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

"Have you seen the young lady before?" Lin Feng asked instead of answering.

Xie Wanqing was silent for a moment, then put down her teacup and slowly said:

"When my father traveled in his early years, he mentioned a secret organization in the north that specialized in spying and relaying messages. Its members had special marks on their bodies to identify them. There were many different kinds of marks, one of which, as the military officer mentioned, had three dots on the pupils and was called the 'Eyes of Listening'. This organization was called... 'Listening to the Wind'."

She knew! And so clearly! Lin Feng was shocked, but remained outwardly calm: "Tingfeng? Miss seems quite knowledgeable about this organization?"

Xie Wanqing gently shook her head: "I wouldn't say I know much about it, I've only heard a few words from my father. It's said this organization operates clandestinely, its members are a motley crew, spread throughout the north, specializing in gathering intelligence for certain powerful figures or forces, and even... engaging in assassinations and sabotage. My father warned us to be extra careful if we encounter a reporter with this seal. Is your question related to this organization, sir?"

She threw the question back at him, looking at Lin Feng with a frank gaze, as if trying to read something from his face.

Lin Feng remained noncommittal, then said, "Your father is very knowledgeable and admirable. May I ask your father's name? Is he well?"

Xie Wanqing lowered her eyelids slightly and said in a softer voice, "My father... passed away many years ago. His name was Jingran, and he was just a scholar who traveled around. I'm sure you've never heard of him, sir."

Xie Jingran? Lin Feng had indeed never heard of this name before. But how could a "traveling scholar" possess such knowledge, draw mineral vein maps, and be familiar with secret organizations? This woman's background was becoming increasingly mysterious.

"I see. My condolences." Lin Feng said.

"Young lady, you have rendered meritorious service to Iron Wall City by presenting the map and issuing a warning. I have always been fair in rewarding and punishing. Is there anything you wish for, young lady? As long as it does not violate the law, I may be able to assist you."

Xie Wanqing raised her eyes, a complex expression flickering within them—a mixture of gratitude and melancholy—before settling into a calm: "You're too kind, sir. I have no other request but to be able to settle here and do my utmost. If you do not mind, I am willing to share all the information I know about the mines, the products, and even the customs and traditions of this border region, which may be of some benefit to the city's defense and the people's livelihood."

She sought neither gold nor silver, nor protection, but only "safety" and "to do her bit." This humble stance only made her more enigmatic.

"I appreciate your kindness, young lady," Lin Feng said.

"Given the current urgency at the border, young lady, please rest assured and recuperate at home. If there is anything I can do to help you, I will ask. However, there may be unrest in the city in the coming days. For your safety, please stay in the west courtyard for the time being and do not wander around unless it is absolutely necessary."

This was essentially house arrest. Xie Wanqing didn't seem surprised and nodded slightly: "Wanqing understands, and will obey your orders, sir."

After seeing Xie Wanqing off, Lin Feng got up and prepared to go to the military camp to arrange daytime defenses.

Just as they stepped out of the side hall, they saw Yun Li standing under the eaves, holding a food box in her hands, looking worried.

"Husband," she greeted him, "you haven't rested all night, have some breakfast first. I've made minced meat porridge and steamed some flatbread."

Lin Feng took the food box and said gently, "Thank you for your trouble. I'm going to the military camp to eat with Han Tao and the others. You go back to your room and rest. Don't leave the manor today unless you have something to do."

"Husband..." Yun Li hesitated, but finally whispered, "Be careful."

"Mm." Lin Feng nodded and strode out of the mansion.

As night fell, the wind and snow subsided, and leaden clouds hung low.

In the back hall of the garrison headquarters, Lin Feng, Han Tao, Lei Bao, and Yan Qing sat around a charcoal brazier. The crackling charcoal fire illuminated their solemn faces.

"Is everything arranged?" Lin Feng asked.

Han Tao nodded: "Gou Daya and Hou San have been secretly detained and interrogated separately. Their testimonies basically match Liu Neng's. The Tingfeng Guard's spies in Iron Wall City should have been eliminated. Liu Neng's wife and children have also been secretly taken into custody, and have not been alerted yet."

Lei Bao rubbed his hands together, his eyes gleaming with excitement: "Yan Qing and I personally scouted out Laoguagou this afternoon. We've ambushed twenty skilled men at several high points, armed with powerful bows, crossbows, and tripwires. We've also positioned men at the gully entrance and our escape route. If any of those Di Rong bastards dare to come, we'll make sure they don't leave alive!"

"Alright," Lin Feng said in a deep voice. "Remember, the primary objective is to capture that Di Rong liaison alive. If we can take him down, it will be crucial for us to understand the Black Wolf Tribe's movements and even Feng Kun's plans. Lei Bao, you lead the men to capture him head-on. Yan Qing, you lead the men to seal off the outer perimeter; don't let a single one escape. Han Tao, you stay in the city and strengthen the defenses, in case this is a diversionary tactic."

"yes!"

"Depart at midnight and be in ambush position before 1-3 am. Remember, move stealthily, no firelight allowed, and horses must be gagged. Before setting off, make sure the brothers are well-fed and warmly dressed, as tonight will likely be a tough battle."

As night deepened, the chill intensified.

At midnight, the side gate of the garrison headquarters quietly opened, and dozens of dark figures led their horses out in single file. Once outside the city gate, they disappeared into the vast night and sped off towards Laoguagou in the southeast.

Laoguagou is thirty li from the city. The group rode at full speed and arrived in less than an hour.

They dismounted two miles from the mouth of the gully, leaving ten men to guard the horses, while the rest, led by Lei Bao and Yan Qing, stealthily made their way into the gully.

Following the route they had planned during the day, and using the shadows of the rocks, the group quickly made their way toward the "Sleeping Ox Rock" deep inside.

At the beginning of the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), everyone was in place.

Time passed slowly. The cold wind whistled through the ravines, whipping up snowflakes that stung the face.

It will be three quarters past the hour of Chou (1-3 AM) soon.

Suddenly, from the direction of the gully mouth, a very faint "crunching" sound of snow being crushed underfoot could be heard. It wasn't the sound of wind.

All the ambushers held their breath instantly, lowering their bodies even further. Lei Bao gestured to his brothers beside him, signaling them to prepare.

The sound grew closer; it was the footsteps of two, no, at least three people, very light and steady, clearly those of trained individuals.

A moment later, three dark figures appeared on the path in the ravine, heading towards the Sleeping Ox Stone. The one in the lead was tall, wearing a heavy fur robe and a fur hat; judging from his attire, he was a Di-Rong person. The two behind him were slightly shorter and also bundled up, but their gait and posture were more like those of Han Chinese.

The three stopped in front of the reclining ox stone. The Di-Rong man looked around and whispered in broken Chinese, "Liu Neng?"

No one answered. Only the sound of the wind.

The Di Rong man seemed somewhat agitated, and mumbled something in his Di Rong language. One of the men behind him stepped forward and whispered, "Manager Liu? We've arrived."

The voice sounded somewhat familiar. Lei Bao, who was lying in ambush behind the rocks, sharpened his eyes—it was Feng Kun's trusted steward, Feng An!

Liu Neng mentioned in his confession that Feng An sometimes appeared as an intermediary!

Still, no one answered. Di Rongren and Feng An exchanged a glance, both sensing that something was wrong.

"Retreat!" Feng An shouted in a low voice, and the three of them turned to leave.

"Attack!" Lei Bao roared like thunder, leaping out from behind the rock, his iron mace whistling through the air as he aimed straight for the back of the Di Rong man's head!