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

"Thank you, young lady." Lin Feng cupped his hands in thanks.

The girl in white nodded slightly, her gaze lingering on his face for a moment before she lowered the carriage curtain.

Only after the convoy had driven away did the surrounding air begin to circulate again.

"Guard," Bai Xiaohe whispered, leaning closer, "that woman in white has an extraordinary air about her. Especially the old woman beside her, her eyes are as sharp as an eagle's; she's a hidden master. I'm afraid... she's from the palace."

Lin Feng looked in the direction the convoy had disappeared, a smile playing on his lips.

"It seems that someone has already come to teach this first lesson in the capital."

He mounted his horse and said loudly, "Let's go to the post station. The waters of this capital are muddier than the blood of the northern border. I'll go and see just how deep these muddy waters really are."

The Imperial Inn in the capital was not the bustling, prosperous place one might imagine; instead, it exuded a deliberately constructed, cold sense of "courtesy."

Lin Feng and Bai Xiaohe were settled in a secluded courtyard. The courtyard was spotless, yet so empty that echoes could be heard. The servants who served them had their heads bowed and their steps were light, but their eyes would always inadvertently sweep over Lin Feng's luggage.

"This is no inn, it's a sophisticated prison," Bai Xiaohe whispered after inspecting the room. "There are at least seventeen or eighteen spies watching inside and out."

Lin Feng was tidying his clothes in front of the bronze mirror, having changed into a brand-new scarlet official robe representing the "Northern Border Patrol Ambassador".

"That's exactly the effect the emperor wanted," Lin Feng said calmly. "He wanted to show his 'favor' to me, but also to make me remember at all times that this is the capital, not Cangyun Pass."

He paused, his fingertips brushing against the delicate cloud pattern on his cuff: "But can this cage truly confine me, Lin Feng?"

No sooner had the words been spoken than a shrill voice came from outside the courtyard: "By imperial decree, Lin Feng, the Inspector General of the Northern Border, is summoned to the palace for an audience immediately!"

What was bound to happen has finally happened.

……

The Imperial Palace, Qianyuan Hall.

The steps were made of white jade, and the floor was paved with gold bricks. The towering dome was painted with the sun, moon, and stars, symbolizing the supreme imperial power.

The civil and military officials stood in two rows on either side, completely silent. The air was filled with the scent of sandalwood and an invisible pressure.

Lin Feng, dressed in a scarlet robe, walked with his hand on his sword, his footsteps echoing in the empty hall. Unlike the other officials who bowed their heads and walked in small steps, he stood tall and straight ahead, his gaze fixed on the front, as if he were walking on the city wall of Cangyun Pass.

"Your subject, Lin Feng, Pacification Commissioner of the Northern Border and Garrison Commander of Cangyun Pass, is here to pay homage by imperial decree." His voice was loud and clear, neither humble nor arrogant, echoing throughout the hall.

The emperor on the dragon throne still had sharp eyes, scanning Lin Feng like a hawk. He did not immediately order Lin Feng to rise, but allowed Lin Feng to remain bowed.

The hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone knew this was the emperor giving this "fierce general from the frontier" a warning.

"Minister Lin," the emperor finally spoke slowly after a long silence, "you must have had a long and arduous journey. The northern border is bitterly cold, and I am deeply concerned for you. Raise your head and let me see the magnificent bearing of the valiant general who guards the gates of my Great Yan."

Lin Feng did as instructed, raising his head and meeting the emperor's gaze with composure.

Their eyes met. One was weathered by life's storms and well-versed in the ways of power; the other was sharp and intimidating, yet his murderous aura was concealed.

"Good, Lin Feng is quite something." A complex look flashed in the emperor's eyes, seemingly a mixture of praise and apprehension. "You have repeatedly distinguished yourself on the frontier, eliminating one malignant tumor after another for me and for the court."

"It is my duty," Lin Feng replied succinctly.

"Duties within one's duty?" a sinister voice rang out. The speaker was a gaunt old man in a purple robe, none other than Wang Huanzhi, the Left Censor-in-Chief and Lin Wang's mouthpiece in court. "So, what you call 'duties within one's duty,' Lord Lin, is this unauthorized attack on the fiefdoms of the imperial family, the massacre of the people, and the embezzlement of tax revenue?!"

These words immediately created a tense atmosphere in the hall. Many officials looked at Lin Feng with scrutiny and hostility.

Lin Feng didn't even lift his eyelids: "Does Imperial Censor Wang have any evidence?"

"Evidence?!" Wang Huanzhi pulled a stack of papers from his sleeve and held them high. "This is a tearful accusation from the gentry and common people of the three prefectures and eighteen counties of the Northern Border! Lin Feng, you used the guise of bandit suppression to confiscate property, leaving nothing but desolation in your wake! The Prefect of Yunzhong is an official appointed by the imperial court, yet you kill him without a second thought! How is this any different from the actions of a bandit?! Your Majesty, if this vile villain is not eliminated, the laws of the land and the principles of Heaven will not tolerate it!"

He burst into tears, as if Lin Feng were truly an unforgivable butcher.

Lin Feng finally turned to look at Wang Huanzhi: "Imperial Censor Wang says I killed the Prefect of Yunzhong, but do you know that he colluded with Prince Lin, hoarded weapons, and intended to aid the enemy? He says I confiscated property, but do you know that those gentry colluded with Prince Lin, resisted taxes, plotted rebellion, and cut off my army's supply lines? He says I slaughtered civilians..."

He suddenly took a step forward, and a murderous aura forged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood erupted, causing Wang Huan to subconsciously take a half step back.

"My blade, Lin Feng's blade, only kills those who deserve to die! I will protect the people of the Northern Border from the trampling of barbarian hooves and the exploitation of corrupt officials! But you, Imperial Censor Wang..."

Lin Feng's gaze was like a knife, piercing straight to the other's heart. "You keep claiming to speak up for the people, but have you ever been to the Northern Border? Have you ever seen villages plundered by barbarians? Have you ever seen border soldiers freeze to death in the snow because of lack of food and clothing?!"

His voice suddenly rose: "Your Majesty! While I was at Cangyun Pass, every grain of rice and every piece of winter clothing I ate was saved from the cracks in my teeth! Yet some people sit in the warm chambers of the capital, eating the people's blood and sweat, while colluding with foreign enemies to cut off our supplies and kill our border soldiers! How is such behavior any different from treason?! I kill them to cleanse Your Majesty's house, to rid the Great Yan of parasites!"

"You...you're spouting nonsense!" Wang Huanzhi trembled with anger, but was speechless for a moment.

That's enough.

The emperor finally spoke, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable authority. He gave Lin Feng a deep look, a look that contained a multitude of complex emotions.

"Minister Lin has made great contributions, and such rumors are not to be believed. Minister Wang, as an imperial censor, it is not wrong for you to report matters based on hearsay, but you must have solid evidence. This matter should not be mentioned again."

These words, seemingly blaming both sides equally, actually favored Lin Feng. Wang Huanzhi's face flushed red and then turned pale, and he could only retreat meekly.

"Lin Feng," the emperor softened his tone, "you've had a long journey, go back to the post station and rest well. Three days later, I will host a banquet in the Imperial Garden to welcome you back and wash away the dust of your journey."

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness." Lin Feng bowed respectfully.

As he left the main hall, the afternoon sun was rather dazzling. Bai Xiaohe, who had been waiting outside, breathed a slight sigh of relief upon seeing him emerge.

"How is the defense?"

"A swarm of flies, just buzzing around." Lin Feng spoke as if the dramatic confrontation in the hall had never happened. "The Emperor still needs me as a weapon for now; he won't let me fall so quickly in the capital. However..."

He looked up into the depths of the palace, where the towering halls resembled a lurking beast.

"The real killer move is probably yet to come. Let's go. Since the emperor has given us three days, let's take our time to explore the capital."

He strode out of the palace, his scarlet official robe leaving a clean line in the sunlight.