Starting With A Power Trip

By Sheila Selover

When Luo Ling first arrives in this dangerous world of intrigue, he stands on the snowy plains outside Winterfell and doesn't even know how he crossed over. Yet above the continent, the game of power has already begun, with killing, intrigue, and riots reshuffling everything. "Staying alive" is Loring's top priority.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cristobal Miranda
• Release date: Mar 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9791223029800

Book preview

Chapter 2: The Angry Radish

    Loring swaggered back on Wyman's warhorse, while Wyman dragged his fat and bloated body behind him on a slow walk. When all the good people gathered at the head of Winterfell saw this scene, they all stared in shock.

    Robb Stark, who was standing in the middle of the crowd, was not only shocked, but also felt unusually angry when he saw this.

    An armor made of Valyrian steel would be coveted by any warrior, and long before Earl Wyman set up his wager with Loring, Robb Stark had personally approached Wyman and expressed his love for that armor to him as the son of Eddard Stark, heir to Winterfell.

    But Wyman was like a shy virgin at the time, without any clear indication of a generous gift or a polite refusal.

    With the idea that good things come in small packages, Robb put this matter aside for the time being, but he didn't expect that in less than a day's time, he was informed by his guards that Earl Wyman had made a wager with a ranger who claimed to be the illegitimate son of the Bear family under the tower in the middle of the city, and the wager was precisely on the Valyrian steel armor that Robb had been desirous of.

    Seeing Luo Ling entering the city under the loud shouts and flanks of the people, like a knight returning from victory, Robb's heart was overwhelmed with anger.

    He was angry at Wyman for not taking him seriously, and even more angry that the precious armor was about to fall into the hands of a shabby, stinking ranger.

    Let's say, as the heir of Winterfell, Robb fell in love with a great beauty, and expressed his love to her, but this beauty not only did not even look at him, but also instantly with a status status of the family no matter which point is not as good as his poor boy.

    It's a humiliation that no man can endure.

    Robb's body exuded a long-lost hostile aura, for an unruly wolf like him, how could he tolerate a wild bear spreading its wildness on his territory. He drew his longsword with a clanging sound, pointed at Luo Ling below the castle tower, and called out condescendingly: Ranger Luo Ling Mormont, I, Robb Stark, in the capacity of the eldest son of Eddard Stark, the heir of Winterfell, will initiate a duel with you, and if you lose, you have to let me have the Valyrian steel armor that Earl Wyman lost to you. If you win, I will enthrone you as a Knight Returned from the Channel Sea.

    As soon as Robb's words left his mouth, Winterfell was in an uproar, with exclamations of surprise and coaxing accompanied by vague boos.

    Everyone knew that Luo Ling had just gambled his life to obtain the precious Valyrian steel armor, had not slept or eaten all night, and also suffered from freezing all night, his body was weak and fragile. Robb wanted to steal his love, initiating a duel with him is not wrong, but initiating a duel at this time can never be called a knight's action, even a three year old child understands that this kind of duel is not fair at all.

    Lord Eddard of Winterfell has traveled south to King's Landing to become the new Prime Minister, and the bastard Jon Snow has traveled north to the Great Wall of Extinction with the dwarf Tyrion the day before yesterday, so it can be said that nowadays the power within Winterfell is almost all in Robb's hands. When he proposed such an asymmetric duel, those northern nobles and lords standing on the side, without exception, chose to keep silent.

    Their silence is certainly the strongest support for what Robb did.

    However, after witnessing her son do this kind of injustice, Catelyn Stark who had just come out from the city could not stand up, not waiting for Luo Ling to respond to the duel, she shouted, I have just heard some of the people booing, I think you must have some misunderstanding about this matter, the Stark family has always been upholding fairness and justice, and Robb's heart is in love with the Valyrian Steel Armor, this matter I have heard about it. I have heard of this matter, and he has even requested that I intercede with Count Wyman.

    Caitlin's eyes shifted to Robb and her words changed, Son, as a mother I support you in fighting for what you love, and I also appreciate all fair and just duels. So shouldn't you, by all means, make up a proper time for the duel invitation you just made?

    Robb grunted with some disdain and addressed Loring, You heard what my mother said just now, but I don't know how long it takes for a shabby ranger to regain his strength as a bastard who escaped back from across the Channel Sea. How long do you want to escape for, why don't you set a time for yourself?

    After listening to Robb's harsh and not half kind words, which did not leave him any semblance of face, Luo Qi felt very unhappy.

    He finds ways to cheer himself up when he's unhappy, and for that reason may do things that make others unhappy.

    Even if the one oppressing him was the mountain of the Starks, Loring would gladly ascend to stomp heavily on it.

    Other people are deeply afraid of the guardian of the North, the Lord of Winterfell, the new Hand of the King, Eddard Stark, in his view is just a headless corpse that will soon appear in King's Landing, when the North is in great chaos, the nobles and lords of the North are busy competing for power and profit, there is no time to pay attention to such a shabby ranger like him.

    Luo Ling rolled over and dismounted from his horse, ignoring Count Wilman's kindly dissuasive look, and said in a tit-for-tat manner, I am a ranger, never scrupulously observing honor and justice like a knight, and doing whatever I want to do at my whims, but when faced with injustice and an invitation to a duel, I, like a knight, never back down from an escape. Since Robb has already initiated a duel with me, it is customary that the duel should be held here and now, with no need for postponement.

    Coax.

    A commotion erupted at the head of Winterfell, everyone thought that Luo Ling was crazy, that he would actually take on such a duel that was completely unfair.

    He refuses Lady Stark's kind relief and has to drag his weakened body into a big fight with Robb!

    The do-gooders screamed and cried out the name Lorraine Mormont.

    Robb's face shifted for a while, he once again felt slighted, but his heart felt vaguely excited, because the person who slighted him was about to be defeated and trampled under his feet, paying the price for his arrogance.

    The atmosphere in Winterfell became tense and intense, even the populace was full of gunpowder, some of them wanted Robb, the future Lord of Winterfell, to be victorious, while others sided with Loring here, hoping that he would prove himself like a man of the North.

    Young Ranger, I have to say this is very unwise of you, if only for the name of knighthood you could have come to me.

    Earl Wyman sighed bitterly to Loring beside him.

    Luo Ling smiled, If you don't believe me at this moment, then I'm afraid that the words that I said that I would be famous in the Westeros Continent in the future were just a lie?

    Wyman shook his head and said no more.

    Loring then looked up at Caitlin, who was not sure what she was feeling at the moment, and asked, May I ask the Duchess of Winterfell if you can be invited to be the chief referee for this next duel?

Chapter 3: The Arrow Surprises the Four

    In the face of Luo Ling's proposal, Caitlin nodded her head very generously and agreed: Of course, as the chief referee, I will make sure that this duel is conducted fairly and impartially today.

    The venue for the duel was chosen to be the schoolyard within Winterfell. Robb slowly walked down from the head of Winterfell and stepped into the schoolyard, and Loring, under the care of Earl Wyman, put on a piece of standard armor and walked into the schoolyard almost at the same time.

    The people of Winterfell were in an uproar, cheering on both sides.

    A few gamblers in the city, who have been making a living from gambling, secretly open handicaps, except that the odds between Robb, the heir to Winterfell, and Ranger Loring are so high at 1:17 that almost no one favors the latter.

    The rules of free dueling, you can pick any weapon among bow, spear, sword, halberd, shield and axe, and you can win by knocking down or incapacitating the opponent, or forcing the opponent out of the school grounds. Both of you, please pick your weapons.

    When Robb Loring and the two entered the schoolyard and stood, Catelyn, as the chief referee, said in a loud voice as she stood at the highest point at the head of Winterfell.

    Robb stood motionless in the arena, only raising the longsword in his hand high in the air, signaling that he did not need to choose a weapon, and chose the sword he had on him for the sparring match.

    Luo Ling ignored his condescending and pretentious behavior and walked to the weapon rack, carefully comparing a few bows and finally choosing a recurve longbow crafted from sentinel trees as his dueling weapon. Seeing Luo Ling's weapon choice, many of the knights and northern nobles watching the battle furrowed their brows, both surprised and puzzled, choosing a longbow as a weapon in a one-on-one free duel, wasn't that equivalent to admitting defeat?

    There is no doubt about the long-range attack power of the longbow, but within the schoolyard, the swordsman only needs a few steps to charge to be able to close to the bowman's side, once caught in a melee, the bowman can be said to be a certain defeat.

    Seeing Luo Ling's choice, Robb also revealed a mocking smile like looking at a fool, looked up at Caitlin, and asked, May I ask your honor, referee, can we begin the duel?

    Caitlin craned her head to look at Loring, Ranger, may we begin?

    Under the watchful eyes of nearly a thousand people, Luo Ling unhurriedly carried an arrow pouch on his back, and then drew an arrow from it and hitched it to the bowstring, his fingers gently pressed on the bowstring, feeling the taut touch that was just like a young girl's skin.

    It's ready to go.

    Luo Ling calmly said.

    Clang.

    With the sound of a long gong, the duel officially began!

    Cheering erupted from Winterfell that rang through the sky.

    Luo Bai waved the long sword in his hand and his body swiftly attacked in Luo Ling's direction, just like a running wolf.

    Seeing Robb's starting speed, Luo Ling was secretly surprised, fortunately the distance between the two sides before the duel started was far enough, or else with this charge, together with the next shoulder slamming action, he was going to be succeeded by Robb's close up.

    The son of the Wolf family, though a headstrong egomaniac, has a few tricks up his sleeve.

    Facing the ferocious attack, Luo Ling bellyached and quickly used a side-slide to pull away, only to see his toes flick on the ground, his feet pressed against the ground, and his entire body panned out as if he was a ghost.

    After Robb's shoulder crash fell short, he balanced his body shape again, not expecting that just as he turned his head, the pupils of his eyes shrunk slightly, seeing a sharp arrow flying towards his face.

    It was the first arrow that Luo Ling shot as he slid sideways, an unmoving cold arrow.

    The unexpected cold arrow made Robb unable to dodge, after just the first exchange of blows, the right side of his face was left with a thin bloodstain, and the wind blew, and the freshly oozing blood was instantly coated with ice shavings.

    Robb, sensing the great threat posed by the longbow, stopped charging blindly, not even daring to leave his flanks and back to the bastard ranger any longer.

    The situation in the field became scorching, Robb was restrained in launching various tentative charges, but every time he reached three meters to Luo Ling's side he would be forced back by an arrow, while Luo Ling was like a nimble rabbit, prancing around the field.

    As time went by, Robb gradually fell into a disadvantage in the field, he was tired of dealing with Luo Ling's sharp arrows that kept shooting, he did not have the extra physical strength to charge again, the long sword was sharp, but it also fell into his hands, if he did not grit his teeth and hold on to it, the weapon in his hand might fly out of his hand at any time.

    However, when he thought of the indignity and humiliation that he himself and even the Starks would endure if he lost this battle, Robb could not accept it.

    He had initiated this unfair duel, the chief referee of the duel was his own mother, and once he lost, what face would he have in Winterfell?

    At the thought of this, Robb roared with rage, sidestepped and protected half of his body with his shoulder armor, and charged madly towards Luo Ling.

    Running Wolf had become a mad wolf, but Luo Ling had a smile on his face, he leaped on his feet, and continuously made several light back side steps to retreat backwards, but in the middle of the process, his upper body still maintained a high degree of tautness, and his hand movements were unceasing, and he shot three consecutive arrows towards Robb.

    Robb does not care, this is the last charge he can launch in the case of exhaustion, it is impossible to stop halfway, after using the shoulder armor to hard shoulder an arrow, he used the long sword to pick another arrow to fly, the last arrow was shot on top of his helmet, was bounced off with a bang sound, leaving a faint silver dent.

    Luo Ling's eyes tightly stared at this silver dent and did not let go, in fact, he could have fired several arrows in a row to seal Robb's path to dodge, and the last arrow made him unavoidable, admitting defeat on the spot.

    But that would be too easy, he'd have to win this duel with a fancy maneuver to make himself feel happier.

    Robb naturally didn't know what he was thinking, he was still struggling to close in on Luo Ling's side, and with a horizontal swing of his sword cutting off the two flying arrows that Luo Ling had just shot out, he finally entered the distance of two meters from Luo Ling's side for the first time.

    However, the feeling of elation only lasted for less than half a second, and in the next moment, Robb watched Luo Ling leap high like a harrier eagle, shooting another arrow in the air towards himself!

    Bang.

    Once again, the arrow hit the helmet and bounced off.

    The impact of the bow made Robb's head feel groggy for a moment, but he knew that the timing of Loring's attack was also the most favorable time for him to counterattack.

    The moment Luo Ling landed on the ground, Luo Bai raised his sword and chopped vertically, Luo Ling dodged and avoided to the right side, Luo Bai immediately changed his chop into a chop, and chopped to Luo Ling's waist.

    The noisy schoolyard fell silent, and everyone watched the scene with bated breath.

    This was the most threatening attack Robb had inflicted on Loring since the beginning of the duel until now, and it could also be the final blow that decided the winner.

    However all those who hoped for Robb's victory were disappointed, Loring didn't give Robb that chance, only to see him on both knees, tilting his head back to dodge the swinging chop, the back of his head almost hitting the ground while the blade whistled past right against the tip of his nose.

    Dodging the fatal blow, Luo Ling instantly stood upright as if he had springs installed in his waist, and shot a volley of continuous arrows at a distance of only two meters from Robb.

    A shot of two arrows, one in front of the other.

    The first arrow did not escape being bounced off the helmet.

    But the second arrow, which came immediately afterward, nailed into the helmet with a "

    An uproar erupted from all the spectators, and even Robb himself froze on the spot!

    How could a helmet made of cast iron be pierced by an arrow!

    only in the case that

    Robb's body went limp at the thought and he sat straight down on the floor.

    He lost, and he lost convincingly.

    There was only one possibility to shoot an arrow through a helmet made of cast iron, and that was to shoot several arrows in a row at a single point, relying on the sheer impact of the arrow to penetrate the helmet!

    It was an appalling, near-impossible thing to do!

    And the ranger in front of him, did.

Chapter 4: Valyrian Steel Armor

    Most of the people watching the duel didn't know what was going on, they didn't know what kind of archery skill was needed to shoot through a fine iron helmet with a bow, they only saw Robb sitting paralyzed within the schoolyard, abandoning his sword and admitting defeat, but they didn't know for a moment if they should cheer or what to do.

    As for the northern nobles and knights at the city's head, one by one, their scalps were numb, they couldn't imagine how it was possible that someone could have enough energy and time to aim in a one-on-one free duel, so that every bow and arrow shot hit the same point on the helmet with precision?

    Caitlin looked within the schoolyard with a complex expression, her gaze jumping between Robb and Loring several times before finally resting on Loring. She looked to the populace and solemnly said the words she had to say at this moment as the chief referee, Loring Mormont is the winner of the duel, so please, all of you, cheer for him!

    First there was a brief silence, then an earth-shattering cheer erupted from Winterfell!

    Loring! Loring! Loring!

    Roaring with laughter, Loring waved to the watching populace, Earl Wyman of White Harbor was the first to come forward and speak with him, Ranger, you have truly opened my eyes, I have never seen anyone with such mastery of archery, ever.

    I've never seen anyone with such exquisite archery skills other than myself.

    Though you have returned from across the Channel Sea, you are an uncompromising Northlander, and the proud and proud character of the Northlanders is reflected in you.

    Oh really, I always thought I was pretty modest.

    ......

    Earl Wyman was choked into silence for a long while by this, and then looked towards the city, The most skillful archer within Winterfell is Theon Greyjoy, Eddard's adopted son. His biological father was High King Balon of the Iron Islands, but came to Winterfell as a hostage at a very young age and grew to adulthood in the North.

    Loring also followed Wyman's gaze to see Theon at the top of the city, Maybe there's a chance to have a match with him before I leave.

    Leave, where are you going?

    Early in the morning of the day after tomorrow at the latest, I will leave here and set sail for the Great Wall of Extinction.

    Oh! Wyman suddenly exclaimed, I almost forgot, your father is none other than the current Commander of the Night's Watch!

    Loring acknowledged this with a nod, then lapsed into silence.

    Thinking that as a bastard he didn't want to talk too much about his father, Wyman started another conversation and said, The Valyrian steel armor hangs in the residence where I live, will you come with me now or after you finish the knight's enthronement ceremony?

    Who said I was going to the enthronement ceremony?

    When Robb challenged you to a duel earlier, he said that if you beat him, you would be enthroned as a returning knight of the Channel Sea.

    But I have no intention of becoming a knight yet, I have none of the honor, justice, or compassion required of a knight, and I feel that my current self is still more suited to being a ranger.

    Hearing this reply from him, Wyman's eyes flickered slightly for a few moments before he laughed, A person who refuses to become a knight because he recognizes himself deeply is bound to be a true knight once he becomes one, and I am looking forward to the day when you transform from a ranger to a knight.

    Loring smiled slightly and said something that confused Wyman a bit, I hope you can witness that day, you should be considered the first friend I've made since I came to this world.

    Maybe it meant after he returned from the Gap, Wyman speculated with a frown.

    ......

    Earl of Wyman's territory is in White Harbor, the residence in Winterfell is only temporarily provided to him by the Starks, the residence is not simple, but definitely not luxurious either.

    Wyman led Luo Ling up the two flights of stone steps that bordered the street, and then directly entered through the back door into his own residence, which consisted of a parlor and a two-story suite of rooms decorated with nothing but sharp blades and the furs, horns, and teeth of all kinds of prey.

    The rightmost room on the second floor was the most inconspicuous, but Wyman locked it with a large lock, and after the two men unlocked it and pushed the door in, they only saw that the room was empty, with only a palanquin in the center.

    Noticing Luo Ling's slightly surprised look upon seeing the sedan chair, Wyman smiled and explained, You see, I can't ride a horse with this bloated physique, so a sedan chair, which is a necessary travel tool for me, is the same as Brandon Stark's wheelchair.

    Right now Loring was curious about where the Valyrian steel armor had been hidden by Wyman, so he didn't have the leisure to ask more than one question about why there was a sudden mention of Brandon, who had broken both his legs in a fall from a tower.

    Wyman stepped forward and lifted the long drapes of the sedan chair, and there, right on the silk cushions of the sedan chair, was neatly arranged a suit of armor.

    Unlike those armors made of fine iron with a silver metallic sheen on its surface, this armor presented a black color like smoke.

    The main part of this armor is forged from a single piece of Valyrian steel, black as smoke when at rest and glowing red-gold when in battle. The interior of the armor is codified with many runes, which I'm told grant the armor the ability to resist magic, though no one knows exactly how effective it is.

    Listening to Weiman's introduction, Luo Ling walked up and touched it with his own hands, the armor was cold to the touch and very light, he cupped the breastplate as if he were cupping a thin silk shirt. If it was an equivalent system of fine iron armor, it would have to weigh forty pounds at least.

    Well, is it satisfactory?

    It really is too light. Loring lamented, and when he glimpsed the corner of Wyman's mouth lifting into a smile, he asked, Where did your lordship get this valuable armor, and why didn't you keep it as an heirloom of the Mandalay family, instead of giving it away?

    Wyman laughed dryly and said, ''As far as I know, there are hundreds of Valyrian steel swords on the Westeros continent, yet the armor is only this one. The Mandalorian family is too small to guard such a precious treasure, so the best way is to give it away so as not to incur trouble for the family. As a matter of fact, I had already secretly planned to give the armor to Robb before, but your appearance has disrupted my plans. I admire you very much, and have no qualms about saying that I think you deserve this armor more than any other."

    Luo Ling continued to pursue, Then where did it come from?

    Don't worry, there's not the slightest problem with its origin, this armor was taken by the White Harbor fleet from a great pirate some days ago.

    Wyman suddenly laughed, If you're not afraid of pirate retaliation, you can wear it with confidence and boldness.

    Luo Ling solemnly said thank you, and put on the leg armor, chest armor, shoulder guards and helmet in turn with the help of Weiman, and it had to be said that the Valyrian steel armor was really light, and he couldn't even feel half as heavy after putting it on.

    After staying in the residence for a few more moments, Luo Ling said goodbye to Weiman and walked alone in the bustling streets of Winterfell, and began to calculate his next plan: The Valyrian steel armor is in my hands, but as Weiman said, this armor is too precious, and is bound to attract a lot of covetousness, so in order to avoid a long night's sleep, I have to quickly fuse it into my body. body, is the initial 1 fusion point enough?

Chapter 5: The First Fusion

    Luo Ling casually moved, and the interface for fusion points appeared before his eyes.

    You currently possess a pair of armor made of Valyrian steel, do you choose to fuse it?

    Confirmation of fusion in progress ......

    It takes 1 fusion point to fuse leg armor or shoulder guards, and 3 fusion points to fuse chest armor or helmets.

    Please choose.

    Luo Ling thought briefly and directly fused the leg armor.

    A reddish-golden stream of light flashed by, and the armor on his legs disappeared without a trace, and then he felt a powerful force surging into his legs.

    Fusion successful, gain special ability: shadow attack.

    Shadow Attack: unleashed by virtue of superb foot strength, approaching the opponent in an almost instantaneous manner to launch a surprise attack, for a ranger who specializes in long-distance combat, the ghostly Shadow Attack is definitely unexpected by the enemy.

    From the introduction of this skill, Fusion Leg Armor not only gave me the special skill Shadow Attack, but also greatly strengthened my feet.

    Loring pondered as he walked towards the blacksmith store down the street.

    Under the rule of the martial Stark family, there are many blacksmith stores in Winterfell, and the blacksmith store Luo Ling walked into is the store of the Yunweng family, as a blacksmith family, Yunweng's blacksmith store has been inherited for seven generations in Winterfell, and the one who is in charge of the store now is Orlando Yunweng, an old man with a gnarled white beard who is close to 60 years old but still has gnarled muscles.

    Because he went to the schoolyard to watch the duel in the morning, Orlando recognized Luo Ling at a glance, and greeted him with a smile, My lord, you are now a famous person in Winterfell, so please come to the store, and feel free to mention what you need, as long as this bad old man of mine is able to do it, I will try my best to do it for you.

    I want a dagger. Loring said as he surveyed the weapons within the blacksmith's store, pointing to a dagger sitting in a display case, This style of double blade looks nice, but I need a dagger that might be a bit longer.

    How long do you need?

    Luo Ling took an iron rod and gestured at his waist, saying, About a foot.

    When do you want it?

    I want it first thing in the morning.

    Oh! Orlando exclaimed, This is too much time to rush, you may not know, want to forge a good weapon needs a thousand hammers, and even more needs many times of hardening, the fastest I can build a longsword is half a month, although what you want is a dagger, a week's time is always needed.

    Luo Ling said in an unperturbed manner, You can try, if you can't build it forget it, I'll pay you the money as it is.

    Orlando lowered his head somewhat ashamedly, If you say so, for the sake of the Golden Dragon it is still possible to try, but let me make it clear in advance that daggers created in such a rush are absolutely no match for those carefully crafted weapons.

    That's okay. Luo Ling nodded in response, Do you have a good recurve bow in your store? You can bring it out for me to take a look.

    I have bows in my store, but none of them are worthy of a master archer, Lord Ranger, but I know of a bow within this Winterfell that is definitely worthy of you. Orlando told him.

    What bow?

    There is a sacred wood forest in Winterfell, in the center of the sacred wood forest there is an ancient fish beam wood, I heard that recently a branch of the fish beam wood was broken by the Rincewind, Lady Catelyn ordered someone to pick it up to make a longbow. The fish beam wood is tough and has the property of never decaying, a bow made from it is absolutely superb, and I'm afraid that only such a bow can match your exquisite archery skills!

    Luo Ling laughed bitterly, the fish beam wooden bow was good, but he had just made a deal with the Starks, how could Catelyn be willing to gift the freshly made fish beam wooden bow to herself?

    But the thought of being empty of Valyrian steel armor and not having a handy weapon was a bit disheartening, so he resolved to go forward and deal with Caitlin.

    ......

    Loring, who had left the blacksmith store, asked around and learned that Caitlin was in the Godswood Forest at the moment.

    Winterfell's sacred wood forest is a dark and primitive place, the ancient fortress of Faint Mean stands alone here, the ancient wood stretches across the surrounding area, thick and thick black branches intertwine with each other, twisting overhead to become a dense black roof. Countless sentinel trees and oak trees are intertwined, like stars growing around the center of the sacred wood forest, and the center of the sacred wood forest is where the fish beam wood is located.

    This deep, dark, shadow and gloom-filled forest was forbidden to House Stark, and Loring sought it out, but had no access to it.

    Good thing that it is better to come early than coincidentally, when he was pacing in the entrance boredom, Caitlin happened to come out from the forest, compared to the morning standing in the schoolyard and the Winterfell head of the far away look at each other, Rawlings finally is considered to be a close look at the Countess of Winterfell.

    She wore an embroidered silk tunic, her hair was pulled up in a high bun, her steps were light and elegant, when the first time she saw Luo Ling, she walked towards him, the closer she got to him, the more Luo Ling could feel the powerful aura radiating from her.

    Maybe you were waiting for me?

    Yes, ma'am.

    You're very good, it's the first time I've seen someone win a one-on-one free duel with a longbow, I admire you and thank you for teaching Robb a lesson, maybe after this, he won't be as arrogant as he used to be, I've mentioned to him many times that there's a world outside of the human race but he's always unwilling to listen.

    Caitlin was as calm as water when she spoke, and from her tone it could be heard that she didn't have any admiration for Loring as the words said, though the same didn't include any other emotions including resentment.

    Luo Ling felt that he should only be considered an insignificant passerby character in this countess's outlook.

    Taking on board what you said, Robb's loss to me was just an accident, he was probably used to dueling with swordsmen knights and was not too comfortable with fighting a ranger. Glancing at her as he spoke and realizing that the expression on her face was still ancient and unperturbed, Luo Ling braced himself and said, Actually, I came to the Divine Tree Forest to look for the Lady because I have something to ask for.

    Oh? A hint of surprise finally appeared on Caitlin's face, If it's important, you can talk to me back at the old castle.

    It's not really an important matter, it's just about knighthood ......

    Catelyn suddenly interrupted, The Starks are as good as their word, and if Your Grace can't wait, the enthronement ceremony can take place tonight.

    No, no, no, you misunderstood me, my lady. Luo Ling's mind moved as he explained, I don't want to be knighted, but it seems that if I outright refuse to be knighted, it would cause the Starks to lose face in front of the many Northern Lords. I specifically waited for you here in order to discuss a solution to this matter with you.

    You don't want to be a knight?

    Yes.

    And what compensation do you want?

    Caitlin hit the nail on the head and immediately asked the key question.

    I heard from one of the blacksmiths in the city that you have in your possession a longbow made of fish-beam wood.

    Caitlin blushed and interrupted him once more, I have plans to gift that longbow to someone else.

    May I ask who you are planning to give it to?

    My adopted son, Theon Greyjoy, he's an excellent archer.

    The corner of Luo Ling's mouth hung up in a smile, I have a proposal, I don't know if Madam is willing to hear it?

    Despite already having a bad feeling, Caitlin nodded slightly.

    Robb's desired Valyrian steel armor is on me at the moment, and it is definitely rarer and more valuable than the fish beam wooden bow, and I believe that the previous duel was just Robb's momentary discomfort with fighting with a ranger, which is why I was able to get the jump on him. In order to give Robb a chance to rebuild his confidence, I can initiate a duel with him, and after he wins, I will give him the Valyrian steel armor and leave Winterfell immediately. Of course, if I were lucky enough to win again, I would hope that Your Ladyship would find a reason to cancel the knighting ceremony and present me with a fish-beam wooden bow instead. What do you think of that proposal?

    Are you the devil?

    Caitlin asked rhetorically, staring at him.

Chapter 6 Theon Greyjoy

    Are you the devil, Caitlin snapped, making Loring feel doubly embarrassed, so he had to scratch his head and explain, Ma'am, I really want to fight Robb again.

    Alright, you don't need to say any more, I experienced several brutal battles when I was young, so I can naturally see that your practical combat ability is far above Robb's. Your duel with him doesn't seem fair to me because of this huge difference in strength, however, since you want that Fish Beam Wooden Bow so badly, I can promise to give you a chance to duel to decide where it belongs.

    Then I presume your ladyship has found me an opponent?

    Luo Ling's face was unperturbed, but his heart was calculating, in order to avoid his son from swallowing the bitter fruit of loss again and falling into the deep despair of being defeated by a person twice in a row, Caitlin would never let Robb go into battle, from this it can be seen that the degree of this Countess of Winterfell's protection of her calf is indeed true to its name, enough to be compared to the one within King's Landing, the Dowager Empress Cersei.

    You are skilled in the use of the bow and arrow, and it just so happens that there is a master archer within Winterfell as well, and the fish-beam wooden bow is what I was going to present to him.

    You mean Theon Greyjoy?

    It seems you know him too.

    I have just heard his name mentioned by your ladyship, and it so happens that the Earl of Wyman, of Whitehaven, mentioned it to me likewise in the schoolyard this morning.

    Speaking of Earl Wyman, Caitlin was vaguely displeased inwardly, but did not show it, only calmly continuing to ask Luo Ling, Would you like me to help you arrange a duel with Theon Greyjoy?

    Sure.

    The time will be set for tomorrow morning, and the place will still be the schoolyard, but I don't think you and he need to engage in a free duel; that would hurt each other too much, and a simple contest of archery would undoubtedly be the best choice.

    Everything is of course at your ladyship's disposal.

    Luo Ling surface smiling, but inwardly in the mmp, he just returned from the opposite side of the fjord sea, with Theon Greyjoy one side has not even seen, there is a fart feelings to speak of. Caitlin this woman can be said to be living a human spirit, she knows that her practical combat ability is strong, in the free duel whether it is against Robb or Theon to occupy an absolute advantage, so she tries to suppress herself in the rules.

    She guessed that she thought that if she simply competed in archery, Theon had a great chance of winning.

    Walking all the way from the Godswood to the long street outside of the dimly lit old castle, Loring agreed with Catelyn about matters related to tomorrow morning's duel, then listened to her talk about some past events regarding Eddard Stark and Winterfell.

    You are a bastard of the Mormont family, yet you are called Loring Mormont, if you are a bastard why do you use the surname Mormont? Caitlin suddenly snapped, As far as I know all bastards born in the North are supposed to be given the surname Snow as a way of signaling their identity to the people.

    Loring was silent for a moment, and when Catelyn saw that he didn't make a sound, she continued, The Starks also have a bastard son named Jon Snow, not Jon Stark, who should be on his way to the Jedi Wall at this very moment.

    I was not born in the North, my mother was sent across the Channel Sea to Telosi when she conceived me. What's more, the Mormont in my name is not a Bear family name, but a nickname for my mother, just as people call your child Brandon Stark Bran.

    Upon hearing Bran's name, a few moments of sadness flowed out from the depths of Caitlin's eyes, this kind of mother's heartbroken child's look, which deeply pierced the heart, and looking at her sad eyes made Luo Ling instantly give birth to the impulse to tell her everything about the truth of the incident of Bran's fall from the high tower.

    Still, after a moment reason overcame emotion, and Loring apologized profusely, Sorry, didn't mean to stir up your sad memories, and I feel sympathy and regret for what happened to Bran.

    Thank you, Ranger. Caitlin wiped the corner of her moist eyes, I'll find out who did this and make him pay for it.

    ......

    Saying goodbye to Caitlin, Loring returned to his place alone.

    His residence is very simple, it is a small room in the attic of a small tavern in the street of the city gate, however, when he walked into the tavern and prepared to go up the stairs, the owner of the tavern stopped him and said, Honorable Lord Rawling, your residence is no longer here, Lord Wyman of the White Harbor sent a man over with special orders for you to go to the Manerra Inn in the West Street to check in, and he has already prepared a room for you.

    Thanks.

    Loring thanked him and turned away, and began to think about what Wyman had done so far since he befriended himself, perhaps this old fox of White Harbor had already smelled the flavor of intrigue within King's Landing, and knowing that Ed was going to die, and that the North was about to be in a great turmoil, he wasn't willing to just be an Earl of White Harbor, and so he wished to seek more benefits in the great turmoil.

    Point 1 of the quest requirements for this world copy is to capture a city and cultivate forces loyal to it, and so far, it seems that Wyman is good at pulling the strings and is a worthy focus.