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

Zhao Qi was extremely efficient, sending over a long list and preliminary investigation results on the very first evening. The identities of the owners behind several of the merchants were mysterious, and their connections with court officials were also extremely obscure.

"One of them, 'Longchang,' had its manager suddenly die of an illness the day before yesterday, and the accounting office was destroyed by fire last night, with all the important account books destroyed." Zhao Qi pointed to a spot on the list and said in a low voice, "They acted very quickly and cleanly."

"Looks like they've been startled." Lin Feng marked these trading companies. "Continue investigating, especially the final destination of the goods and their contacts in the north. Don't force it, just record the trail."

"Yes."

On the other hand, Bai Xiaohe's "official visit" under the guise of the "Pacifying Envoy's Office" indeed caused quite a stir. The few "abnormal" businesses marked seemed somewhat flustered. Although they did not reveal any obvious flaws, the managers' evasive words and eagerness to see their guests off already spoke volumes.

At Prince Lin's residence, Zhao Qi's men reported that the amount of supplies purchased in the past two days had increased dramatically, far exceeding normal expenses. Furthermore, two groups of unfamiliar "guards" had been brought into the residence, and they all appeared to be quite skilled. Prince Lin himself rarely left his residence, but his study was frequently visited by secret guests at night, and his movements were kept secret.

"He's stockpiling supplies, strengthening security, and gathering manpower," Lin Feng judged. "Either he senses danger and is preparing to protect himself or move away; or... he's preparing for some kind of operation."

The third day, in the afternoon.

Lin Feng was flipping through the scattered records of some ancient legends from the northern regions that had been sent to him.

"Commander," Bai Xiaohe pushed open the door and entered, her face grave. "We just received news that a murder occurred last night at the Ciyun Temple in the western suburbs. The abbot, Master Jingchen, and his two disciples were found dead in their meditation room. The manner of their deaths... is quite bizarre. There were no external injuries, but their faces were bluish-black, and there were tiny bloodstains from their seven orifices, suggesting poisoning. However, the coroner could not identify the poison. There was no loss of property in the temple, except for an ancient bronze statue that was neither Taoist nor Buddhist, resembling a three-eyed strange bird, which has vanished without a trace."

Ciyun Temple! Ci'en Temple, where Abbess Jing'an resides, is in the western suburbs, and Ciyun Temple is also in the western suburbs! Moreover, the missing bronze statue resembles a "three-eyed monster bird"!

Lin Feng suddenly stood up. The totem of the Crimson Feather Clan is a flying bird, and the token of the "Crimson Abyss" is a ghost-headed feather. Could this bronze statue of the "Three-Eyed Monster Bird" also be related to them?

"Is there any news from Abbess Jing'an?" Lin Feng asked urgently.

"No abnormalities so far. But Zhao Qi's men reported that Ciyun Temple is not very popular, but Master Jingchen is quite skilled in medicine, especially in treating some difficult and complicated diseases and strange poison injuries. He has some reputation among the common people and some martial arts practitioners. Moreover..." Bai Xiaohe paused, "Some people nearby said that a few days ago they saw a well-dressed stranger who did not look like an ordinary worshipper entering and leaving the temple."

"It seems that Ciyun Temple is likely another covert operation set up by 'Chiyuan' in the capital, or at least has a similar function to Doctor Hu's Jishan Hall, responsible for medical skills and... matters that may be related to those strange rituals."

Lin Feng's eyes were icy. "Killing them to silence them and taking the bronze statue is 'Crimson Abyss' clearing out the weak points on the outskirts of the capital to prevent us from following the trail. They acted swiftly!"

Less than six hours remain until the appointed time at the "Nameless Pawnshop" in the Ghost Market. Is the other party's clearing out of Ciyun Temple at this time a warning? Or an attempt to cut off possible leads?

"Prepare the horses, let's go to Ci'en Temple." Lin Feng made a decisive decision. He needed to see Abbess Jing'an immediately to learn about Ciyun Temple and the details of that bronze statue.

"Go now? Won't that be too conspicuous?" Bai Xiaohe worried.

"We can't worry about that now. They've already made their move. If we keep being cautious, we'll just be led by the nose." Lin Feng grabbed his sword. "Besides, I have a feeling that the murder at Ciyun Temple might be related to tonight's appointment at the ghost market. Let's go!"

Without further delay, the two quickly left the mansion and rode straight to Qixia Mountain in the western suburbs.

A biting mountain wind swept through the forest, accompanied by the rustling of leaves. The distant tolling of the Ci'en Temple bell carried a calming power, yet Lin Feng remained on high alert. Beneath this tranquil mountain forest, a deadly intent was lurking like a venomous snake, and tonight's Ghost Market would likely be the moment when the true nature of their schemes was revealed.

Ci'en Temple remains a place of constant incense offerings and lingering chanting, seemingly a world apart from the bloody murder that recently occurred at the foot of the mountain.

Lin Feng and Bai Xiaohe dismounted at the mountain gate, where a monk greeted them. Lin Feng revealed his identity as the "Northern Border Inspector General" and directly requested an audience with Abbess Jing'an. Seeing his extraordinary bearing and official status, the monk dared not be negligent and hurriedly went inside to announce their arrival.

Before long, the elegant old nun in blue robes, Master Jing'an, personally greeted Lin Feng at the entrance of the main hall. Her expression was calm, seemingly unsurprised by his arrival. She raised one hand in a gesture of respect: "Amitabha, Benefactor Lin, you've come in haste; is something troubling you?"

"Your Excellency is wise," Lin Feng returned the greeting and went straight to the point, "Have you heard about what happened at Ciyun Temple down the mountain?"

Master Jing'an's gaze sharpened slightly, and she nodded gently: "At dawn, some worshippers were already discussing it. Fellow Daoist Jingchen... has suffered such a calamity; may Buddha have mercy." Her tone was filled with compassion, but deep in her eyes was a trace of solemnity and understanding.

"This is precisely the matter I have come for," Lin Feng said, taking a step closer and lowering his voice. "I have heard that an ancient bronze statue of peculiar form has been stolen from the temple. As someone stationed in the northern border region, I have heard that some tribes in the north worship strange totems. I wonder if the nun knows which deity is worshipped in the Ciyun Temple? And why did Daoist Jingchen suffer such a misfortune?"

Abbess Jing'an gave Lin Feng a deep look, then stepped aside and said, "This is not the place to talk. Please follow me, benefactor."

She led Lin Feng and his companion through several courtyards to a secluded bamboo grove retreat behind the temple. The retreat was simply furnished with only a couch, a small table, two prayer cushions, and a small shrine containing a jade statue with a blurred face that resembled a Buddha but was not quite.

"This is where my late master practiced his meditation; few people come here." Abbess Jing'an invited Lin Feng to sit on the prayer mat and personally poured him two cups of tea. "Since you asked about the bronze statue and mentioned the northern tribes, it seems that your interest in Ciyun Temple is not merely out of curiosity as a government official."

"I don't lie to those who are honest with me." Lin Feng said frankly, "To be honest, since I came to the capital, I have encountered many dangers. All the clues point to a mysterious force in the north called 'Red Abyss'. The murder case at Ciyun Temple is strange. The stolen bronze statue resembles a strange bird, which is quite similar to the 'Red Abyss' tokens that I know of. Daoist Jingchen is knowledgeable in medicine and toxicology, and is probably no ordinary Daoist. This matter may be of great importance."

Master Jing'an remained silent for a moment, slowly turning the prayer beads in her hand. After a long while, she sighed, "You are indeed no ordinary person, having already touched upon such a secret. Very well, this matter has weighed on my mind for many years. Now that you have revealed it to me, perhaps it is also an opportunity."