tousled hair and said lightly: “I’m going to die anyway—what difference does it make if you tell me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Gaocen, gripping his great blade, paused briefly: “Fine. Let you die knowing the truth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then laid bare their origins and their purpose in Shangmu without reservation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the darkness, Tuxeslu suddenly smiled and said slowly: “Xiaoying Mountain—I know that place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Gaocen’s face darkened with shock: “What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuxeslu’s expression didn’t change: “Nothing much. Just telling you—the people of Xiaoying Mountain were all killed by me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, and your good brother, Wei Aotian—I cut off his head myself in the city’s marketplace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He licked his lips: “His blood sprayed far—almost splashed me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Gaocen scoffed derisively: “You alone killed so many of our brothers? You’re lying just to boast.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll be merciful—I’ll give you one chance. Kneel and apologize for your arrogance, and I’ll let you die quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Otherwise, I guarantee you’ll die in unbearable agony, suffering unimaginable torment before you breathe your last.” Du Gaocen’s eyes flashed with cruelty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuxeslu, blade still at his throat, smiled again: “I’ll give you a choice—surrender peacefully, or I’ll kill you myself. Choose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Tuxeslu’s calm demeanor, Du Gaocen had lost all patience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swung his heavy blade, eyes blazing with fury, roaring: “You dare speak so boldly alone? Ridiculous! Let’s see how one man fights us all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tuxeslu’s voice turned glacial: “Remember this—my name is Tuxeslu, and I, alone, will end your lives!” Before the words faded, his silver-white longsword slipped soundlessly from its scabbard, gleaming coldly under the moonlight!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle for life and death was about to begin!\u003C\u002Fp>",1174,"2026-06-20T03:28:17.113Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d186b81dfa987de64fcf1263e7fe9181b02c46b4a7931be97dc4d0ce3d48aa49","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-89","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-87",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]