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

"Does Elder Xu know where this mineral might originate? And who knows so much about it?" Lin Feng pressed.

After a moment's thought, the old scholar Xu said, "According to the Records of Strange Minerals, the places where 'Crimson Flame Crystal' was discovered in the previous dynasty were 'Crimson Flame Mountain' in the northern desert and...deep in 'Hidden Dragon Ridge' at the border of Longxi and the northern border. As for who knows about it...a few months ago, a merchant from the north came to visit me with a small piece of 'Crimson Flame Crystal' raw stone to ask for my opinion. I felt that he had ulterior motives and that this thing was dangerous, so I didn't say much, only warning him to stay away."

"Does Elder Xu still remember the man's physical characteristics? Or did he come back afterward?" Lin Feng asked anxiously, his heart pounding.

"The man was about forty years old, with an ordinary face but sharp eyes. He had thick calluses on the web of his left hand, probably from holding weapons or tools for many years. His accent was slightly Longxi dialect. I never saw him again after that."

Old Master Xu shook his head, saying worriedly, "Grand Commander, the reappearance of this item is hardly a good omen. If it is used in battle or... for assassination, the consequences will be unimaginable. I urge the Grand Commander to be extremely cautious."

"Thank you for informing me, Elder Xu. I will remember this." Lin Feng said solemnly.

Fulong Ridge! That northern merchant is very likely a member of "Chiyuan" or Lin Wang's faction! They have long been secretly searching for and researching "Crimson Flame Crystals" and have crafted them into the devastating weapon "Crimson Flame Thunder"! Fulong Ridge must be explored again! That "Crimson Flame Crystal" mine must be found and controlled, or... completely destroyed!

After leaving the Xu residence, Lin Feng immediately returned to the Grand Commander's Mansion.

As soon as he entered, Chen Heng came to greet him.

"Guard, we're a step too late at the coffin shop! Ghost Hand has escaped! We found a blood-stained night suit. Judging from the looks of it, he might be injured."

"He escaped?" Lin Feng frowned. "Expand the search area, especially clinics and pharmacies. He's injured and needs treatment."

"yes!"

At this moment, Bai Xiaohe returned, her face pale. "Commander, we've searched the area around Ciyun Temple in Xishan, but haven't found any trace of Grey Falcon. We only found signs of someone briefly staying in an abandoned wooden hut at the foot of the mountain, along with bloodstains and fragments of Grey Falcon's gray cloak, but the person is gone. Judging from the bloodstains, he was seriously injured."

The grey falcon has also run away. The trail seems to have gone cold again.

"Send word to Lei Bao: find the 'Crimson Flame Crystal' mine within Fulong Ridge! If found, immediately deploy heavy troops to seal it off; no one is allowed to approach without permission!"

"clear!"

That evening, someone delivered a visiting card, sealed with sealing wax, and the seal was that peculiar cloud pattern.

"Wind and Rain Pavilion" is back again.

He opened the visiting card, which contained only one line: "Tomorrow at 3:45 AM, I will be waiting for the Grand Commander at the 'Listening to the Pines' private room on the second floor of the 'Qingfeng Teahouse' in the East Market. I have important matters to discuss with him. Respectfully submitted by Fengyu Louzhu."

The Lord of Wind and Rain, do you want to see him in person?

"Guards, this 'Wind and Rain Tower'..." Bai Xiaohe looked worried.

"We have to venture into the lion's den, even if it means venturing into a dragon's den or a tiger's lair," Lin Feng said. "The intelligence they possess is crucial to us. Besides, I also want to see just who this 'Master of the Stormy Pavilion' really is. Chen Heng, tomorrow you take your men and lay in ambush around Qingfeng Teahouse. If anything changes, heed my command."

"yes!"

……

The next day at dawn, the Qingfeng Teahouse in the East Market had just opened, and there were few customers. Lin Feng, dressed in an ordinary dark brocade robe, entered the teahouse with only two bodyguards disguised as attendants and went straight to the second floor.

The door to the private room "Listening to the Pines" was ajar. Lin Feng gestured for his guards to stand outside the door, then pushed it open and entered.

The interior was elegantly furnished, with a faint scent of sandalwood incense burning. A man was already seated at the tea table by the window. He appeared to be around forty years old, with a refined and shrewd face, a long beard, and dressed in a simple scholar's blue robe, resembling a schoolteacher.

"Grand Commander Lin, please have a seat." The scholar smiled and raised his hand, personally pouring a cup of tea and pushing it in front of Lin Feng. "I apologize for the abrupt invitation. My surname is Feng, and my given name is Ming. I am temporarily in charge of the trivial matters of Fengyu Tower."

"Lord Feng," Lin Feng greeted, bowing as he sat down opposite him. "I am deeply grateful for Lord Feng's repeated assistance. May I ask what brings you here today?"

"I wouldn't presume to offer guidance." Feng Ming smiled. "I simply have some information that might be useful to the Grand Commander, and some questions that I'd like to have confirmed with him."

"Speaking."

"First, 'Grey Falcon' is not dead, but seriously injured. He is currently hiding in an underground chamber in the abandoned garden at Jishuitan. That is one of 'Crimson Abyss's' most important backup strongholds in the capital. It is equipped with traps and guarded by several skilled fighters. 'Ghost Hand' Mo Qi is also recuperating there." Feng Ming got straight to the point.

Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained unchanged: "Lord Feng is well-informed. I wonder if you know the entrance to this secret chamber and the layout of its mechanisms?"

"I know a little bit." Feng Ming took out a roll of thin silk from his sleeve and pushed it in front of Lin Feng.

Lin Feng unfolded the thin silk; the drawing was exquisite, the annotations clear, and it did not appear to be a forgery. He carefully put the drawing away and said in a deep voice, "What is the purpose of such a generous gift from Lord Feng?"

"A deal." Feng Ming put down his teacup. "'Fengyulou' sells information and also collects information. We will help the Grand Commander eliminate 'Chiyuan's' spies in the capital. In return, the Grand Commander must agree to two things."

Which two items?

"Firstly, if the 'Wind and Rain Tower' encounters difficulties in the future and needs the Grand Commander's assistance, we hope that the Grand Commander will provide help as appropriate, without violating the laws of the court or harming the Grand Commander's own interests."

"Okay." Lin Feng nodded. This request wasn't excessive and left room for maneuver.

"Secondly," Feng Ming's tone deepened, "we at 'Wind and Rain Pavilion' are also investigating the 'Crimson Flame Crystal' mine and the true purpose of 'Crimson Abyss.' If we make any progress in the future, we hope to share the information with the Grand Commander and... join forces to deal with them when the time is right. What 'Crimson Abyss' seeks and what its 'Holy Lord' plots may involve ancient secrets and the secrets of heaven and earth, which cannot be resisted by one person or one faction alone."

Lin Feng's gaze sharpened: "Lord Feng seems to know a great deal about 'Crimson Abyss'?"

"I only know the basics," Feng Ming sighed.

"The origins of the 'Crimson Abyss' can be traced back to the previous dynasty or even earlier. They worship evil gods, often use human sacrifices, and study forbidden arts. The identity of their 'Holy Lord' is a mystery, and his whereabouts are uncertain."

"Does Lord Feng know where that 'Holy Lord' might be hiding? And what is his relationship with Prince Lin?"