"Excuse me!" Xu Chen asked the guard at the city gate, "We want to join the army, but we don't know where to sign up."

"It's right over there at the training ground by the foot of the city wall. Just follow the road underneath the wall and you'll get there!" the guard replied.

Xu Chen, Qingyin, and Star Dance arrived at the training ground outside the city.

There were already dozens of new recruits training there!

There were also a few noble men dressed in warrior attire, watching and giving instructions.

"Um, hello, I want to join the army!" Xu Chen stepped forward and said.

A few warriors turned around and saw Xu Chen. One of them, a middle-aged man with dark skin and a determined face, asked, "How old are you? Where are you from?"

"Huh?" Xu Chen was taken aback. "I'm sixteen! We came from a distant place seeking refuge! We want to join the army to make a living!"

"Hmph, alright. Now anyone above fourteen and below sixty can join the army. But those two women behind you, they don't look like commoners. Are they your family?" the warrior asked.

"Yes! They are my sisters! They also want to join the army!" Xu Chen replied.

"No, that's not possible! How can women join the army? It's bad luck! Although they are beautiful women, it's still not allowed!" the warrior said angrily.

"But they are skilled in martial arts too!"

"Enough! We are the army of proud warriors, not female ninjas! How can women join the army?"

"But we just want to have food to eat!" Xu Chen said.

"I don't care about that! Having two women in the barracks will cause chaos! If you want your two sisters to have food, go and earn military merits through battles. You will be rewarded and promoted naturally! Kid, you seem decent-looking, not like a child from a commoner family. If you can achieve military merits, I can recommend you to be a retainer to our lord! By then, you can live inside the city, and you and your sisters can have a house! You will also receive a salary! In short, work hard! In this chaotic era, women are worthless. If you want to support your two sisters, you have to rely on yourself!" the warrior said firmly.

"I understand! Sir warrior, may I know your name?"

"Me? I'm called Maeda Yusaburo! What's your name?"

"Xu Chen!"

"Xu Chen? A single surname and given name, quite rare. Are you from an ancient warrior clan? Well, in this era of warlords, even the emperor is disregarded. No matter how historical your identity and family are, it's useless! Go over there and practice with the wooden spear for now. I'll come and see in the afternoon!"

"Yes! Sir Maeda!" Xu Chen obeyed the order.

"Xu Chen, what should we do?" Qingyin said worriedly. "I didn't expect that women couldn't join the army."

"It's okay, Sister Qingyin. When I achieve military merits, I will be able to support you both."

"But who knows when there will be a war?" Star Dance looked at the sunny sky and said helplessly.

"Star Dance, most common people are afraid of war! By saying that, you will only raise suspicion!" Qingyin said.

"Hehe, it doesn't matter. I'll just be honest about my true identity. They will probably just think I'm crazy!" Star Dance laughed.

"Alright! Sisters, you go rest over there. I'll go practice first!"

Xu Chen picked up the wooden spear and weighed it. "Although it's simple and made of poor materials, the craftsmanship is very meticulous! It's a weapon that incorporates the artisan's intentions!"

Although he rarely used a long spear, it was too easy for Xu Chen to handle weapons. Even though he couldn't bring his full strength into this world, his realm and accomplishments were still there. Of course, Xu Chen didn't dare to reveal too much. He just displayed a little bit of decent spear technique.

"Hmm?!" In the afternoon, Maeda Yusaburo came to watch again and was surprised. "This kid has some skills with the spear!"

"Xu, what's your name? Come here!"

"I'm Xu Chen! Sir Maeda!"

"Hmm, your spear technique looks good! Although it's not pure enough and a bit stiff, with some flaws and insufficient strength, you are much stronger than ordinary recruits! So, I think you might be from an ancient warrior family. I'll make you a foot soldier! Train well here! In a few days, we will go to battle, and you must perform well then!" Maeda said.

"Yes! Lord Maeda!" Xu Chen replied promptly!