[{"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-95":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},2288930,4475,"Chapter 95","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-95",95,"\u003Cp>Seeing Jiang Mingyu’s intent to kill, the bandit chief on his knees felt his wine turn to cold sweat, streaming endlessly from his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clasped his hands together, eyes brimming with tears, pleading: “My lord, my lord, spare my life! I have an elderly mother waiting for me at home!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining hundred or so bandits also knelt down, scrambling to beg for mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some wept with their heads in their hands; some cursed themselves for lacking conscience; others banged their heads against the ground in supplication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene descended into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spare my life, my lord! We’ll never dare again!” cried a burly bandit, tears and snot streaming down his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, we’ve laid down our weapons—we’re surrendered troops! You can’t kill us!” another swore, pounding his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re all law-abiding sons of decent families—please, my lord, show mercy and let us go!” pleaded a young man dressed like a scholar, kneeling on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu watched coldly, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Law-abiding sons of decent families?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu sneered. These murderers and arsonists dared call themselves law-abiding sons of decent families?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When you burned and looted, did you ever think you were law-abiding sons of decent families?” Jiang Mingyu said in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When you treated human lives like livestock, did you ever consider sparing innocent civilians?” A flash of cold light passed through his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You wretches who’ve lost all sense of heaven’s mandate—letting you live is already my mercy.” Jiang Mingyu waved his hand; a dozen soldiers stepped forward, dragging several bandits out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As death loomed, the bandit chief at the front suddenly shouted: “Jiang Mingyu, you can’t kill us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s bad luck to kill surrendered troops—we’ve laid down our weapons! Kill us, and you’ll suffer a terrible fate!” His voice raced with desperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu sneered: “My fate? At least you won’t live to see it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’d like to see if killing you today will bring thunder and lightning tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he waved again, and several soldiers dragged the bandits out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as they were dragged far away, their pleas and curses kept washing into Jiang Mingyu’s ears in waves—until a series of continuous, meat-slicing thuds silenced them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu watched the brutal scene unfold—the flash of bloodied blades, heads severed from bodies, hot blood gushing like springs, staining the white snow with crimson blooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The severed heads hit the ground, faces twisted in terror, fear still frozen on their features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing all the bandits beheaded, Jiang Mingyu spoke again: “The army will rest tonight. Speed is the essence of warfare—tomorrow, we march on Black Wind Ridge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, immediately send men to deliver these heads to nearby towns.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let every arrogant bandit out there see—when I arrive, their good days are over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tukesulu and Li Goudan said nothing, bowed to Jiang Mingyu, and turned to make arrangements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhu Ge Yu, remaining behind, said with concern: “Master, won’t this alarm the bandits on Black Wind Ridge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu gestured for him to sit: “Alarm them? That’s precisely my goal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your ambush was brilliant—but it can only be used once. Do you think without these severed heads, they’d know nothing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These bandits have held this place for years—that proves they’re no fools.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today’s victory came from divine surprise—they had zero preparation. The plan was yours; you understand better than I do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But we cannot deny that by the time we stormed this stronghold, word of my campaign had already spread like wildfire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled faintly: “Given the bandits’ networks and their spies, it’s impossible they didn’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If so, we might as well go all out—let the other two bands see my strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once fear takes root in them, our chance arrives. Strike the mountain to shake the tiger—do you understand now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ge Yu rubbed his dry, cracked palms and frowned: “But what if they flee at the news?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Jiang Mingyu stretched his arms, muscles flexing, confidence radiating from his brow: “Aside from Shangmu, which the Western Xia have disrupted, the entire Da Feng is at peace—where could they run?” His gaze swept the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ge Yu pressed: “Could they ally with other bandit groups?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu crossed his arms, gazing into the distance: “That’s even less likely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These bandits pretend to be brothers, but each fears the others will encroach on his territory.” As he spoke, the sunset’s glow lit his resolute profile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, with their rusty blades—even if they did unite, I wouldn’t fear them.” Jiang Mingyu smiled, rolling his shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve been worrying about how to train my men—if I can wipe them all out at once, it’s a great good deed for the nation and the people.” His eyes gleamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu stood and looked at Zhu Ge Yu: “By the way, you played a major role in breaking through Mount Sanqing today—I’m deeply grateful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ge Yu chuckled: “Then Master, in recognition of today’s merit, when we return to Shangmu, prepare more poetry for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then this journey won’t have been in vain for this student of yours,” Zhu Ge Yu said, beaming with delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him already scheming for future fame and fortune, Jiang Mingyu sighed helplessly: “Fine, fine—you won’t be shortchanged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I don’t understand—you spend your days chasing fame—how did you come to study military strategy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were two utterly unrelated fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ge Yu’s smile faded slowly; a helpless, bitter grin lingered on his lips: “It was all arranged by my family.” His eyes dimmed as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since childhood, I read countless military texts and once vowed to command armies and earn glory on the battlefield.” Zhu Ge Yu said, gazing into the distance as if recalling the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But my father forbade it—he burned my military books and forced me to compose poetry and essays daily, hoping I’d pass the imperial exams.” His hand clenched unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I simply wasn’t cut out for it—I had to pay others to write my exams for me, which earned me the reputation of a literary talent.” Zhu Ge Yu shook his head in self-mockery, the sunset casting dappled shadows across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Later, when the truth came out, my father saw I had neither talent nor virtue, so he gave up on me. I was glad to be free.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know you all look down on my pretentious ways. Honestly, I look down on myself too.” Zhu Ge Yu’s voice carried deep resignation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave a bitter laugh: “Perhaps the moment my military books were burned, my heart died.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But now, this is fine—spending my days in poetry and wine, pretending to be a scholar to please others, living one day at a time.” As he spoke, his eyes were dull and lifeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching his face, filled with resignation, Jiang Mingyu remained silent, unsure what to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ge Yu sighed heavily, waving his hand sharply: “It’s all past—no need to speak of it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, Master, why do you think Tang Cheng went to Shangmu? Any guesses?” Zhu Ge Yu’s eyes flashed with sudden insight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, it was Jiang Mingyu who sighed. He frowned: “Don’t mention it—I’ve been racking my brain all day and still can’t fathom what he wants.” Jiang Mingyu paced as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ge Yu glanced at the guards outside the door, his brow lifting slightly: “Could it have something to do with your newly recruited troops?” The sunset cast a faint red glow on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu paused, thinking: “Possibly. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been loitering near the city garrison, caught by Goudan.” His fingers brushed his chin as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I hold the Inspector’s official recruitment orders—if he came for that, I have nothing to fear.” Jiang Mingyu’s tone was firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What I can’t understand is—he’s a State Prefecture’s Regional Military Commissioner. He should’ve known already—why come to Shangmu himself?” Jiang Mingyu paced back and forth, brow furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ge Yu echoed: “I can’t figure it out either. No one in the entire prefecture doesn’t know Shangmu is now a dangerous place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With his rank, if he runs into Western Xia troops, it’s certain death.” Zhu Ge Yu said, the sunset’s glow etching his solemn profile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could he truly be here on the Inspector’s orders, secretly inspecting Shangmu?” Zhu Ge Yu speculated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Mingyu shook his head instinctively: “No—my instinct tells me something’s off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ge Yu seemed to recall something, his eyes flashing: “Master, now that you mention it—I think I remember something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tang Cheng and the Inspector have always been at odds. Could he be using this to frame the Inspector?” As Zhu Ge Yu spoke, Jiang Mingyu immediately shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible—the Inspector is at least a disciple of Chancellor He. How could Tang Cheng, a mere Regional Military Commissioner, dare...” Jiang Mingyu broke off, suddenly stiffening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Zhu Ge Yu: “Quick—tell me—who does Tang Cheng serve?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1482,"2026-06-20T03:28:17.113Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5d59c284a7e1b2689c786d3c0c4f99bb3db7cf351adb1ef61f11955937b844fe","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-96","the-top-scholar-of-da-ling-chapter-94",392,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-top-scholar-of-da-ling-cover.jpg"]