Too many female prisoners, a special forces soldier transmigrates and marries wildly.

The night was as dark as ink, and deep within the abandoned brick kiln, the air was thick with the smell of rotten wood and dust.

Lin Feng arrived fifteen minutes early and hid behind a crumbling wall, waiting quietly.

Liu Sandao, along with Zhao Hu and Sun He, lay in a triangular formation on the outer perimeter, crossbows nocked, their eyes scanning the darkness like those of hawks.

At midnight, a slightly overweight figure dressed in ordinary cloth clothes and wearing a straw hat appeared silently at the entrance of the brick kiln. He looked around and then cautiously walked in.

It was Liu Neng, the newly appointed acting leader of the western branch of the Canal Gang.

He was all alone.

"Master Liu, I've long admired you." Lin Feng slowly emerged from behind the crumbling wall, his voice calm.

Liu Neng was startled and quickly took off his straw hat, revealing a face that looked simple and honest, but was now filled with tension and respect.

He cupped his hands in a respectful bow to Lin Feng, saying, "I dare not accept the title of 'Master of Incense' from Master Lin; it would be beneath my dignity. Master Lin, please just call me Liu Neng."

"Master Liu, you're too kind. Please have a seat." Lin Feng pointed to a relatively flat stone slab next to him.

Liu Neng dared not sit down, but bowed slightly and said in a low voice, "Master Lin, I apologize for disturbing you so late at night. I have come with sincerity."

"Oh? What sincerity?" Lin Feng asked calmly.

Liu Neng rubbed his hands together, a habitual, somewhat shrewd smile plastered on his face, but his eyes gleamed with cunning: "Master Lin, let's not beat around the bush. Huang San's downfall is both my luck and Master Lin's doing. I'm sitting on pins and needles in this acting branch leader position. The main headquarters has long been dissatisfied with the western branch. Master Lin must have heard what Fifth Master Qin said before he left, telling me to 'stabilize the situation' and 'find out the details.' This clearly shows they don't trust me and are using me as a scapegoat to test Master Lin."

He paused, observing Lin Feng's expression. Seeing that Lin Feng remained expressionless, he continued, "I've been in the canal gang for over a decade, starting as a lowly porter. My success is all thanks to my 'pragmatism.' The West District Wharf used to be ruled by Huang San, but now, it's ruled by you, Master Lin. I see this clearly and understand it perfectly. Following the headquarters, following those lords who don't treat us like human beings, there's no future. Following you, Master Lin, the rules are clear, rewards and punishments are fair, and the brothers have something to strive for."

Lin Feng raised an eyebrow: "What does Master Liu mean..."

"I want to take the remaining brothers of the Western District branch, as well as the businesses at the docks, and join Master Lin and the 'Three Harmonies'!" Liu Neng gritted his teeth and said his ultimate goal, his voice low but exceptionally clear.

Seeking refuge? Lin Feng's heart stirred slightly. This was an unexpected delight.

Liu Neng appears honest and simple, but he is actually shrewd and has good relationships among the lower levels of the Canal Gang. If he can bring the remaining forces of the Western District branch to surrender, he can not only completely control the Western District docks without bloodshed, but also take over the Canal Gang's connections and some secret channels at the docks, and even... possibly obtain some inside information about the Canal Gang's headquarters, or even the Prince of Qi.

"Master Liu, the Cao Gang has treated you well, appointing you as acting master. How dare you rebel like this? Aren't you afraid of being expelled from the main headquarters? Aren't you afraid of being ridiculed by your fellow martial artists?" Lin Feng asked slowly, his gaze sharp as a knife, staring directly into Liu Neng's eyes.

Liu Neng gave a bitter laugh, his honest expression vanishing, replaced by helplessness and ruthlessness: "Master Lin, to be honest, when has the Canal Gang ever treated its brothers 'kindly'? When Huang San was in charge, he took the lion's share of the benefits, while we took the blame. Now that he's fallen, the headquarters sent Qin Wu, who seized power without a word, and now we're expected to continue being cannon fodder. As for our fellow Jianghu members..." He chuckled, "In this world, might makes right. Following Master Lin means eating meat, following the headquarters means only drinking soup, and who knows, one day we might not even get soup, and we might even lose our lives. I may not have any great skills, but I want to find a way to survive for my brothers and for myself. Ridicule? Can it feed us?"

He paused, his voice growing deeper: "Moreover, I know some things... about the headquarters, about Prince Qi's mansion, and even... about that batch of 'goods' from Black Stone Beach a few days ago. These might be useful to Master Lin."

Lin Feng's eyes narrowed slightly. The "goods" from Black Stone Beach? Liu Neng really knew something about it.

"Words are no proof," Lin Feng said calmly. "Master Liu, why should I believe you?"

Liu Neng seemed prepared, pulling out a small booklet wrapped in oilcloth from his pocket and presenting it with both hands: "This contains the secret accounts of the Western Branch over the past three years, as well as records of private dealings between Huang San, that Manager Qian from the Qi Prince's Mansion, and several powerful figures at the Headquarters. Some were handled by me, and some were secretly recorded. Master Lin can easily verify their authenticity. Furthermore..."

He leaned closer, lowering his voice even further: "I also know that the headquarters is plotting something. They want to create an 'accident' before Imperial Envoy Feng leaves office, to completely muddy the waters at the docks, and ideally drag 'Sanhe' and... and Prefect Zhou into it. I haven't figured out the specifics of the plan yet, but the ones leading it are Qin Wu from the headquarters' punishment hall and a guard leader from Prince Qi's mansion, surnamed Hu."

Lin Feng took the booklet but didn't open it immediately. He just weighed it in his hand and looked at Liu Neng with a deep gaze: "Master Liu, this 'pledge of allegiance' carries considerable weight."

"I only ask for a way to survive and a future," Liu Neng said, bowing. "If Master Lin can take me in, my life will belong to you from now on. The remaining hundred or so brothers in the Western District will also follow your lead! I am familiar with the business, ships, and warehouses at the docks, and I can manage them perfectly for you. I only ask that you, Master Lin, give me and my brothers a legitimate status in the 'Three Harmonies' organization, and a stable job."

Lin Feng remained silent for a moment.

The advantages and disadvantages of Liu Neng's defection are both obvious. The advantage is that he can quickly take control of the western docks, obtain internal intelligence of the canal gang, and may even be able to deal with the headquarters' conspiracy in advance. The disadvantage is that he is too slick, his loyalty is questionable, and he may also bring about the canal gang's fierce retaliation.

But right now, he needs to consolidate his forces as quickly as possible to deal with threats from all sides, and Liu Neng's defection is undoubtedly a timely help. Moreover, with that secret account and intelligence in hand, he is not afraid of Liu Neng playing any tricks.

"Alright." Lin Feng finally nodded. "I'll trust you this once. Brothers of the Western District branch, those who want to stay are welcome to join me. I'll treat everyone equally. Follow my rules, and you'll have food to eat. Those who don't, I'll give them some travel expenses, and we'll part ways amicably. As for you, Liu Neng…"

He looked at Liu Neng's eyes, which lit up instantly, and slowly said, "Temporarily assume the position of manager of the 'Sanhe' Wharf, assisting Chen Da and Chen Er in managing all wharf affairs. If you do well, you will naturally be rewarded. If you have any disloyal intentions..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the fleeting cold glint in his eyes sent a chill down Liu Neng's spine. He quickly bowed and said, "Thank you for your trust, Master Lin! I will never betray you! If I have any disloyal intentions, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!"

"No need for oaths, actions speak louder than words." Lin Feng waved his hand. "Tomorrow morning, take the brothers who are willing to stay and find me at the 'Sanhe Freight Transport' dock shed for the formal handover. As for who to keep an eye on and what to watch out for, I don't need to tell you, do I?"

"Understood! I understand!" Liu Neng nodded repeatedly.

"Go ahead. Be careful not to let anyone see you."

"Yes! I take my leave!" Liu Neng put his bamboo hat back on, bowed deeply to Lin Feng, and then quickly disappeared into the night.

Lin Feng looked in the direction he disappeared, then glanced at the still-warm dark ledger in his hand, his eyes gleaming.

The capture of the western branch of the Canal Gang was achieved without bloodshed, a move that went even more smoothly than anticipated. Liu Neng is a man we must both utilize and guard against.

"Brother Liu, come out." Lin Feng said in a low voice.

Liu Sandao led Zhao Hu and Sun He out of the shadows.

"Master Lin, is this Liu Neng trustworthy?" Liu Sandao asked, frowning.

"It's half true, half false. At least for now, he needs us, and he needs our help to protect himself and climb the ranks." Lin Feng handed the ledger to Liu Sandao. "Take a look at this. Also, regarding his talk of a conspiracy at the headquarters, it's better to believe it's true. Have our men be on high alert lately, especially at the docks and warehouses, to guard against arson, poisoning, and creating trouble. Also, keep a close eye on the movements of the Cao Gang headquarters and the Qi Prince's mansion, and keep an eye on that guard leader surnamed Hu."

"Yes!" Liu Sandao took the booklet and carefully put it away.

"Zhao Hu, Sun He, you two take men and secretly follow Liu Neng. See what he does after he goes back and who he meets. Be careful not to let him find out," Lin Feng added.

"yes!"

The men accepted the order and left.

Lin Feng stood alone amidst the ruins, the night wind biting. Subduing Liu Neng and taking control of the West District docks was a crucial step. But even greater challenges lay ahead. Zhou Wenyuan, the Prince of Qi, Di Rong's "Shadow Hawk," and the ever-present, unpredictable conspiracy within the headquarters…

He looked up and gazed in the direction of Black Wind Valley.

Chen tide, A Yue, wait for me a few more days. I'll come pick you up once I've cleared away the obstacles in front of me.

He turned around and strode towards the "courtyard house".

His figure stood tall and straight like a pine tree in the night, exuding an indomitable spirit.