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

Darkness is the first impression and the deepest mark of the "Ghost's Sorrow" Canyon.

Light and sound are distorted and swallowed up here. The only thing that remains clear is the roar of the underground river beneath your feet.

"Stay close and watch your step." Lin Feng's voice echoed in the oppressive passage, carrying a buzzing resonance and sounding particularly deep.

They traveled for an unknown amount of time, perhaps two or three hours, or perhaps longer.

Tormented by darkness and exhaustion, the sense of time had become blurred. The dry rations were almost gone, and the water sac was mostly empty.

Just as Lin Feng was feeling dizzy and almost couldn't hold on any longer, A Yue suddenly stopped, pointed her short staff diagonally upward, and said in a strange voice, "There's light!"

Everyone perked up and looked up. High up on the rock wall diagonally in front of them, about ten feet away, there was an extremely fine, natural "skylight" that looked like a crack. A weak but real beam of golden sunlight was shining down from there, illuminating a small area below. They could even see tiny dust particles dancing in the beam of light.

The presence of light means we're not far from the exit! Perhaps we're already close to the other side of the canyon!

"Keep pushing, the exit should be just ahead!" Lin Feng's voice was also tinged with excitement.

He estimated that they had been in the canyon for at least six or seven hours, and according to Chen Miao's estimate of fifteen li in length, they should indeed be nearing the end.

After rounding a sharp bend, the scene ahead brought everyone to a halt once again, freezing the hopes that had just begun to rise.

This was an underground space, slightly smaller than the previous underground river chamber, but equally spacious. The difference was that there was no rushing underground river here; instead, there was a pitch-black pool about ten zhang in diameter, its depth unfathomable. The pool was deep and calm, its water dark and murky, with a thicker, milky-white mist floating on its surface. The exit they longed for was not here. The beam of sunlight pierced through a huge crevice in the rock directly above the pool, a good twenty or thirty zhang above the ground, visible but unreachable.

Scattered around the pool were several large, irregularly shaped rocks. On the other side of the pool, near the rock wall, were several piles of ashes, with some burnt branches, animal bones, and even... a broken, clearly man-made leather water bladder!

There's someone here! And someone who just stopped here not long ago!

Are they friend or foe? Are they Di Rong pursuers, or other travelers also traversing the canyon? Or perhaps... unknown villains entrenched in this place?

Everyone's hearts sank to the bottom instantly; the newly ignited flame of hope was doused with ice water. They instinctively huddled together, gripping their weapons tightly. Lin Feng gently set Fu Bo down, signaling A Yue, Shi Xiu, and Liu Yun to take Chen Xi and Shi Cao'er behind a large rock. He himself gripped his machete, and he and A Yue flanked each other, warily scanning their surroundings, especially the piles of ashes and the shadows around them.

"Come out!" Lin Feng suddenly shouted, his voice echoing in the empty cave. "What kind of hero hides like that!"

The echo faded away, but no one answered.

Just when everyone was on edge, filled with suspicion and paranoia—

"laugh--"

A faint yet chilling sound of something sharp cutting through the air came without warning from the huge crevice in the rock above the pool, where a beam of sunlight pierced through!

The next instant, a streak of dark light tore through the air at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye, piercing through the mist that filled the cave, and with unparalleled precision... nailed itself to the giant rock wall where Lin Feng and the others were hiding, no more than three inches from Lin Feng's forehead! Its tail feathers trembled violently, emitting a low "humming" sound.

It was an arrow! A short arrow, entirely black except for the arrowhead which gleamed with a cold, eerie blue light! The arrow shaft was deeply embedded in the rock, displaying astonishing power and accuracy.

Warning! A blatant and threatening warning!

"Who?!" A-Yue shouted sharply, holding her hunting fork horizontally in front of her, her dusty face instantly covered with frost. Lin Feng's eyes were sharp as knives, fixed on the shadowy crevice in the rock from which the arrow had come.

A brief silence.

Then, a clear, calm, yet strangely penetrating female voice drifted down from above the crevice in the rock:

"The reaction wasn't slow. Unfortunately, the vigilance was misplaced."

As the words were spoken, a tall, slender figure, like a weightless wisp of smoke, lightly leaped down from the edge of the crevice, which was twenty or thirty feet high! She did not fall directly, but instead lightly touched several inconspicuous protrusions on the rock wall with her toes. Each step was precisely aimed at using the force to cushion the fall. Her movements were graceful and agile, like a mountain ape or a fairy under the moon. In a few leaps, she landed safely on a flat rock by the pool, no more than ten steps away from Lin Feng and the others.

The firelight and the sunlight intertwined, illuminating her face.

Her form-fitting indigo outfit accentuated her lithe and graceful curves. Her long hair was tied back with a simple wooden hairpin, a few stray strands fluttering in the breeze. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes like cold stars; her beauty was refined and otherworldly, yet she possessed an unyielding and awe-inspiring air. On her back slung a long, narrow blue cloth bag, and in her hand she held a small, yet antique-looking black short bow, the bowstring still trembling slightly.

Ye Qingli! It was actually her!

Lin Feng's pupils contracted slightly. He never expected to encounter this mysterious and unpredictable female swordsman again in this way, deep within the "Ghost's Sorrow" canyon. Why was she here? Was she tracking the Di Rong people, or... had she been following them all along?

"Miss Ye?" Lin Feng asked in a deep voice, his hand still holding the cleaver, his vigilance remaining. A Yue, Shi Xiu, and the others also recognized her, their expressions filled with surprise and uncertainty.

Ye Qingli's gaze slowly swept over the crowd, lingering briefly on Lin Feng. Seeing that he was tired but able to move freely, a barely perceptible hint of relaxation seemed to flash in her eyes, but it quickly returned to its usual cold calm. Her gaze swept over the others, finally settling on the piles of ashes and debris on the other side of the pool, a faint, slightly mocking smile curving her lips.

"Are you looking for an exit?" She didn't answer Lin Feng's question, but instead asked in a flat tone.

"Yes. Does Miss Ye know the way out?" Lin Feng asked instead of answering, while secretly observing her expression and the surrounding environment. Her appearance here was no accident.

Ye Qingli didn't answer directly. Instead, she pointed with her short bow to the rock face opposite the pool, near the piles of ashes: "The way out is there, a side cave hidden by rubble and vines. However," she changed her tone, her voice turning cold, "a group of people left there before you. Judging from the tracks, it was no more than six hours ago."

"Who are they?" Lin Feng pressed, alarm bells ringing in his mind. Could they be Di Rong pursuers? Had they also crossed the canyon?

“They weren’t Di Rong people.” Ye Qingli seemed to see through his thoughts and shook her head. “Judging from the items and traces they left behind, they seem to be bandits, or… some shady outlaws. There were probably seven or eight of them, all injured, and they were in a hurry.” She paused and added, “Moreover, they seem to have… disposed of ‘something’ here.”

She glanced meaningfully at the dark, bottomless pool.

Lin Feng's heart sank. Mountain bandits? Desperados? Meeting them in this desperate situation was definitely not a good thing. Moreover, the other party had left before them and was likely ahead, perhaps even... lying in wait near the exit.

"Why is Miss Ye here?" Lin Feng asked again, his gaze fixed on her. This question needed to be answered.

Ye Qingli met his gaze and said frankly, "I followed a group of Di Rong spies here. They seem to be looking for something, or... someone." Her gaze intentionally or unintentionally swept over Chen Xi (Yun Yao), "I lost track of the main trail, but unexpectedly discovered another 'tail,' and while I was at it, I took care of a few petty thieves and found this shortcut. I was planning to rest here for a while, waiting for things to calm down outside, but I didn't expect..." She glanced at Lin Feng and the others' disheveled appearance, "...to be waiting for you."

This explanation sounded reasonable, but Lin Feng didn't entirely believe it. Ye Qingli's timing was too perfect, her skills too high, and her purpose remained a mystery. But at least for now, she hadn't shown any hostility, and had even offered a warning.

"Thank you for informing me, Miss Ye." Lin Feng clasped his hands in a fist salute, his tone softening somewhat, but he remained vigilant. "May I ask what the situation is like outside that side cave exit? What about the group that left first...?"

"Outside the exit lies a secluded valley in Blackwater Ridge, rarely visited by people, but not a dead end. Crossing the valley, there's a woodcutter's path leading to the official road," Ye Qingli said. "As for that group of people..." She frowned slightly, "They had already left when I came down. However, I found this outside the cave."

With a flick of her wrist, she revealed an object in her palm and gently tossed it to Lin Feng.

Lin Feng took it; it was cold to the touch, a black token about half the size of his palm, neither gold nor wood, and quite heavy. One side of the token was engraved with a ferocious ghost head pattern, while the other side had a blurry mark that looked like some kind of distorted script. There were some blackened bloodstains on the edge of the token.

"The Ghostly Token?" Lin Feng frowned. Although he wasn't involved in the martial arts world, he had heard of some bandit groups and assassin organizations within the Great Wall during his time in the border army. This "Ghostly Token" seemed to be the token of "Yinshan Ghostly Token," a ruthless and morally ambiguous assassin organization active in the Northwest. These people were actually assassins from "Yinshan Ghostly Token"? What were they doing venturing into this area? Were they also hunting down Chen tide? Or did they have another objective?

"The Yinshan Ghost Fiends are people who do things for money and won't give up until they achieve their goal," Ye Qingli said calmly, looking at Lin Feng's solemn expression. "It seems that the trouble you've gotten into is more troublesome than the Di Rong pursuers."

Silence fell over the cave. A mysterious assassin organization might be lying in ambush ahead, while Di Rong pursuers might be entering the canyon from behind. They were trapped in a desperate situation, unable to advance or retreat.

"We must leave here first, no matter what," Lin Feng said in a deep voice, putting away his token. Staying here meant certain death. He looked at Ye Qingli, "Miss Ye, what are your plans next?"

Ye Qingli glanced at him, then at the exhausted crowd, remained silent for a moment, and said, "I'm going to the prefectural capital. It's on my way."

Just going that way? Lin Feng's mind raced. Ye Qingli was highly skilled in martial arts and had a mysterious background; having her accompany him would undoubtedly increase their safety. However, her motives were unclear, and it was difficult to tell whether she was a friend or foe. Yet, at the moment, they seemed to have no better choice.

"In that case, if Miss Ye doesn't mind, why don't we travel together?" Lin Feng extended an invitation, which was also a test.

Ye Qingli didn't answer immediately. Her gaze swept over everyone again, lingering for a moment on Chen tide's face, before she nodded: "Okay. However, once we leave the canyon, we'll each go our own way."

"It's a deal." Lin Feng nodded. This is for the best; they can use each other while maintaining their distance.

With the addition of Ye Qingli, an expert familiar with the terrain (at least knowing the exit), the team's morale improved slightly.

They quickly found the entrance to the side cave, cleverly concealed by rubble and dense vines, under the rock wall opposite the pool.

Ye Qingli went first into the side cave to scout ahead, followed closely by Lin Feng and the others. The side cave wound its way upwards, with a rather steep slope, but it was much easier to traverse than the main canyon path. After walking for about half an hour, a clear light finally appeared ahead, along with... the sound of pouring rain?

When everyone finally emerged from the cave and breathed in the cold but fresh mountain air again, seeing the hazy sky and the drizzling autumn rain, they all felt as if they had seen the light of day again, as if they had been reborn.

The cave entrance was located on a steep hillside, below which lay a misty, densely wooded valley—the Blackwater Ridge. Fine rain shrouded the distant mountains and nearby trees in a hazy mist, temporarily concealing their presence.

However, before they could even feel relieved, from the depths of the rain-soaked valley ahead, came the faint sound of rapid, chaotic hoofbeats, along with several short, angry shouts and the clashing of weapons! The sound came from the vicinity of the woodcutter's path leading to the official road, as Ye Qingli had mentioned!

Were they assassins from the "Yinshan Ghostly Fiends"? Did they encounter an enemy? Or... have the Di Rong pursuers already circled around to the front?

Everyone's hearts were in their throats again.

Ye Qingli stood at the cave entrance, listened intently for a moment, and her expression changed slightly: "It's Di Rong cavalry! There are quite a few of them, and they're currently besieging us... It seems that the 'Ghost Fiends' have run into a brick wall."

Lin Feng quickly surveyed the terrain. Their location on the hillside offered a relatively high vantage point, allowing them to vaguely see about twenty Di Rong cavalrymen fanning out six or seven agile men dressed in mottled clothing in the valley below, locked in fierce combat. The six or seven men were leaning against several large rocks, fighting desperately, but outnumbered and outgunned, two already lying in pools of blood. Judging by their clothing and skill, they were the "Yinshan Ghost Fiends" assassins who had left before them.

"While they're fighting amongst themselves, let's go around them!" Lin Feng made a decisive move. This was the best opportunity to shake off pursuers and potential enemies.

"There's no way around it." Ye Qingli shook her head, pointing to the other side of the valley. "The Di Rong people have deployed scouts, blocking both exits. If we make a move, we'll be discovered immediately."

Sure enough, on the ridges on both sides of the fierce battle area, the figures of several Di Rong cavalrymen could be vaguely seen, keeping watch.

"What should we do then? Wait until they're done fighting?" Shi Xiu asked anxiously. Once the Di Rong people have dealt with the assassins, they'll likely be their next target.

Lin Feng's sharp gaze swept across the battlefield. The Di Rong cavalry numbered about twenty riders, well-equipped, but their attention was entirely focused on the "Ghostly Fiend" assassins within the encirclement, causing their formation to become somewhat scattered due to the attack. The assassins, though cornered, fought fiercely and caused considerable trouble for the Di Rong.

A bold plan quickly took shape in his mind.

"Miss Ye," Lin Feng looked at Ye Qingli, his gaze intense, "how far and how accurate can your arrows travel?"

Ye Qingli seemed to understand his intention, raising an eyebrow slightly: "Within a hundred paces, I can hit wherever I point. You want to break through in the chaos?"

"It's not about breaking through." Lin Feng shook his head, a cold, murderous glint in his eyes. "It's about... giving them a hand, then taking advantage of the chaos to completely eliminate their pursuers!"

He pointed to the fierce battle below, then to the sentries on the ridges on either side: "Miss Ye, you're in charge of dealing with the sentries on both sides, creating chaos. A-Yue, you protect everyone, and when the opportunity arises, move towards that mountain hollow in that direction." He pointed to a relatively densely wooded area with scattered rocks to the side and rear of the battlefield, "I'll go 'help' those assassins, stirring things up even more. Once the Di Rong people are in disarray, we'll take advantage of the chaos to cross the valley and leave through the more concealed animal trail to the west!"

This plan is extremely risky, but it is also the only chance at present to shake off the pursuers and even severely damage the enemy.

Ye Qingli gave Lin Feng a deep look, seemingly surprised by his boldness and decisiveness, but she did not object. She simply nodded and said, "Alright. The scouts on the left are mine." With that, she took the black shortbow from her back, and in a flash, she disappeared into the rainforest to the side like a cat, without making a sound.

A-Yue gripped the hunting fork tightly, nodded to Lin Feng, and indicated that she understood.

"Brother Lin, be careful!" Chen tide couldn't help but whisper, her eyes full of worry.

Lin Feng nodded to her without saying anything more. He took the Iron Spine Bow from his back, checked the quiver, took a deep breath, and, taking advantage of the rain and the terrain, stealthily made his way down to the area of ​​fierce fighting like a ghost.