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

The sky finally began to darken little by little.

Night fell, there were no stars or moon, only thick clouds obscured the sky, foreshadowing a dark and uncertain night.

Midnight was approaching. Lin Feng changed into a dark gray night outfit, pushed open the door, and disappeared into the deep darkness.

Ten miles west of the city lies a mass grave.

This place was originally a barren hillside, but due to war, famine, and plague, it became a notorious mass grave, burying countless nameless corpses. Few people came during the day, and at night, it was even more eerie, with will-o'-the-wisps, phosphorescent glows, and owls hooting.

The agreed-upon location was a relatively open depression deep within the mass grave, said to be the place where the most unclaimed corpses were buried, and where the yin energy was heaviest. Even the most daring grave robbers dared not approach it easily.

At the stroke of midnight, Lin Feng arrived precisely at the edge of the depression. The depression was shrouded in mist, and even with his keen eyesight, he could only see a few feet ahead. All around was deathly silent, save for the rustling of the wind through the weeds and the sound of the tattered funeral banners.

He stopped and did not immediately enter the depression, but stood on a slightly higher earthen slope, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.

"I'm here," Lin Feng said in a deep voice, which carried far in the quiet night.

"Who are you? Please show yourself."

The sound echoed in the hollow, then was scattered by the night wind. Apart from the sound of the wind, there was no response.

Lin Feng waited patiently, his muscles tense, ready to explode at any moment.

Time passed slowly, and after about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a faint, eerie green light suddenly appeared deep in the depression, amidst the thick fog.

The light flickered, like will-o'-the-wisp or a lantern, moving slowly through the mist and drifting towards Lin Feng.

Lin Feng stared intently, and saw the green light getting closer and closer, finally stopping in the center of the depression, about twenty paces away from him. Under the green light, he could vaguely see a thin, short figure wearing a black cloak, standing there quietly, with something on his face that he couldn't see clearly.

"Lin Feng?" A hoarse, dry voice, like a broken bellows, rang out from the cloaked figure.

The voice was ethereal and difficult to discern as male, female, young, or old.

"Indeed," Lin Feng replied, his gaze fixed on the other man. "Why did you bring me here? How much do you know about Black Wind Valley?"

The cloaked figure didn't answer directly, but slowly raised a hand, seemingly holding something. By the dim green light, Lin Feng could see that it was a small, rough cloth doll, with strange symbols drawn on its body in dark red.

"Black Wind Valley... Heh heh..." A hoarse voice let out a chilling laugh. "That's an ominous place... Those who go in never come out... They're forever trapped there..."

Lin Feng's heart sank, a chill instantly washing over him. But he forcibly suppressed his turbulent emotions and said coldly, "Explain yourself! Who are you? How do you know all this?"

"Who am I?" The cloaked figure laughed again, the voice even more eerie. "I'm someone who crawled back from hell... someone who's come to claim your life... Lin Feng, you've caused me so much suffering... My plans are all ruined... It's all because of you! It's all because of you!"

The voice suddenly became shrill, venomous, and filled with madness.

As he spoke, the cloaked figure suddenly raised his hand and removed what appeared to be a human skin mask! Beneath the mask was a face covered in burn scars, grotesque and terrifying, almost unrecognizable! Only the eyes, illuminated by the eerie green light, flickered with madness, resentment, and... a familiar glint.

"Han Lu?!" Lin Feng exclaimed in disbelief. Although most of his face was ruined, Han Lu's outline could still be vaguely discerned!

But wasn't Han Lu already dead? Dead in the underground stone chamber of the Qi Prince's mansion, a dagger stuck in his chest… Could it be…?

"Didn't expect that, did you? I'm still alive!" Han Lu, or rather, the ghostly figure calling himself Han Lu, hissed and laughed, "Lord Xiahou's blade didn't kill me! I'm lucky, even the King of Hell won't take me! I crawled out... crawled out of that hell! I want revenge! Revenge on everyone who harmed me! Lin Feng! If it weren't for you, if it weren't for your 'Sanhe' trading company, if it weren't for your meddling, how could I have ended up in this state!"

He became more and more agitated as he spoke, his voice sharp and piercing, echoing in the silent mass grave like the mournful howl of a night owl.

Lin Feng was shocked, but even more so, he was wary. Han Lu wasn't dead? How could that be? He had clearly checked in the stone chamber; Han Lu was already dead. Unless… he possessed some kind of secret technique like feigning death? Or, was the person who died not Han Lu at all, but a substitute? But that face, that figure…

No! A thought suddenly flashed through Lin Feng's mind.

In the dimly lit stone chamber, Han Lu's face was covered in blood, and they only gave him a cursory examination, not a thorough verification of his identity. Moreover, Xiahou Ying was skilled in using poison and disguise; creating a fake Han Lu's death was not impossible. If the dead man was truly a double, where was the real Han Lu? How did he end up in such a ghastly state? And why did he want to meet them here?

"Han Lu, even if you're not dead, did you lure me here just to spout this nonsense?" Lin Feng suppressed his doubts and said coldly, "What exactly happened in Black Wind Valley? If you really want revenge, you should go find Xiahou Ying, why are you coming to me?"

"What do I need you for?" Han Lu laughed maniacally. "Because you deserve to die! You deserve to die just like Xiahou Ying! As for Black Wind Valley... hehe, that was the work of Lord Xiahou and Di Rong's 'Shadow Hawk'! You think the robbery of that batch of weapons was accidental? It was planned long ago! That weapons workshop in Black Wind Valley has been targeted for a long time! The craftsmen inside have been bribed long ago! Hahaha!"

Lin Feng's heart tightened, but his face remained expressionless: "How do you know all this?"

"How would I know?" Han Lu's scarred face contorted into a smile more painful than a grimace. "Because I was one of the liaisons! Many things concerning King Qi and Lord Xiahou were relayed through me, the 'old coachman'! I was also the one who passed on the news from Black Wind Valley to Lord Xiahou! Didn't expect that, did you? You thought I was just an insignificant coachman? Haha, I am the true 'Falcon' messenger!"

Lin Feng's heart trembled violently! Han Lu was actually one of the key liaisons between Xiahou Ying and the King of Qi! No wonder he knew so much! But why was he revealing all this now? Was it a desperate outburst before his death, or was he plotting something else?

Lin Feng took a deep breath and said coldly, "Han Lu, state your true purpose. You didn't lure me here just to spout this nonsense, did you? What do you want?"

Han Lu's laughter stopped abruptly, and the eerie green light reflected on his hideous face, making him look particularly strange.

He stared at Lin Feng, his eyes flashing with madness and calculation.

"What do I want? I want to live! I want to get out of this hellhole!" Han Lu hissed. "King Qi is finished, Xiahou Ying is in dire straits, and there's nowhere left for me in Qingzhou! Feng Zhen and Yang Dingbian are hunting me down everywhere! Only you, Lin Feng, can help me!"

"Help you?" Lin Feng sneered. "Help you, a traitor who betrayed the Great Zhou, colluded with the Di Rong, and caused the deaths of countless border soldiers? You're dreaming!"

"Don't be so quick to refuse," Han Lu said sinisterly. "I know a secret, a secret about the whereabouts of those stolen weapons! Besides me, only Xiahou Ying knows! I can tell you, I can even take you there! As long as you help me leave Qingzhou, give me some money, and send me safely to the south!"

"Why should I believe you?" Lin Feng remained unmoved.

Han Lu's tone suddenly turned cunning, "That batch of weapons is extremely valuable. Aren't you tempted? It's a powerful weapon capable of equipping an elite army! With it, whether you present it to the court or... hehe, you can do something with it yourself, it'll be enough!"

Han Lu's words were tempting, but also full of flaws. Lin Feng simply didn't believe he would be so kind.

The whereabouts of the weapons? This is likely a decoy, intended to lure him somewhere into a trap.

"Even if what you say is true, how can I guarantee that after I take you away, you won't turn around and bite me, or run away halfway?" Lin Feng said in a deep voice.

"We can swear a blood oath! Or you can poison me and control me!" Han Lu said urgently. "As long as you agree to help me, I'll tell you everything! I know where Xiahou Ying's real lair is outside Qingzhou City! There, not only are the treasures he's plundered, but also the classified intelligence he's collected over the years, including the list of generals in the Northern Army whom he's bribed! Isn't that worth my life?"

The list of traitors within the Northern Army! Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat.

This is indeed an extremely valuable bargaining chip! If what Han Lu said is true, this list is enough to uproot the malignant tumor lurking in the Northern Army! This is more important than that batch of weapons, or even capturing Xiahou Ying himself!

But Han Lu is cunning, treacherous, and fickle; how much of his word can be trusted?

Lin Feng's mind raced. Han Lu's appearance revealed too much information, some true, some false, making it difficult to discern. However, his mention of the internal strife in Black Wind Valley and the conflict between the Di Rong people and Xiahou Ying's subordinates seemed to explain why there had been no news of Black Wind Valley after the attack. He also mentioned the whereabouts of the weapons and the list of traitors in the northern territory, which was exactly what Feng Zhen and the imperial court wanted most.

Whether Han Lu's words are true or false, this might be an opportunity—a chance to unveil the mystery of Black Wind Valley, or even to unearth the demons within the Northern Territory. But the risks are equally enormous; it could very well be a meticulously designed trap.

To go or not to go?

Lin Feng's gaze passed over Han Lu's frantic and expectant face, landing on the distant, dark silhouette of the mountains. That was the direction of Black Wind Valley. There were also Ye Qingli, Chen tide, and A Yue.

He slowly exhaled and made his decision.

"Alright, I promise you." Lin Feng's voice calmed down. "I can find a way to get you out of Qingzhou and give you some money. But the condition is that what you say must be true. And first, you have to take me to find that batch of weapons and get the list of traitors in the Northern Territory."

A flicker of wild joy flashed in Han Lu's eyes, but it quickly turned to wariness: "Help me get out of Qingzhou first! Once we're in a safe place, I'll naturally tell you!"

"Impossible." Lin Feng refused flatly. "How do I know you're not lying to me? Take me to retrieve the list and the weapons first, or at least tell me the exact location where the weapons are hidden. Once I've confirmed it, I'll arrange for you to leave."

"You!" Han Lu seemed somewhat annoyed, but looking at Lin Feng's cold and determined eyes, he knew there was no room for negotiation.

He gritted his teeth, his scarred face contorted in pain: "Fine! I can tell you about a secret passage inside Black Wind Valley, and the possible hiding place of that batch of weapons! But the list of Northern Inner Desperados is in Xiahou Ying's lair; we can only get it there!"

"Okay," Lin Feng nodded. "Go ahead."

A cunning glint flashed in Han Lu's eyes. He took a few steps forward, seemingly about to whisper something in Lin Feng's ear. But just as he stepped within three steps of Lin Feng, a sudden change occurred!

Han Lu suddenly raised his left hand, which had been hidden in his sleeve, and sprayed a handful of gray powder at Lin Feng! At the same time, he drew a poisoned dagger from his waist with his right hand and stabbed it viciously into Lin Feng's abdomen! The movement was as fast as lightning and extremely ruthless!

However, Lin Feng seemed to have been prepared! The instant Han Lu raised his hand, he had already retreated sharply to the side and back, holding his breath at the same time. With a flick of his left sleeve, he created a gust of wind that swept away most of the gray powder! His right hand flashed out a short blade, parrying the incoming dagger!

"Ding!"

The dagger clashed with the short blade, sending sparks flying.

Han Lu missed his first attack and did not linger in the fight. His figure retreated like a ghost, while letting out a sharp, long howl!

The whistling sound echoed across the silent mass grave, carrying far and wide.

"Do it!" Han Lu shouted sharply, his voice devoid of its previous madness and pleading, filled only with icy killing intent.

At his shout, dozens of torches suddenly lit up around the depression, amidst the thick fog! Illuminated by the torchlight, men in black, armed with knives and guns and with fierce faces, emerged from behind the graves, the earthen slopes, and the weeds, surrounding Lin Feng! At a glance, there were as many as thirty or forty of them! These men moved swiftly, their eyes fierce, clearly skilled and well-trained, far from ordinary bandits.

Lin Feng's pupils constricted sharply! It really was a trap! Han Lu had no intention of cooperating at all; he was just stalling for time, waiting for his accomplices to surround them! All that previous madness, pleading, and enticement was an act!

"Lin Feng! Didn't expect that, did you?" Han Lu stood outside the protective circle of the men in black, a ferocious and triumphant smile on his face. "You thought I'd really beg you? Let me tell you, tonight is your death day! Do it! Kill him!"

Dozens of men in black shouted in unison, brandishing their knives and spears, and charged towards Lin Feng like a tidal wave! The murderous aura instantly filled the entire depression!

Despite being surrounded, Lin Feng showed no fear on his face; instead, he revealed a cold sneer.

He had anticipated this might be a trap and made corresponding preparations. Although Han Lu's performance was realistic, his excessive eagerness and the occasional cunning glint in his eyes still made him wary.

"You think you can take me?" Lin Feng sneered, advancing instead of retreating, his short blade flashing as he met the nearest black-clad man's attack! At the same time, he raised his left hand, and a specially made whistling arrow shot into the sky with a piercing shriek, exploding into a bright red light in the night sky!

This was the signal he had agreed upon with Yang Dingbian—if ambushed, come to their rescue immediately!

"He has reinforcements! We must finish this quickly!" Han Lu's expression changed, and he urged sharply.

The men in black intensified their attack, their blades flashing and swords flashing, instantly engulfing Lin Feng.

Lin Feng weaved through the crowd, his short blade flashing, each strike drawing blood. Although his left arm was still injured and unable to exert force, his right-hand short blade was wielded with unparalleled skill. Combined with his military combat techniques, for a time no one could get close to him. However, his opponents outnumbered him and worked together seamlessly, and Lin Feng gradually felt the pressure. Several wounds appeared on his body, not fatal, but bleeding profusely.

"Shoot the arrows! Shoot him dead!" Han Lu roared in exasperation when he couldn't break through the defenses.

Several men in black immediately took off their crossbows and aimed them at Lin Feng in the middle of the battle!

Just at this critical moment, the sound of urgent clappers and shouts of battle suddenly rang out from the outer edge of the depression!

"kill!"

"Traitor, prepare to die!"

Yang Dingbian's rough roar rang out like thunder! Immediately afterwards, dozens of elite state soldiers emerged from the darkness, their crossbow bolts raining down on the men in black surrounding Lin Feng! Instantly, seven or eight men in black screamed and fell to the ground.

"Reinforcements are here! Retreat!" someone in black exclaimed, and the formation immediately fell into chaos.

"Trying to escape? Leave your lives behind!" Yang Dingbian charged ahead, brandishing his sword and plunging into the fray like a tiger among sheep, instantly felling two men. His men were all skilled fighters from the state army, and with this pincer attack, the men in black were routed.

Seeing that things were not going well, Han Lu turned around and tried to escape into the depths of the thick fog.

"Han Lu! Where do you think you're going!" Lin Feng had been keeping an eye on him. Seeing him run away, he suddenly kicked away a black-clad man blocking his way. The short blade in his hand flew out and turned into a cold light, shooting straight at Han Lu's back!

Hearing the ominous wind behind him, Han Lu hastily lunged to the side, a short blade grazing his shoulder and leaving a trail of blood. He groaned, his feet still on the ground, as he tumbled and crawled into the thick fog.

"Chase!" Lin Feng picked up a knife from the ground and was about to give chase.

"Master Lin! Don't pursue a cornered enemy! Be careful, it might be a trap!" Yang Dingbian shouted as he cut down the last resisting man in black.

The depression was shrouded in fog and had a complex terrain; blindly pursuing someone in the dark could easily lead to an ambush.

Lin Feng paused, staring at the direction Han Lu had disappeared into the thick fog, his eyes flashing with a cold light. Han Lu had to be captured! He knew too much! The news from Black Wind Valley, the whereabouts of the weapons, the list of traitors in the Northern Territory… whether true or false, it was all crucial!

"Captain Yang, clean up the battlefield and leave him alive! I'll take a few men and chase after him! He's injured, he can't have gone far!" Lin Feng shouted to Yang Dingbian. Before he could answer, he had already led several agile state soldiers and chased after Han Lu in the direction he had fled.

The fog grew thicker, and the night deepened.

Deep within the mass grave, it resembles a gaping maw ready to devour its prey.