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

The echoes of the elephants' cries, which had just subsided, still reverberated between heaven and earth, but the chilling and murderous atmosphere on the battlefield suddenly froze at that moment.

Murong Di, who was originally holding a long spear and exuding a strong fighting spirit, suddenly froze. In the depths of his usually arrogant and sharp eyes that overlooked the three armies, endless astonishment and horror surged.

Tian Cheng, standing beside him, had his pupils shrink, his muscles tensed instantly, and all his composure vanished, leaving only extreme shock.

Even the wind seemed to stand still at that moment.

The two paused slightly, subconsciously exchanging a glance. The instant their eyes met, they both saw the exact same disbelief in each other's eyes. The next second, almost simultaneously, their throats bobbed, and they gasped heavily, the icy breath filling their chests and making their already tense minds even heavier.

The War God Who Protects the Nation, Su Mu!

The name struck them like a thunderbolt, leaving a deep and lasting impression.

This was by no means the first time they had heard of this name.

These two words were already renowned among the top warriors and generals of the surrounding countries.

After a brief silence, Tian Cheng was the first to suppress the turmoil in his heart. His voice was dry and hoarse, and his gaze was fixed on the old figure standing in the sea of ​​corpses and blood. He spoke slowly and deliberately:

"I never imagined... that this centenarian with white hair is actually Su Mu, the Great Qian's War God who protects the nation!"

His tone was full of absurdity and shock, and his eyes were filled with disbelief.

It is said that Su Mu, the Great Qian Dynasty's God of War, is over a hundred years old, frail and nearing the end of his life.

In the past, people had heard rumors that this once peerless war god who had dominated the battlefield was no longer as brave as he used to be, and was at most just a symbol deliberately promoted by the Great Qian Dynasty, an empty name to intimidate other countries.

But what I saw with my own eyes today completely overturned all my previous understanding.

Where is there even a trace of old age and decadence?

That figure with flowing white hair stood before an army of hundreds of thousands, alone, yet more imposing and domineering than a thousand troops.

The heavy aura of battle, the ravages of countless wars, enveloped the surrounding area; the imposing presence of time crushed the entire scene. Even just standing there quietly inspired a sense of awe and fear from the depths of one's soul.

Murong Di, standing to the side, was also deeply shaken, his face filled with undisguised surprise, which he could not calm down for a long time.

When he was in the State of Yan, he had heard of Su Mu's immense reputation countless times.

Previously, the Dongyi Kingdom was rampant, repeatedly invading the coastal borders of Daqian, slaughtering the people along the coast of Daqian, plundering cities and their wealth, and was so arrogant and domineering that no one could control it.

It was Su Mu who, despite his advanced age, was entrusted with a critical mission and personally led the 300,000-strong navy of the Great Qian Dynasty to sail across the seas and sweep across the Eastern Yi seas with overwhelming force.

In that battle, the flames of war spread across the vast ocean, and banners obscured the blue sea and sky.

Su Mu was a brilliant strategist, decisive in his killings. In just three months, he defeated the entire main force of the Eastern Yi, conquered the seventy-two island capitals of the Eastern Yi, completely destroyed the Eastern Yi state, and wiped the vast Eastern Yi dynasty off the map!

After this battle, Su Mu's name as the God of War resounded throughout the four seas and eight wastelands, and everyone in the surrounding countries, large and small, knew him.

Murong Di had heard rumors about Su Mu more than once, and he already knew that this war god was extremely old.

However, he always believed that rumors in the world must be exaggerated, and that most of them were even false information deliberately spread by the Daqian court.

A centenarian, with frail bones and depleted blood and energy, needs assistance to walk even normally, and walks with difficulty. He can hardly protect himself. How can he be qualified to lead an army and sweep across a country?

Previously, he had always been convinced that the so-called centenarian war god was nothing more than a gimmick used by the Great Qian to intimidate neighboring countries, and an empty title excessively praised by the people of the Great Qian.

But only after witnessing this scene with his own eyes today did he fully understand that all the rumors were not only true, but also far underestimated the terror of this old war god!

Even in his twilight years, he could still dominate the battlefield and awe the armies!

That old man is terrifying!

Murong Di clenched his fists silently, his knuckles turning slightly white, the shock in his heart lingering for a long time.

Just then, Gongsun Yu, dressed in a close-fitting outfit and with a solemn expression, strode up to Murong Di. His gaze was fixed on the aged yet upright figure before him, and he spoke in a low, extremely earnest tone:

"General, the situation has changed."

"Su Mu of the Great Qian Dynasty is once again invited to lead the expedition."

"This man is renowned for his ruthless methods and profound experience. We must not underestimate him. In this battle, we must proceed with extreme caution and cannot afford to make the slightest mistake."

Gongsun Yu's words echoed heavily in Murong Di's ears like a warning bell.

Upon hearing this, Murong Di slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, all the shock, horror, and fear in his eyes had faded away, replaced by an indomitable spirit and absolute confidence.

He raised his hand and gripped the long spear, its tip pointing straight at the sky. A powerful aura belonging to the commander-in-chief of the three armies suddenly erupted, overwhelming the surrounding smoke and fire.

"Su Mu is indeed renowned throughout the world, possessing unparalleled combat prowess, but I, Murong Di, am by no means an ordinary person!"

Murong Di's voice was firm and resonant, each word powerful, carrying an unyielding pride:

"I don't believe that a centenarian, relying solely on a hollow reputation, can withstand the mighty army of over ten thousand fierce warriors of the Yan Kingdom!"

He knew perfectly well that he was the commander-in-chief of the Yan army and the backbone of all the soldiers.

At this moment, the two armies are locked in a stalemate, and if he becomes fearful or loses his momentum, the morale of the hundreds of thousands of troops behind him will collapse instantly, and their morale will plummet to an abyss. At that time, without the enemy's attack, his own forces will collapse without a fight and lose everything.

As a commander, one can die in battle, but one must not be afraid of battle!

Moreover, Murong Di had practiced martial arts since childhood, fought for half his life, swept away many rebellions within the Yan Kingdom, and made great achievements. He was proud and never submitted to anyone. Even if his opponent was Su Mu, the world-renowned war god who protected the country, he still had the will to fight!

……

Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield.

The earth-shattering roar of the elephants fell completely silent.

Three heavily armored and formidable war elephants of Nanzhao crashed to the ground in a pool of blood. Their massive bodies slammed into the earth, causing it to tremble violently. Their thick armor shattered and scattered across the ground, and blood gushed out, staining the soil beneath their feet red.

Standing amidst the elephant herd, Meng Shan, a general of Nanzhao, felt his blood surging. A sharp, dull pain shot through his chest, and a strong, metallic smell of blood, mixed with the pain from his internal injuries, rushed to his throat, nearly causing him to vomit blood on the spot.

His original domineering and overwhelming aura, which crushed the battlefield, vanished completely with the fall of the three war elephants.

At this moment, he finally truly felt the terrifying power hidden within the white-haired old man in front of him.

It was a killing power that had been tempered through countless battles of life and death, heavy, cold, domineering, and resolute, like an unfathomable abyss. Just passively sensing it made him feel cold all over and his mind tremble.

His proud and invincible war elephant legion, which dominated the southern border, was as fragile as an ant in front of this centenarian, and could not be defeated at all.

Meng Shan felt an extreme sense of dread and vigilance.

He knew very well that continuing the fight would only result in the needless depletion of his war elephant force.

The breeding of war elephants in Nanzhao is extremely difficult, requiring countless financial, material, and time resources. Each one represents the nation's elite and is the fundamental foundation for Nanzhao's foothold in the southern border region. Losing even one is an unbearable blow.

His mission in this battle was merely to assist the Yan army in breaching the gates of Duanyun Pass. Now that the pass has been breached and the mission is complete, there is no need for him to sacrifice his remaining elite forces for the sake of the Yan soldiers.

If the entire war elephant army were wiped out, he would have no way to explain it to the King of Nanzhao!

With this thought in mind, Meng Shan forcibly suppressed the surging blood and raging anger in his chest, staring intently at Su Mu standing in front of him, a shadow of gloom and resentment flashing in his eyes.

"Su Mu... I, Mengshan, will remember this debt!"

He roared inwardly, his hatred hidden: "I will yield for now, but when my Nanzhao army is fully prepared and marches into the territory of Daqian, I will personally settle accounts with you for today's humiliation a hundredfold!"

The thought had formed in his mind, and Meng Shan no longer had any desire to fight. He suddenly raised his hand and shouted sharply, "Elephant Army, listen to my command! Retreat! Retreat into your formation and do not engage in further combat!"

At a command, the remaining Nanzhao war elephants turned their massive bodies around and slowly retreated with heavy steps.

The massive war elephants, heavily armored and retreating en masse, still created a formidable spectacle, but to the Yan army behind them, it was nothing short of a bolt from the blue!

The Yan soldiers, who had been fearless and pressing forward relentlessly, were thrown into a panic when they saw the invincible Nanzhao elephant army suddenly retreat.

In an instant, discussions arose among the hundreds of thousands of Yan soldiers, and panic spread rapidly, engulfing the entire army.

"What happened? Why did the elephant corps of Nanzhao suddenly withdraw?"

"I don't know! Could it be... they're afraid of that centenarian?"

"That must be it! Those invincible war elephants were slaughtered by that old man in an instant. Such power is simply unstoppable by human strength! The elephant army is terrified and dares not go forward to their deaths again!"

"Even the incredibly powerful war elephants were no match for us and chose to retreat. What are we supposed to do?"

"If we charge forward, wouldn't we just be throwing our lives away? This is a battle we're destined to lose!"

Panic whispers rose and fell, and more and more Yan soldiers showed fear on their faces, their eyes darted around, and the weapons in their hands began to tremble slightly.

It is only natural for them to feel fear.

The Nanzhao elephant army was their greatest source of confidence and reliance in this allied expedition.

When the heavily armored war elephants charged, they broke through enemy lines and were unstoppable, helping them break through the layers of defenses at Duanyun Pass and allowing them to advance with unstoppable momentum.

In the minds of all the Yan soldiers, as long as the elephant corps charged ahead, victory was assured.

But now, their most relied-upon trump card and strongest barrier have been completely defeated by an old man in his twilight years, all by himself!

Even war elephants were afraid and retreated, so how could these ordinary soldiers possibly contend with this Great Qian War God?

Once fear takes root, it spreads wildly.

As the elephant cavalry retreated step by step, the Yan army, which had been arrayed in neat formation and brimming with fighting spirit, also began to involuntarily retreat. The soldiers in the front ranks staggered backward, and seeing this, the soldiers in the rear ranks were thrown into chaos and followed suit in retreating.

In just a few breaths, the hundreds of thousands of Yan troops were forced into a retreat by Su Mu, who stood alone at the front of the battle!

At that moment, a magnificent scene unfolded between heaven and earth, a scene so breathtaking and unforgettable that it would last a lifetime.

Amidst the billowing smoke, on the open field before Duanyun Pass, Su Mu, clad in golden armor, his white hair fluttering in the wind, stood tall and straight like a pine tree, all alone at the forefront of the battlefield.

Before him stretched an endless, densely packed army of over 100,000 Yan soldiers, and the massive, imposing Nanzhao war elephant legion.

However, this seemingly stark contrast presented a completely opposite battle situation.

The massive army suffered a crushing defeat!

A massive herd of elephants hesitated to advance!

One man can subdue an army of ten thousand!

One man, and a thousand troops retreated!

This scene was magnificent to the extreme, shocking to the extreme, and desolate to the extreme!

The Daqian garrison soldiers, who were originally retreating and fleeing in disarray, noticed the change in the battle situation behind them and stopped their escape, turning around to look.

Countless gazes converged on the elderly figure with white hair.

The battlefield fell silent instantly, with only the howling wind and the soldiers' rapid breathing remaining.

With bright red bloodstains at the corner of his mouth and covered in blood, Xiao Yunche stared blankly at the scene before him, completely frozen in place, his eyes wide open, his pupils trembling, and a storm raging in his heart, from which he could not calm down for a long time.

He had fought for many years, experienced countless battles, witnessed the grandeur of thousands of troops charging and horses galloping, and seen the tragic scenes of blood-stained battlefields and corpses strewn across the land, but he had never seen such a mind-blowing sight.

"This is so amazing..."

Xiao Yunche's throat bobbed as he muttered to himself, his voice filled with disbelief and awe:

"A centenarian, single-handedly, repelled an army of over ten thousand... Is this the power of the Great Qian's Guardian God of War? It's terrifying, it's defying the heavens!"

Behind Su Mu, Shen Luotang, Wang Yang, Zhou Lin and other high-ranking generals of the Great Qian Dynasty were all dumbfounded, their bodies stiff, their minds completely shocked.

They all knew of Su Mu's reputation and that this old war god possessed profound knowledge and extraordinary combat power, but they never imagined that he could still be so formidable in his old age.

He alone suppressed the combined forces of the two countries, forcing hundreds of thousands of troops to retreat in defeat!

Shen Luotang stared intently at that towering figure, her eyes filled with reverence and fervor, and murmured softly:

"A centenarian war god, living up to his reputation!"

"Such strength is truly unparalleled in the world; no one can match it!"

The dejection and despair in the hearts of all the soldiers of the Great Qian Dynasty vanished, replaced by boundless excitement and burning fighting spirit!

With the God of War here, we will surely not lose this battle!

……

Meanwhile, at the front lines of the Yan army.

Murong Di watched as his army retreated in droves, their formation in disarray and morale crumbling. His previously composed face turned ashen, and anger surged to the top of his head!

"What's going on? Who dares to withdraw troops without authorization!"

Murong Di roared angrily, his voice carrying immense internal energy, echoing across the entire battlefield and drowning out the chaotic noise.

His eyes were bloodshot as he stared intently at the rout of the army, his chest burning with fury.

As the commander-in-chief of the three armies, he knew better than anyone that when two armies clashed, morale was the key to victory.

If we retreat without a reason now, the morale of the army will collapse completely. Once morale collapses, even if we have an absolute advantage in troop strength, we will have no strength to fight again!

A panicked captain, drenched in sweat, rushed in, his legs giving way, and collapsed to his knees, panting heavily as he urgently reported: "General! Something terrible has happened! General Mengshan's elephant corps of Nanzhao has completely retreated. Our soldiers, seeing this, have fallen into chaos and have spontaneously retreated. Our formation is completely broken!"

"What? Retreat?!"

Upon hearing this, Murong Di flew into a rage, roaring, "Insolence! Without my order, who dares to withdraw their troops? A bunch of useless fools!"

The captain trembled with fear and immediately lowered his head.

Gongsun Yu, who was standing nearby, quickly said:

"General, please calm down!"

"General Mengshan said that he came here on orders only to assist our army in breaking through the gates of Duanyun Pass. Now that the pass has been breached, his mission is complete. He is not responsible for charging into battle and fighting to the death for our army!"

"He has already lost four elite war elephants, showing utmost mercy to our Yan allied forces. The subsequent battles are entirely up to our Yan army to decide!"

"Damn Mengshan!" Murong Di was instantly enraged, gritting his teeth, his eyes filled with malice and ferocity.

The two armies, united to attack Daqian, were already interdependent. At this critical moment when the battle was at a stalemate, Mengshan unexpectedly withdrew his troops, cutting off the enemy's supply lines and disrupting the entire battle plan!

Without the elephant corps to hold back and break through the enemy lines, our morale collapsed, and our advantage in this battle vanished instantly!

Murong Di held a cold spear, its tip gleaming with a chilling light. His killing intent surged, and his fierce fighting spirit soared to the heavens.

He absolutely cannot accept this defeat!

If today, the hundreds of thousands of Yan troops were repelled by a single centenarian minister and routed without a fight, the news would spread throughout the land, and the entire Yan army would become a laughingstock! Yan's reputation would be utterly ruined!

"All personnel, listen to my command! Halt! No retreating a single step!"

Murong Di spurred his horse and stood atop the high platform, his spear pointing directly at Su Mu's figure ahead. He roared hoarsely:

"He's nothing more than a centenarian, a frail old man in his twilight years!"

"How can you possibly intimidate my hundreds of thousands of fierce and powerful troops from the Yan Kingdom!"

"Today, I will personally lead the charge, slay Su Mu, and achieve victory!"

"Anyone who dares to retreat even a step will be executed!"

The chilling order to kill resounded across the fields, carrying the iron-fisted authority of the commander-in-chief, forcefully suppressing the panic in the army. The retreating Yan army halted their advance, yet their morale remained high and their fighting spirit was hard to quell.

Murong Di's eyes were bloodshot, filled with murderous intent. He was about to spur his horse, brandish his spear, and personally lead his troops in a charge to reverse the tide of the battle.

But at that very moment, at the ends of the earth, on the distant horizon, came a series of earth-shattering thunderous hooves!

Rumble...

The roar grew closer and more powerful, like ten thousand horses galloping, shaking the earth and mountains, and the entire land trembled violently.

Dust billowed across the sky, rapidly approaching the battlefield with the help of the wind.

Everyone instinctively looked up at the distant horizon.

The next moment, countless Great Qian Azure Dragon battle banners with black backgrounds and gilded patterns fluttered in the long wind and slowly emerged from the horizon!

One side, ten sides, a hundred sides, a thousand sides...

The countless, boundless blue dragon banners fluttered in the wind, their imposing presence obscuring half the sky!

The flag moves with the soldiers, and the soldiers move with the flag!

Elite armored soldiers and heavily armed infantry, layer upon layer, surged forward like a tidal wave towards the battlefield of Duanyun Pass!

The Great Qian reinforcements have arrived!