"You're courting death!" Lin Feng roared, his body leaping from the chair like a cannonball. He moved faster than anyone else, his long sword transforming into a streak of cold light, sweeping towards the assassin in the lead!

The assassin parried with his short blade, and with a clang, sparks flew everywhere. He was so shocked that his arm went numb and he staggered backward.

Another assassin seized the opportunity to pounce on the bedside and swiftly stabbed Urna in the heart with a short blade!

Just as the blade tip was about to strike, a flash of silver light appeared from the side, followed by a crisp "clang." The assassin's short blade was precisely parried by a rapier! It was Bai Xiaohe!

She had already slipped in through the window at some point, standing in front of the bed, her slender sword transforming into countless cold stars, instantly forcing the assassin back.

Han Tao's roar and more sounds of fighting came from outside, clearly indicating that there were more than just these two groups of assassins.

Lin Feng was anxious. Urna was seriously injured and unconscious, and had no ability to protect herself. In the chaos of battle, stray arrows and flying blades could take her life.

He suddenly intensified his attack, no longer holding back, risking a cut to his left shoulder from the opponent's short blade. His long sword, like a venomous dragon emerging from its lair, plunged into the assassin's abdomen. With a twist of his wrist, the assassin screamed in agony and collapsed to the ground.

On the other side, Bai Xiaohe's swordsmanship was light and swift, but the "Shadow Wolf" assassin's movements were strange and fearless, and he managed to entangle her for a time.

Seeing another assassin killed by Lin Feng fall to the ground, a desperate madness flashed in the eyes of the surviving "Shadow Wolf," and he suddenly threw the short blade in his hand, aiming it straight at Urna on the bed.

At the same time, he lunged at Bai Xiaohe, intending to use his body to block her from rescuing him!

Bai Xiaohe let out a sharp cry, quickly deflected the short blade with her slender sword, and then thrust her sword into the assassin's abdomen with a backhand motion.

In that split second, Urna, seemingly stimulated by the murderous aura and the sense of crisis, suddenly opened her eyes!

Her instincts allowed her to instantly sense the danger—another crossbow bolt that had silently shot in through the window, aimed straight for her throat!

She wanted to move, to hide, but her body felt as heavy as lead.

"No—!" Lin Feng's eyes were bloodshot, and without thinking, he threw the long sword in his hand with all his might!

"Clang!" The longsword accurately deflected the crossbow bolt, which grazed Urna's neck and embedded itself in the bedpost, its tail feathers whirring.

"There are crossbowmen outside!" Bai Xiaohe rushed to the window and shouted sharply.

Just then, amidst the chaotic sounds of fighting outside, a sharp, urgent whistle, unlike any other, suddenly rang out.

Then came Lei Bao's thunderous roar: "Damn it! It's the Black Wolf tribe's bastards! There's enemy attacking outside the city too! They're ramming the city gates!"

A pincer attack from within and without! While Yan Ying and the "Shadow Wolves" were creating chaos and assassinating Urna inside the manor, the Black Wolf Clan seized the opportunity to launch a sneak attack outside the city!

Lin Feng's heart sank.

"Han Tao!" Lin Feng roared at the door, "Take your men and wipe out the remaining enemy forces inside the manor! Lei Bao, go to the city wall! Defend the city according to the second contingency plan!"

"Understood!" came the reply from outside the door from Han Tao and Lei Bao in the distance.

"Xiao He, you stay and protect them." Lin Feng gritted his teeth, turned around, and strode out of the warm pavilion.

The battle in the courtyard was nearing its end, with the bodies of seven or eight assassins in black lying scattered about.

"I'll go to the city wall. You stay here in the mansion, especially keeping a close eye on the inner courtyard," Lin Feng said quickly.

"Yes!" Han Tao replied.

Lin Feng, accompanied by several personal guards, rushed to the front courtyard and ascended the East Gate tower along the horse path.

The city walls were ablaze with fire, and the sounds of battle were deafening.

Lei Bao, like an enraged Vajra, wielded his iron hammer, smashing the brains of a Di Rong warrior who had just climbed onto the ramparts. Arrows rained down on the city walls.

There were about two or three hundred Di Rong cavalrymen below the city, all dressed in the attire of the Black Wolf tribe. They were exceptionally fierce and brave, carrying makeshift siege ladders, and charging relentlessly through a hail of arrows. The battering ram was pounding heavily against the iron-clad city gate, producing a dull, resounding crash.

"Put down the rolling logs! Pour the molten gold!" Lin Feng shouted the order. At the same time, he snatched a powerful bow from a soldier beside him, drew the bow, and without even looking, shot down a Di Rong leader who was directing the operation below the city.

Seeing the fierce resistance of the defenders on the city wall, and with the sky in the distance already beginning to lighten, the leader of the Di Rong people let out a reluctant whistle, leaving behind dozens of corpses. The remaining cavalry retreated like a tide, quickly disappearing into the darkness before dawn.

The defenders on the city wall erupted in cheers of relief.

What role did the Plum Blossom Guards play in the night raid? Were they informants? Accomplices? Or... one of the masterminds?

He had to see Yan Ying immediately, confront him face-to-face, and tear away this veil of pretense. Without eliminating internal troubles, external threats would be difficult to quell.

"Lei Bao, you lead the men to clean up the battlefield, appease the soldiers and civilians, and strengthen the patrols at the four gates. Han Tao, come with me to the post station." Lin Feng's voice was filled with chilling killing intent.

The inn was located in the east of the city, just one street away from the garrison commander's residence.

At this moment, the entrance to the post station was heavily guarded, with several Plum Blossom Guards standing with their hands on their swords, their eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

Lin Feng, accompanied by Han Tao and four personal guards, went straight to the entrance of the post station without stopping.

The guards recognized Lin Feng. Seeing his cold expression, they all felt a chill. The leader stepped forward to stop him, saying, "Commander Lin, the special envoy has ordered that he is unwell today and will not be receiving guests. Please..."

"Get out of the way." Lin Feng's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.

The strongman was intimidated by his gaze and subconsciously took a half step back, but duty compelled him to continue, saying, "Commander, the special envoy has ordered..."

"Get out of the way!" Han Tao stepped forward and shoved the strongman aside. Four bodyguards followed Lin Feng and stormed into the inn.

Inside the main hall of the inn, Yan Ying sat in the main seat, leisurely sipping a cup of tea, while Leng Mian stood to the side.

Hearing the commotion, Yan Ying looked up and saw Lin Feng, whose murderous aura had not yet subsided, barge in. A shadow of gloom flashed in his eyes, which he then replaced with his usual forced smile: "Commander Lin, what brings you here so early in the morning? I don't recall inviting you."

Lin Feng sneered and stepped forward. "Last night, a spy infiltrated the garrison headquarters with the intention of assassinating someone. At the same time, the elite Di Rong troops of the Black Wolf Tribe launched a night attack on the city! The coordination between inside and outside was impeccable. Envoy Yan, do you think this is a coincidence, or... is someone colluding with foreign powers, doing this intentionally?!"

His voice suddenly rose, and his last sentence was like a thunderclap.

Yan Ying's expression finally changed, and he slammed his fist on the table: "Lin Feng! Don't you dare make false accusations! I am an imperial envoy, ordered to inspect the border towns. How dare you slander and frame me! You say someone is colluding with foreign powers, do you have any evidence?! If you have no evidence, you are defaming an official of the imperial court, a crime punishable by death!"

"Evidence?" Lin Feng's gaze was sharp as a knife as he stared at Yan Ying. "Your cold-faced subordinate went to 'Old Chen's Teahouse' in the West Market yesterday afternoon and stayed for nearly fifteen minutes. The owner of that teahouse seems to have close ties with certain figures in the capital... Does that count as a clue?"

Yan Ying's eye twitched violently. He forced himself to remain calm and sneered, "Nonsense! Does Lengmian need to report to you which teahouse he goes to during his routine inspections? Do you really think the laws of the court are just for show?!"

He abruptly stood up, pulled a roll of bright yellow silk from his robes, and said sternly, "An urgent order from the Ministry of War is here! All border garrisons in the north are to immediately strengthen their defenses. I, in my capacity as a special envoy of the Ministry of War, hereby order you to immediately confine yourself to your quarters and reflect on your actions!"

This is an attempt to intimidate someone with power, turn the tables, and temporarily deprive Lin Feng of his freedom of movement!

Han Tao was furious and was about to draw his sword.

Lin Feng raised his hand to stop him, then suddenly smiled.

"Yan Ying, you and I both know what state Eunuch Li is in at court these days. Do you want to make this mission an ironclad case, return to claim credit, or do you want to... leave your life in the northern frontier, to be buried with your master?"

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