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

A loud, short cry, resembling the call of some kind of bird, startled Chen tide from her chaotic dream.

Ah Yue had already gotten up and was standing by the window, quietly observing the outside world through the holes in the window paper.

Chen tide quickly got up and walked to the window.

The valley has become lively.

The "mountain dwellers" emerged from their wooden houses in twos and threes. Some stretched their limbs in the open space, moving nimbly and energetically; others were tidying up their tools, preparing to do some work. The watchtower had changed shifts, with the guards holding bows and arrows or spears, their eyes scanning the valley entrance and the surrounding ridges warily.

Everything was in good order, busy but not chaotic.

"Look there," Ah Yue said in a very low voice.

On the east side of the valley, the doors of several houses were open, and one could vaguely see shelves and neatly stacked sacks and wooden crates inside, with people going in and out to move things.

In the open space next to the wooden house, several men were practicing archery, using standard powerful bows. The target was set fifty paces away, and the sound of the arrows cutting through the air was deep and powerful. Almost every arrow hit the bullseye, a skill that ordinary hunters could not match.

"And the west side too," A-Yue gestured again.

To the west, near the other side of the mountain wall, there is a clearing enclosed by a wooden fence, where a dozen or so mules and horses are tethered. They are of different colors, but all are plump and strong, and are being washed and fed by several men.

Next to the stable, there was a shed-like structure made of canvas and wooden frames, from which faint clanging and metallic sounds could be heard.

Chen tide felt a chill run down her spine.

This place is indeed extraordinary.

Not only did it possess sophisticated weapons and well-trained personnel, but it also had horses, and possibly even workshops for crafting or repairing machinery! This was far beyond the scale and configuration of an ordinary refuge or outpost. Ye Qingli's "background" was likely far more profound and terrifying than she had imagined.

The two silently finished the breakfast that had been delivered, tidied up, and went outside. The valley air was crisp and clear in the early morning, carrying the scent of grass, trees, and earth. Sunlight struggled to penetrate the still-thick clouds, casting dappled shadows across the valley floor.

As they approached the tall wooden huts (warehouses) on the east side, a man who was checking items at the door looked up and calmly looked over. Although he didn't speak, the meaning in his eyes was clear—stop.

Chen tide and A Yue tactfully turned around and walked in another direction.

They did not attempt to approach the stables and workers' sheds to the west, where there were also guards.

Reaching the edge of the valley, closer to the back mountain, the sound of the wind became clearer, along with the faint roar of water crashing against rocks, seemingly emanating from deeper within. There, the forest was denser, shrouded in mist, obscuring the view. Only a narrow, winding path, worn smooth by countless footsteps, disappeared into the thick fog and shadows of the trees. That was the "forbidden area of ​​the back mountain" Zhou Kui had spoken of.

Chen tide stood not far from the entrance of the small passage, gazing at the mysterious area shrouded in mist, a chill inexplicably creeping into her heart. What was hidden there? A deeper secret, or... an even greater danger?

After lunch.

Zhou Kui's steady footsteps and deliberately loud knocking came from outside the door.

"Two young ladies."

Chen tide composed herself and replied, "Brother Zhou, is there something you need?"

The door was pushed open, and Zhou Kui walked in, his face still showing the same calm and expressionless face, but his eyes seemed a little deeper than usual.

He didn't close the door; it seemed he was only giving a brief explanation.

"I just received news from outside." Zhou Kui got straight to the point, his voice low but each word clear.

"Back in the prefectural capital, after Zhou Wenyuan was assassinated and wounded, there seems to have been some trouble at his residence. Thieves broke in, stole some things, and... disturbed the women of the household. Fortunately, the guards were strong, and the thieves failed to steal anything and have already escaped. The Zhou family is conducting a full-scale search."

He paused, his gaze falling on Chen tide's suddenly pale face, and continued, "In addition, there are some rumors circulating in the state army that the memorial impeaching Zhou Wenyuan for colluding with border generals and raising a private army seems to have been suppressed. The court seems to be more concerned about Zhou Wenyuan's assassination. The imperial envoy will be arriving soon, and the state government is now outwardly relaxed but inwardly tense, with intense investigations."

A thief broke into the Zhou residence? Stole something? Disturbed the women's quarters? The thief escaped? The Zhou residence is searching for him?

These words were like ice picks, piercing Chen tide's heart again and again.

Zhou Wenyuan is covering up their escape! He's smearing them as "thieves," downplaying the secret of the west wing as "stealing some things," and claiming they "disturbed the women's quarters"... Sister Shixiu, Sister Liuyun, Cao'er! How are they? Were they frightened, or... were they controlled or even harmed by Zhou Wenyuan? The "thief who failed" clearly refers to them, which is an indirect admission that they escaped. But Zhou Wenyuan will never let it go; the so-called "search and capture" will undoubtedly be a full-scale manhunt!

With the imperial envoy approaching and the court focused on the assassination attempt... for them, who were deeply mired in crisis and desperately needed outside help, this might be a glimmer of hope? But what if the imperial envoy was also deceived by Zhou Wenyuan?

"Brother Zhou..." Chen tide's voice trembled slightly as he forced himself to remain calm, "That thief... do you know who he is? Are your wives... alright?"

Zhou Kui looked at her, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, seemingly a mixture of sympathy and something deeper. "Her origins are unknown. As for her family..." He shook his head, "The news only says they were somewhat frightened, but the specifics are unknown. The Zhou residence is heavily guarded now, making communication difficult."

Having been somewhat frightened... This vague explanation made Chen tide's heart clench even tighter.

She could almost imagine how furious Zhou Wenyuan would be when he discovered that she and A Yue had escaped, and what his attitude would be towards Shi Xiu and the others who might know the truth!

The so-called "fright" is probably far more complex than it appears on the surface!

"Furthermore," Zhou Kui changed the subject, his tone becoming even more somber, "the elite troops of the state army seem to be in turmoil as well. There were some mishaps during recruit training; some soldiers got into fights, and it also involved a shortage of weapons. The higher-ups are investigating it thoroughly. Zhao Tieying, the captain, seems to have been reprimanded as a result, and he's having a tough time."

The Elite Battalion? Zhao Tieying? Shortage of weapons? Chen tide's heart skipped a beat. Brother Lin was in the Elite Battalion! Could this "unrest" be related to him? Zhao Tieying was Zhou Wenyuan's man (on the surface). If he was reprimanded, would it be detrimental to Brother Lin?

"Thank you for informing me, Brother Zhou." Chen tide tried to keep her voice steady. "I wonder... how much longer will my sister and I need to trouble you here? The situation outside is so tense, we are really worried."

Zhou Kui was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "When it's time to leave, I will naturally send you off. Going out now is like walking into a trap. Just stay here peacefully. Remember what I said last night: no matter what you hear or see, stay inside, don't come out, and don't ask any questions. Things outside will be taken care of."

It was "a preordained arrangement" again. Ye Qingli's arrangement. But where exactly was this arrangement leading them?

"Yes, we've noted it down." Chen tide lowered her eyes, concealing the anxiety and unease within them.

Zhou Kui said no more, glanced at her and A Yue, turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Inside the wooden cabin, there was a deathly silence.

The flame of the oil lamp flickered and burst into a burst of light.

"Sister Yue..." Chen tide looked up, her eyes already glistening with tears, but she held them back. "Sister Shi Xiu and the others... Brother Lin, he..."

"There's no use in rushing." A-Yue's voice remained calm, but the knuckles of her hand holding the ebony hairpin were slightly white. "What Zhou Kui said may not be entirely true, or at least not entirely false. It's true that Zhou Wenyuan was assassinated, the 'thief' entering the mansion' was a cover-up, and the search was real. But he was vague about the situation of the women in the household; either he really didn't know, or he knew but couldn't say. As for the matter in the military camp..." A cold glint flashed in her eyes, "I'm afraid someone wants to use this as an excuse to purge or suppress certain people. Lin Feng may not be the target in the camp, but it's hard for him to avoid being affected."

"Then what should we do?" Chen tide's voice trembled with a hint of despair.

"Should we just wait here? Wait for Zhou Wenyuan's men to find this place? Or wait for Ye Qingli's 'arrangements'? What if her 'arrangements'...?"

What if Ye Qingli's "arrangement" ultimately results in them being handed over to Zhou Wenyuan, or used for some other purpose? Chen tide didn't say this aloud, but both of them knew the answer.

A-Yue put down her hairpin, walked over to Chen tide and sat down, holding her cold, trembling hand.

Her hands were rough and calloused, yet remarkably steady and strong.

"We can't completely trust Ye Qingli, nor can we rely entirely on outsiders," A-Yue said in a low voice, her tone carrying a resolute determination.

"We have to figure it out ourselves. At the very least, we need to find out the details of Black Wind Valley and find a way to leave or send messages. Zhou Kui doesn't allow us to go near the back mountain and the warehouse, there must be secrets there, and there might be a way out."

"But... Zhou Kui warned that it's a forbidden area. The guards must be very strict," Chen tide said worriedly.

Ah Yue is skilled, but Black Wind Valley is likely teeming with hidden talents, and forcing her way in is definitely not the best strategy.

"We don't necessarily have to force our way in." Ah Yue's gaze turned to the dark back mountain outside the window, her eyes sharp as an eagle's.

"Wait. Wait for an opportunity. Wait for 'some movement' to occur in this valley."

She was referring to the "movement" Zhou Kui had vaguely mentioned earlier. If something truly significant were to happen, the valley guards would inevitably be drawn to it, and that would be their opportunity.

The night grew even deeper.

The wind in Black Wind Valley seemed to carry an unusual whimper, as if foreshadowing that the "some commotion" Zhou Kui mentioned might not be far off.