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

"Please sit down, young lady." Lin Feng pointed to the small wooden stump next to the newly built stone platform in the courtyard.

The woman didn't stand on ceremony. She took off the bundle from her back and casually leaned against the stone platform. Her gaze lingered on the simple but well-organized courtyard with great interest, especially on A-Yue, for a moment longer.

Liu Yun brought out a bowl of warm water in a rough earthenware bowl, carefully placed it in front of the woman, and said softly, "Please have some, young lady." She then quickly stepped back to Shi Xiu's side, looking at the newcomer with curiosity and a little timidity.

The woman picked up her bowl, took a sip of water, glanced at Shi Xiu and Liu Yun, then at Shi Cao'er peeking into the house, and finally settled on Lin Feng. A slight smile played on her lips. "It's rare to see a man who returned from the border army settling down in this mountain village with three women. And," she paused, glancing at the clearly meticulously sharpened wood-chopping knife in A Yue's hand, "the women in the family seem to be quite remarkable as well."

These words were direct, even somewhat offensive. Shi Xiu frowned, Liu Yun lowered her head, and A Yue tightened her grip on the wood-chopping knife, but no one uttered a sound. Their gazes instinctively turned to Lin Feng.

Lin Feng remained calm as he sat down on the wooden stool opposite the woman, looking at her: "Young lady, you're no ordinary passerby. Your skills are impressive, and your eyesight is even sharper. May I ask what I can teach you?"

"I wouldn't call it instruction." The woman put down her bowl, her almond-shaped eyes fixed on Lin Feng, her gaze sharp as if she could see through people's hearts. "I'm just curious. Your skills aren't the kind commonly seen in the military; they're more like... the ability to kill. And, judging from your knife-wielding movements and the position of your calluses, they don't seem like those of an ordinary deputy sergeant." She smiled, a hint of cunning from a江湖人 (jianghu person, a person of the martial arts world). "My name is Ye Qingli. I'm indeed just passing by, but I enjoy watching the excitement and making friends with capable people."

Ye Qingli. Her name carries a hint of江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world).

"Lin Feng." Lin Feng introduced himself without further explanation. "Where does Miss Ye come from, and where is she going?"

"From where I came, to where I'm going." Ye Qingli chuckled, clearly not wanting to reveal his whereabouts. "But Brother Lin, settling down in this small mountain village, tending a few acres of meager land, don't you feel it's a waste of your talents? Now that the northern border is in turmoil and the world is about to descend into chaos, it is precisely the time for men to put their skills to use."

"Settling down and making a living is the most important thing," Lin Feng said calmly. "As for whether it is a waste of talent, it varies from person to person. Miss Ye has traveled the world and must have seen many talented and extraordinary people. There may be true heroes in the mountains and fields."

Upon hearing this, Ye Qingli's admiration deepened. "Well said! Establishing a stable family is fundamental. However," she changed the subject, "Brother Lin, although you're returning to the fields today and have established your authority, you've probably offended the local bullies. That Lin Youfu, I don't think he's the type to swallow his pride. Although you have a military rank and connections in the county, you're still in the countryside; it's easy to dodge open attacks, but hard to guard against hidden ones."

That hit the nail on the head. Both Shi Xiu and Liu Yun looked worried. A Yue also stopped wiping her wood-chopping knife.

Lin Feng remained unmoved: "We'll meet force with force, and we'll dam water with earth. Since I dared to take it, I'm not afraid of his retaliation."

"You've got guts!" Ye Qingli praised, then casually asked, "Brother Lin, while you're with the Northern Border Army, have you ever heard of the 'Black Wolf Riders'?"

Black Wolf Riders? Lin Feng quickly searched his mind for memories of the original owner of this body and what he knew from his previous life. In the original owner's memories, he seemed to have vaguely heard this name before. They were the most elite cavalry under the Di Rong King, swift as the wind, extremely ruthless, and often carried out harassment and raiding missions. The northern border troops would turn pale at the mention of their name. However, as an ordinary soldier, the original owner knew only limited details.

"I've heard a little about them; they're elite Di Rong troops," Lin Feng replied cautiously, a warning bell ringing in his mind. This woman's sudden mention of the Black Wolf Riders was definitely not just idle chatter.

"Yes, elite." Ye Qingli nodded, her eyes becoming somewhat profound. "A few days ago, a small squad of the Black Wolf Riders seemed to have crossed the border and ventured deep into this area, operating within a radius of several hundred miles. Their whereabouts are unknown afterward. The border troops don't have any concrete information, but there are some rumors circulating in the martial arts world… Brother Lin, have you encountered anything unusual while hunting in the mountains recently? Or perhaps seen anything that doesn't belong in these mountains?"

Black Wolf Riders infiltrated? Operating in this area? Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat, instantly connecting it to the wild boar he had hunted, and the Di Rong night raid team he had encountered earlier. Could it be… that they weren't just ordinary cavalry or wild beasts?

His expression remained impassive: "The mountains are deep and the forests dense; ordinary hunters would find it difficult to venture deep into these areas. Anything unusual... aside from the wild animals, nothing particularly remarkable. Miss Ye seems quite interested in the Black Wolf Riders?"

Ye Qingli stared at Lin Feng for a few seconds, seemingly trying to find a flaw in his expression, but Lin Feng's eyes remained calm and unwavering. She suddenly smiled, a smile that softened the heroic air between her brows, adding a touch of brightness: "Just asking casually. It never hurts to know more when traveling the world. By the way," she changed the subject quickly, "I see that Brother Lin's family isn't particularly wealthy, yet you've managed to keep these... well, their families, all content and at peace. That's quite remarkable. I wonder what Brother Lin's plans are for the future? Will you just stay in this village, farming and hunting?"

"Let's settle down first, then we can discuss things further." Lin Feng didn't elaborate. This Ye Qingli's background was mysterious, and her purpose was unclear, so he couldn't reveal anything about her.

Ye Qingli nodded, stood up, and brushed off non-existent dust from her clothes. "I've had my water and said my piece, thank you for your hospitality, Brother Lin. I have to continue my journey, so I won't bother you any longer."

"Miss Ye, are you leaving already?" Lin Feng stood up.

"Yes, the road ahead is long." Ye Qingli slung her bundle over her shoulder, glanced around the courtyard, and finally fixed her gaze on Lin Feng. She said meaningfully, "Brother Lin, the mountains and fields are beautiful, but storms are coming. If you truly want to protect this peaceful place in the chaos of the world, a few acres of land and your martial arts skills alone may not be enough. Take care of yourself."

After saying that, she clasped her hands in a fist salute, turned around and walked out of the courtyard. Her steps were light, and she quickly disappeared around the corner of the village road.

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

"Husband, this Miss Ye... is so strange," Liu Yun said softly, her voice filled with confusion and unease.

"Her kung fu is very good." Shi Xiu was more concerned about the other woman's strength. Although she didn't understand Central Plains martial arts, she could sense an unusual sharpness about the woman. "Moreover, she seems to know a lot of things."

A-Yue didn't speak, but silently tucked the wood-chopping knife back into its leather sheath at her waist. Then she picked up the spear leaning against the wall and began to sharpen the tip with pebbles. Her movements were very focused, as if she wanted to dispel the doubts in her heart in this way.

Lin Feng frowned slightly as he gazed in the direction Ye Qingli had disappeared. This suddenly appearing female knight-errant was clearly not just passing by. Her attention to the Black Wolf Riders, her probing of his identity, and her final warning all exuded an unusual aura.

Is she friend or foe? Is she a member of the martial arts world, or... does she have another identity?

If the news of the Black Wolf Riders' infiltration is true, it means the border situation is far more tense than it appears. And my little family, having just established themselves in this remote mountain village, could be swept into an even bigger storm.

"Ignore her." Lin Feng withdrew his gaze and said to the three women, "We'll deal with whatever comes our way. Let's live our own lives. Shi Xiu, this afternoon go and re-mark the boundaries of those three acres of land, and see when the compensation for the harvest will be delivered. Liu Yun, sort out the newly bought cloth and cotton, and while the weather is good, prepare to make winter clothes. A Yue, come with me to the back mountain again to check the traps and see if there's a suitable place to build a cellar."

His voice was steady and powerful, carrying an undeniable decisiveness. The unease and confusion in the three women's hearts seemed to be dispelled considerably by his voice.

"Yes!" Shi Xiu nodded, his eyes regaining their firmness.

"I'll go and arrange the cloth right away," Liu Yun replied quickly.

A-Yue stopped sharpening her spear and silently stood beside Lin Feng.

Watching them return to their work, Lin Feng felt a little more at ease. The core of a family lies in its cohesion and the determination to face challenges together. It seemed that these three women with very different personalities were slowly drawing closer to him and to this "family."

As for the mysterious Ye Qingli, and the Black Wolf Riders she mentioned... a cold glint flashed in Lin Feng's eyes.

In the afternoon, Lin Feng took A Yue back into the mountains. He wasn't just there to check for traps and find a place to build a cellar; he also wanted to take this opportunity to investigate the "anomaly" Ye Qingli had mentioned.

The two explored further along the path. Lin Feng instructed A Yue to carefully observe the ground for traces of non-native animals, unusual camping marks, embers of a campfire, or other unusual signs.

Although A-Yue was silent, her observation skills were extremely sharp. By a secluded stream, she suddenly stopped and pointed to several stones that had been moved and still had some black marks on them.

Lin Feng walked over and examined it closely. The black marks on the stone looked like they had been burned, but the marks were very fresh, no more than three to five days old. There were some trampled grasses around, with messy footprints, but the outlines of hoofprints could be seen among them. The hoofprints were slightly different from those of local horses or packhorses, being narrower and deeper, like the horseshoes of warhorses designed for high-speed running.

He crouched down, picked up a bit of soil with his fingers, and sniffed it. There was a very faint smell, a mixture of sweat, leather, and... blood.

"Someone stopped here briefly, more than one person, with horses, and very recently," Lin Feng said in a low voice, his eyes sharpening. These were clearly not ordinary hunters or mountain dwellers. Combining this with Ye Qingli's words, they were most likely infiltrated Di Rong cavalry!

A-Yue gripped the spear tightly, her dusty face now showing a wary look in her eyes. Having experienced tribal wars, she knew just how dangerous and secretive these infiltrating enemies could be.

The two continued their search and, on the other side of a more distant hillside, discovered several shallow pits containing the remains of animal bones and entrails. The remains were crudely disposed of, as if hastily buried. The bones bore clear marks of being chopped with a knife or axe, clean cuts made by standard military-grade blades.

"They processed prey, or... people, here." Lin Feng's voice turned cold. These traces, combined with the previous clues, almost certainly indicate that an elite squad of unidentified individuals (most likely the Di Rong Black Wolf Riders) had been active in this area, and may have... been involved.

"Go back." Lin Feng decided immediately. If there really was such a dangerous group nearby, then the village, especially his family, who were clearly "different" from the others, could become their target. They had to be more vigilant and strengthen their defenses.

The two quickly returned, and on the way, Lin Feng began to consider a strategy. Should he report it directly? The evidence was insufficient, and his own identity (a border soldier on leave) was sensitive, easily causing unnecessary trouble. Should he take covert precautions? That would require manpower and weapons.

Perhaps... Ye Qingli knows more?

By the time they got home, it was almost dusk. Shi Xiu had already returned from the fields, and his face looked rather pale.

"Husband, I went to check the land boundaries and also inquired around. There's been no movement from Lin Youfu's family... no money or grain has been delivered. However, some people in the village said they saw Lin Dahu limping towards town this afternoon, wondering if he was going to see his cousin who's a hoodlum there..." Shi Xiu said worriedly.

Lin Youfu was indeed unwilling to accept this, and he may have wanted to seek help from outside forces.

"Understood." Lin Feng nodded. The village's troubles hadn't been resolved yet, and they might have been drawn into even more dangerous undercurrents on the border. But he felt no panic; instead, he felt a long-lost excitement in the face of challenges.

Surviving in chaotic times is like rowing against the current. He not only had to protect his family, but also make it an increasingly strong fortress amidst the turmoil.

The atmosphere at dinner was even more somber than at noon. Even Shi Cao'er sensed it, and obediently ate her food without saying a word.

After finishing his meal, Lin Feng put down his chopsticks and glanced at the three women.

"From today onwards, some rules will be established for the household." His voice was steady, carrying an unquestionable authority. "The doors and windows must be bolted at night. Shi Xiu, you and Liu Yun will take turns keeping watch, for the first and second half of the night. A Yue, you will be in charge of guarding the yard and the perimeter."

The three women were all taken aback. Keep watch? Be on alert?

"Husband, is it... because of the village head's family, or because of that Miss Ye from earlier today?" Liu Yun asked softly.

"Both are true." Lin Feng didn't hide anything. "There might be trouble in the village, and things might not be peaceful outside either. We can't let our guard down."

Lin Feng said, his tone still calm, yet carrying a reassuring strength, "We are all family, we must face this together. Shi Xiu, Liu Yun, you teach Cao'er some simple ways to hide and call for help. A Yue, starting tomorrow, I will teach you some more practical fighting techniques."

His arrangements were clear and decisive, without the slightest hesitation. The three women exchanged glances, their initial shyness and unease gradually replaced by a feeling of being needed and valued. In this perilous environment, having a strong and calm man leading them, formulating plans, and assigning tasks was itself a source of security.

"I understand." Shi Xiu was the first to nod, his eyes firm.

"I will keep watch through the night," Liu Yun said, mustering her courage.

A-Yue nodded silently and gripped the wood-chopping knife at her waist.

Lin Feng looked at them and nodded slightly in his heart. The cohesion of a family comes not only from warmth, but also from the determination to face challenges together and the efficiency of division of labor and cooperation.

Night deepened.

As Lin Feng had arranged, Shi Xiu was on duty for the first half of the night, sitting inside the kitchen door with the wooden stick in her arms, listening vigilantly to any sounds outside. Liu Yun and Shi Cao'er slept on the kang (a heated brick bed). A Yue, holding a spear, stood guard in the shadows inside the courtyard gate. Lin Feng's bedding was laid out on the ground not far from the kang, with his iron-backed bow and machete within easy reach.

The room was quiet, with only the sound of Shicaoer's even breathing.

In the darkness, Lin Feng kept his eyes open, his ears picking up every sound inside and outside the courtyard. The sound of the wind, the chirping of insects, the occasional bark of a dog in the distance... He was like a sophisticated radar, filtering out harmless noises and remaining alert to any abnormality.

Shi Xiu's breathing was heavy, clearly indicating his nervousness. Liu Yun also seemed to be awake, occasionally turning over. As for A Yue, there was almost no sound.

Time passed little by little.

Suddenly, Lin Feng's ears twitched.

Outside the courtyard wall, a very faint rustling sound, unlike the natural wind rustling through the grass, could be heard. And it wasn't just one place!

He sat up silently, his hand already gripping the hilt of the machete.

Almost simultaneously, A-Yue, who was guarding the shadows of the courtyard gate, suddenly straightened her back and silently raised her spear, aiming it at the courtyard gate!

Danger is really coming.