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

The banquet continued amidst the hustle and bustle until 11:45 PM.

Ling Aoyun, flushed and tipsy, was escorted by his servants to the back hall to rest. Ling Xiaotian and the other members of the Ling family continued to drink and revel with the guests, the hall filled with clinking glasses and deafening noise.

In the side hall, Lin Feng and the others had already excused themselves, citing "travel fatigue," and returned to their assigned guest rooms.

Inside the side room, the lamplight flickered. Lin Feng dismissed everyone except Bai Xiaohe and Su Xuanji. Wang the blacksmith sat in the corner, nervously wringing his hands.

"The Ling family is heavily guarded, with sentries both overt and covert, and patrols every fifteen minutes or less," Bai Xiaohe whispered. She had already quietly figured out the defenses of the western area during the banquet.

"The backyard of the main residence where Ling Aoyun Residence is located is called 'Qiyun Tower,' which is guarded by assassins on rotation. The jade box fragment must be hidden there."

"I've also taken note of Qiyun Tower," Su Xuanji added.

"A direct assault won't work," Lin Feng said. "We have to outsmart them."

As midnight approached, all was silent. The lights in Wohu Manor went out one by one, except for a few faint lights shining from the direction of Qiyun Tower.

Lin Feng and his companions changed into night clothes, covered their faces with black cloths, and only their eyes were visible.

"Take action," Lin Feng said in a low voice.

Qiyun Tower was now in sight. It was a three-story stone building with small windows that let in dim light. Outside the building was a covered corridor, under which stood two guards with swords, their expressions alert.

Lin Feng observed the situation and concluded that there was no opening to exploit. He needed more information before taking any action.

He made a gesture, and everyone began to retreat silently.

However, just as they were about to retreat to the side room area, something unexpected happened!

Suddenly, the barking of dogs, shouts of people, and the sound of gongs erupted from the north!

"Thief! Thief to the north!" Shouts rang out from all directions!

Lin Feng's eyes sharpened. Without thinking, he barked, "Retreat! Go back to your rooms immediately! Pretend nothing happened!"

Everyone quickly retreated to their rooms.

As soon as the door closed, a chaotic sound of footsteps could be heard outside, and torches blazed brightly. The Ling family's guards surged northward from all directions like a tidal wave.

Lin Feng pushed open the window a crack and saw Ling Xiaotian, wearing an outer robe and accompanied by a large group of guards, rushing past the window, cursing, "Damn it! Which blind fool dares to cause trouble at Wohu Manor! Chase after him!"

After the footsteps faded into the distance, Su Xuanji analyzed:

"A third party has actually broken in."

"A third party?" Bai Xiaohe frowned.

Lin Feng's mind raced, and a name came to mind: "Shadowless Pavilion".

To be able to infiltrate the Ling family so quietly right under their noses, besides the Ling family members themselves, there is probably only that mysterious assassin organization.

"Regardless of who he is, our whereabouts haven't been discovered yet," Lin Feng said in a deep voice, "but the Ling family's security has been fully upgraded, making it extremely difficult to get close to Qiyun Tower. Moreover..."

He looked at Su Xuanji: "Miss Su, that third party is probably also after the fragments."

Outside the window, the sounds of shouting and barking gradually faded into the distance.

Before dawn, the commotion from the direction of Qiyun Tower had subsided, but Wohuzhuang remained awake all night.

The number of patrols within the manor was tripled, and torches illuminated the estate as bright as day, with every corner exuding a chilling aura of drawn bows and unsheathed swords.

Lin Feng and his group were "invited" to the main hall.

The atmosphere in the hall was as still as iron. Ling Aoyun sat in the main seat, his face so gloomy it could drip water. Ling Xiaotian stood to the side, his eyes sweeping fiercely over Lin Feng and the others.

Outside the hall stood the Ling family guards, their weapons arrayed, and the sounds of footsteps and the rustling of armor were clearly audible.

"General Lin," Ling Aoyun's voice had lost the boldness of last night, leaving only a cold interrogation.

"Last night, chaos erupted within the manor. We were attacked from the north, and we suspect thieves have infiltrated. My Crouching Tiger Manor has never been so bustling since its founding! General, your arrival has come at just the right time, tonight!"

This is a blatant accusation.

Lin Feng, however, remained seated as still as a mountain, his expression calm, even carrying a perfectly measured hint of astonishment and indignation:

"What do you mean by that, Master? I, Lin, and my men rested in the side room last night without stepping out. I also heard about the attack in the north, but I followed the rule of not going out unless invited by the host, and did not act rashly."

Ling Aoyun's eyes flashed with even greater ferocity, but he couldn't find a clue. It was indeed difficult to determine whether it was Lin Feng.

But the timing of their arrival was too coincidental, and they brought two unfathomable women with them, which made him suspicious.

"Hmph! Whether it was the general's doing or not, I will judge for myself!" Ling Aoyun flicked his sleeve, his tone resolute. "However, my Crouching Tiger Manor is currently undergoing a purge of internal traitors and a reorganization of its defenses, so it is inconvenient to receive distinguished guests! General, please leave with your men immediately!"

This is a clear order to leave. No room for negotiation.

Lin Feng sneered inwardly, but on his face he showed a mixture of helplessness and indignation. He abruptly stood up: "Since the old patriarch suspects us of being thieves, I, Lin, will not make a fool of myself! Farewell!"

Having said that, he flicked his sleeve and led the group out. Bai Xiaohe gave Ling Aoyun a cold glance and followed closely behind. Su Xuanji walked with her usual composure.

Ling Aoyun watched Lin Feng and the others leave without looking back, a complex look flashing in his eyes. Some of his doubts were dispelled, but there was also a strange sense of loss—that piece of "Star Pattern Gold" and its fragments were his lifeblood, and now they had disturbed his peace of mind.

Several hours later, thirty miles outside of Wohu Village, in a secluded mountain valley.

The group stopped to rest. Lin Feng sat on his horse, gazing calmly in the direction of Wohu Village.

"Guard, that old dog Ling Aoyun is so ungrateful, are we just going to let it go?" Batu said indignantly.

"What else? Should we really fight our way in?" Lin Feng asked calmly. "He's on edge right now; a direct assault would only result in mutual destruction. Leaving is for a better comeback."

He looked at Su Xuanji: "Miss Su, what are your thoughts after observing Qiyun Tower last night?"

Su Xuan whispered, "It feels like there's an interconnected mechanism there. If we force our way in, we might trigger other hidden weapons or traps."

"So, we have to let Ling Aoyun open the secret room himself, or we can sneak in when he opens it?" Bai Xiaohe asked.

"Exactly," Su Xuanji said. "Moreover, Ling Aoyun is very suspicious. After the chaos last night, he will definitely strengthen the guarding of the fragments, and may even... move them."

"Transfer?" Lin Feng's eyes narrowed.

"Yes. Ling Aoyun is inherently suspicious and regards the fragments as his lifeblood. After Wohu Village is no longer safe, he will most likely move them to a more secluded place that he considers absolutely safe. For example... a secret mine controlled by the Ling family, or a family fortress."

Su Xuanji analyzed, "And this might be our opportunity."