The sound of footsteps entering the Hall of Righteousness was like muffled thunder rolling across the still water.

Lin Feng peeked through the gap in the screen and saw a man in his forties, dressed in a military officer's uniform, with fair skin and eyes that held a hint of arrogance and a touch of shrewdness, stride in, surrounded by seven or eight bodyguards with swords at their sides. It was Feng Kun, the deputy general of the Zhenbei Army.

"General Feng's presence is an honor to our humble abode. Please, take a seat!"

Qin Yulin put on a warm and polite smile, stood up to greet Feng Kun, and personally led him to the host's seat.

Feng Kun laughed heartily, and without refusing, sat down with an air of nonchalance.

He then turned to Qin Hongyu: "Miss Qin, you've been frightened. I heard you encountered some thugs on your journey, and I was quite worried. I wonder if you are alright? Have you apprehended those audacious bandits?"

Qin Hongyu rose and curtsied, saying, "Thank you for your concern, General Feng. Thanks to your good fortune, I am unharmed. Those petty thieves have been driven away."

"Repel?" Feng Kun raised an eyebrow, a half-smile on his face.

"I've heard that there's been quite a commotion at Old Wolf's Mouth, with many dead and a fire. Does Miss Qin's bodyguard have such abilities? Or... is there someone else with special skills helping her?" He glanced at the empty seat, his words carrying a hidden meaning.

Qin Yulin picked up the conversation and sighed, "General, your information network is excellent. To be honest, my daughter was able to escape danger thanks to the chivalrous help of a fellow soldier from the Shuofeng Border Army who happened to be passing by."

"The border troops of the North Wind Army? The captain?" A glint flashed in Feng Kun's eyes, but his smile remained unchanged. "May I ask your name? I will certainly express my gratitude in person another day."

"Lin Feng." Qin Yulin uttered two words, watching Feng Kun's expression.

Feng Kun remained calm: "Lin Feng... that name sounds familiar. Does he seem to be a pretty capable scout leader from the Shuofeng area?"

He changed the subject and looked at Qin Yulin:

"Boss Qin, this shipment from the Qin family has truly been a lifesaver. General Wang is also very concerned about it and specifically instructed me to ensure the goods are handled perfectly and stored in the warehouse promptly. When can these goods be handed over? So I can report back to the General."

They've arrived. This was the real purpose of Feng Kun's late-night visit.

They were testing the waters, applying pressure, and trying to bring this batch of goods, which could become "evidence" or "bargaining chips," under their control as soon as possible.

Qin Yulin looked troubled: "General, the journey has been fraught with difficulties, and the goods need to be re-inspected, especially that batch of 'soft steel ingots,' which needs to be verified against the Ministry of War's approval document to confirm that everything is correct. At the earliest... it will be three days before the delivery can take place."

"Three days?" Feng Kun frowned slightly. "Boss Qin, the military situation is urgent, there's no time to lose. What about the old general..."

"General Feng," Qin Hongyu suddenly spoke, her voice clear and crisp, "How about this: tomorrow I will send the goods list and a copy of the Ministry of War's approval document to your headquarters for review. You can also send someone to inspect some of the urgently needed medicines first. After the inventory is completed in three days, we can proceed with the full handover. What do you say?"

Feng Kun looked at Qin Hongyu, a barely perceptible glint of coldness flashing in his eyes: "Very well. Then let it be as Miss says. I will send someone over tomorrow."

He chatted for a few more minutes, then got up to say goodbye and leave.

Qin Yulin dismissed the servants, leaving only Qin Hongyu, Qin Yong, and Lin Feng and others who emerged from behind the screen.

"Old fox." Qin Yulin's face was icy. "They'll send people tomorrow, ostensibly for inspection, but really for surveillance. They might even be looking for an opportunity to tamper with the goods and then turn around and bite us."

Qin Yulin looked at Lin Feng and said solemnly, "Captain Lin, I have a favor to ask. Could you please stay for two days? Firstly, just in case, to keep things under control; secondly, you are knowledgeable and meticulous, and may be able to see anything we cannot. You can return to Shuofeng after this matter is resolved. I will certainly repay you handsomely!"

Su Wanyue gently tugged at Lin Feng's sleeve. Bai Xiaohe also looked at him.

Lin Feng hesitated for a moment. "Okay."

Just as dawn broke, the gatekeeper of the Qin residence announced that the Zhenbei Army had arrived.

The five men were all dressed in civilian military uniforms and had swords at their waists.

The leader, a soldier surnamed Zhu, had a thin face and shrewd eyes. Behind him were four men with bulging temples, clearly skilled fighters.

"Military Advisor Zhu, I am so sorry for not greeting you sooner." Qin Yulin cupped his hands, his smile perfectly timed.

"Boss Qin, you're too kind." Zhu, the military advisor, returned the greeting, his gaze lingering on Lin Feng for a moment.

"This must be Captain Lin Feng, the scout hero of Shuofeng City. I've long admired him."

"You flatter me by joining the army," Lin Feng said calmly, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

"Military Advisor Zhu, did General Feng give any instructions?" Qin Hongyu asked.

"Yes." Zhu Canjun took out the document stamped with the seal of the deputy general of the Zhenbei Army.

"The general has ordered me to come here to assist your government in inspecting the military supplies that are about to be delivered and to verify the quantities, so as to prevent any oversights and delays in military operations."

Qin Yulin took the document, glanced at it, and nodded: "General, your considerations are thorough. The goods have been moved to the rear warehouse of the mansion. Military Advisor Zhu, please."

The group arrived at the back warehouse.

The four people following immediately began to inspect.

During the wait, Zhu, the military advisor, casually remarked to Lin Feng, "Captain Lin, you're so young, yet you've already made such a distinguished contribution in Shuofeng; your future is bright. I wonder if your trip south is official or personal? And how did you happen to be passing by and help Miss Qin?"

The test has begun.

Lin Feng raised his eyes, his gaze calm: "Personal matter, visiting relatives. It's a border soldier's duty to help those in need."

"What a dutiful border soldier!"

Zhu Canjun nodded, his smile deepening.

"The captain is highly skilled in martial arts and archery. I wonder if the captain would be interested in serving in my Zhenbei Army? General Feng is eager to find talented people and will certainly treat you well."

Winning someone over can also be a threat.

"I am a soldier of the Shuofeng Border Army, and I have my duties to perform. How dare I leave without permission?" Lin Feng said calmly but firmly.

"What a pity," Zhu Canjun shook his head regretfully, and said no more.

Inspection complete.

Military Advisor Zhu said, "By the way, may I have a look at the original Ministry of War approval document for this batch of 'soft steel'? The General instructed that this item is of great importance and the seal must be verified in person."

Qin Yulin's expression remained unchanged: "The original approval document has been sealed and is prepared to be presented to General Wang upon handover. If the military advisor wishes to see it, please go and retrieve a copy..."

"How can a copy compare to the original?"

Zhu, the military advisor, waved his hand, his smile unchanged, but his tone became firm. "The general specifically instructed that you must personally examine the original document and seal."

The air seemed to freeze. Qin Yong's eyes sharpened. Qin Hongyu frowned.

Qin Yulin remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Since it is the general's order, I will obey it."

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the warehouse, accompanied by shouts from the Qin family guards and the slight scraping sound of weapons being drawn!

"What happened?" Qin Yulin asked in a deep voice.

A guard rushed in: "Master, a troop of soldiers has arrived outside. They say they are here on General Feng's orders to assist in 'guarding' the warehouse to prevent thieves. The leader is Captain Wang, one of General Feng's men, and... they are also escorting someone."

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