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

The cloaked figure not only possessed bizarre martial arts skills and was adept at using poison needles, but was also meticulous and ruthless. He had even planted an explosive poison smoke device at the rendezvous point in advance, clearly having anticipated the arrest and possible confession of "Guardian" and even turning the tables on him, setting up this counter-attack scheme!

If it weren't for my thorough preparations and the fact that the details of the rendezvous revealed by "Guard" before his death were not false (at least it confirmed that the signal was real), I would probably be the one who perished here tonight!

"Captain! Found this!" A scout found a black strip of cloth that had been washed ashore and was hanging on a dead branch not far from the riverbank. Judging from its texture and color, it was a fragment of the outer robe worn by the cloaked man.

Besides water stains, the strip of cloth was also stained with some dark red bloodstains and a faint, strange fragrance.

Lin Feng took the strip of cloth and gently sniffed it. The fragrance was faint, almost imperceptible, with a hint of coolness, and seemed to be mixed with some kind of herb and... Western Region spices?

The smell was somewhat familiar; he was sure he had smelled it somewhere before, but he couldn't quite place it.

"Keep this safe and have the army doctor and someone who knows about spices identify it when we get back." Lin Feng handed the strip of cloth to the scout, his doubts growing stronger.

"Captain, the valley has been cleared." Another scout came to report.

"We captured the guard. He lost an arm, was poisoned, and is unconscious. He's been rushed back for treatment. Near the explosion site, we found some partially burned sulfur, saltpeter, and a black powder, as well as this..." The scout handed over a half-charred tube, neither metal nor wood, only about the thickness of a little finger, with burn marks on one end.

Although tonight's battle did not result in the capture of the "swan's head" and even resulted in the loss of manpower, it was not entirely without gains.

"Swan Head" is seriously injured and poisoned, and will inevitably need to hide and heal for a short period of time. This is the perfect opportunity to follow the clues and find him!

"Return to the city!" Lin Feng ordered in a deep voice, turning and striding away, his clothes covered in night dew, blood, and lingering killing intent.

The game has only just entered its most brutal and crucial phase.

At the end of the Yin hour, the waning moon sets in the west.

Marshal's Mansion.

Covered in dust and dried blood, Lin Feng clasped his hands and said in a deep voice, "This humble general, Lin Feng, reports back."

"How is it?" Zhao Dechang's voice was low and hoarse, revealing no emotion.

"One enemy guard has been captured, with a severed arm, poisoned and unconscious. He has been placed in solitary confinement and is being interrogated."

Zhao Dechang remained silent for a moment, the only sound in the study being the occasional crackling of the charcoal fire.

"Where's the swan?" he asked again, his voice now icy.

"This humble general is incompetent, allowing him to escape." Lin Feng bowed his head.

"This man's martial arts are bizarre, especially his skill with poisoned needles and hidden weapons, and he is also meticulous and ruthless. We pursued him to the underground river at the valley entrance, where he was wounded and fell into the water to escape. His accomplices and guards fought desperately to cover his retreat but were captured."

"Injured? What kind of injury? How severe is it?"

"His left rib was grazed by a throwing knife, and his right calf was hit by a poisoned crossbow bolt from our army. I have ordered a thorough search along the river upstream and downstream and along the main land routes."

Zhao Dechang walked to the desk, picked up a newly delivered secret report with the ink still wet, glanced at it, and his face darkened further: "Do you know that tonight, in the direction of Jingzhou, Li Bing, under the pretext of 'apprehending bandits and clearing trade routes,' dispatched a detachment of 500 elite cavalrymen, who have already stationed themselves at Heishi Post Station, 30 miles outside my Shuofeng territory? The commander is his trusted lieutenant, Han Meng."

Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat, and he abruptly looked up: "Is Li Bing... trying to exert open pressure? Or is he trying to create friction and stir up trouble?"

"Anything is possible." Zhao Dechang threw the secret report onto the table with a thud.

"With the fall of Wolf Valley and the escape of 'Swan Head,' Li Bing must be alarmed. This is a preemptive strike, firstly to demonstrate his power to us, secondly to test His Majesty's attitude, and thirdly... perhaps to support 'Swan Head' or his remaining forces. These five hundred elite cavalry are stationed at Black Stone Post Station, allowing them to attack or defend as needed, and also to cut off our communication with the rear at any time. A brilliant move to use offense as defense!"

"General, then we..."

"Does Li Bing have elite cavalry, but are the men of Shuofeng made of clay? Heishiyi is under the jurisdiction of Shuofeng. He has crossed the border and stationed troops without authorization, which is a grave offense. I have already issued a letter of reprimand and dispatched an additional battalion of troops to camp ten miles outside Heishiyi to confront him. If he dares to make any rash moves, it will be treason!"

Zhao Dechang spoke with a firm tone, carrying the domineering air of a seasoned veteran, but Lin Feng could see the deep worry hidden between his brows.

The power struggles in the imperial court are so intense that a single move can have far-reaching consequences.

Li Bing's actions were undoubtedly a blatant provocation, relying on his connections in the court.

"The most urgent task is to obtain irrefutable evidence!" Zhao Dechang looked at Lin Feng again, his gaze intense. "What did you bring back from Wolf Valley?"

Lin Feng immediately took out a waterproof oilcloth bag from his pocket and carefully opened it.

"General, please take a look." Lin Feng presented the oilcloth package.

Zhao Dechang took the oilcloth package and examined it carefully, but the faint scent, a mixture of cool herbs and spices from the Western Regions, made him frown even more.

"This fragrance..." A glint flashed in Zhao Dechang's eyes, as if he had thought of something, but he was still somewhat uncertain.

"I seem to recall... many years ago, at a palace banquet in the capital, smelling a similar scent. It was an extremely precious 'ambergris incense,' reserved exclusively for the imperial court, but it seemed to be mixed with something else..."

"The inner court?" Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat. If this fragrance was truly related to the palace, then the identity of "Swan Head" would become even more mysterious, and might even involve the imperial palace itself!

Zhao Dechang did not immediately draw a conclusion, but said in a deep voice, "That captured guard..." A cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"No matter what method you use, get him to talk! I need to know 'Sniper's' true identity, his hiding place, his specific contact information with Li Bing, and their next plan!"

"Understood, Your subordinate!" Lin Feng solemnly accepted the order.

"And another thing," Zhao Dechang said, walking to the window and looking at the sky gradually turning white outside. His voice was filled with deep weariness and determination.

"Now that Li Bing has made his move, we cannot sit idly by. The letters, account books, and documents you brought back from the civilian residences, especially the secret letter bearing what appears to be Li Bing's seal, must be deciphered and verified as soon as possible. This is the most direct evidence to bring down Li Bing! I will immediately select reliable documents to discuss with you. At the same time, send a secret report to His Majesty via express courier, detailing tonight's events, along with copies of this evidence! Be quick! We must present the facts to the Emperor before Li Bing, the villain, makes his own accusations!"

"Yes! This subordinate will do it immediately!" Lin Feng knew that time was of the essence, so he bowed and withdrew.

The results came quickly.

"It is indeed Li Bing's private seal!" An old clerk who had seen Li Bing's official documents confirmed in a trembling voice after careful examination.

"The color and details of the ink are exactly the same as those used in Li Bing's previous official documents! And this paper is 'Qingyun Paper,' specially supplied to the Jingzhou government, which is extremely difficult for ordinary people to imitate!"

This is irrefutable evidence! This is enough to nail Li Bing to the pillar of shame for treason and collusion with the enemy!

Everyone in the secret room felt their spirits lifted, and the fatigue of the past few days seemed to vanish.