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

The black-clad swordsman's gaze swept over the longswords, the crossbows, and the well-trained soldiers, and he praised them:

"This must be the legendary divine army that captured Qingzhou, right?"

"They are indeed well-trained, well-equipped, and have lightning-fast reactions. Today has truly broadened my horizons."

He sheathed his longsword, leaped, and landed lightly from the treetop, landing steadily on the ground.

Gu Changfeng stepped aside to make way for him and gestured for him to proceed.

"Your Excellency, please."

The black-clad swordsman did not refuse and followed Gu Changfeng through the encirclement towards Su Mu.

Su Mu had already hung the Dragon-Slaying Saber back on the saddle, put away his bow and arrows, dismounted, and dusted himself off.

He was hunched over, his white hair fluttering slightly in the morning breeze, calmly watching the approaching black-clad swordsman, a faint smile on his lips.

"Young hero, don't be afraid, I won't kill you."

"Speaking of which, you did me a favor. If you hadn't informed me of the Thirteen Envoys of the Black Clouds in advance, I wouldn't have been able to set up this scheme so quickly."

The black-clad swordsman walked up to Su Mu, bowed respectfully, and remained neither humble nor arrogant.

"General Su, you are too kind. I merely relayed a message. It was you who actually took action. Seeing it with my own eyes today, I can see that the rumors are true. General Su's strength is truly unfathomable."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers cleaning up the battlefield, then looked at Su Mu with a hint of doubt in his eyes.

"Since General Su does not intend to make things difficult for me, may I ask why you had me invited here?"

Su Mu smiled slightly and got straight to the point without beating around the bush.

"This old man would like to ask the young hero for a favor."

"What kind of help?"

"This old man wishes to borrow the eyes and ears of the Listening Wind Pavilion."

The black-clad swordsman's brow twitched slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

He wasn't surprised that Su Mu knew his identity.

It's not surprising that this old general, surrounded by many talented and extraordinary people, was able to find out about the Listening Wind Pavilion.

Moreover, looking across the world, apart from the Listening Wind Pavilion, there is indeed no other organization that can find out about Tuoba Lie's movements from outside the Northern Border in advance.

"General Su, please speak," said the black-clad swordsman.

Su Mu's expression was serious as he continued.

"I would like to ask you, young hero, to continue to help me find out about the movements of the Northern Di royal court and Tuoba Lie. When will they send troops, how many people will they send, which route will they take, and how will their supplies and provisions be arranged? I want to know everything, no matter how small."

He turned around, looked at the black-clad swordsman, and his gaze was sincere.

"As for the payment, I know the rules of the Listening Wind Pavilion. There is no reason to use people for free. I will definitely pay according to the rules."

The black-clad swordsman remained silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

That smile carried a hint of relief.

"General Su, you're too kind." He cupped his hands in greeting. "I grant your request. As for the reward, we can discuss that after you've recovered the northern border..."

"Young hero, you are a straightforward person." Su Mu nodded and cupped his hands, saying, "Then I will trouble you."

The black-clad swordsman returned the greeting, then turned and left.

"General Su, until we meet again!"

Before the words were even finished, the figure had already disappeared into the depths of the mountains and forests.

Gu Changfeng and Zhao Tieniu walked to Su Mu's side, looking in the direction where the man in black had disappeared, their brows furrowed slightly.

"Old Su, can this person be trusted?" Gu Changfeng asked in a low voice.

Su Mu turned around, walked to the Akhal-Teke horse, patted its neck, and spoke calmly.

"Trustworthy".

He bent down, picked up the stag from the ground, and threw it onto the horse's back.

The deer was quite large, weighing at least a hundred pounds, but Su Mu lifted it up with one hand, as easily as if he were carrying a chicken.

"Let's go back to town, we're having venison tonight!"

Zhao Tieniu's eyes lit up, and he stepped forward: "Old Su, let me help you carry the deer! I'm strong, it won't be a problem for me!"

Su Mu chuckled, his eyes full of mischief.

"Tie Niu, if you give the deer to him, people will say that Old Su went hunting in the mountains and came back empty-handed, while Tie Niu had a great haul, and he hunted all the deer meat."

Zhao Tieniu paused for a moment, scratched his head, and smiled sheepishly.

Everyone burst into laughter.

Su Mu mounted his horse, and the Akhal-Teke neighed loudly before galloping towards Qingzhou City.

Gu Changfeng, Zhao Tieniu, and the special forces brothers behind him mounted their horses and followed closely behind.

……

Qingzhou City, East Gate.

Su Mu and his entourage rode into the city. When the soldiers guarding the city saw the stag on Su Mu's horse, they all gave him a thumbs up.

"Master Su's archery skills are superb!"

"We've only been out of town this morning and we've already hunted down such a huge deer!"

Su Mu smiled and nodded without pausing.

As soon as they entered the city gate, a young soldier in military uniform jogged up to them, panting, and blocked Su Mu's horse.

"Old Su! Old Su! You're finally back!"

Su Mu reined in the reins, his brows furrowing slightly.

"What is it?"

The soldier caught his breath and said urgently, "General Qin wants you to go to the drill ground immediately! He said something terrible has happened and you must go there right away!"

Su Mu's heart sank slightly.

Big news? What big news?

Could it be that the Northern Di have sent reinforcements again?

Or did Tuoba Lie arrive in Cangzhou ahead of time?

"Walk!"

……

The military camp and drill ground in Qingzhou.

It was a sea of ​​black, with a throng of people.

Ten thousand soldiers stood in formation, their swords and spears like a forest, their banners waving in the wind.

Everyone wore a look of confusion.

Today is neither a training day nor a departure day, so why is everyone suddenly assembled?

Qin Hao stood on the reviewing stand, anxiously looking towards the entrance of the training ground, his fingers tapping incessantly on the hilt of his sword.

Zhou Huchen stood beside him, also looking anxious, occasionally tiptoeing to look outside the training ground.

"Here he comes! Old Su is here!"

Someone shouted.

All eyes turned to the entrance of the training ground.

A white steed rushed in like lightning. On its back, an old man with white hair and a hunched back held the reins. The Akhal-Teke horse reared up and let out a loud neigh.

Qin Hao rushed down from the command platform, grabbed Su Mu's arm, and his anxiety turned into excitement.

"Old Su, you're finally back! Come quickly, come quickly!"

Su Mu was pulled forward, his mind filled with questions.

"General Qin, what exactly happened? Such a large force, has the Northern Di attacked?"

Qin Hao didn't answer, but just smiled and pulled him onto the stage.

Su Mu stepped onto the command platform, but before he could even stand firmly, a figure emerged from behind it.

The man was dressed in a dark purple brocade robe, with a jade belt around his waist and a golden crown on his head. He had a resolute face and a heroic air about him, as if he were a military general.

He held in his hands a roll of bright yellow silk—an imperial edict.

Su Mu's pupils contracted slightly.

Who is this person?

Qin Hao turned around, faced the soldiers below the stage, took a deep breath, and spoke in a loud, thunderous voice.

"Brothers! This is His Highness Xiao Jingyu, the Third Prince of the Great Qian Dynasty and Imperial Envoy! The Prince has traveled a long way to Qingzhou on His Majesty's orders, bringing with him His Majesty's decree!"

On the drill ground, five thousand pairs of eyes turned to the command platform.

Xiao Jingyu walked to the center of the command platform, unfolded the imperial edict, and spoke in a clear voice.

"His Majesty commands: Su Mu, Qin Hao, and all officers and soldiers, receive the decree!"

All the soldiers knelt down in unison.

Su Mu also prepared to kneel down.

"Old Su, wait!" Xiao Jingyu quickly stepped forward, reached out and supported Su Mu's arm, his tone earnest, "His Majesty specifically instructed that Old Su is of advanced age and need not perform the kneeling ceremony, but can receive the decree standing up."

Su Mu raised his head, his cloudy old eyes looking at Xiao Jingyu, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

Instead of standing up, he gently pushed Xiao Jingyu's hand away and said in a hoarse voice.

"Your Highness, I am a soldier of the Great Qian Dynasty, and I should be treated the same as my brothers."

After he finished speaking, he knelt on one knee, his back ramrod straight.

Looking at the centenarian kneeling before him, Xiao Jingyu was filled with admiration.

He thought to himself, "No wonder Old Master Su is so popular with the army."

He didn't rely on martial arts skills or official positions, but on his heart to share weal and woe with his soldiers.

"Alright." Xiao Jingyu took a deep breath, unfolded the imperial edict, and read it aloud.

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

"General Su Mu, the General Who Guards the North, is over a hundred years old. He resolutely joined the army and has been commendable for his loyalty and bravery since entering the camp, repeatedly achieving extraordinary feats. In Qinghe County, he single-handedly fought against a hundred enemy generals, killing Yeluqi; at the walls of Yuzhou, he killed Man Tu and decisively defeated a 50,000-strong Northern Di army; the recapture of Qingzhou was a great achievement for the nation. I am greatly pleased and hereby bestow upon Su Mu the title of General Who Guards the North, commanding all the armies of the Northern Border, and giving him full authority over the recapture of the Northern Border. I hereby bestow upon him a set of golden armor, a royal sword, and a thousand taels of gold. I hope that you will continue your efforts and recapture the Northern Border as soon as possible, restoring our lost land!"

"Qin Hao is commendable for his loyalty and bravery. He is hereby promoted to General Zhongwu and bestowed with a set of silver armor and five hundred taels of gold."

"Zhou Huchen, You Zhongyi, Gu Changfeng, Zhao Tieniu, and others were each granted titles and rewards according to their merits."

"The soldiers of the three armies shall be rewarded with three months' worth of military pay, which shall be distributed immediately."

"So be it!"

After Xiao Jingyu finished reading the imperial edict, the training ground fell silent for a moment.

Then, like a volcanic eruption, cheers shook the heavens and the earth.

"Long live Your Majesty!"

"Long live the Great Qianlong Emperor!"

"The Great General Who Guards the North is mighty!"

The soldiers shouted in unison, their voices rising like a tidal wave, one wave after another, shaking the flags on the training ground.

Su Mu knelt on the ground, his feelings a mixture of relief, emotion, and joy.

Before joining the army, he never imagined that he would have such a day.

He stood up and took the imperial edict from Xiao Jingyu.

"Your subject, Su Mu, receives the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude."

Xiao Jingyu looked at him, his eyes slightly red.

He stepped back, clasped his hands together, and bowed deeply.

"General Su, on behalf of the people of Daqian, I thank you."

Su Mu quickly reached out to support him and shook his head.

"Your Highness is too kind. I am but a wretched old man serving in the army for my granddaughter. I am unworthy of Your Highness's bow."

Xiao Jingyu straightened up and looked at Su Mu's wrinkled face, his full head of white hair, and his faded military uniform. A wave of indescribable sorrow welled up in his heart.

This old man joined the army in place of his granddaughter, fighting his way up from cook to General of the Northern Garrison.

He made unparalleled contributions, yet he still wore that old military uniform, ate communal meals, and lived in ordinary barracks.

He did not ask for any special treatment or make any excessive demands.

He only said one sentence: "I am a soldier of the Great Qian Dynasty."

Xiao Jingyu turned around, facing the soldiers below the stage, and spoke in a loud voice.

"Soldiers! His Majesty has said that the recapture of the northern border is hopeful, all thanks to your valiant fighting on the front lines! From today onwards, General Su will be your great general. He will lead you to drive the Northern Barbarians out of Daqian and reclaim every inch of lost territory! Do you have confidence?"

"have!!"

The soldiers roared in unison, their voices echoing across the fields.

Su Mu stood on the reviewing stand, his brows furrowed.

He knew that from this moment on, the responsibility on his shoulders was even heavier.

It has truly become a matter of great importance to the people of the Great Qian Dynasty!

At 100 years old, isn't that the age for striving?