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

After the rain stopped, the air in Shuofeng City was crisp and cold, yet it carried a tense and grim atmosphere.

Lin Feng arrived at the Marshal's Mansion early in the morning, suppressing the reports that the investigation into "Shadow Hawk" in the city had yielded few clues in recent days, and he already had a plan in mind.

Having observed and lie low for some time, he needed to proactively penetrate the core of Shuofeng City's defenses, demonstrate his value in actual combat, and gain trust in order to obtain crucial information more quickly. Meanwhile, the clues left behind by Han Lu and the suspicious disappearance of military equipment along Prince Jing's route were all closely related to the movements of the Di Rong outside the city. The battlefield might just be the key connecting these two lines.

In a side hall of the commander's mansion, after hearing Lin Feng's assessment that the "Shadow Hawk" activities in the city seemed to have subsided, Zhao Polu's thick eyebrows furrowed into a deep frown, and his fingers unconsciously tapped on the rough map of the northern border, producing a dull sound.

"No trace left?" Zhao Polu's voice was hoarse from days of fierce fighting and carried a hint of barely perceptible anxiety. "Did these rats perhaps smell something and burrow back underground? Or perhaps their intention wasn't to cause any trouble within the city at all?"

"General," Lin Feng said, clasping his hands in a fist salute, his voice steady and powerful.

"In my humble opinion, the 'Shadow Hawks' always plan carefully before acting, never seeking temporary chaos. The calm within the city may indicate that their true intentions lie outside the city, in colluding with the Di Rong from within and without to find our defensive weaknesses, or in waiting for a crucial moment to deliver a fatal blow."

He stepped forward and pointed precisely at the southwest of Shuofeng City, in the direction of Heifeng Valley, on the map.

"For example, they might mislead our army, luring our main force to be tied down in the east and north, while the Di and Rong troops would break in from the southwest through dangerous and remote places. Or they might plant seeds of disaster in the city's water sources, granaries, or even the mechanisms of the city gates, waiting for the right moment to strike."

A sharp glint flashed in Zhao Polu's eyes as he stared intently at Lin Feng: "Speak carefully!"

Lin Feng took a deep breath and laid out his observations and deductions over the past few days: "These past few days, besides secretly investigating spies, I have also carefully studied the Di Rong's military tactics. Their main attacks on the east and north seem fierce, but in reality, they are all bark and no bite, mostly feints to distract and contain. On the other hand, in the west and south, especially around Black Wind Valley, the Di Rong's scouts and reconnaissance activities are unusually frequent, and small elite units are engaging in more close combat. Their tactics are fierce and unpredictable, unlike ordinary scouts, but more like battle-hardened soldiers. Moreover, Black Wind Valley is a treacherous place with rugged terrain, making it difficult for a large army to traverse, but precisely because of this, it is easy for us to overlook it. If the Di Rong obtains guidance from a secret route and sends elite troops to sneak up here and suddenly launch an attack, while our southwestern defenses are lax..."

"Good!" Zhao Polu squeezed out a single word through gritted teeth, abruptly standing up, his imposing figure casting a huge shadow in the candlelight.

He stared intently at the ink dot on the map, Black Wind Valley, as if trying to see through it.

"Lin Feng, your views coincide with mine! The Southwest is indeed a major threat! I will immediately reinforce troops and launch a thorough investigation of the Southwest! You…"

He whirled around, his gaze piercing as he stared intently at Lin Feng: "I hereby grant you one hundred elite cavalry, handpicked from the scout camp. These must be brave, fierce warriors skilled in mountain warfare! You shall soon proceed to Black Wind Valley to thoroughly investigate enemy movements, ascertain the terrain, and pay particular attention to any hidden paths or signs of Di Rong infiltration!"

Lin Feng, his heart surging with emotion, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a resounding fist, and declared, "This humble general obeys! I will certainly not fail the Commander-in-Chief's trust!"

"Good! Go and prepare immediately! Any manpower and weapons you need can be taken from the camp with this order!" Zhao Polu threw down a black iron token, his eyes filled with expectation and determination.

"Remember, reconnaissance is paramount. Avoid engagement unless absolutely necessary, prioritize your own safety, and focus on rapidly transmitting intelligence!"

"Yes, sir!"

Taking on this important task, Lin Feng acted swiftly and decisively.

He personally went to the scout camp, selecting men based on spirit and experience rather than seniority, and quickly assembled a hundred men. The equipment was also of the highest quality, with each man equipped with two horses, powerful crossbows, short blades, and full leather armor, and they also carried several days' worth of dry rations and emergency medicine.

Before leaving, Lin Feng still had one person on his mind.

In a quiet courtyard deep within Huai Shu Hutong on Xihou Street, the gates were tightly shut, and only a few sparrows hopped and chirped among the withered grass on the wall, adding a touch of life to the chilly morning.

Today, Lin Feng changed into a slightly worn indigo cotton robe, looking like an ordinary down-on-his-luck scholar or a small businessman who was not very successful.

He was carrying a paper bag containing steaming hot vegetable and meat buns from "Wang Ji" in the East Market—a rare find in Shuofeng City these days, a "good thing" with a bit of oil and meat.

He didn't intentionally come to "bump into" the place; at least, that's what he told himself.

But... yesterday, Old Dao brought back news that "Miss Yun" seemed to have caught a cold a few days ago and had gone to "Renjitang" in the west of the city to get medicine. The weather has been fluctuating between warm and cold these past few days, and she's thin and lacks food and clothing...

This reason was barely enough to convince him.

Standing in front of the slightly mottled wooden door, Lin Feng hesitated for a moment before raising his hand to knock on the door knocker.

"Tap, tap, tap."

A series of light, slightly hurried footsteps came from inside the courtyard, followed by the sound of the door latch being pulled open.

The wooden door creaked open a crack, revealing a delicate face with a slightly wary expression. It was Miss Yun.

She wasn't wearing a headscarf today; her long, jet-black hair was loosely tied up with a simple wooden hairpin, a few stray strands falling beside her fair cheeks. She was still wearing the same faded coarse cloth dress, with a worn-out lotus-root-colored jacket over it. Perhaps she had been ill for several days, as her complexion was paler than the last time I saw her, and her lips were also pale, making her clear, bright eyes appear even more luminous. However, there were faint dark circles under her eyes, revealing a hint of weariness.

When she saw Lin Feng outside the door, she was clearly taken aback, a hint of surprise and confusion flashing in her eyes, as if she hadn't expected it to be him.

Immediately, the confusion turned into deeper vigilance. His fingers unconsciously closed the door a little tighter, revealing only half his face, and he asked softly, "You...who are you?"

The voice was still clear and melodious, with the soft, gentle quality characteristic of a southern accent, but due to illness and surprise, it was weaker than the one I heard at the entrance of the fabric shop last time, like a frightened kitten.

Lin Feng noticed her wariness and felt a pang of apology, but he didn't show it on his face, trying his best to make his smile appear gentle and harmless: "Miss, I apologize for bothering you. My name is Lin Feng, and I am... I am your neighbor who lives nearby. I met you twice a few days ago at Xu's Congee Shop and the West Market Cloth Shop."

He paused, then picked up the oil paper package in his hand. "Yesterday, I heard from Granny Wang at the alley entrance that the young lady seemed to be unwell and had caught a cold. In this chaotic world, it's not easy to see a doctor or get medicine. I happened to pass by the East Market this morning and bought a few steamed buns, which are still warm. I thought the young lady might need some hot food, so... I took the liberty of bringing them over." He spoke somewhat haltingly, and his reason seemed far-fetched.

Miss Yun—Xiao Qingli—clenched her sleeve slightly behind the door. She naturally recognized the man before her; he was the one who had "dropped the copper coin" at the cloth shop entrance a few days ago. He was tall and upright, his face not exceptionally handsome, but possessing a natural air of heroism and composure, especially his eyes, which held a clear and upright gaze, unlike those of a petty person. But why did he know she was ill? And why did he specially bring her food? Was it truly a coincidence, or…something else entirely?

A warning bell rang in her mind.

Seeing her remain silent for a long time, only gazing at him with those clear yet doubtful eyes, Lin Feng's initial unease subsided, replaced by a stronger sense of pity. He could see her struggle and wariness, which made him even more certain that she was just an orphan girl displaced by war, forced to protect herself with extreme caution.

"Miss, there's no need to be suspicious." Lin Feng softened his voice and looked at her calmly.

"I meant no harm. I just saw that you were all alone in Shuofeng City, and it was not easy for you to make a living. You were also unwell, so it was only right that I helped you out. This bun... if you don't mind, please accept it. If you feel uncomfortable, just consider it me being nosy, and I'll be leaving now." As he spoke, he made a gesture to place the oil paper package on the stone steps at the door.

"Wait." Xiao Qingli suddenly spoke, her voice soft but carrying a hint of barely perceptible urgency.

She bit her lower lip, as if making a great decision, and opened the door slightly, saying in a low voice, "Young...Young Master, please come in and talk. It's chilly outside."

Lin Feng's heart stirred slightly, and he nodded: "Then I'll have to trouble you, young lady."