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

"Brother Xu arrived just in time." Lin Feng nodded his thanks.

He glanced at the iron cavalry behind Xu Tiande, who were gathering their ranks and cleaning up the battlefield. "How many men did you bring? What's the situation in the city? Has Yan Ying made any unusual moves?"

"Three hundred cavalry, all elite. Commander Zhao was worried about making too much noise and causing unnecessary trouble, so he sent me with these men to provide backup. Ironwall City..."

Xu Tiande's face darkened, and he lowered his voice, "That eunuch Yan Ying is still entrenched in the post station. He's been behaving himself these past few days, but his Plum Blossom Guards haven't been idle; they're searching everywhere. Also, the imperial envoy... has arrived."

"Imperial Envoy?" Lin Feng frowned.

"Yes, Zhou Yanru, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, has come with an imperial edict, saying that he is commending you for your previous victory over the Black Wolf Tribe, and... to investigate the matter of the Gray Fox Tribe this time."

A hint of worry flashed in Xu Tiande's eyes. "The person just arrived yesterday and is staying at the official post station in the city. Zhou Yanru is Li Song's man. I'm afraid the matter of the Gray Fox princess and the jade pendant can no longer be kept secret. If you take the princess back, it will play right into their hands."

As expected. Lin Feng's unauthorized return to the city with the Di Rong princess became a ready-made charge of "colluding with foreign tribes and provoking border conflicts".

"The princess must enter the city." Lin Feng's tone left no room for negotiation.

"As for Zhou Yanru and Yan Ying..." He paused, "I have my own plans. Brother Xu, I'll have to trouble you to escort us back to the city. Make a big show of it..."

Xu Tiande was taken aback for a moment, then understood Lin Feng's meaning. The more "frank" one appears, the more likely one is to temporarily silence some open criticism.

He nodded emphatically: "Understood! I'll make the arrangements right away. Have the brothers brace themselves and display all the captured Di and Rong flags and heads! We've won a victory, and it's only right that we welcome the garrison commander and our allied dignitaries back to the city!"

Lin Feng turned and walked into the beacon tower.

When the princess saw Lin Feng enter, she tried to get up, but Lin Feng stopped her by raising his hand.

"Your Highness, we will return to Ironwall City immediately. Your identity cannot be concealed once we enter the city, but I will report that you are 'a nobleman from a friendly nation in distress, receiving protection and treatment from a border general.' It is not advisable to receive outsiders before the imperial decree is clear. I will handle all matters personally."

The princess nodded slowly: "Everything is up to Commander Lin to arrange."

A moment later, the team set off, heading towards Ironwall City in a grand procession.

Iron Wall City, East Gate.

General Han Tao, clad in armor and armed, led several hundred soldiers to stand solemnly outside the city gate to welcome them. Their faces were grave yet tinged with suppressed excitement. Atop the city wall, a large banner bearing the character "Lin" flew high.

The city gates slowly opened. Lin Feng spurred his horse, riding alongside Xu Tiande, and led the way into the city. Behind them were the spoils of war and flags held high.

Before long, everyone in the city knew that the garrison commander had returned, bringing with him the princess of Di Rong.

On the second floor of the inn, Yan Ying stood by the window.

Behind him, Leng Mian whispered, "My lord, Lin Feng... has indeed returned, and he brought that Di Rong princess with him."

"A bluff." Yan Ying spat out the words through gritted teeth. "Lin Feng secretly took Princess Di Rong away from the defensive position. Let's see how long he can be so smug!"

The procession heading into the city went straight to the garrison headquarters.

The mansion gates were already wide open, and Yun Li, Su Wanyue, and Shen Qingyi, along with their maids and servants, were anxiously waiting at the entrance.

Upon seeing Lin Feng, the group's eyes instantly turned red, but they managed to restrain themselves from approaching.

Lin Feng walked to the carriage, lifted the curtain, and extended his hand to the princess inside: "Princess, please. My humble abode is simple; please make yourself comfortable there for now."

The princess, supported by his hand, stepped down from the carriage. She gave Lin Feng a slight bow: "I apologize for disturbing you, Commander."

Her gaze swept over Yun Li and the others waiting at the entrance, and she nodded in greeting. Then she followed Lin Feng into the mansion.

After settling the princess in, Lin Feng said to Xu Tiande and Han Tao, "Let's talk in the study."

The three entered the study and dismissed everyone else.

"What's the situation in the city? Besides the imperial edict, what else did Zhou Yanru say? What has Yan Ying been up to these past few days?" Lin Feng asked three questions in quick succession.

Han Tao reported:

"He ordered the commanders of each border town to thoroughly investigate and clarify the accounts and personnel involved in transactions between their jurisdictions and the various Di and Rong tribes within a specified period, especially those involving relics from the previous dynasty and secret deals. All such transactions must be reported in detail and no concealment is permitted. This is clearly aimed at the jade pendant, at the princess, and at you, the garrison commander!"

"The princess is a noblewoman from a friendly nation who has fallen on hard times. It is only right and proper for me to help her. We have always had dealings with neighboring countries on the border. What can Zhou Yanru do to me?" Lin Feng said.

Han Tao continued, "We captured a spy. According to him, Feng Kun planted an old craftsman in Ironwall City years ago, codenamed 'Falcon,' who was skilled in mechanisms and hidden weapons, and especially adept at imitating and repairing ancient jade artifacts. Feng Kun seemed to have had him imitate some kind of jade pendant, but later, for some reason, he stopped. In addition, he said that besides 'Old Chen's Tea Shop,' Feng Kun should have another secret contact point in the city, possibly in the coffin shop in the west of the city."

"Imitating jade artifacts..." Lin Feng's mind raced, connecting the clues. "Feng Kun asked him to imitate the coiled dragon jade pendant, but he stopped later. Why did he stop? Did the imitation fail? Or... did he obtain something more important, or discover something that made him change his plans?"

"Perhaps, they found the real thing right in front of them, so the imitations became meaningless?" Xu Tiande guessed.

"Or perhaps, the imitation itself is just a cover, a pretext to conceal other purposes," Han Tao speculated. "For example, using the imitation process to study the jade pendant's structure, hidden marks, or even... look for the 'key' characteristics that unlock certain parts. When Feng Kun was digging in the old mine, he might not have been looking for just the jade pendant, but rather for something that needed to be unlocked with it. This 'hawk,' skilled in mechanisms, might be helping him analyze the key mechanisms of the jade pendant."

Everyone was taken aback. This speculation was reasonable. If it were true, then the role of "Falcon" was far more important than that of an ordinary mole.

"Old Ghost, explore the inside of Chen's Coffin Shop. See if there are any secret rooms or hidden compartments."

"Leave it to me." Old Ghost's eyes flashed with hunter-like excitement.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps came from outside the hall, and a guard rushed in to report: "Commander, there was a figure spying outside the courtyard wall just now, but it was startled by the sentry. The brothers chased after it and found it at the base of the wall."