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

Three days later.

Nighttime, Jinling Prefectural Government Office.

Under the eaves of the east wing courtyard, the lanterns were still lit, their light swaying gently in the wind, casting Su Qingxue's figure as she practiced her martial arts onto the wall.

Su Qingxue has been practicing for two hours.

With her footwork and sword techniques combined, her range of movement was now greater than before.

From the edge of the pavilion to the stone steps under the courtyard wall, and then back to the outside of the corridor pillars, each leap is smoother than the last.

Su Mu sat on the stone bench in the pavilion, watching his granddaughter move back and forth in the courtyard from a few steps away.

At this moment, Su Qingxue stopped and looked at her grandfather beside her, and said with a smile, "Grandpa, Qingxue will practice the Ladder Cloud Leap for another hour, and practice the connection of the last move smoothly before resting. You don't need to stay here with me, I can manage on my own."

Upon hearing this, Su Mu smiled with satisfaction and said, "Qingxue, it's getting late, let's call it a day for tonight."

Su Qingxue refused to rest without hesitation, saying, "Qingxue is not tired, I can practice some more."

"Once I've mastered light footwork and swordsmanship, I'll be able to easily deal with those assassins next time I encounter them, and you won't have to worry about me, Grandpa."

Since the last assassination attempt, Su Qingxue has become even more determined in her heart.

I must practice hard and become a master swordsman.

That way, those people won't use her to threaten Grandpa.

If I master kung fu, I can go to the battlefield with my grandfather to fight the enemy in the future!

Seeing his granddaughter working so hard, Su Mu felt both heartache and pride.

Granddaughter, you've grown up and become so sensible!

Therefore, he did not try to dissuade him further.

He knew very well that mastering martial arts was not something that could be achieved overnight, but rather required daily effort to reach a high level of proficiency.

Now that Qingxue has embarked on this path, she has to endure some hardships.

……

You Zhongyi strode over from the direction of the courtyard gate.

He stopped in the corridor, his gaze passing over Su Qingxue and landing on Su Mu: "Elder Su, that Dongyi assassin still hasn't spoken."

You Zhongyi's tone was filled with resentment.

"I have tried many methods and used every means at my disposal, but that person has not uttered a single sound from beginning to end."

"He doesn't make a sound even under severe torture, he won't eat when food is brought to him, and he doesn't react at all when locked up in the dark. This guy is probably determined to die in prison."

"It's a tough nut to crack."

"Mr. Su, what do you think we should do with that guy?"

Su Mu frowned, pondering how to deal with this tough nut to crack.

Just then, a familiar voice came from the shadows outside the courtyard gate: "Old Su, leave this person to me."

Su Mu looked in the direction of the sound and, by the light of the lantern, recognized the figure walking in through the courtyard gate.

A look of surprise flashed in his cloudy old eyes.

It was actually Liu Yuzhou?

At the door, Liu Yuzhou, dressed in a dark robe, was staring intently at Su Mu and You Zhongyi.

Upon seeing Liu Yuzhou, You Zhongyi was extremely excited and quickly walked up to Liu Yuzhou.

His fist paused for a moment, then he replaced it with a pat on the shoulder, his expression filled with undisguised surprise: "Brother Liu? What brings you here? The journey from the capital to Jinling is quite long, how did you manage to show up so suddenly?"

Liu Yuzhou's lips curled up, and his face showed barely concealed excitement.

"My loyal and righteous brother, how have you been?"

"It's been a long time. You've gotten quite tanned. It seems the sun in Jinling is stronger than the sun in your northern border."

"Hey, you're making fun of me." You Zhongyi grinned, took a half step back, and looked Liu Yuzhou up and down. "It's good that you're here!"

"It just so happens that Elder Su needs someone like you."

"Since we parted ways in the North, we brothers have been wondering when you will come and fight alongside us."

"So, I've come now." Liu Yuzhou didn't reminisce with You Zhongyi any further, but turned to Su Mu, knelt on one knee, and clasped his hands in a fist: "I left the Duke's mansion without permission and came to Jinling without consulting you beforehand. Please forgive me."

Su Mu stepped forward, his withered hand supporting Liu Yuzhou's arm, his tone gentle.

"Get up, get up quickly!"

He helped Liu Yuzhou straight up, looked him up and down, and said:

"Yu Zhou, you really know this old man's mind inside and out."

"I was just thinking of writing to you to ask you to come to Jinling, but you've come here first."

Liu Yuzhou smiled broadly and replied, "Elder Su, I heard from Shen Qingci that assassins from the Eastern Shu Prefecture actually infiltrated the government office to assassinate someone and also attacked Sister Qingxue."

"I was worried, so I set off on my own."

"I will soon officially take over as the head of the Listening Wind Pavilion. At that time, the entire Listening Wind Pavilion can wholeheartedly serve Elder Su."

Su Mu looked at him: "What are your plans for this trip to Jinling?"

Liu Yuzhou's expression turned serious again, and he cupped his hands in reply: "Elder Su, this humble general wishes to personally lead men to the Eastern Barbarians to ascertain their defenses and movements before crossing the sea to launch the expedition."

"So that we can gather intelligence on the actions of our Great Qian army."

Su Mu and You Zhongyi were extremely surprised when they heard about this.

"The Eastern Barbarians are not like the Great Qian. If you go there, you will be in a foreign land. Once your identity is exposed, it will be difficult to escape."

Liu Yuzhou felt completely relieved.

"Old Su, Yu Zhou has faced many life-or-death situations in his life, but he has always managed to escape danger and come out of danger."

"Those Eastern barbarian bandits want to kill me? It won't be that easy."

"As the saying goes, 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle.' Now that the people from the Eastern Privy Council have infiltrated the Great Qian Dynasty, if we don't take action, we will be at a disadvantage."

You Zhongyi said, "You are the future head of the Listening Wind Pavilion, so you can send someone else."

Liu Yuzhou smiled, looking quite relieved.

"Precisely because I am the leader, I should set a good example by risking my life for the other brothers."

"Moreover, this matter involves the great cause of Daqian's revenge against the Eastern Yi, and we must ensure that it goes smoothly without any mistakes."

Then, Liu Yuzhou cupped his hands towards Su Mu and requested, "Elder Su, Yuzhou has a request."

Su Mu smiled and said, "Go ahead."

"I'm taking away that assassin from the Eastern Privy Council who's locked up in jail," Liu Yuzhou said, a smug look in his eyes. "He's the key to my intelligence gathering in the Eastern Barbarians."

Yu Zhongyi, who was listening nearby, couldn't help but interject: "Brother Liu, that prisoner is very stubborn. We tortured him severely, but he would rather die than talk."

Liu Yuzhou turned his head and smiled at You Zhongyi: "I don't need him to confess."

You Zhongyi was taken aback: "Then what do you want him to do?"

"What I want is his skin," Liu Yuzhou said with a smile. "Whether he speaks or not is not important to me."

The pavilion was quiet for a moment.

Su Mu said, "It's most suitable for you to handle this person."

"I was worried that if this person didn't speak, he wouldn't be of any use to me."

In response, Liu Yuzhou cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Elder Su."

Upon hearing this, Su Mu burst into laughter.

"I am truly blessed to have such loyal subordinates as you."

"It is also a blessing for the people of Daqian."

"This journey to the Eastern Barbarians is extremely dangerous. If you have any needs, just tell me, and I will do my best to meet them."

You Zhongyi also bowed with his hands clasped, his eyes filled with admiration.

"Brother Liu, your righteousness is admirable. You will surely succeed."

Then, Su Mu added, "Yu Zhou, I have only one request: you must live to see me conquer the Eastern Barbarians. When that happens, we will return in triumph together."

Liu Yuzhou clasped his hands in a fist salute, his gaze calm and resolute: "Yuzhou will certainly not fail in his mission."

Su Mu nodded to You Zhongyi and gave the order.

"Zhongyi, take Yuzhou to fetch the man."

"Prepare everything he needs without asking about its purpose. Make sure all of Yu Zhou's requests are fulfilled."

You Zhongyi took a deep breath and nodded heavily: "This subordinate understands."

Afterwards, You Zhongyi led Liu Yuzhou away from the courtyard.

Looking in the direction the two had left, Su Mu was filled with emotion.

He thought that with Liu Yuzhou risking his life to venture into Dongyi to gather intelligence, they would surely be able to cross the East Sea and crush Dongyi!