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

As dawn broke, the two found an abandoned hunter's hut.

The cabin was deep in the mountains, covered in a thick layer of dust. There was a broken plank bed, a stone stove, and some rotten animal traps and ropes piled up in the corner.

Lin Feng helped Su Wanyue into the house and made her sit on the bed.

"Start a fire and dry the clothes." He went outside, gathered some dry branches, and lit them with a tinderbox.

A fire rose from the stone stove, instantly warming the room.

Su Wanyue took off her soaked outer garment, leaving only her inner garment, and huddled by the fire to warm herself.

Lin Feng walked to the door and looked outside warily.

"Why don't you join us for a grilling session?" Su Wanyue whispered.

"Nothing's wrong," Lin Feng said. "I'll go find something to eat. You stay inside, lock the door, and don't open it for anyone."

"You...you be careful."

Lin Feng nodded and left the small house.

The mountain forest was shrouded in mist in the early morning, and the birds sang sweetly.

He walked deeper into the area along a barely discernible path, his eyes scanning the ground and bushes, searching for something to eat.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the sound of a stream came from ahead.

He followed the sound and saw a mountain stream flowing gently, its water crystal clear, with fish swimming around.

He sharpened a branch, stood still by the stream for a moment, and then suddenly stabbed it! Water splashed up, and a fish the size of a palm was already skewered on the branch.

He also picked some wild ferns and mushrooms by the stream and wrapped them in large leaves.

Just as I was about to turn back, my ears suddenly caught a very faint rustling sound coming from the woods on the other side of the stream.

They weren't beasts, they were people. And there was more than one.

Lin Feng's eyes turned cold, and he darted behind a boulder by the stream.

Through the crack in the rocks, he saw three people emerge from the woods on the opposite bank.

They were all women, dressed in white dresses, their faces veiled, their steps light and graceful, as if walking on clouds.

The leader was tall and slender, carrying a bamboo basket covered with a white cloth.

Lin Feng held his breath and carefully observed them. Their attire resembled that of Prince Jing's white-clad guards!

The three walked to the stream, squatted down, and scooped water to wash the things in the bamboo basket—some herbs, and a few dark things wrapped in oiled paper, which looked like…ore?

"Sister, the quality of this 'Crimson Essence Stone' is quite good," a woman in white whispered.

"The Lord will be pleased to see this."

"Hmm." The woman in the lead replied in a cool voice.

"Be careful not to get it wet. The master is missing this key ingredient when making medicine."

The three talked in hushed tones, repackaged the washed herbs and minerals, put them in a bamboo basket, and got up to walk upstream.

Lin Feng followed silently.

The three of them walked upstream along the stream for about three miles before turning into a very secluded mountain crevice.

The crevice was very narrow, only allowing one person to pass at a time. It was pitch black inside, and no one knew where it led.

Lin Feng lay prone outside the entrance, listening intently. The footsteps gradually faded into the distance and eventually disappeared.

Lin Feng pondered for a moment, then decided not to rush in and instead return to the small house first. Su Wanyue was still waiting, and he couldn't leave for too long.

Su Wanyue had already dried the clothes halfway by the dryer. Seeing him return, she breathed a sigh of relief: "You've been gone for so long..."

"Something came up," Lin Feng said, handing her the fish and wild vegetables.

"Cook it and eat it. After we finish eating, we have to leave."

"Leave? Where to?"

"Head south, out of the mountains," Lin Feng said. "These mountains are not safe; we can't stay here long."

After finishing their meal, the two finally felt a little warmer.

"Lin Feng," Su Wanyue suddenly said, "are you... hiding something from me?"

Lin Feng glanced at her: "Why do you ask that?"

She bit her lip. "You're not an ordinary general. Who... exactly are you?"

Lin Feng remained silent.

After a long pause, he finally said, "I'm a troublesome person. If you follow me, you'll encounter even more trouble."

"I'm not afraid of trouble," Su Wanyue said, looking at him.

"I just want to know the truth. You... what are you investigating, right?"

Lin Feng said slowly, "I'm investigating a line of inquiry, one that might involve treason and rebellion. Su Wanyue, the less you know, the safer you are."

Su Wanyue's face paled, but her eyes remained resolute: "But I'm already married to you. Your troubles are my troubles. Tell me, perhaps... I can help you."

Lin Feng looked into her clear eyes, and a thought struck him. This woman was smarter and bolder than he had imagined. Perhaps... telling her some things wouldn't be a bad thing.

"Okay." He nodded.

Lin Feng briefly recounted the events involving Prince Jing, the iron mine, and the White-Clad Guards, omitting details about Qin Mo and Shen Qingyi. Su Wanyue listened with trepidation, but remained quiet throughout.

"So," she finally said softly, "those women in white were gathering herbs and mining for Prince Jing?"

"Yes," Lin Feng said, "They went upstream and entered a mountain crevice."

"Are you going to find them?"

"No." Lin Feng shook his head. "I'll get you out of the mountain first. Once you're safe, I'll go investigate."

"But you're all alone..."

"It's more convenient for one person." Lin Feng stood up. "Let's pack up and go."

The two left the cabin.

As the afternoon approached, an abandoned ancient path came into view. There were some fresh scratches on the stone slabs—left by heavy objects being dragged along.

"Someone went by, dragging something," he whispered.

"Are they those women in white?"

"Possibly." Lin Feng stood up and looked into the depths of the ancient road.

There, the mountains rise one after another, shrouded in mist and clouds, concealing something unknown.

He was torn. Should he continue to escort Su Wanyue out of the mountain, or follow the trail of clues?

"Go ahead," Su Wanyue suddenly said.

Lin Feng looked at her.

"I'll go with you," Su Wanyue said.

"I know I can't help you, and I'll only be a burden. But... I don't want to go alone. Lin Feng, take me with you. I promise I won't cause you any trouble."

Looking into her determined eyes, Lin Feng finally nodded: "Okay. But remember, no matter what you see or hear, don't make a sound. Stay close to me."

"Um."

The two followed the ancient path deeper into the area.

The ancient path winds its way upwards, gradually disappearing into the dense forest.

After walking for about half an hour, a dense bamboo forest appeared ahead, and a cart was parked in front of it. The cart was covered with an oilcloth, and it was bulging, so it was unclear what it was carrying.

Lin Feng gestured for Su Wanyue to stay still, then quietly crept to the cart and lifted a corner of the oilcloth—

Inside were several wooden crates.

The box wasn't locked, so he gently opened it. Inside were neatly stacked, dark red ores—the very "Red Essence Stone"! There were also several packets of herbs nearby, emitting a strange fragrance.

It really was them!

He closed the box, stepped back, and continued to observe.

Two women in white emerged from the bamboo grove; they were two of the three people by the stream.

The two sat down beside the cart and chatted quietly.

A moment later, the sound of something cutting through the air came from afar! A white figure shot in like an arrow—it was the tall woman at the head of the group.

Her expression was grave. She said to the two women, "Quickly, move the things inside!"

"Sister, what happened?"

"Outsiders have entered the mountains," the tall woman said in a deep voice.

"Our lord sensed the presence of living beings and ordered us to increase our vigilance. Act quickly!"

The two women dared not delay and quickly lifted the box.

Prince Jing is nearby! Moreover, he seems to have some kind of sensory ability!

"Prince Jing might be in these mountains," Lin Feng whispered. "He's probably refining medicine..."