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

The ruins of "Tingyuxuan" under the cover of night are even more desolate than usual.

The charred remains of the burned building cast grotesque and twisted shadows under the cold moonlight, resembling the skeleton of a giant beast.

Lin Feng arrived half an hour early, but did not show himself immediately. Instead, like the most patient hunter, he lay in ambush behind a half-collapsed earthen wall a dozen steps away from the willow tree, intently sensing the movements around him.

There was no lurking breath, no prying eyes. At least, not openly.

At midnight, the faint sound of the clock striking the hour from the distant prefectural government office could be heard, its echo lingering long afterward.

Just as the echoes of the bells were fading, the shadow beneath the willow tree rippled slightly like water. A slender, graceful figure dressed in black appeared silently, as if growing out of the darkness.

The figure's face was covered with a black cloth, revealing only a pair of eyes that shone brightly like cold stars in the moonlight; it was Ye Qingli.

Her appearance was completely unexpected, even Lin Feng was secretly startled. Her skill in stealth and concealment was simply divine.

Lin Feng did not reveal himself immediately, remaining hidden. He wanted to confirm one last time whether Ye Qingli was alone.

Ye Qingli didn't seem surprised by his caution. She simply stood quietly under the willow tree, glanced up at the moonlight, and then looked in the direction of the ruins of "Tingyuxuan". A complex emotion flashed in her eyes, as if she were sighing, or perhaps she was being wary.

After waiting for about half a cup of tea's time, the surroundings remained silent.

Lin Feng finally moved. Instead of walking directly out of his hiding place, he moved like a cat, silently circling around under the cover of the ruins' shadows. He approached the willow tree from another direction and stopped about three zhang away from Ye Qingli, right in the shadow of a section of charred roof beam.

"Miss Ye, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting," Lin Feng said, his voice low but clear.

Ye Qingli turned her head at the sound, her gaze landing precisely on the shadows where he was hiding. A hint of approval flashed in her eyes as she whispered, "Captain Lin is very cautious. Come out and talk. This place is safe for now. My men are on the outer perimeter."

"Miss Ye urgently summoned me, mentioning Black Wind Valley and Miss Chen. I wonder what happened?" Lin Feng stepped out of the shadows and came to the willow tree, getting straight to the point, his eyes fixed on Ye Qingli's eyes.

Ye Qingli didn't answer immediately. Instead, she glanced around warily again to make sure everything was alright before lowering her voice and speaking slightly faster: "Two things. First, everything is fine at Black Wind Valley. Miss Chen Xi and Miss A Yue are safe, and Zhou Kui is taking good care of them. However," she paused, her tone turning somber.

"I received a tip that Zhou Wenyuan's men have been secretly investigating Black Wind Valley recently, and seem to have become suspicious of it. Although they haven't found anything yet, given Zhou Wenyuan's personality, once he sets his sights on you, problems will inevitably arise sooner or later. Black Wind Valley can probably no longer serve as a long-term refuge."

Lin Feng's heart tightened, but he remained outwardly calm: "Zhou Wenyuan? Why would he suddenly notice Black Wind Valley?"

"I'm afraid it's related to you." Ye Qingli's gaze was deep. "'Sanhe' has suddenly risen to prominence in the prefecture, and you and Zhou Wenyuan have a long-standing feud. If he investigates you, he will naturally investigate the people around you and your possible whereabouts. Although Black Wind Valley is secluded, it is not without clues. It's not surprising that he suspected you had a connection with Black Wind Valley by following the clues."

Lin Feng remained silent.

Ye Qingli's analysis makes sense. Their commotion is too great and could indeed implicate Black Wind Valley.

"Then, in Miss Ye's opinion, how should we respond?"

"Two paths." Ye Qingli held up two fingers. "First, move Miss Chen and the others as soon as possible to a place that is more secluded and safer than Black Wind Valley. But this matter requires careful planning and cannot be rushed, and we must not let any word of it leak out. Second, take the initiative and keep Zhou Wenyuan preoccupied, or... make sure he never has a chance to investigate again."

She spoke calmly, but the words "never a chance" carried a chilling murderous intent.

Lin Feng's eyes flashed: "Miss Ye, you didn't invite me here just to talk about this, did you? This is 'Listening to the Rain Pavilion,' the place where Steward Qian died, and also a place where the 'Mysterious Scale Guard' might have been active. What's the deeper meaning behind choosing this place?"

Ye Qingli's eyes showed even more admiration: "Captain Lin is indeed perceptive. That's right, the reason I invited you here is because of the second matter, which is related to this place and also to the 'Mysterious Scale Guard' that you are investigating."

She took a small step forward, lowering her voice to almost a whisper: "My men have found a clue. After the fire at 'Tingyuxuan,' the ruins were hastily cleared by the government, but the night before last, someone saw a dark figure sneaking into the ruins and digging around the approximate location of what used to be Steward Qian's study, searching for something. Although they didn't find anything, or perhaps they found something but weren't discovered, it's enough to show that there's still a secret hidden in 'Tingyuxuan,' and a secret that the 'Xuanlin Guard' is concerned about."

Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat: "Manager Qian's study? What is he looking for? Could it be... related to that snake-shaped token? Or, related to Prince Qi?"

"Anything is possible." Ye Qingli nodded. "Manager Qian was one of Prince Qi's men, but he died at the hands of the 'Xuanlin Guard' to silence him. His study might contain evidence of Prince Qi's collusion with the 'Xuanlin Guard,' or it might contain some of the 'Xuanlin Guard's' contact information or lists. The fact that the 'Xuanlin Guard' came back to look for it means that the information is very important, and they are certain that the fire did not completely destroy it."

She looked at Lin Feng intently: "Lieutenant Lin, I know you have men under your command who are quite adept at tracking and investigation. I'd like to ask you for a favor—to secretly and thoroughly investigate the ruins of 'Listening to the Rain Pavilion,' especially the original site of Steward Qian's study. See if you can find anything the 'Mysterious Scale Guards' missed or didn't have time to take. Don't overlook any clues."

Lin Feng pondered.

Exploring the ruins of "Tingyuxuan" is quite risky.

A murder had just occurred here, and it's also a place under the watchful eyes of the "Mysterious Scale Guards," so there might even be spies here.

However, the clues provided by Ye Qingli are indeed crucial. If evidence of collusion between the "Xuanlin Guard" and the Prince of Qi can be found, or other clues about the "Xuanlin Guard", it will be of great benefit to him in dealing with Zhou Wenyuan and the Prince of Qi, and even in protecting himself.

"Okay," Lin Feng finally nodded, "but I need time and manpower. And there's no guarantee we'll find anything."

"I understand," Ye Qingli said solemnly.

"This matter requires utmost secrecy. You select absolutely reliable individuals who are experts in this field, and I will have my people provide support from the outside to draw away any potential surveillance. Time is of the essence; we must act before Zhou Wenyuan or the 'Mysterious Scale Guards' make another move."

"I will send more men to ensure the safety of Black Wind Valley. As for investigating the matter of 'Listening to the Rain Pavilion,' I will leave that to Captain Lin. Contact him immediately via the token as soon as there is any news. Also..." She hesitated for a moment, then said, "Imperial Envoy Feng Zhen has arrived. He is an upright and incorruptible man, and perhaps... he can be of help. But we must be careful not to get ourselves into trouble."

"I understand." Lin Feng nodded. "Miss Ye, please be careful as well."

"Until we meet again." Ye Qingli said no more, nodded slightly to him, and then floated backward like an ink droplet merging into the night, instantly disappearing into the shadows behind the willow tree without a trace.

Lin Feng stood alone beside the ruins, the moonlight casting a long shadow over him.

He gazed in the direction where Ye Qingli had disappeared, then looked in the direction where the lights of the prefectural government office were still on in the distance, and finally, his gaze fell on the northwestern mountains where Black Wind Valley was located.

"The Xuanlin Guard"... Zhou Wenyuan... Prince Qi... and that newly arrived imperial envoy Feng Zhen...

He slowly clenched his fist, his knuckles making a slight popping sound.

He didn't linger. With a flash, like a ghost, he silently disappeared into the deep night of "Muddy Hollow," leaving only the ruins of "Listening to the Rain Pavilion" under the moonlight, continuing its silent tale and waiting.

A far more complex and deadly secret war has quietly begun because of tonight's clandestine meeting.