At 100 years old, he joined the army in place of his granddaughter, and became a national war god.

"Boss, prepare four rooms for me, and two tables of food and wine!"

The man in the lead carried a chipped broadsword, had a fierce face, and a voice as loud as thunder. As soon as he entered, he started yelling at the counter.

The shopkeeper had just seen off the troublesome Xiao sisters and hadn't even had time to wipe his sweat when he was greeted by an even fiercer group.

He glanced at the broadsword on the burly man's shoulder, his heart pounding with fear, but he forced a smile and went to greet him.

"Gentlemen, a room here costs one tael of silver, but I'll give you a discount on the food; it'll only cost fifty copper coins..."

"One tael of silver?" The burly man's eyes widened, and he slammed his hand on the counter, making the abacus beads rattle wildly. "Are you robbing me? I'd think ten copper coins was too expensive! Your shabby shop is so run-down, even the outhouse leaks!"

He spat on the ground and waved his hand dismissively: "Ten copper coins, that's enough! I'll pay you back tomorrow when you leave. Hurry up and do it, or I'll smash your shop!"

The shopkeeper's face turned green.

Give it to me tomorrow?

This group of people clearly intends to rip us off and stay at the hotel for free.

But does he dare to say no?

These men looked fierce and menacing, carrying large knives and roaming around; they were clearly not good people.

"Alright...alright, gentlemen, find a seat. I'll have the kitchen prepare right away." The innkeeper gritted his teeth and muttered under his breath, "What kind of day is this? Why do all these plagues come here..."

Several burly men swaggered over to the two tables next to Su Mu and his group, pulling out chairs that creaked as they sat down, one by one, crookedly putting their feet up on the table and leaning their broadswords against the wall.

Xiao Zhi Qiu glanced at the shopkeeper's bitter face and lowered his voice to say to his sister, "Evil people will be punished by evil people. He tried to cheat the old man just now, and now he's getting his comeuppance, right? He deserved it."

"Keep your voice down." Xiao Zhixia gently nudged her sister's arm. "Don't cause trouble."

Her gaze returned to Su Mu.

The white-haired old man sat opposite me, his body hunched over, his withered hand resting on the hilt of the horse-slaying sword.

The dim candlelight of the inn reflected on his wrinkled face, creating an uneven, faded effect, like a faded old painting.

Xiao Zhixia could never forget that it was these withered, bony hands that had managed to sever the head of the Northern Di general with a single stroke.

"Grandpa, where are you going with your granddaughter?" she asked softly. "Where are the young people in your family?"

Su Mu's brows twitched slightly as he replied, "Only my granddaughter and I are left at home, relying on each other for survival."

"We are heading to Qinghe County this time."

"Qinghe County?" Xiao Zhiqi's eyes widened, and he almost jumped out of his chair. "Grandpa, you can't go there now!"

Su Mu frowned: "Why?"

"A few days ago, the Northern Di army of 10,000 broke through the border and frequently appeared near Qinghe County."

"They might already be besieging the city!" Xiao Zhi Qiu lowered his voice, his expression serious. "Going there would be like sending yourself into the tiger's mouth!"

Su Mu's pupils contracted slightly.

The Northern Barbarians have already reached Qinghe County?

Then he definitely had to go.

Where there are Northern Di people, there is the Great Qian army.

With an army, he can accomplish his mission.

But what about clearing the snow?

He glanced instinctively at his granddaughter beside him.

Su Qingxue was sitting there obediently, her little hands clutching the hem of his clothes, her big eyes full of dependence on him.

"Grandpa, what are you going to Qinghe County for? To find your relatives?" Xiao Zhixia asked.

Su Mu remained silent for a moment, his withered fingers gently stroking the hilt of the knife.

"I want to join the army."

His voice wasn't loud, but to Xiao Zhixia and Xiao Zhiqi, it sounded like thunder!

The two sisters were stunned.

They stared intently at the white-haired old man before them.

What did he say? Join the army?

The laughter from the next table came even faster than their reaction.

"Hahaha--!"

A young man turned around, his face full of mockery.

He looked Su Mu up and down as if he were watching a huge joke.

"Old man, did I hear that right? You're going to join the army?"

He deliberately raised his voice so that everyone in the inn could hear him.

"Look at you, your hair is all white, you can't even straighten your back, you stagger when you walk, someone like you wants to join the army?"

He pointed at Su Mu, laughing so hard he almost fell over: "What can you do in the army? Be the general's grandfather? Or the soldiers' ancestor? When they're training, running laps, can you even run? When they're lifting stone weights, can you lift them?"

"You're even struggling to be a cook! You're just wasting the army's food!"

"I think you should just find a place to stay and wait to be buried!"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

A group of burly men at the table were laughing so hard they were doubled over. Some were slapping their thighs, some were slapping the table, and some were even spitting out their tea all over the floor.

Laughter echoed throughout the inn, sounding quite jarring.

Xiao Zhi Qiu blushed, feeling embarrassed for the old man.

She lowered her head and asked in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Grandpa, how old are you this year?"

Su Mu's lips curled up slightly.

That smile was serene and nonchalant.

"I'm exactly one hundred years old this year." He paused, staring intently at Xiao Zhi Qiu. "What, little girl, do you also think I'm unfit to be a soldier?"

Xiao Zhi Qiu opened his mouth as if to say something, but then swallowed it back.

One hundred years old.

For an average person to live to this age, just being able to breathe is already a blessing.

But this old man...

She thought of the Northern Di soldiers who had been killed with a single blow in the woods, the warhorse that had been overturned by bare hands, and the head of the Northern Di general that had rolled to the ground.

A flood of thoughts suddenly overwhelmed me.

"I support it!"

Xiao Zhixia suddenly spoke, her voice clear and firm.

She looked at Su Mu with earnest eyes: "Grandpa, others may not know your abilities, but I do."

"With that one strike from you, there are very few in the entire Daqian army who could do it."

She paused, her tone becoming even more serious: "The Great Qian is currently beset by internal and external troubles, its military generals are weak, and the Northern Di are winning battle after battle. With more experts like you, the Great Qian's chances of victory will increase."

Su Mu glanced at her.

This little girl has a good eye.

"However..." Xiao Zhixia changed the subject, her gaze falling on Su Qingxue, "Grandpa, by taking your granddaughter to join the army, you are undoubtedly dragging her into danger as well. On the battlefield, swords and spears have no eyes; she's just a young girl..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear.

Su Mu fell silent.

How could he not know?

Taking Qingxue to join the army is no different from pushing her into a fire pit.

But he had no choice.

He lost his home and couldn't stay in the village any longer. He couldn't just abandon Qingxue alone, could he?

"well……"

He let out a long sigh.

"Now my grandfather and grandson are homeless."

"If we don't take her with us, where else can she find shelter?"

Upon hearing this, Su Qingxue clenched her small hands even tighter, her eyes reddening, but she bit her lip and didn't cry.

Xiao Zhixia and Xiao Zhiqi exchanged a glance.

The two sisters exchanged a glance, and Xiao Zhixia took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Grandpa, if you trust us sisters, you can entrust the little sister to us, and we will take her back to the capital."

Su Mu raised his head, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"That's a great idea!" Xiao Zhi Qiu slapped the table, perking up. "Grandpa, you don't know, our Xiao family is a very prestigious family in the capital! Let our little sister come with us, she'll live a life of luxury and never have to worry about food or clothing!"

She patted her chest, a smug look on her face: "Don't let our current disheveled appearance fool you. We've just run into trouble while traveling. Once we get to the capital, just ask around—who would dare disrespect the Xiao family?"

Xiao Zhixia took over the conversation, her tone sincere: "Grandpa, you saved my sister and me. This is an immense favor. We're helping you take care of your granddaughter as a way of repaying you."

"The capital city is the capital of the Great Qian Dynasty. Its walls are high and thick, and it is heavily guarded. The Northern Di people cannot attack there for the time being."

"Don't worry about my safety once my little sister arrives in the capital."

Su Mu did not answer immediately.

He lowered his head and looked at Su Qingxue beside him.

Su Qingxue's eyes instantly reddened, and she clung tightly to his arm, her voice trembling with tears, "Grandpa, I don't want to leave you! I don't want to go to the capital! I don't want to go anywhere!"

"I already have no father or mother, I can't lose my grandfather too!"

Her tears finally fell, one by one, landing on Su Mu's withered hand.

Su Mu's hands were trembling.

He reached out and gently wiped away his granddaughter's tears.

The movements were slow and gentle, as if polishing a rare treasure.

"Qingxue, be good." His voice was hoarse, but as gentle as a spring breeze. "Grandpa doesn't want you. Grandpa has to take care of something important. Once he's done, he'll come to the capital to pick you up."

"It's safer for you to go to the capital with your two older sisters than with your grandfather."

Su Qingxue shook her head desperately, tears streaming down her face.

Su Mu did not say anything more.

He has made his decision.

He could tell what kind of people the two sisters were.

Kind-hearted, grateful, capable, and well-connected.

It would be best if Qingxue went with them.

The capital city is indeed the safest place.

He was to go to Qinghe County, find the Daqian military camp, complete the system tasks, and earn lifespan.

He cannot die.

He died, and Qingxue truly became an orphan.

Su Mu raised his head, looked at Xiao Zhixia, and nodded solemnly:

"Alright, I trust you."

"Qingxue, I'll leave it in your care, ladies."