The sage was determined to die.

Yan Ming stood on high ground, followed by a long line of people. He first scanned the crowd, then suddenly said with a deep expression:

Confucius said, “Time flows on like this river, never ceasing day or night.”

The group exchanged bewildered glances. Many of these newcomers had been "picked up" by Yan Ming after getting lost, so they naturally had to feign some respect for this oddball. One of them said, "Boss, is something on your mind?"

Yan Ming sighed deeply, pointed to the river, and said, "It was just a spontaneous remark. Do you know what this sacred saying means?"

Such a simple question, yet even a learned man remained silent. Seeing that no one spoke, the man who had spoken earlier also fell silent.

Nonsense, you can't even answer such a simple question and show off. Wouldn't it be beneath this illiterate man's dignity to speak up here?

"You don't even know that?"

Yan Ming's voice suddenly became full of vigor. He looked down at the crowd with a disdainful gaze and said, "You guys should read more numbers."

Everyone: "..."

"Isn't that a simple statement?" Yan Ming pointed to the clear river water again and said, "It means that so many people have died in this river that they die day and night."

Everyone: "..."

The group, who were already speechless, became even more speechless, and those who had wanted to speak up were glad they hadn't made a sound.

This man was not only a madman, but also illiterate.

"Hehe." Yan Ming naturally didn't let the jealousy in everyone's eyes go unnoticed. He said calmly, "We'll go down to this river later."

The crowd, who had been as quiet as quails, finally erupted in chaos!

"Why..." one of the scholars began, "Brother Yan, didn't you say people would die in here?"

Yan Ming looked at him and said arrogantly, "As the sage said, 'Knowing there are tigers in the mountains, yet still venturing into the tiger's den.' What, are you afraid?"

Yan Ming gestured to Gongsun Yang beside him, who skillfully played the good cop and said somewhat coldly, "Of course you don't have to go. Don't worry, no one here is forcing you."

Seeing this traitor acting so obsequiously, everyone cursed him inwardly.

You have no intention of being a decent human being!

And when did the sage ever say that?!

"Of course...no..."

The man gritted his teeth and said those words, his cheeks puffing out, realizing he had no chance to escape anytime soon.

He could only tentatively say, "However, our abilities are limited, and we really don't know what we can do for you two..."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Gongsun Yang sneered. "We won't make you cannon fodder. Besides, even if you wanted to be cannon fodder, do you even have the right?"

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

Gongsun Yang glanced at the river with feigned seriousness, then suddenly said, "The reason I called you here was simply to verify something."

He pretended to think, pondering, "This river should have literary talent."

Upon hearing the keywords, everyone's previously listless and escapist mood instantly came to a halt.

"Literature, literary spirit?"

Gongsun Yang nodded and was about to speak to the crowd when a sudden ripple appeared in the water behind him, instantly wetting Yan Ming, who was at the head of the group.

Yan Ming was soaked to the bone, like a drowned rat. Before he could react, a pale figure pulled him down with lightning speed.

In the blink of an eye, several more figures disappeared...