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

"Yes." Han Tao nodded. "Then where should she stay? She can't stay in the duty room forever."

"Prepare a quiet side room, far from the inner courtyard, and have someone 'take care' of it," Lin Feng said.

"Tell your men that this woman is an important witness, and no one else is allowed to approach her or speak to her."

As night deepened, the snow began to fall quietly again.

The snow fell heavily overnight, and by morning the Iron Wall City was covered in a blanket of white, with a biting chill in the air.

After breakfast, Lin Feng summoned Han Tao:

"Today I'm going to visit a few fortified villages outside the city. You stay in the city."

"Yes," Han Tao replied.

He then asked, "Commander, Wang Laonian and his men are going on patrol again today. Are they going to the Wild Horse Beach area again?"

"Go. But adjust the route slightly, avoid Ghost Cry Forest, and focus on exploring the low hills northeast of Wild Horse Beach, near the traditional pasture of the Black Wolf Tribe."

"Understood."

Lin Feng then said to Lei Bao and Yan Qing, who were standing to the side, "Leopard, Yan Qing, you two come with me out of the city. Take twenty brothers who are good at riding, with two horses each, and plenty of bows and crossbows."

"Understood!" Lei Bao rubbed his hands together, eager to get started. Yan Qing simply nodded silently.

The three left the garrison headquarters, mustered their troops, opened the east gate, and set off through the snow.

They first went to Dongtunbao, the closest fortress to the city, to inspect the fortress walls, barracks, and granaries, and to inquire about the recent experiences of the garrison soldiers. They then turned southeast to inspect two beacon towers.

Around noon, they arrived at Qingshi Fortress to the south. This was the largest fortress outside the city, garrisoned by 150 soldiers, and its walls were higher and thicker.

The guard of the fort was a dark-faced man surnamed Hu. Upon hearing that the new garrison commander had arrived, he hurriedly came out to greet him.

"Hu Tieshan, commander of the Qing Shi Tunbao detachment, greets the garrison commander!"

"Captain Hu, please rise." Lin Feng dismounted and surveyed the fortress. "Has everything been peaceful these past few days?"

Hu Tieshan followed behind, and said in a deep voice:

"Back to the garrison, things are relatively peaceful. However, about five or six days ago, we heard wolves howling in the distance outside the fortress at night. The howling continued for most of the night. The next day, we sent some brothers out to check, and they found some messy footprints on the snow, heading towards Wild Horse Beach. We couldn't make out the number of people."

"Take me to see the direction the footprints are in."

Hu Tieshan led them to a lookout point on the fortress wall and pointed to a range of undulating snow-covered hills to the southeast: "It was roughly over there. Back then, the snow wasn't so heavy, so you could still see some footprints. Now they're probably covered up and you can't see them anymore."

Lin Feng gazed into the distance. The snow-covered hills stretched out in the distance, and further on was Wild Horse Beach, marked on the map. To the east lay the territory of the Black Wolf Tribe.

Ghost Cry Forest is located on the south side of Wild Horse Beach. If Xie Wanqing was indeed discovered in Ghost Cry Forest, then the "wolf howls" and footprints from the previous nights might not have been a coincidence.

"Strengthen security. Keep watch at night, deploy more sentries, and pay attention to any unusual sounds. If any more are detected, immediately light the beacon to warn others and send someone back to the city to report," Lin Feng instructed Hu Tieshan.

"yes!"

"Are there enough arrows, logs, and oil in the fortress?"

"We still have over three thousand arrows, and we've also prepared some rolling logs and oil, but... if a large force of Di or Rong tribes really attacks, we're afraid it won't be enough."

"I understand. I'll have another batch allocated from the city later." Lin Feng nodded, said no more, mounted his horse, and left Qing Shi Tun Fort.

On the way back, Lei Bao couldn't help but say, "Boss Lin, those wolf howls that night, and that little wench who suddenly appeared—something's definitely up! Maybe it's a spy sent by those Di Rong bastards, a ruse!"

Yan Qing glanced at him: "Di Rong people, using Han women as spies? And having them fall wounded by arrows in the wilderness? That's too costly."

"So what do you think she does?"

"I don't know. But it's definitely not what she said herself." Yan Qing said calmly.

Night deepened, and the snow fell heavily. Ironwall City lay silent in a blanket of white and bitter cold. Only the shadows of the night watchmen on the city walls flickered in the snow's light.

Just after midnight, a dark red flame suddenly shot up in the eastern night sky, leaving a long trail that lingered briefly against the dark backdrop before going out!

A beacon fire! It's in the direction of the "Eagle Beak Rock" beacon tower to the east!

Immediately afterwards, two more beacon fires appeared in quick succession, with a very short interval between them, both urgent and conspicuous!

Three beacon fires! This is an emergency signal that means "under attack, enemy situation unclear, requesting assistance!"

Almost the instant the beacon fires were lit, the sound of urgent clappers and footsteps rang out outside the main hall of the garrison! The guards on night duty rushed to the back hall.

Lin Feng, who was not in a deep sleep and was lying in his clothes, immediately sat up upon hearing the sound, grabbed the long knife and leather armor from beside his pillow, and rushed out of the room.

Han Tao had also arrived in the corridor upon hearing the news, his expression grave.

"East, Eagle's Beak Rock!" Han Tao said quickly. "Three beacon fires, enemy situation unclear!"

"Sound the alarm! Citywide alert! All soldiers, proceed to the city according to the pre-arranged plan!" Lin Feng shouted orders as he quickly donned his armor. "Lei Bao, Yan Qing!"

"Here!" The two had already rushed out of the room.

"Gather fifty riders and follow me out of the east gate to provide support! Han Tao, you guard the city. Keep all four gates tightly closed. Assault archers and crossbowmen on the city walls. Do not open the gates without my order! If attacked by the enemy, hold the city fortified!"

"yes!"

"Brother Lin!" Yun Li, Su Wanyue, Shen Qingyi, and Bai Xiaohe were all startled and gathered at the entrance of the main house, their faces showing surprise.

"Stay in the manor, close the doors, and don't open them for anyone!" Lin Feng shouted at them, his gaze sweeping over them and lingering briefly on Yun Li and Su Wanyue's faces.

"Don't worry, I'll be right back."

Having said that, he didn't linger and strode outside. Lei Bao and Yan Qing followed closely behind.

The alarm bell rang sharply and heavily, instantly shattering the silence of Ironwall City.

The sound of hurried footsteps and officers' shouts came from the direction of the military camp. The slumbering border town was suddenly awakened.

Outside the East Gate, Lin Feng mounted his horse. Behind him, fifty elite cavalrymen had already assembled, each fully armored, carrying torches, swords at their waists, bows and crossbows on their backs, and quivers hanging beside their saddles.

The firelight illuminated the young and solemn faces, carrying the unique bravery and tension of the border troops.

"Open the city gates!" Lin Feng shouted to the city wall.

The heavy city gate slowly opened a crack amidst the creak of the winch. (Lin)

Feng Yi took the lead and charged out first. Fifty riders followed closely behind like arrows released from a bow, their hooves pounding the snow and kicking up clouds of snowflakes, galloping swiftly towards the direction where the beacon fire had lit up in the east.

Eagle Beak Rock Beacon Tower is located about 15 miles east of Iron Wall City. It is a small outpost built on an isolated cliff, usually garrisoned by five soldiers. It has an excellent field of vision and can monitor a large area of ​​wasteland.

The three beacon fires indicate that the enemy's numbers are small, but enough to threaten the beacon towers. Is it a probing attack by the Di Rong, or...?

"Forest Chief! There's a fire ahead!" Lei Bao shouted from the side and behind.

Lin Feng looked up. Several miles ahead, the outline of the cliff where Eagle Beak Rock was located was faintly visible in the night. At the top of the cliff, there were scattered flashes of fire, mixed with the crisp sounds of clashing weapons and shouts of battle!

The battle continues!

"Speed ​​up! Charge!" Lin Feng shouted, spurring his horse's flanks. The warhorse neighed and increased its speed once more.