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

The night raid on the No. 3 beacon tower was like a boulder thrown into stagnant water, stirring up quite a ripple in the beacon battalion and even the higher-level border army system.

When the remaining nine men of the Seventh Battalion (Zhu Zi was killed in battle, and two seriously wounded men were being carried on makeshift stretchers) dragged their exhausted bodies back to the Beacon Fire Camp at noon on the third day, carrying four tanned Di Rong heads and the leather bag containing the root of the "Ghost Face Vine," they were not greeted by the usual indifference, but by a complex gaze that mixed surprise, curiosity, and even awe.

The news spread very quickly.

"Have you heard? The No. 3 beacon tower of the Seventh Guard was attacked at night by the Di Rong, but four of them were killed in the ensuing counterattack!"

"Four? Weren't three of them killed by that archer Lin Feng?"

"That's not all! I heard they also discovered the 'Ghost Face Vine' that the barbarians used for poisoning. If we hadn't been on guard, the entire Seventh Division would have been wiped out!"

"Hiss... That was close? Zhang Kui and the others are really lucky! That Lin Feng seems to be quite skilled..."

Similar discussions were whispered throughout the camp.

The assessment of military merits and the evaluation of rewards were surprisingly efficient this time. Han Yingzheng personally took charge, and even a deputy lieutenant surnamed Zhou from the nearby, higher-ranking "Iron Wall Battalion" sent people to find out the situation—after all, it involved the Di Rong's use of the despicable "Ghost Face Vine" and possible infiltration and harassment tactics.

The atmosphere inside the inspection shed was somber.

Han Ying's men were as still as water, carefully examining the four hideous heads, paying particular attention to the minor leader wearing a bone wolf head necklace. Meanwhile, the clerk sent by Deputy Lieutenant Zhou meticulously examined the roots of the "Ghost Face Vine" and inquired in detail about how it was discovered.

As the platoon leader, Zhang Kui reported on the entire garrison and the attack, emphasizing Lin Feng's early warning and the crucial support of those arrows. His words were honest and did not exaggerate, but his reliance on and gratitude towards Lin Feng were evident between the lines.

"...Soldier Lin Feng is alert and perceptive, with superb archery skills. He provided early warning during the night raid, killing one enemy chieftain and wounding two others, interrupting the enemy's offensive. His contribution is outstanding." After listening to the report, Han Yingzheng's gaze fell on Lin Feng, who had been standing quietly at the lower end of the table. "Furthermore, he discovered the 'Ghost Face Vine,' which made us aware of the Di Rong's new tricks. His contribution is invaluable."

The clerk sent by Deputy Lieutenant Zhou nodded and said, "This matter has been recorded and will be reported to the Deputy Lieutenant and higher command. Using sleeping pills violates the rules of combat between the two armies. Di Rong's actions this time were truly despicable! Your ability to recognize and counterattack has greatly boosted the morale of our army!"

Lin Feng bowed his head and clasped his hands in a gesture of respect: "It is all thanks to the platoon leader's skillful command and the comrades' bravery. Your subordinates dare not take credit for your work." He adopted a very humble posture.

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Han Yingzheng's eyes. Not being arrogant despite merit was a rare quality. "Rewarding merit and punishing wrongdoing is the ironclad rule of our army. The results of this battle are as follows—"

He cleared his throat and announced loudly, "The Seventh Company, guarding the No. 3 beacon tower, repelled the Di Rong night attack and beheaded four enemies. Among them, the enemy chieftain (the one with the wolf-head necklace) is recorded as having two heads; the other three ordinary night attackers are each recorded as having one head. The discovery and seizure of evidence of the 'Ghost-faced Vine' is recorded as an additional one-level merit."

"Soldier Lin Feng, for his meritorious early warning, shot and killed the enemy chieftain, wounded and hindered the enemy; based on comprehensive evaluation, he is awarded three ranks for the enemy's head, and also receives half a rank for the 'Ghost-Faced Vine' (a type of weapon). Squad Leader Zhang Kui, for his effective command and leading by example, is awarded one rank for the enemy's head. The remaining soldiers will receive their respective rewards according to their performance, and those who died or were wounded will receive generous compensation!"

A moment of silence fell over the shed, then Zhang Kui and the others' faces lit up with excitement. This assessment was exceptionally generous! Especially Lin Feng, who received a level three and a half! Combined with his previous level one and a half, his accumulated military merits had reached a staggering level five!

We're already halfway there to that tempting "level 10 wife-swapping" goal!

"Furthermore," Han Yingzheng continued, "Lin Feng is an excellent archer and remains calm in the face of danger. He is hereby promoted to deputy squad leader of the Seventh Squad to assist Zhang Kui in commanding the squad. He is awarded three thousand cash, a finely crafted iron-backed bow, thirty finely crafted arrows, and a set of leather armor!"

Deputy Squad Leader! A finely crafted bow! Three thousand coins!

This reward was undeniably generous. Although a deputy sergeant was only the lowest-ranking non-commissioned officer, it meant a promotion and an extra few hundred coins in monthly pay. The finely crafted iron-backed bow was a standard military bow far superior to ordinary short bows, with incomparable range and power. Three thousand coins was a considerable sum.

Even the clerk, Deputy Lieutenant Zhou, glanced at Lin Feng a few more times.

"Thank you for the generous reward, Commander Xie!" Lin Feng clasped his hands in a fist salute again, his voice steady, showing little excitement. But he knew in his heart that this generous reward was not only a prize, but it could also push him further into the spotlight of certain people, such as Liu Biao, or that Captain Wang.

"Do a good job and don't let me down." Han Yingzheng rarely said more, "Now that the northern border is in turmoil, it is the time for men to make a name for themselves. Accumulate enough merits, earn a title and a good family, and you will not have lived in vain."

"We will keep that in mind!" Lin Feng and Zhang Kui said in unison.

The process of receiving the reward became a spectacle for half of the beacon fire camp.

When Lin Feng received the heavy iron-backed bow with its cold metallic sheen and the finely crafted arrows with neat fletching and gleaming arrowheads from the smiling quartermaster (perhaps out of respect for Deputy Lieutenant Zhou), a collective gasp and whispers rose from the surrounding crowd.

"Iron-spine bows...we don't have many in our camp!"

"Thirty fine arrows! I couldn't gather that many even in a year!"

"Three thousand coins...tsk tsk, enough to sleep with women in the city until your legs go weak..."

"Deputy squad leader...and it's only been a few days?"

Envy, jealousy, and amazement mingled in the air. Lin Feng could sense that many gazes had become even more complex. Especially on the periphery of the crowd, Liu Biao stood with his arms crossed, his face so dark it seemed to drip water, staring at the bow and money pouch in Lin Feng's hands with undisguised hatred and resentment in his eyes. His henchmen beside him were also gritting their teeth.

Lin Feng pretended not to notice and carefully inspected the new bow. The bow was made of a composite material, a combination of sinew, horn, and wood, and its elasticity and strength far surpassed his previous shabby bow. He drew it without string, and the bowstring emitted a deep, powerful hum. A fine bow!

He tried on the newly awarded leather armor. Although it was also standard, it was much more complete and thicker than the tattered one he was wearing, and thin iron plates were inlaid in the key parts.

Finally, he carefully put away the heavy three thousand coins (mostly copper coins, with a few small strings of poor-quality silver fragments). This money, plus what he had left over, could do many things.

Zhang Kui, having also received his reward, walked over and patted Lin Feng on the shoulder forcefully, a smile finally appearing on his face: "Good lad! You're a deputy platoon leader now! From now on, we brothers will work together to lead the Seventh Platoon well! Kill more enemies and earn more merits!"

"I still need more guidance from the sergeant," Lin Feng said, his attitude remaining humble.

That evening, Zhang Kui took it upon himself to use some of his reward money to exchange for some cheap wine and dried meat from the cook in charge of purchasing supplies in the camp. He then held a simple victory celebration in the barracks of the Seventh Company, which served to appease the emotions of the fallen and wounded brothers and boost morale.

A small fire was lit in the center of the barracks (a violation of regulations, but not strictly enforced), its light illuminating the varied expressions on everyone's faces. The wine was cheap, the meat tough, but in the precarious border region, it was a rare treat.

After a few bowls of wine, the atmosphere became lively.

"Lin...Deputy Squad Leader Lin!" Li Gou'er's eyes were red, both from the alcohol and from his grief for the deceased Zhu Zi. He swayed in front of Lin Feng, holding a broken bowl. "I...I'll toast you on Zhu Zi's behalf! That night, if it weren't for you, I...I might be gone too! From now on, I, Li Gou'er, will follow you!"

Lin Feng picked up his bowl, clinked it against his, said nothing, and drank it all in one gulp. The fiery liquor burned his throat.

"Yes! Brother Lin... no, Deputy Squad Leader Lin! From now on, we'll all listen to you!" Several other comrades echoed. After the battle at Beacon Tower No. 3, Lin Feng's strength and sense of responsibility in crucial moments had won the genuine recognition of the vast majority of the Seventh Squad. The position of deputy squad leader was simply a natural progression.

Zhang Kui watched this scene, grinning, yet also somewhat moved. Only a few days had passed? This once insignificant soldier had become another pillar of the Seventh Company.

As the wine flowed and the conversation became more lively, the topic inevitably turned to "rewards for military merits by wives."

"Deputy Squad Leader Lin, you're already at level five! Keep up the good work, ten heads will be just around the corner!" Wang Hu said, his tongue thick with envy. "When that time comes, you should pick a woman too! Pick a good one, like Centurion Zhao's Su Mo, she's quite nice, she knows about herbs, and can help out her family..."

"Centurion Zhao is just lucky." Old Nian squinted, puffing on some cheap cigarette he'd gotten from who-knows-where. "I heard that a new batch of female prisoners has recently been sent to the prisoner-of-war camp. Apparently, some have drifted over from the south, and others are from tribes on the western grasslands. All sorts of girls. Deputy Squad Leader Lin can have a good look at them then."

"Yes, yes, pick one with a big butt, they're good for bearing children!"

"What's the use of having a big, naked bottom? You need to be sensible and able to manage a household!"

"I think it still needs to be decent-looking..."

Fueled by alcohol, the group chatted merrily, as if Lin Feng had already reached level ten and was now choosing among the prisoners. Behind this seemingly vulgar joke lay the most direct and fervent longing of these low-ranking soldiers for the faint hope of "starting a family."

Lin Feng didn't participate in the discussion; he simply drank his wine quietly and listened. The firelight danced on his face, making his eyes appear deep and unfathomable.

Level 5.

Five levels away.

We have the bow, the armor, and some money.

Although his position as deputy sergeant was lowly, he at least had a little bit of power and freedom of action.

Next...

He looked up, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over the entrance to the barracks. There, the sinister look in Liu Biao's eyes from earlier that day still lingered.

The troubles won't disappear; they'll only intensify because of his rise.

But his steps forward will not stop.

He gently stroked the cold surface of the new bow that lay beside his knee.

The road must be walked one step at a time.

The enemy must be killed one by one.

Merit is accumulated little by little.

And that goal of "home" seems to become clearer and more burning amidst the biting cold winds of the border and the spiciness of cheap liquor.

The celebration banquet lasted until late at night. Everyone was quite drunk and unsteady on their feet.

Lin Feng stomped out the last spark and walked outside the barracks. The cold night wind cleared his head a little.

He looked up at the night sky, where a few scattered stars twinkled.

In the north, that vast land that has swallowed countless lives and also contains infinite possibilities, lies silent in the darkness.

He clenched his fist.

almost.

He said to himself.

We are getting closer and closer to that goal.

Anyone who tries to block his path will become a ghost under his bow and a soul under his blade.

In the night breeze, his tall figure resembled a javelin that was slowly being honed to its sharpness.