Even in his twilight years, he swept through the chaotic army of ten thousand warriors!

[Destiny: Late Bloomer]

[Client: Ji Yan]

Age: 86

[Position: Mayfly (74%)]

[Effect: After reaching the age of knowing one's destiny, every ten years one's skill in all arts and crafts will double; with each layer of destiny formed, one divinely bestowed inscription will be selected.]

[Evaluation: Omitted]

[Entry: Still vigorous in old age]

【skill:--】

In the previous life-or-death situation, he was driven entirely by the instinct to survive, and he couldn't even see what was happening.

Now that I've come back from the brink of death, I find there's an extra entry...

[Though old, vigorous: After reaching the age of fifty, with each passing year, the muscles, bones, blood, and energy of one's body rapidly improve, and one's inherent endowments increase by one percent!]

If it's just an increase in strength, like that desperate strike before...

Ji Yan might still be anxious about going to the garrison.

But now...

All his natural endowments have increased by one-tenth!

In other words, Ji Yan is standing right now like a tank that can crush everything in its path!

Previously, Ji Yan killed that middle-aged official as easily as picking up a chick...

And that was just the result of the tank running out of fuel and simply running over it!

Beneath this withered skin and bones lies unimaginable potential!

Ji Yan was thrilled; this was just the effect of one entry, imagine what it would be like with more…

"For each rank that is formed, one innate attribute will be selected..."

Ji Yan pondered the effects and focused his attention on [position].

He clearly remembered that at the moment the seal fell, his progress was only 54%, but after killing...

No, it's not just about killing!

Several warm currents had previously warmed his body and limbs: once when he fought to the death to kill Chai Ming, and once when he focused his attention on Xiao Gou's family.

Having gone through this ordeal, my progress in rank has increased by twenty.

Suddenly, a realization dawned on Ji Yan's mind.

The affairs of the world and the hearts of men, the mud, flowers, grass, and dew—all are forms of spiritual practice.

It seems like the next entry isn't far off!

If that's the case, why can't he go to this garrison?!

Ji Yan grinned, forcing a dry, lifeless smile.

"Eighty-six...the perfect age to take risks!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The Qingshui Garrison was not fancy at all; its facade was so plain it was almost crude.

pat, pat.

Rainwater splashed onto the bluestone slabs, creating fine, dense sprays.

A kind-looking man wearing a straw raincoat emerged from the rain and shook himself vigorously under the porch.

As he untied his raincoat, he pulled an oil paper package from his pocket.

Lifting the lid, steam mingled with the aroma of oil, revealed four golden-brown pancakes.

He picked one up himself and vaguely handed it towards the door.

"Damn it, Fourth Brother, you didn't see it, a dozen or so officials suddenly appeared at the county government office."

"The autumn harvest hasn't even started yet, and I wonder what new pretext that corrupt official has come up with to collect taxes..."

Inside the door was a long table, behind which sat a middle-aged man, idly flipping through a yellowed register.

The middle-aged man was born with uneven legs. He was the fourth child in his family, so everyone called him the short-legged fourth child.

Because he knew a few characters, he and Dongzi were assigned this cushy job of guarding the table and registering information.

The fourth brother took the pancake, but didn't eat it right away. He just chuckled.

"That's right, otherwise, how could we, who are in charge of conscription, have such a leisurely job?"

He took a bite of the biscuit and looked out at the vast curtain of rain outside the door.

This dynasty is like an old tree with a rotten heart; the branches are still there, but the inside has long been hollowed out by insects.

Those corrupt officials in the county government probably wish they could scrape the earth clean and squeeze every last drop of blood from the people to extract oil.

Da Jing and the barbarians lose nine out of ten times. Who doesn't know that being a soldier is like passing through the gates of hell?

But nowadays, people are fighting for survival even if it means going through hell!

Give them food and exempt them from grain tax; dying in battle is better than starving to death!

Just like the old days when he had to go door-to-door conscripting men, now he only needs to put his legs up on the table...

"Look, another one's here!"

Just then, another shadow appeared from the other side of the rain curtain, moving towards this side.

Needless to say, this person is definitely here to enlist.

But when the two of them really looked closely...

"Why is he an old beggar?"

Dongzi hurriedly stuffed the fried dough into his mouth and swallowed it in a few bites, afraid that it would be taken away.

The fourth brother looked around with some belief. At the end of this bluestone path was only the garrison courtyard; how could they have gone the wrong way?

He gestured with his chin toward the old man in the rain, his voice rising slightly on its own.

"Old beggar! You've come to the wrong place, haven't you?"

"The coffin shop is on East Street!"

But then they saw the person who had come...

A bamboo cane, straw sandals, and a withered figure.

In the heavy rain, it looked like a withered branch that could be snapped in two at any moment...

But he didn't fall down; he swayed as he climbed the steps.

"join the army."

Ji Yan got straight to the point.

But his voice was as hoarse as scraping wood, making one's heart tremble.

Zhao Zhengdong was still in a daze, but Lao Si had already reacted and waved his hand as if shooing away a fly.

"Let's go! Let's go quickly!"

He glanced at Ji Yan from head to toe, but there was no point in giving him any further explanation.

Just as he was about to chase her away again, he suddenly felt a chill in his palm.

He looked down and found a gleaming piece of silver lying in his palm...

"This humble citizen has considerable strength, but is a bit old..."

Ji Yan rubbed his hands together, forcing a smile, "Gentlemen, please make an exception!"

The silver was found on Chai Ming's body; it consisted of a small piece of silver and a small silver ingot, totaling about three taels.

Zhao Zhengdong was honest and simple. When he first saw Ji Yan, his first reaction was to stuff the pancake into his mouth.

Even now, he hasn't noticed at all that the fourth brother has already accepted the money.

Seeing the fourth brother's actions, he understood what was going on and followed suit to drive them away.

The fourth brother was surprisingly patient today; he didn't push the old man and even helped him up...

Ji Yan could also see that the fourth brother was in charge here, but that one grain of silver wasn't enough; at most, it would only make him soften his attitude.

Gritting his teeth, he simply stuffed the remaining silver into the fourth brother's hand.

"Let's go, let's go!"

Zhao Zhengdong was getting impatient when he realized that Ji Yan wouldn't listen to reason.

"That old beggar is really bored out of his mind to come and amuse us two brothers!"

"Going into battle is no child's play. Even if I let you participate, you're too old..."

But before he could finish speaking, the fourth brother blocked his way.

"Eh!"

"Dongzi, you're wrong about that!"

"When did the imperial court ever stipulate that people of advanced age cannot serve their country?!"

"Besides, I don't think the old man is very old..."

Zhao Zhengdong was already stunned, and looked at Ji Yan in a daze.

"Old man, how old are you?"

Ji Yan wanted to agree with the fourth brother, but when he thought about the household registration system, he could only honestly say, "Eight..."

"Listen to this!" The fourth brother waved his hand before he could finish speaking.

"You idiot, did you hear me?!"

"Twenty-eight! Just looks a bit older than usual!"

Even Ji Yan couldn't keep his composure for a moment after hearing those words.

Zhao Zhengdong stared wide-eyed at the fourth brother, then at Ji Yan, whose hair and beard were completely white, who looked withered, and whose wrinkles could trap mosquitoes...

"My grandfather wasn't this decayed even after seven days of death!"

"You're telling me she's twenty-eight?!"