The sage was determined to die.

His Majesty is truly neglecting his duties.

As the meal drew to a close, His Majesty remembered that this was a farewell feast. Raising his wine cup, he addressed the assembled scholars, saying, "You scholars, your journey to the mountains of knowledge is fraught with peril. You must prioritize your own safety."

Everyone was deeply moved, especially by Xu Jijiu's words: "Your lives are not important," "Consider it sacrificing yourselves for the country," and "The most important thing is to plot against people from other countries."

"His Majesty is truly kind-hearted," a scholar whispered.

"His Majesty is naturally a benevolent ruler. If it weren't for the fact that His Majesty fell ill at the Manjushri Terrace when the last Book Mountain was opened, he would have definitely seen us off at the Manjushri Terrace this time."

"Your Majesty has truly worked hard."

As a great scholar, His Majesty naturally possesses keen hearing and sharp eyesight, far surpassing that of ordinary people. Listening to the heartfelt words of these scholars, he felt that they truly understood him.

Only Ji Bai secretly rolled his eyes in his heart.

These people are such sycophants.

Ji Bai then returned to the Imperial Academy with the Second Prince's jade compass.

When encountering difficulties, ask the teacher. That night, Ji Bai knocked on Xu Tangyi's door. After a rustling sound came from inside, the door slowly opened.

Xu Tangyi yawned. He had been staying indoors for the past few days, studying the sacred path day and night. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he was disheveled. His robes hadn't been changed for days and were stained with a lot of ink. There was also a half-dried ink pen stuck in his hair.

Ji Bai was startled by the old man's imposing appearance.

He looked up and saw scrolls scattered all over the floor, covered with dense writing.

"Did Senior Brother Qiao come to Teacher's room?" Ji Bai asked subconsciously.

Two black lines appeared on Xu Tangyi's forehead as he said speechlessly, "That was written by me."

"Come in."

Ji Bai followed Xu Tangyi into the room. There was no strange smell inside; instead, a rich aroma of paper, ink, and tea filled the air.

Xu Tangyi poured himself a cup of tea and glanced at Ji Bai: "I almost forgot, the opening of the Book Mountain is in two days."

As he spoke, Xu Tangyi glanced at Ji Bai again, his subtle gaze as if he were deliberately trying to remember this face, afraid that he would never see it again.

"Why is the teacher looking at me like that?" Ji Bai asked, puzzled.

Xu Tangyi took out the pen from his head and traced an outline on the paper, saying, "In recent years, Qi state has adopted the style of Chen state in funerals, displaying portraits of the deceased in front of the mourning hall to express condolences."

"I've heard that you have no parents and no relatives or friends in Kyoto."

Xu Tangyi kindly said, "If you die by accident at the mountain of books, I have some connections in the capital. I'll do you a favor and make sure you have a grand funeral."

Ji Bai: "..."

Thank you so much, sir.

They were already thinking about how to give him a grand funeral while he was still alive.

But then again, wasn't his purpose in coming here to become famous in the mountain of books, and then die in the mountain of books?

Thinking of this, Ji Bai solemnly commented on his funeral: "There's no need to invite more people. If I die in the mountain of books, my body will definitely be lost."

"Wouldn't it be ridiculous to see a bunch of strangers wailing over the clothes?"

He has absolutely no intention of coming back; if he doesn't return, all that can be done is erect a cenotaph.

Just thinking about that scene made Ji Bai rub the goosebumps on his arms, and he said, "When that time really comes, you'd better burn me more paper money."

Xu Tangyi was somewhat surprised.

He intentionally made this joke to test the boy's mindset, but he never expected that the boy would remain a money-grubber until his death.

Closer to home.

Ji Bai did not tell Xu Tangyi about what His Majesty and he had said. The old man had been good to him, and he didn't need to cause him any more trouble.

He said seriously, "I've heard that the Book Mountain is said to be boundless, attracting not only scholars from all the hundred kingdoms but also many from the five great families. This time, Qi doesn't have many people who can enter the Book Mountain. In your opinion, which kingdom should we be most wary of attacking?"

Xu Tangyi was not surprised by Ji Bai's question.

He said, "The transmission of books to the mountain of books is not without pattern. The chances of encountering scholars from neighboring countries who are sent to the mountain of books are the highest. The state of Chen is adjacent to Qi. The people of Chen have always been cunning and have paid tribute to Bai Yujing in recent years."

With that, Xu Tangyi snorted coldly, pulled out a map from the table, and gestured for Ji Bai to come and take a look.

Ji Bai's gaze followed Xu Tangyi's finger, looking at the hundreds of countries. He thought to himself that there were really a lot of countries. Some of them were only the size of a single prefecture of Qi, yet they had never been annexed.

"These small countries are nothing to fear; they can only get two or three spots at most each year when the Book Mountain opens."

Xu Tangyi circled the three states of Chen, Yan, and Chu.

"These three states all hate our Qi state, and they will kill any Qi scholars they encounter, especially our neighboring Chen state."

It seems this is Qi's formidable enemy.

Ji Bai mentally ranked these three countries as the first, second, and third in his plan to commit suicide by extortion.

"Teacher, how many spots are available for the 'Book Mountain' competition in Chen Guo's graduating class this year?"

Ji Bai thought to himself that if the other side had too few people, he would have to find a way to deliberately seek death.

"Not many, maybe just over three hundred."

"puff--"

Ji Bai couldn't help but widen his eyes. Could this be the legendary 20 against 300, with the advantage in my hands?

"Could it be that the people of Chen are inherently stupid?" Ji Bai asked.

"The people of Chen have always been treacherous," Xu Tangyi sneered.

"So, people from Chen are born weak and frail?" Ji Bai asked again.

"The people of Chen have always been a bunch of brutes." Xu Tangyi sneered twice.

Thinking that even an incompetent like Yan Ming could be selected for the Book Mountain, and considering the covetous eyes of other countries, Ji Bai couldn't help but feel worried about the future of the State of Qi, even though he would be going home in a few days.

We can't beat them in a fight, and we can't win in a battle either.

Isn't going into the mountain of books just like delivering vegetables?

"Teacher, I have another question I'd like to ask you."

Ji Bai looked around, like a handsome thief, and finally couldn't help but ask the purpose of his trip, which was also the question he most wanted to ask.

"If I were amidst a mountain of books, just as I was about to obtain a literary talent, and then the five great families came to fight over it, do you think I should give it up or not?"

The doors and windows of Taoran Residence were tightly closed. Although there was no wind, the candle in front of me seemed to have been touched by a breeze, and the flame suddenly flickered.

Xu Tangyi turned his head to look at Ji Bai, his gaze inscrutable, a mixture of scrutiny and admiration, as if he were looking through Ji Bai at a noose hanging around the necks of all the nations.

"Many people say that my literary mind can detect all lies."

"But matters concerning a particular place are completely beyond my ability to investigate. Not only me, but I suspect the other scholars are in the same boat."

That place is the mountain of books.

Xu Tangyi picked up the scissors and cut the wick of the candle, as if talking to himself: "What happens in the Book Mountain is only true for those who survived. If you say you've never encountered the Five Great Families, who can say you're lying?"