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

South of the city, Wynn Casino.

This was originally a property owned by Qin Wu of the Canal Gang. After Qin Wu's death, the gambling den continued to operate as usual, but the security was noticeably tighter. The entrance to the secluded cellar in the backyard was disguised as a corner of a woodshed. The cellar was dark and damp, but two people were huddled inside. They were the two assassins who had escaped the net after the failed assassination attempt on Lin Feng last night, and who had hidden here according to the pre-arranged plan.

Both men were dressed in ordinary coarse cloth clothes, but their eyes were sharp and their hands were calloused, clearly indicating that they were skilled in using weapons.

They were talking in hushed tones over some cold water and dry rations.

"The third and fourth brothers are dead, and the eldest brother has been arrested. That corrupt official Yang Dingbian is searching the whole city, so it's probably not safe here anymore," a man with a scar on his face said in a low voice, his tone unease.

"What's there to be afraid of?" another man with triangular eyes sneered. "The most dangerous place is the safest place. This gambling den was Qin Wu's property. Qin Wu is dead, but his men are still around. Who would think we're hiding here? Once things calm down, we'll follow 'Falcon's' instructions and leave the city through the secret passage at the south gate."

"But what if our boss... betrays us?" Scarface was still worried.

"Don't worry, the boss is tough, and he knows the rules. If he confesses, he'll die, and his whole family will die too. He can handle it." The man with the triangular eyes seemed to have a lot of confidence in the "boss."

"We, on the other hand, need to be careful. I have a feeling that there are some unfamiliar faces loitering outside the gambling den these past few days."

Before the words were finished, the hidden door to the cellar entrance was suddenly kicked open! Blinding torchlight shone in, followed by the click of a crossbow being cocked and a stern shout: "Those inside, come out! Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy!"

Yang Dingbian, clad in iron armor, stood with his hand on his sword at the entrance to the cellar, his face cold and stern, ferocious soldiers of the state behind him. Following the confession of the surviving assassin, he had indeed found his target here!

Scarface and Triangular Eyes' expressions changed drastically. Almost simultaneously, they drew the short blades hidden at their waists, but faced with the dense barrage of crossbow bolts and the surging soldiers, resistance was futile. In no time, the two were pinned to the ground and bound like dumplings.

In a secluded hideout near the "Sanhe Goods Store".

Several subordinates were reporting to Hou Qi:

"The brothers who were monitoring Ciyun Nunnery reported that they saw that blue-canopied carriage from the Qi Prince's Mansion again this evening, driven by the same old coachman surnamed Han. The carriage stayed at the nunnery for almost two hours before coming out. Every time that carriage goes, a middle-aged nun comes out from the back gate of the nunnery, goes around the nearby market, buys some rice, noodles, and vegetables, but the amount she buys far exceeds the needs of the nuns in the nunnery! And she has the vegetable vendors deliver it all to an abandoned earth god temple not far behind the nunnery. But the brothers who were secretly watching saw a dark figure carrying things away from the earth god temple in the middle of the night, and their whereabouts are unknown. Our men didn't dare to follow too closely, for fear of being discovered."

"Based on clues from pharmacies near gambling dens and teahouses, as well as rumors circulating in the martial arts world, 'Ghost Hand Poison Doctor' Mo Sangeng is the prime suspect. This man possesses bizarre medical skills, especially in the use of poisons. He spends most of his time on the northern border, treating bandits and smugglers, and also taking on shady jobs. About half a month ago, someone saw him at 'Huichuntang' in the west of Qingzhou City, where he bought a large quantity of sulfur, cinnabar, arsenic, and other substances. After that, he disappeared."

Hou Qi paced back and forth in the room, quickly calculating in his mind.

The clues about Ciyun Nunnery are crucial. If Zhou An is really hiding there, then we're not far from uncovering the true identities of "Falcon" and King Qi! But Ciyun Nunnery is a nunnery, and it's not appropriate for a group of grown men to force their way in. We need to find a safe way to confirm it, and ideally, we should be able to gather solid evidence.

"It seems we'll have to ask Lord Feng for help." A glint of light flashed in Hou Qi's eyes.

He couldn't go directly to Feng Zhen, but he could pass on a message through Wang, the clerk.

Inside the prefectural government office, in Feng Zhen's study, the lights burned all night once again.

Yang Dingbian stood with his hands at his sides, reporting on the day's operations: "...The two assassins have been captured, but they are both death squad members with limited knowledge. They only confessed that they were paid to do the job, that the meeting took place at the City God Temple, and that they communicated using notes. They have never seen their employer's face. 'Qingxin Teahouse' has been shut down, and the manager and staff have fled and are being pursued. Some unburned letter fragments were found at the scene, and Clerk Wang is piecing them together for examination."

Feng Zhen rubbed his throbbing temples, his eyes even more bloodshot. "Where's Zhou An? Still no news?"

"No trace yet. This person has vanished without a trace." Yang Dingbian shook his head. "However, when I searched Zhou Wenyuan's residence, I found some secret letters in a secret room of his study, which were related to the North. They mentioned the handover of several batches of 'special goods,' with the time and place vague, but the recipient seemed to point to... several manors under the name of the Prince of Qi. In addition, we also found a fragment of Di Rong script, which we are currently looking for someone to translate."

"The Qi Prince's Mansion...it's the Qi Prince's Mansion again!" A cold glint flashed in Feng Zhen's eyes. "What about the clues about the poison-using physician?"

"Wang the clerk reported that they suspect a江湖人士 (jianghu person) called 'Ghost Hand Poison Doctor' Mo Sangeng. This person is skilled in using poisons, moves around mysteriously, and may be related to Di Rong. We have already arranged for people to investigate secretly."

Feng Zhen remained silent for a long time, tapping his fingers on the table.

"Zhou An is key, Mo San who used poison is even more key, and the Qi Prince's mansion is even more key! But right now, we haven't caught any of them with any real evidence! Zhou Wenyuan is silent, the Qi Prince's mansion is impenetrable, and Zhou An and Mo San have vanished without a trace! Are we just going to let these monsters continue to roam free?!"

Yang Dingbian also felt a sense of powerlessness. His opponent was too cunning and shrewd, leaving behind fragmented clues that were difficult to form a complete chain of evidence.

"My lord," Yang Dingbian hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "what should we do with Lin San? His wife is in Black Wind Valley, and although the attack on Black Wind Valley is far from Qingzhou, it's hard not to draw parallels. Should we...?"

"Leave him alone for now," Feng Zhen interrupted him, his tone complex. "There are many mysteries surrounding this man, but so far, everything he's said seems to be coming true. He's like an unexpected intruder in this chaotic situation, stirring up the muddy waters, but also allowing us to see what's beneath the surface. Keeping him alive might still be useful. Moreover," Feng Zhen paused, "I have a feeling that there might be secrets hidden behind him that we don't know about. Lock him up for now, and keep a close eye on him."

"Yes."

"Furthermore," a decisive glint flashed in Feng Zhen's eyes, "send more men to keep a close watch on the Qi Prince's residence! Especially that old coachman, Han Laosan, and his usual haunt, 'Ciyun Nunnery'! I want to see whether the Qi Prince's carriages are going to the nunnery every few days to worship Buddha or what they're up to!"

"Yes, sir!"

Yang Dingbian accepted the order and withdrew.

Feng Zhen sat alone behind his desk, gazing at the flickering lamplight, his brow furrowed.

The situation in Qingzhou is like a thick, impenetrable fog; it seems that some threads have been grasped, but they always break.

And what role does Lin San, whom he "protected," play in this game? Is he a pawn, a game-breaker, or... another, deeper, and more dangerous player?

Feng Zhen didn't know.

But he knew that Ciyun Temple might be the next breakthrough!

As night fell, the east began to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

A new day is about to begin.