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

The main hall of the Mozhou government office.

Qin Hao was buried in a thick pile of ledgers and lists, his brows furrowed.

Several reports on the loss of military equipment were spread out on the table.

In the last great battle, many of the Mo Dao Battalion's shields were destroyed by the Northern Di cavalry, their armor also needed repair, and nearly 30% of their arrows were used up, requiring replenishment as soon as possible.

He picked up a pen and started marking up the list while muttering to himself.

"We're short two hundred shields, eighty suits of armor, and at least fifty thousand arrows... The blacksmith shops aren't manpower enough; we need to bring over some experienced craftsmen from Yuzhou..."

As I was engrossed in calculating, I caught a glimpse of a figure walking in from outside the door.

Qin Hao looked up and was stunned.

Su Mu walked in briskly, carrying a bulging bundle on his back.

"Mr. Su, what are you doing? Why are you carrying a bundle?"

Qin Hao quickly put down his pen, stood up, and went to greet him, his face full of confusion.

Su Mu smiled and said, "I plan to go to the capital to see my granddaughter."

Qin Hao was taken aback, then suddenly realized and nodded repeatedly.

"I see! This subordinate understands."

He had spent more than half a year with Su Mu and knew better than anyone else how much this centenarian missed his granddaughter.

"Mr. Su, please wait a moment!"

"This humble general will have You Zhongyi lead three thousand elite soldiers to escort you to the capital!"

After saying that, Qin Hao turned around and was about to leave.

Su Mu reached out to stop him and shook his head.

"Don't make a fuss, there's no need for such a big fuss, I can go by myself."

Qin Hao grew anxious: "Elder Su, you are now the General Who Guards the North; it's perfectly normal for you to travel with some troops!"

"Besides, with Zhongyi by your side, he can take care of your daily life along the way."

Su Mu waved his hand in refusal.

"I'm an old man with hands and feet, I can take care of myself, so don't worry about me."

"Besides, I ride an Akhal-Teke horse, which is much faster than ordinary warhorses."

"I'm so eager to see my granddaughter that I've brought a troop of soldiers, but I'm dragging my feet. When will I finally reach the capital?"

As he spoke, he laughed.

"Rest assured, in this world today, who can threaten my safety?"

Qin Hao opened his mouth, wanting to persuade him again, but then he remembered that everything Su Mu said was true.

In this world today, how many people can surpass General Su in martial arts?

Moreover, he knew that once Old Master Su made a decision, no one could dissuade him.

"Then... Elder Su, please take good care of yourself on your journey." Qin Hao clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice tinged with reluctance. "When you arrive in the capital, please give my regards to Miss Qingxue and the Third Prince."

Su Mu nodded and patted him on the shoulder.

"Alright, you go ahead and get busy. The North has just been pacified, and there's still a lot for you to do. I'm leaving now."

After saying that, he swayed the bundle on his shoulder, turned around, and walked out of the main hall.

Qin Hao stood at the entrance of the main hall, watching Su Mu's figure disappear outside the courtyard gate, his gaze lingering for a long time.

"Mr. Su, have a safe journey."

……

Outside the government office, the Akhal-Teke horse had been waiting for a long time.

It seemed to sense that its owner was going on a long trip and was very excited.

Su Mu mounted his horse and headed towards the street.

To avoid causing unnecessary trouble, he specially changed into a black robe and pulled up his hat to cover his full head of white hair and half of his face.

"drive!"

The Akhal-Teke horses galloped wildly and soon burst out of the gates of Mozhou City.

The soldiers at the city gate saw the white horse and quickly saluted, but before they could even call out "Old Su," the white horse had already galloped away.

On a small hill outside the city, Su Mu gazed at the main road leading to the capital, his eyes filled with anticipation.

At this moment, what he was thinking about was never about being granted a title or a high rank, nor about fame or fortune.

He was thinking of that incredibly cute little girl who kept calling him "Grandpa".

……

Days spent on the road pass quickly.

Su Mu traveled day and night.

They walked out of Hanyu Pass and out of the northern border in a day and a night.

Hanyu Pass is the dividing line between the northern border and the central plains of the Great Qian Dynasty.

Beyond the pass lies a vast snow-covered plain, where the biting wind chills to the bone.

The area inside the pass is hilly and flat, and although it is cold, it is much warmer than the northern border.

The sky gradually darkened.

The moon is bright and the stars are few tonight, making it quite dark and unsuitable for traveling at night.

Therefore, Su Mu found an open space beside the official road to rest for the night before continuing his journey the next day.

There were a few old locust trees blocking the wind on the flat ground, and the ground was fairly level.

He dismounted, harnessed the Akhal-Teke to a tree, took the food bag and water sack from the horse's back, gathered some dry branches and grass, piled them together, and lit them with a tinderbox.

The firelight illuminated a small area around them, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Su Mu sat down against the tree trunk, ate a couple of bites of dry rations, drank a few sips of water, and stretched his stiff legs.

After traveling for a day and a night, I was quite tired.

Just as he was about to close his eyes to rest, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from the official road, growing louder as they approached his location!

Su Mu opened his eyes and looked in the direction from which the sound came.

A man and a horse emerged from the darkness and stopped at the edge of the open space.

The man dismounted and led his horse toward Su Mu.

The moonlight shone on him, and Su Mu could see him clearly.

He was a young man, about fifteen or sixteen years old, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, a face as handsome as jade, dressed in a blue close-fitting outfit, with a long sword hanging at his waist, exuding a heroic spirit.

He walked to the fire, tied his horse to another tree, then turned around, bowed respectfully to Su Mu, and spoke in a clear voice.

"Old man, I've missed my lodging in my journey. May I stay here with you by the fire and let you warm yourself by the light?"

Su Mu looked him up and down.

"It's alright." Su Mu nodded and said hoarsely, "Come and sit down. It's freezing cold, and it's not easy for you to travel alone at night."

The young man laughed, then plopped down next to the fire and stretched out his hands to warm them.

The firelight reflected on his face, making him appear even more dashing.

Su Mu looked at him, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes.

"Little kid, you look about fifteen or sixteen years old. How can you be walking alone at night at such a young age? Aren't your family worried?"

The young man looked up and smiled openly.

"Grandpa, I am fifteen years old this year."

"Fifteen years old, not young anymore, the perfect age to venture out and explore!"

"A real man shouldn't spend his whole life hiding in his parents' arms, right?"

Su Mu's lips curled up slightly, and he asked again, "Where are you going all by yourself?"

The young man patted the long sword at his waist, his eyes shining brightly.

"I have been away from home for half a year, traveling throughout the Great Qian Dynasty, upholding justice and chivalry. Now I am preparing to go home to see my parents."

He paused, then looked at Su Mu with bright eyes.

"Sir, how old are you? Where are you headed?"

Su Mu smiled.

"You certainly have ambition. At the age of fifteen, you dared to venture into the world alone, upholding justice and fighting for the country. That's truly remarkable."

"When I was your age, I was still buried in my studies to take the imperial examination."

"I am 103 years old this year and am preparing to go to the capital to find a relative."

The young man's eyes widened suddenly, his mouth slightly agape, his face filled with disbelief.

"One hundred and three? Grandpa, you...you're one hundred and three years old this year?"

Su Mu nodded.

"Doesn't it look like it?"

The young man looked Su Mu up and down.

His hair was white, and his face was covered in wrinkles...

He swallowed hard and shook his head vigorously.

"It looks like it! But it doesn't quite look like it!"

"I've never seen an elderly person of such advanced age who can still ride a horse on their own! You are truly remarkable!"

He gave a thumbs-up, his face full of sincerity.

"If only I could ride a horse and walk like you when I reach your age!"

Su Mu was amused by him.

"What's your name?"

The young man straightened his expression, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "I am Xiaoyouchuan! The Xiaoyouchuan who is carefree and travels freely through famous mountains and rivers. Grandpa, you can just call me Xiaochuan!"

He chuckled and rubbed his hands together.

"Tonight, Xiao Chuan will borrow your campfire to get a good night's sleep, and we'll continue our journey early tomorrow morning!"

Su Mu looked at his spirited appearance with envy in his eyes.

It's so good to be young.

"Xiao Chuan, you can just call me Grandpa Su."

Xiao Youchuan immediately changed his tune, his voice clear and crisp: "Alright, Grandpa Su!"

The two sat around the fire, chatting away.

Xiaoyouchuan is very talkative. When he talks about his experiences traveling around the world over the past six months, he becomes animated and talks non-stop.

"Grandpa Su, you don't know, last month outside Jiangling City, I encountered a band of robbers who robbed me! The bandit leader was very fierce, carrying a large machete, and he bullied an elderly couple. How could I tolerate that? I drew my sword and attacked, and in three moves I beat the bandit leader to his knees, begging for mercy!"

He demonstrated famous sword moves, making "whoosh whoosh whoosh" sounds with his mouth!

The elderly couple were so grateful that they insisted on kowtowing to the younger generation.

"How could I possibly accept such a favor? I quickly helped them up and gave them some loose silver so they could buy some food and clothing."

"To draw one's sword and help those in need—that's true chivalry!"

As Su Mu listened, the smile on his lips deepened.

"You do have a chivalrous heart."

Xiao Youchuan scratched his head and chuckled, "Grandpa Su, you flatter me. I just can't bear to see the people suffer."

"In this world, there are many corrupt officials, bullies, and robbers, and ordinary people are having a hard time."

"Although I am young and not very capable, I always think about doing my part when I encounter injustice."

When he said this, the light in his eyes was exceptionally sincere, without the slightest hint of pretense.

Su Mu looked into his clear eyes and felt a slight stirring in his heart.

This young man, though young, has the well-being of the people and the spirit of chivalry in his heart.

This mindset and ambition are truly commendable.

It is also the thing that this world lacks most.

"Xiao Chuan, don't your parents care about you?"

Xiao Youchuan shrugged and laughed, "How could I not care? They practically want to tie this junior to their belts, but I told them, a real man can't stay at home like a good son forever, can he? This junior wants to go out and make his way in the world, to see the world, and to do something for the people!"

"Besides, the world is not peaceful. Although the northern border has been recovered, will the Northern Barbarians come again? Will those corrupt officials in the court still harm the people? I should travel more, learn some skills, and make more friends so that I can contribute to the country in the future."

Su Mu's eyes were full of approval.

"Okay." Su Mu nodded. "Xiao Chuan, with this ambition, you're destined for greatness."

Xiaoyouchuan grinned and scratched his head sheepishly.

"Grandpa Su, please don't praise me too much, or I'll become arrogant."

The two looked at each other and laughed, their laughter echoing in the night sky.

As they chatted, the night grew deeper.

Xiao Youchuan yawned several times, his eyes were almost closed, but he still forced himself to talk to Su Mu.

Seeing that he was sleepy, Su Mu smiled and said, "Go to sleep, we still have to travel tomorrow."

Xiao Youchuan rubbed his eyes, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Grandpa Su, good night!"

After saying that, he leaned against the tree trunk, wrapped his robe tighter, closed his eyes, and soon began to snore.

Su Mu leaned against another tree, gazing at the campfire and the flickering light, and soon drifted off to sleep!