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

The remaining assassins immediately changed their strategy, no longer rushing to attack, but instead forming groups of three or five to harass and fight, trying to wear down Lin Feng's stamina. At the same time, poisoned darts and hidden arrows were shot from tricky angles from time to time!

However, Lin Feng's perception and reaction speed far surpassed that of ordinary people. It was as if he had eyes in the back of his head, able to pinpoint enemy positions by sound, and with a slight turn of his body or a precise parry with his short sword, he neutralized all the hidden weapons. He could even take advantage of the gaps in the assassins' weapon-launching to suddenly rush forward and kill one or two more!

The battle was fierce but brief. In just a short time, more than half of the thirty-odd assassins had fallen, and the street was awash in blood.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the leader's eyes flashed with horror and determination, and he suddenly blew a sharp whistle!

Upon hearing the commotion, the remaining seven or eight assassins did not linger in the fight. They feigned an attack and then turned and fled in different directions into the depths of the alley, clearly having planned multiple escape routes in advance.

"Trying to leave?" Lin Feng sneered, flicking his foot to grab a curved knife left behind by an assassin. Without even looking at it, he tossed the knife away!

"Thud!" The curved blade seemed to have eyes, accurately piercing the back of the fleeing leader! The leader screamed, collapsed to the ground, twitched twice, and then fell silent.

At the same time, Lin Feng moved like lightning, catching up with the other two assassins who were running a little slower. His "Dingjiang" short sword flashed repeatedly, and the two men coughed up blood from their necks and collapsed to the ground.

But as the night deepened and the alleyways became more complex, four or five people took advantage of the darkness and disappeared into the depths of the maze-like alleys.

The battle was over. From the attack to its conclusion, it had taken less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. The streets and alleys returned to deathly silence, leaving only the gradually cooling corpses of the assassins. The two bodyguards also sustained minor injuries, but they were all superficial and not serious.

"My lord, are you alright?" The guard asked, panting heavily as he warily scanned his surroundings.

"It's alright." Lin Feng flicked the blood off his short sword and sheathed it.

He walked to the corpse of the leader who had been killed by a flying knife, squatted down, pulled off his mask to reveal a dark, rough face with obvious signs of northern winds and frost. He searched the body and found nothing that could identify him except for weapons and some loose gold and silver. However, the material and sewing style of the underwear had a grassland style.

"They're either assassins from the north, or long-time outlaws who've been operating in the north for a long time." Lin Feng stood up. "To make a move in the capital, they have some nerve."

"Is it the Zhou family? Or the remnants of Prince Lin?" the guard asked.

"Anything is possible. But to be able to mobilize so many skilled fighters in the capital and set up such a precise ambush, the power behind them is definitely not simple." Lin Feng looked in the direction the assassins had fled. "It seems someone doesn't want me to enter the palace smoothly tomorrow."

"Very well. Since we've torn off the mask, let's see whose methods are tougher." Lin Feng's voice was ruthless. "In my name, formally issue a document to the Prefect of the Capital, the Court of Judicial Review, and the City Patrol Division, stating that I was attacked by dozens of bandits on my way back to the post station, and that I have killed most of them, with several escaping!"

At dawn, before the light of day had broken, the imperial city was shrouded in a solemn silence.

At three in the morning, outside the Meridian Gate, civil and military officials stood solemnly according to their ranks. Unlike the usual hushed greetings, the atmosphere today was exceptionally heavy and oppressive. Every gaze, whether open or hidden, was fixed on Lin Feng.

Several military officers who were acquainted with Lin Feng or admired his achievements, such as the Marquis of Wu'an, cast concerned and respectful glances at him. The majority of civil officials, however, had complex expressions—curiosity, scrutiny, schadenfreude, and something else difficult to discern.

"Your Majesty ascends to the throne——!"

As the high-pitched announcement of the chief eunuch, the officials entered the hall and lined up on both sides. On the throne, the emperor's face was solemn, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, pausing briefly on Lin Feng.

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"All of you, rise."

"If you have something to report, do so now; if not, leave the court." This was a routine matter for the eunuch in charge of ceremonies.

A moment of silence fell over the court. Everyone had clearly heard about what happened last night, but the matter was too sensitive and involved too much, so no one wanted to be the first to speak.

Lin Feng stepped forward.

He walked to the foot of the imperial steps, bowed and said, "Your subject, Lin Feng, Grand Commander of the Northern Frontier and Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince, has a memorial to present."

They're here! Everyone's hearts were in their throats.

"Minister Lin, what is it you wish to report?" The emperor's voice was devoid of emotion.

"Your Majesty," Lin Feng raised his head, "I was ordered to return to the capital to report on my duties. Last night, at three-quarters past midnight, on my way back to the Ministry of War's post station, I was ambushed by dozens of masked bandits dressed in black. Fortunately, thanks to Your Majesty's divine protection, I and two personal guards killed twenty-three of them, and the rest fled. The scene has been handed over to the Prefect of the Capital and the Court of Judicial Review. I humbly request Your Majesty to issue an order for a thorough investigation, to find the mastermind, to uphold the law, to reassure your officials, and to deter all unruly elements throughout the land!"

An uproar erupted within the hall. Although rumors had circulated beforehand, hearing Lin Feng say it himself carried a completely different weight. Twenty-three enemies killed! And he himself was unharmed! What incredible bravery!

The emperor's face darkened, and his gaze swept over the assembled officials: "Such a thing has happened? The Prefect of the Capital and the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review!"

The Prefect of the Capital and the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review hurriedly stepped forward, sweat beading on their foreheads: "Your Majesty, we are here!"

"Is what Grand Commandant Lin reported true? What is the progress of the investigation?"

The Prefect of the Capital, forcing a smile, said, "Your Majesty, it did happen last night. Twenty-three bodies were found at the scene. Preliminary examination revealed that the deceased's physical features were mostly northern, and the weapons and clothing used were not commonly found in the Central Plains..." He glanced at Lin Feng and continued, "Currently, a city-wide manhunt for the fugitives is underway, and the identities and origins of the deceased are being thoroughly investigated."

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review added, "Your Majesty, this case is extremely serious. We will do our utmost to solve it within the specified time! However... it may take some time to track down the mastermind."

"It will take time?" The emperor sneered. "I'm giving you two ten days. If you can't find the real culprit and identify the mastermind, you can forget about being the Prefect of the Capital and the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review!"

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I obey! I will do my utmost!" The two were so frightened that they kowtowed repeatedly.

Just then, Zhou Wenyuan suddenly stepped forward from the ranks of the Censorate, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present."

Here it comes! Everyone perked up, knowing the show was about to begin.

"What brings you here, Minister Zhou?" the emperor asked, looking at him.

"Your Majesty," Zhou Wenyuan said in his usual tone of concern for the country and its people, "I share your indignation at the assassination of Grand Commander Lin. Such a heinous act must be thoroughly investigated and punished to serve as a warning to others. However, I have a question for Grand Commander Lin."

"speak."