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

The central command tent was solemn and imposing, with a hidden killing intent.

Inside the tent, civil and military generals stood on both sides, their auras sharp and their presence solemn.

Ryosuke Takenaka, dressed in plain clothes, stood alone in the center of the tent. He was upright and calm. Although he was in the midst of hundreds of thousands of enemy troops and in dire straits, he remained neither arrogant nor humble and remained composed.

He rode his horse at breakneck speed, crossing the border between the two armies, and entered the Daqian army camp alone. He had already made thorough preparations in his heart, and had also anticipated that this journey would be fraught with danger and uncertainty, and that his life or death would be uncertain.

Ever since he was young, he had heard about the legendary deeds of Su Mu, the God of War of the Great Qian Dynasty, and had always been quite curious about him.

He rose from humble beginnings as a centenarian cook, sweeping across the northern barbarians, pacifying all directions, and becoming awe-inspiring throughout the Great Qian Dynasty.

He single-handedly created the mighty military prestige of the Great Qian Dynasty!

Today, he can finally see the true face of this legendary war god with his own eyes.

Just as his mind began to stir, steady footsteps came from outside the tent.

……

A moment later, a slender and upright figure slowly walked into the tent.

His white hair was like snow, his face was thin and refined, and he was dressed in a simple blue robe. At this moment, he was not wearing any armor or gold or silver ornaments. He looked ordinary, gentle and refined, like an ordinary old man in the countryside, without any fierce and domineering aura.

Yet this seemingly gentle and senile old man personally annihilated the 150,000-strong Dongyi navy, shattering Dongyi's decades-long maritime hegemony and forcing the vast Dongyi state to the brink of collapse and the entire nation into fear!

Su Mu walked calmly and went straight to the head seat to sit down.

He looked up at the only unfamiliar figure in the tent, his expression indifferent, his gaze detached, and with an air of superiority, he slowly asked:

"Who are you? What brings you to my Great Qian army camp?"

Ryosuke Takenaka composed himself, suppressing his shock, and bowed slightly, responding calmly and respectfully:

"I am Takenaka Ryosuke, the plenipotentiary peace envoy personally appointed by the Emperor of the Eastern Barbarians."

"I have come alone this time, only to meet with General Su, to stop the war between our two countries, to plead for the lives of our people, and to discuss a ceasefire and peace talks."

Upon hearing the name "Takenaka Ryosuke," Su Mu's eyes narrowed slightly. He looked at him calmly and asked softly, "Takenaka Heibei, what is your relationship with him?"

Upon hearing this, Takenaka Ryosuke's body stiffened slightly, a shadow of gloom and sorrow crossing his expression. He said in a deep voice, "Reporting to General Su, it is my own brother."

Takenaka Heibei went on a naval expedition, but was eventually killed by Su Mu as a sacrifice to the battle flag.

Upon hearing that Takenaka Ryosuke was Takenaka Hyōe's brother, the generals in the tent, including Qin Hao and Wang Ben, instantly turned stern, their eyes flashing with sharpness, and they all placed their hands on the swords at their waists.

The sword blade was half-drawn, its cold light sharp, locked onto Takenaka Ryosuke, and a murderous aura suddenly rose around him!

They were all thinking that since this man's brother was killed as a sacrifice to the flag, and he entered the camp alone, it was highly likely that he harbored malicious intentions, pretended to seek peace, and was waiting for an opportunity to assassinate him!

At this moment, the atmosphere in the tent instantly became extremely tense, filled with murderous intent!

If Takenaka Ryosuke makes the slightest move, the generals will immediately draw their swords and kill him on the spot!

Despite the menacing stares and murderous intent of the crowd, Takenaka Ryosuke remained calm and composed, showing no fear whatsoever.

Just as everyone was about to rush forward and capture Takenaka Ryosuke, Su Mu slowly raised his hand and gently gestured.

"Step back."

Upon hearing this, the generals, though wary, instantly suppressed their killing intent, sheathed their swords, and slowly retreated to the sides, their eyes still fixed on Takenaka Ryosuke, not daring to relax their guard in the slightest.

Silence returned to the tent.

Takenaka Ryosuke took a deep breath, looked directly at Su Mu in the main seat, and began to speak earnestly, displaying the talent of a debater.

"Elder Su, I have come here not to avenge my brother, but to sincerely seek a glimmer of hope for the people of both countries."

"I, the Emperor of the Eastern Barbarians, have already realized my mistake and repented. I am deeply aware that I was arrogant and overconfident in the past, and that I offended the majesty of the Great Qian Dynasty."

"The Emperor today wishes for the entire nation to submit, pay tribute annually, and worship at court every year, submitting to the Great Qian Dynasty's territory, never to rebel, and never to cause trouble!"

"We earnestly request that Elder Su cease hostilities, withdraw his troops, and return to the capital!"

"General Su, please forgive my bluntness."

"Even if the Great Qian forces its way out of the Eastern Yi today and expands its territory by thousands of miles, it will still have to spend countless manpower and resources to guard this place. It will be difficult to win over the people, govern the territory, and suffer huge losses. It will be a losing proposition."

"Why not allow the Eastern Barbarians to surrender and govern themselves, emulating the Northern Barbarians' system of two systems under one dynasty, paying tribute annually and remaining vassals forever? The Great Qian Dynasty can gain the Eastern Sea's submission and benefit year after year without expending a single soldier. This is the best policy that benefits both the country and its people!"

Ryosuke Takenaka spoke clearly and earnestly, with every sentence reasonable and from the perspective of the interests of the Great Qian Dynasty, earnestly urging a ceasefire and peace talks.

After finishing his lengthy speech, he stood quietly, waiting for Su Mu's reply.

The tent was silent, and all eyes were focused on the old man in the main seat.

Su Mu sat upright in his high position, his expression cold and indifferent, his face expressionless, and his eyes showing no emotion or hesitation.

Because he already had the answer in his heart.

After Takenaka Ryosuke finished speaking, he slowly opened his mouth, his voice as cold as frost, carrying endless chill and iron-blooded determination, each word a deep and resolute question.

"A win-win situation? Beneficial to the country and its people?"

"Ryosuke Takenaka, if you had known this would happen, why did you do it in the first place?"

"Back then, you Eastern Barbarians raised an army and crossed the sea to invade, slaughtering the people on the borders of my Great Qian, plundering the coastal counties of my Great Qian, burning down the houses and grain of the people, committing all kinds of atrocities!"

"Back then, did you, the rulers, ministers, and soldiers of the Eastern Barbarians, ever imagine that you would face defeat, national ruin, and beg for your lives today?"

"Have you ever shown any pity for the innocent people who perished tragically in my Great Qian Dynasty? Have you ever considered leaving them a sliver of hope, a win-win situation?"

Su Mu's questions were piercing to the heart!

The sharp words resounded throughout the tent, carrying a deep-seated hatred and endless grief, making Takenaka Ryosuke's face turn pale and even speechless!

Su Mu's gaze suddenly sharpened as he stared intently at Takenaka Ryosuke and said:

"Let me be frank with you!"

"This time, our Great Qian's 300,000 iron-willed army has crossed the sea to conquer the Eastern Barbarians, not to force you to surrender and pay tribute every year!"

"The three armies are united for one purpose: to make the Eastern Barbarian court pay for its blood debt!"

"Anyone who violates the territory of our Great Qian and harms our people shall be punished!"

Su Mu's words sealed the deal, completely extinguishing all hope for peace talks!

Ryosuke Takenaka's body trembled violently, his face turned ashen, and the last glimmer of hope in his heart was shattered!

He could see it clearly in Su Mu's cold and resolute eyes.

The Great Qian Dynasty is determined to kill and will never accept surrender or peace!

They want to completely destroy the Dongyi royal family, settle accounts with all the wicked officials, and raze the entire Dongyi land to the ground!

Therefore, the peace talks have completely failed!

Takenaka Ryosuke's and even the entire Eastern Yi court's illusions and escape routes were completely severed at this moment!

After a long while, the guard in the bamboo grove slowly closed his eyes.

When he opened his eyes again, all the gentle and refined manner in them had vanished, leaving only an extreme coldness and resolute determination.

With no way out, only a fight to the death remains!

Only jade and stone remain, all destroyed!

At the same time, Su Mu spoke calmly, his voice indifferent: "In war between two armies, envoys are not to be killed."

"Go back and tell Ito Kamuyaku."

"His power is gone. Let him make a final desperate struggle and wait for his demise."

Before he could finish speaking, Takenaka Ryosuke suddenly moved!

Swish!

His figure was as fast as a ghost and as swift as lightning!

He possessed unparalleled lightness skills from the Eastern Barbarians and had been preparing for this moment. Now, breaking through the desperate situation, he instantly unleashed his ultimate speed!

The people inside the tent only felt a blur before their eyes, and had no time to react or stop it!

In the next instant, Takenaka Ryosuke had already teleported to within inches of Su Mu!

He gathered all his life's cultivation in his palm, and a powerful force surged forth. His palm wind was fierce and domineering, carrying a death wish. He slammed his palm down hard on Su Mu's vital heart!

Assassinate Su Mu, and both the good and the bad will perish!