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

A few days later, Su Xuanji took the initiative to request an audience again.

"General Lin, there's new information regarding the Ling family."

"Oh? Please go ahead."

"Ling Aoyun, the current head of the Ling family, will be celebrating his fiftieth birthday in a month," Su Xuanji said. "This man is fond of pomp and circumstance and values ​​his reputation. For this birthday banquet, he has invited many martial arts practitioners from the Northwest, former soldiers of the border army, and even people from the government. The event will certainly be grand. At that time, the Ling family manor will be filled with guests of all kinds, making it a perfect opportunity to investigate the situation and even... find an opportunity."

A birthday banquet? This is indeed an excellent opportunity to infiltrate the Ling family and observe them up close. With his current status as "General Dingbei and Prince Consort of the Gray Fox Tribe," if he goes there under the guise of offering congratulations, even the most arrogant Ling family would never dare to openly refuse him entry.

"When and where will the birthday banquet be held?"

"On the fifteenth of next month, thirty li southeast of Zhenbei Pass, the Ling family's ancestral home, 'Wohu Manor'." Su Xuanji was clearly prepared.

"Starting from Ironwall City, considering preparations and potential delays along the way, we should begin making arrangements now."

Time is a bit tight, but there's still time.

"General, would you mind letting me see the fragments first...?"

She looked at Lin Feng.

Lin Feng took the fragment out of his pocket and placed it on the desk.

Su Xuanji picked up the fragment and examined it closely. It seemed to be... the product of some long-lost, unparalleled smelting technique. Perhaps it was indeed made primarily of meteorite iron from outer space, but mixed with other unknown substances and forged using special methods!

This conclusion is even more chilling than the "celestial iron." If it is man-made, it means that ancient times possessed smelting techniques far surpassing those of the present, and the fragments are merely remnants of those techniques. Gathering all four fragments might truly reveal a glimpse into the secrets of that lost art.

"Miss Su, are you saying that even if we find the fragments, it will be difficult to forge them without ancient secret techniques?"

"Yes and no." Su Xuanji shook her head. "If this item is truly forged using ancient methods, its structure itself may contain clues. If the four pieces are of the same origin and compared after being collected, we might be able to deduce some of the methods of smelting, forging, and shaping."

"Alright, that's enough for today." Lin Feng stood up. "Miss Su, continue your discussion. Miss Bai, select your elite entourage; they must be reliable. We will depart for the Ling family's birthday banquet in ten days."

"yes!"

Everyone withdrew.

Bai Xiaohe walked to Lin Feng's side and whispered, "Commander, this trip is dangerous. And Su Xuanji... we must be wary of her."

"I know. But to accomplish extraordinary things, you need extraordinary people and extraordinary methods. Su Xuanji is a sharp blade; if used well, it can cut through gold and jade; if used poorly, it can also hurt you. The key is that the hand wielding the blade must be steady and precise," Lin Feng replied.

Ten days later, at the east gate of Iron Wall City.

Fifty elite soldiers had already lined up, led by Amur and Batu, all dressed as caravan guards.

Bai Xiaohe stood aloof, dressed in a light yellow outfit with a cloak over it. Su Xuanji, dressed in a lotus-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) as a lady-in-waiting, stood beside a small carriage with blue curtains, accompanied by two maids.

Xu Tiande, Han Tao, and others saw them off.

"Brother Lin, take care! If the Ling family doesn't like it, then fight them!" Xu Tiande's voice boomed.

Han Tao handed over the customs clearance documents, gold and silver, and the prepared birthday gifts—top-quality furs and medicinal herbs.

Lin Feng mounted his horse, Bai Xiaohe following closely behind. Su Xuanji boarded the carriage. The procession set off, raising dust as they headed northwest towards Zhenbeiguan, gradually disappearing into the distance.

For the next few days, the group traveled by day and rested by night, heading northwest.

That evening, they were less than a hundred li from Zhenbei Pass. On the horizon ahead, the outline of a huge manor built against the mountain, brightly lit, came into view.

With its high walls, deep moats, and numerous watchtowers, the manor exudes an imposing and awe-inspiring presence that can be felt from afar. This is none other than the ancestral home of the Ling family—Wohu Manor.

"General, Crouching Tiger Manor is just ahead," Amur said in a low voice as he rode closer. "There are already quite a few carriages and horses parked outside the manor; they all seem to be here to offer their congratulations. How do we get there?"

Lin Feng reined in his horse.

"Send out your visiting card as a courtesy. Tell them that Lin Feng, General of the Great Yan, Commander of the Iron Wall of the Northern Wind, and Prince Consort of the Gray Fox Tribe, has come to offer his congratulations upon hearing of Elder Ling's birthday."

"yes!"

The group started moving again, heading slowly and steadily towards the brightly lit Wohu Village.

The spacious square in front of the manor gate was already filled with all kinds of vehicles and horses, creating a noisy and bustling atmosphere.

The arrival of Lin Feng and his group did not attract much attention until the gold-embossed name card and gift list were handed to the manor manager.

The steward's previously arrogant expression changed abruptly when he saw the official title and the words "Prince Consort of the Gray Fox Tribe" on the name card. He immediately bowed and became extremely respectful.

"So it's General Lin who has graced us with his presence! I am deeply sorry for not greeting you sooner! Please wait a moment, General, I will immediately inform the head of the household!"

Soon, a series of slightly hurried footsteps echoed from inside the manor. A middle-aged man, dressed in a brocade robe, with a fair complexion and a light beard, around forty years old, and with a glint of shrewdness in his eyes, hurriedly came out of the manor gate with several martial artists of steady bearing.

"I was unaware of General Lin's arrival. I have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me!" The middle-aged man said with a smile, bowing respectfully.

This person is none other than Ling Xiaotian, the eldest son of Ling Aoyun and the young master of the Ling family.

"Young Master Ling, you are too kind. I was passing through your esteemed place when I heard that it was my patriarch's birthday, so I came to bother you. I have prepared a small gift to express my respect." Lin Feng dismounted and returned the greeting.

"General, you're too kind! Your presence is a tremendous honor for the Ling family! Please have some tea served!"

Ling Xiaotian stepped aside to let him pass, his attitude warm, but the scrutiny and hidden arrogance that came with being a local tyrant were not completely concealed.

Lin Feng nodded, signaling Amur and the others to settle the carriages and horses. He then led Bai Xiaohe, Su Xuanji, Wang the blacksmith, and two personal attendants, following Ling Xiaotian into the manor.

Ling Xiaotian led Lin Feng and his group to a side hall next to the main hall to rest, and instructed the servants to serve them fragrant tea and snacks.

"General Lin has come from afar and must be tired from your journey. My father is currently entertaining guests in the back hall and will come to meet you shortly. Please have some tea and rest here with everyone."

Ling Xiaotian smiled warmly and spoke politely, but his gaze swept over Bai Xiaohe and Su Xuanji. "These two young ladies are..."

"This is Miss Bai Xiaohe, my bodyguard." Lin Feng introduced Bai Xiaohe first. Bai Xiaohe nodded slightly, her gaze cold.

"This is Mr. Su, the crafts consultant in my household, who is skilled in mineral identification. This trip north is also to inspect mineral veins along the way for reference in the border city's military preparations." Lin Feng then pointed to Su Xuanji.