Chapter 1: Awakening the Dragon King System
"Screech—"
The ear-splitting sound of tires screeching, accompanied by a violent impact, was Lin Hao's last memory of this world.
As a veteran programmer and a die-hard fan of "Game of Thrones," he had just pulled three all-nighters for an urgent project, only to be involved in a car accident on his way home.
His consciousness sank into endless darkness, yet also felt like it was floating in flowing water.
He didn't know how much time had passed when a chill startled him awake.
"Hiss…"
Lin Hao gasped, slowly opening his eyes.
What greeted him was not the sterile white ceiling of a hospital, but a dome constructed from massive, rough-hewn stones, with flickering torchlight dancing on the walls, casting the room in shadows.
He lay on soft animal fur, and the air was filled with the smell of charcoal and a faint hint of mildew.
Where was this? Was he on a movie set?
He struggled to sit up, but his entire body ached, and his head throbbed as if being pricked by needles.
"You're awake?"
A gentle female voice reached him.
Lin Hao turned his head and saw a maid in a coarse linen dress carefully approaching with a basin of hot water.
Seeing Lin Hao's eyes open, a hint of surprise appeared on her face.
"I'll go tell Miss Stark!" The maid put down the basin and hurried out.
Stark?
Lin Hao's heart sank, and an absurd yet thrilling thought surged into his mind.
He struggled to crawl to the edge of the bed, where a copper basin filled with water happened to be sitting.
The water's surface reflected a completely unfamiliar face.
It was the face of a youth, around sixteen or seventeen, with distinct features and a high nose bridge, though his complexion was pale and his lips chapped.
A head of slightly curly black hair, paired with a pair of deep black eyes, gave him a somewhat melancholic look.
This isn't my face!
Combining the surname "Stark" with the medieval-style surroundings… Lin Hao's breathing instantly quickened.
I… I transmigrated? Transmigrated into the world of "Game of Thrones"?!
Just as he was overwhelmed with shock, an abrupt voice sounded in his mind.
[Ding! Detecting stable host soul, meeting binding conditions...]
[Dragon King System activating... 10%... 50%... 100%!]
[System binding successful!]
[Host: Lin Hao]
[World: "Game of Thrones"]
[Identity: Hodor Snow (distant relative bastard of House Stark)]
[Newbie gift pack being distributed... Congratulations to the host for acquiring:]
[1. Master-level Swordsmanship Mastery (Passive): You possess an innate talent for swordsmanship, comparable to any legendary swordsman.]
[2. Permanent Charm +10: Your words and actions will exude a deadly allure, making it easier to gain the favor of others, especially women.]
System?!
Lin Hao was practically ecstatic!
This was the perilous world of Game of Thrones, where lives were as cheap as grass!
Without a golden finger, as a bastard, he probably wouldn't even survive the first season!
"Master-level Swordsmanship Mastery? Permanent Charm +10?" Lin Hao murmured to himself, the corners of his mouth curving into a wild grin.
This starting hand was simply divine!
Just then, the door was gently pushed open, and a fresh, fragrant breeze wafted in.
"I heard you're awake?"
A clear, melodious voice, like a nightingale's, rang out.
Lin Hao looked up, and his breath instantly hitched.
Standing at the doorway was a young woman in a sky-blue gown, its hem swaying lightly with the breeze, outlining her slender waist and graceful figure.
A cascade of beautiful auburn hair flowed over her shoulders, its slightly curled ends gleaming with a soft luster in the sunlight.
Her skin was as fair as snow, and her features were as delicate as a fairy in a painting, especially those blue eyes inherited from House Tully, like two pure sapphires, carrying a hint of youthful shyness and curiosity.
The gown clung gently to her body, subtly outlining the soft curves of her chest, full but not ostentatious, radiating youthful vitality.
Beneath the hem, her steps were light, the lines of her hips appearing and disappearing as she moved, an elegance tinged with a natural charm that made one involuntarily take a second look.
Sansa Stark!
The future Queen in the North, Winterfell's most beautiful rose!
Lin Hao's heart skipped a beat.
The Sansa before him was even more beautiful than in the show, her innocent naivety enough to captivate any man.
Perhaps the Charm +10 was at work, for when Sansasaw Lin Hao staring intently at her, she not only didn't get angry but instead her pretty face flushed slightly, and she shyly lowered her head, softly asking, "Are… are you feeling better? Father said you fell from your horse while chasing a deserter and were unconscious for two days."
"Much better, thank you for your concern, Miss Stark."
Lin Hao responded with a smile, his voice carrying a magnetic quality he himself hadn't noticed.
He tried to get out of bed to bow, but his weak body caused him to stumble and nearly fall.
"Be careful!"
Sansa exclaimed, instinctively stepping forward and extending her slender arm to steady him.
Their bodies instantly drew close.
A unique maidenly fragrance wafted into Lin Hao's nostrils, and his hand happened to grasp Sansa's soft, smooth forearm.
That delicate touch made his heart flutter.
Sansa, on the other hand, stiffened, a strange current running from her arm through her entire body, making her pretty face instantly flush to her earlobes.
She could clearly feel the warmth and strength emanating from the young man's arm, and the swirling attraction in his deep eyes.
She had never had such intimate contact with a man before, and for a moment, her heart pounded wildly, and she even forgot to breathe.
"My apologies, I was too reckless." Seeing this, Lin Haoimmediately released her hand and created some distance, displaying perfect gentlemanly conduct.
He knew that for a noble girl like Sansa, who was just experiencing her first stirrings of love, excessive aggression would only be counterproductive.
A subtle, lingering ambiguity was the best bait.
"It's… it's fine." Sansa waved her hand in a fluster, not daring to meet his eyes again.
The atmosphere in the room momentarily became somewhat romantic.
Just then, in Lin Hao's mind, the system prompt sounded again.
[Ding! Newbie Mission issued:]
[Mission Name: Initial Trust]
[Mission Content: Use your knowledge to solve a current problem faced by House Stark and gain the initial trust of Eddard Stark, the Warden of the North.]
[Mission Reward: Dragon egg (unactivated) x1, Agricultural Improvement Technology Blueprint x1]
Dragon egg?!
Lin Hao's pupils suddenly constricted, and his breathing became hot!
This was the ultimate strategic weapon in the world of Game of Thrones!
He suppressed the excitement in his heart and looked again at the blushing Northern Rose before him.
To gain Eddard Stark's trust, perhaps Sansa Stark, right before him, was the best breakthrough.
Chapter 2 Winter is Coming, I Have a Good Plan
"Dragon egg..." Lin Hao silently repeated these two words in his heart, a flicker of ardour in his eyes quickly and perfectly concealed.
He looked at Sansa, who was slightly bowing her head in shyness, and spoke gently, his voice deliberately lowered and magnetic: "Miss Stark, there's no need to be so reserved. Though my surname is Snow, House Stark's blood also flows in my veins. You can just call me by my name, Hodor."
In this world, his name was Hodor Snow, a bastard's name that couldn't be more ordinary.
Upon hearing this, Sansa raised her beautiful blue eyes and secretly glanced at him.
In the flickering firelight, the young man's originally pale cheeks actually appeared somewhat handsome, especially his black eyes, which were so deep they seemed capable of drawing one's soul in.
"Hodor..." She whispered the name, feeling her cheeks grow even hotter.
"Mm." Lin Hao smiled and nodded, proactively changing the subject to prevent the young girl from feeling too awkward, "In the two days I was unconscious, did something happen in Winterfell? I thought I heard some commotion outside just now."
He had to quickly find out the difficulties House Stark was facing.
When the serious matter was mentioned, Sansa's expression indeed became a little more serious.
She gently furrowed her pretty brows and sighed, "It's all about preparing for winter. Father said that the raven from the Citadel brought news: this summer has lasted for ten years, and the coming winter will likely be exceptionally long and cold."
She paused, then continued, "These past few days, Father has been counting the granaries with Maester Luwin, but the situation doesn't seem good. Many lords don't have enough stored grain, and Father is worried about this."
This is it!
Lin Hao's heart stirred, but his face remained impassive, instead showing a perfectly appropriate trace of worry: "Winter is coming... This is indeed a big problem. Grain is the lifeblood of the North."
His words seemed to resonate with Sansa.
She nodded heavily, her clear blue eyes filled with sorrow: "Yes, I heard Father say that if we don't find a solution, who knows how many commoners will starve to death this winter."
At this point, she seemed to realize that saying these things to a newly awakened patient wasn't very good, and quickly apologized: "Ah, I'm sorry, Hodor, I shouldn't be telling you these troubling things."
"No, you spoke very well." Lin Hao looked at her gently, his eyes full of encouragement, "As a member of House Stark, I, too, should share the North's worries. Perhaps... I have an immature idea, but I don't know if I should say it."
"You... you have a solution?" Sansa's eyes instantly brightened, like two ignited stars.
"Just an idea." Lin Hao feigned humility and began to cast the bait he had prepared, "When I was unconscious, I had a very long dream. In the dream, I saw some strange buildings. Their walls and roofs were made of transparent glass or oiled parchment, and even in winter, they were as warm as spring inside, capable of growing fresh vegetables."
What he described was the modern 'greenhouse'.
This concept was undoubtedly fantastical for Westeros.
Sansa listened, her mouth slightly agape, her face full of disbelief: "Growing vegetables... even in winter? How is that possible?"
"Who can say for sure about things in dreams? Perhaps it was a revelation from the Old Gods." Lin Hao smiled mysteriously and continued to add to his story, "I also dreamed of a new type of grain storage cellar, dug deeper than our current granaries, with walls reinforced with three different materials. It could better isolate moisture and low temperatures, allowing root crops like potatoes and radishes to be stored longer, perhaps even an entire winter without spoiling."
As he spoke, he used his finger to draw a simple cross-section of the cellar structure on a water stain on the table.
Sansa was completely captivated by the blueprint he described. She looked at Lin Hao's confident and focused profile, her heart uncontrollably beating faster.
She felt that this bastard relative before her was completely different from the silent, unremarkable person he used to be.
The composure and wisdom he exuded made her feel a novel sense of admiration she had never experienced before.
"Hodor, what you're saying... if it's true, then, then it's simply too great!" Sansa said excitedly.
"I'm not sure, but it might be worth a try." Lin Haoappropriately reined in his words, handing over the initiative, "Miss Stark, I am of low status, and my words carry little weight. If I were to advise your father, Lord Eddard, I would probably just be considered a madman. But you are different; you are his pride."
His words carried a touch of well-placed flattery, making Sansa's cheeks flush again.
"If you think my idea has even one-ten-thousandth of a possibility, could I ask you to convey it to Lord Eddard on my behalf?" Lin Hao's gaze became incredibly sincere, "For the North, and for the people who might starve in the cold winter."
These words instantly elevated the scope of the matter.
Sansa looked at him, and the last trace of doubt in her heart vanished.
She nodded heavily, saying with a firm tone, "Don't worry, Hodor! I'll go find Father right away! Your wisdom should be known to everyone!"
With that, she lifted her skirt and, like a light butterfly, ran out quickly, filled with excitement and a sense of mission.
Watching her disappearing back, Lin Hao's lips curved into a confident smile.
He knew that the Dragon egg was about to be his... Less than half an hour later, Lin Hao's door was pushed open again.
This time, a tall, stern-faced middle-aged man walked in.
He was wearing a dark grey leather armor, with a large two-handed sword at his waist.
His brown long hair was casually tied back, and his grey eyes were filled with scrutiny and authority.
It was Eddard Stark, Warden of the North and Lord of Winterfell.
Following him was Maester Luwin, wearing a maester's robes and a chain of knowledge around his neck.
Eddard Stark's gaze was as sharp as a hawk's. He looked Lin Hao up and down and asked in a deep voice, "Sansasaid you have a way to solve the North's grain problem?"
Chapter 3: The Northern Guardian's Shock
Faced with Eddard Stark's palpable pressure, an ordinary youth would likely have gone weak in the knees and been unable to speak.
But Lin Hao was different. He had merged with the original host's memories, possessed the soul of a modern person, and had the system's blessing, making his composure as steady as an old dog.
He calmly got off the bed and bowed to Eddard Starkwith neither subservience nor arrogance: "My respects, Lord Eddard."
Eddard Stark nodded slightly, a hint of imperceptible surprise flashing in his experienced gray eyes.
This bastard nephew before him seemed entirely different from the weak, reclusive youth rumored.
His gaze was calm and confident, and he even possessed a composed demeanor that many noble knights lacked.
"Hodor Snow," Eddard's voice was deep and powerful, "Sansa told me about your 'dream'. Maester Luwinconsiders it too absurd, but I am willing to give you a chance to explain."
He did not directly dismiss it but chose to listen, which was the character of "Ned."
"Thank you, Lord Duke." Lin Hao straightened up and turned his gaze to Maester Luwin beside him, nodding politely.
Maester Luwin adjusted the spectacles on his nose and looked at him with a scrutinizing gaze, his tone carrying the scholar's rigor and doubt: "Hodor, you say you can grow vegetables in winter, which defies the laws of nature. Plants need sunlight and warmth to grow; the harsh cold of winter will freeze everything to death."
"Maester is right." Lin Hao did not refute but first expressed agreement, which somewhat softened Maester Luwin's expression.
"However," Lin Hao's tone shifted, becoming confident, "what if we could create an environment that simulates summer? A place that can retain the warmth of the sun and resist the external cold."
"Simulate summer?" Maester Luwin frowned, "How would one simulate it?"
"That is what I call a 'greenhouse'." Lin Hao walked to the table, picked up a piece of charcoal, and began sketching on the rough wooden table.
His movements were fluid and precise; clear structural diagrams quickly appeared.
"First, we need a south-facing slope to maximize sunlight reception. Then, build a frame with stone and wood, with the roof and walls being key. We could use expensive glass imported from Lys, or, a cheaper method would be to use parchment soaked in fish oil or animal fat. While not as transparent as glass, they can still allow sunlight through and form a sealed space."
He drew and explained simultaneously, clearly and logically.
"Sunlight passes through the glass or oiled paper into the 'greenhouse,' and the heat will be trapped inside. At the same time, we can build a heat-absorbing wall inside the greenhouse, which absorbs heat during the day and slowly releases it at night, maintaining the indoor temperature. If extreme cold weather occurs, we can also light a stove inside the greenhouse and use pre-set pipes to evenly distribute hot air to every corner..."
Lin Hao spoke eloquently, elaborating on the principles of modern greenhouses in a way understandable to this world.
Eddard Stark and Maester Luwin grew increasingly astonished as they listened.
They had initially thought it was merely an impractical fantasy of a youth, but Lin Hao's description was filled with astonishing detail and feasibility.
From site selection, building materials, structure, to temperature control, every aspect was considered with incredible thoroughness, as if he wasn't recounting a dream but reiterating a mature technology.
Especially Maester Luwin, each chain of knowledge around his neck represented a discipline, and he could clearly discern how ingenious the physical knowledge contained in Lin Hao's theory was.
"This... this is a brilliant concept!" Maester Luwin could no longer remain composed. He excitedly walked to the table, meticulously studying Lin Hao's sketches, muttering, "Trapping the sun's heat... heat-absorbing walls... pipe heating... Old Gods above, this truly might be possible!"
Although Eddard Stark did not understand the underlying principles, seeing the shocked expression of his most trusted Maester, he was already seventy to eighty percent convinced.
His gaze towards Lin Hao had completely changed.
No longer was he looking at a pitiful bastard, but at a genius who might change the fate of the North!
"What about the cellar then?" Eddard suppressed his excitement and continued to ask.
"A deep, three-layered insulated cellar." Lin Hao erased the drawing on the table and began sketching new plans. "The principle is similar; the key is insulation. The first layer is compacted earth mixed with straw, primarily for moisture prevention; the second layer is filled with a mixture of charcoal and lime, which are excellent desiccants; the innermost layer is the stone wall for storing grain. Such a cellar must be at least fifteen feet deep underground, capable of maintaining a constant low temperature and dry environment year-round, greatly extending the storage time of grain."
After he finished speaking, the room fell into silence.
Eddard Stark and Maester Luwin exchanged glances, both seeing an unbelievable shock in each other's eyes.
Either of these two proposals, if successful, would be a great achievement worthy of being recorded in the annals of the North!
"Hodor..." Eddard Stark's voice for the first time carried a hint of emotional fluctuation, "Are you sure these... were all seen in your dream?"
He couldn't help but wonder if there was guidance from the Old Gods behind this.
Lin Hao smiled internally, but on his face, he displayed a pious yet bewildered expression: "Lord Duke, I am not sure either. After I woke up, this knowledge was clearly imprinted in my mind. Perhaps... it is our ancestors who cannot bear to see the people of the North suffer in the bitter cold."
He cleverly attributed the credit to the "Old Gods" and "ancestors," which not only aligned with the world's understanding but also perfectly concealed his origins.
Upon hearing this, Eddard Stark nodded solemnly towards the weirwood tree outside the window, as if thanking the ancestors for their protection.
He turned around and said to Lin Hao with unprecedented solemnity: "Hodor Snow, your wisdom astounds me. In the name of the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, I appoint you as the chief overseer of the 'greenhouse' and 'new-style cellar' projects."
He paused and added: "I will give you a hundred craftsmen and all the materials you need. I only demand a result!"
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the novice mission: Initial Trust!"
"Mission rewards being distributed..."
"Received: Dragon egg (unactivated) x1, Agricultural Improvement Technology Blueprint x1"
The system's prompt sounded in Lin Hao's mind, and his heart gave a violent leap.
It was done!
But he maintained his calm expression, only allowing a timely hint of excitement and gratitude to show in his eyes: "Glory to the Stark! I will never betray your trust, Lord Duke!"
Chapter 4: The Fossilized Dragon Egg and the Girl's Feelings
Eddard Stark was a man of action; after giving his orders, he left quickly with Maester Luwin, clearly to gather men and allocate supplies.
Lin Hao was left alone in the room.
He suppressed the wild joy in his heart and ordered the system in his mind: "Open the system warehouse!"
A virtual storage grid interface appeared before him, inside which lay a Dragon egg and a roll of parchment blueprint.
Lin Hao's mind stirred, and he chose to extract the Dragon egg.
The next second, he felt a weight in his hand; a stone egg, about the size of a forearm, dark grey all over, and covered in fine scale patterns, appeared in his hand.
It looked like an ordinary, beautifully carved stone, completely devoid of any sign of life.
"System, is this the Dragon egg? Why is it like a fossil?" Lin Hao asked, puzzled, in his mind.
"Item: Primordial Dragon egg (Fossilized State)"
"Status: Inactive"
"Activation Conditions: Requires an immense amount of heat and resonance with the host's 'Dragon King's Blood' will."
"Hint: Ordinary flames cannot activate it."
Fossilized state? And it needs "Dragon King's Blood"?
Lin Hao frowned.
It seemed that hatching this dragon would not be a simple matter.
However, he was not discouraged; the world of Westeroswas not short of miracles and magic, such as the doomfire of Valyria, or the mysterious connection between the Targaryen bloodline and fire.
"It seems I need to find a way to get some 'advanced flames,'" he muttered to himself, carefully hiding the precious Dragon egg in a secret compartment under the bed.
This item would be his greatest capital for establishing himself and vying for dominance in the world!
After dealing with the Dragon egg, he turned his attention to the "Agricultural Improvement Technology Blueprint."
"Item: Three-Field Crop Rotation and High-Yield Crop Improvement Technology"
"Description: Details how to restore soil fertility through crop rotation, fallowing, and legume planting, and provides methods for selecting and cultivating high-yield crops such as potatoes and corn."
Lin Hao's eyes instantly lit up.
If the "greenhouse" and "cellar" were ingenious plans to solve an immediate crisis, then this technical blueprint was a national treasure that could completely change the agricultural landscape of the North, and even the entire continent of Westeros!
With it, the North would never again suffer from famine!
"Eddard Stark... this grand gift I'm giving you is far more substantial than the iron throne," Lin Hao said, a confident smile playing on his lips... The next morning, a clearing on the west side of Winterfell became bustling with activity.
One hundred of the North's best craftsmen were gathered there; most were bearded, burly men who looked at the black-haired young man, appointed by the Duke as "Chief Supervisor," with suspicion and distrust.
"Just this greenhorn? A Snow?"
"I heard he told the Duke a story from a dream, and the Duke believed him?"
"To make us listen to a bastard's command, what a joke!"
The murmurs were not loud, but they clearly reached Lin Hao's ears.
Lin Hao's expression remained unchanged; he knew that to win over these unruly Northern men, Eddard's command alone was not enough; he had to show real skill.
He walked to the center of the site, picked up a marking stake and an iron hammer, glanced at the head craftsman who was measuring the foundation using traditional methods, and said calmly, "Torben, your foundation line is crooked."
The head craftsman named Torben was a hot-tempered, burly man; hearing this, he immediately became enraged and roared in a rough voice, "Boy, I was building houses before you were born! How could my line be crooked?"
"If you don't believe me, you can see for yourself." Lin Haodid not argue with him; he simply hammered the stake firmly into the starting point, then pulled out a small gadget he had made overnight from his 懷裡—a plumb bob with an iron cone, the simplest "plumb line."
He fixed the top of the plumb bob to the stake, let the iron cone hang naturally, and then said to Torben, "This is my 'calibrator'; it always points to the center of the earth. Now, look at your baseline again."
Everyone gathered around curiously.
Torben compared the plumb line with his visually drawn baseline, and his old face instantly flushed red.
Under the precise vertical reference of the plumb line, his seemingly straight baseline actually had a visible tilt!
Although the error was small, for construction, it was enough to cause serious consequences.
"This... what kind of sorcery is this?" Torben looked at the small plumb bob in shock.
"This is not sorcery, it is wisdom." Lin Hao put away the plumb bob, his voice not loud, but clear enough to be heard throughout the field, "Using my method, our efficiency in building the 'greenhouse' will increase by at least 30%, and there will be no deviations whatsoever."
He looked around, his gaze calm and sharp: "I don't care who you were before, or what experience you had. Here, what I say is the rule. Follow my command, and you will build a miracle of the North; if you refuse, you can leave now."
The entire field fell silent.
The craftsmen who had been grumbling earlier now looked at Lin Hao with completely changed eyes.
Suspicion and disdain faded, replaced by awe and curiosity.
This seemingly young Snow really seemed to have something!
Torben, the burly man, was even more direct; he dropped to one knee with a "thud" and said in a booming voice, "Lord Chief Supervisor, Torben was blind! From now on, we will all listen to you!"
"We'll all listen to Lord Chief Supervisor!" The other craftsmen echoed in unison.
"Ding! Your prestige among the Northern craftsmen has increased, Leadership +5."
The system's prompt was the best praise for him.
Just then, a clear voice came from nearby.
"Hodor!"
Lin Hao looked back to see Sansa Stark approaching him with a food box, smiling.
She had changed into a light green dress today, which made her skin appear as white as Snow, like a budding green lotus.
"Miss Stark." Lin Hao went to meet her.
"I... I heard from the kitchen that you didn't eat much this morning, so I brought you some bread and milk." Sansa's cheeks were flushed, and she handed over the food box, her beautiful blue eyes sparkling with admiration, "Just now... I saw it all, you're amazing."
"It's just a small trick." Lin Hao took the food box and said with a smile.
His hand accidentally brushed Sansa's warm and soft fingertips.
Sansa recoiled as if she had received an electric shock, and her heart began to pound uncontrollably again.
She saw a speck of dust on Lin Hao's cheek, and on an impulse, she took out her clean white handkerchief from her pocket, stood on tiptoe, and whispered, "Don't move, you have something on your face."
A warm, sweet scent wafted over him, and Lin Hao could clearly see the girl's eyelashes trembling like butterfly wings.
Sansa carefully wiped the dust from his face; this intimate gesture made the surrounding craftsmen discreetly turn their heads, letting out a burst of good-natured laughter.
Sansa's face became even redder, almost dripping blood.
"Thank you." Lin Hao gazed into her close blue eyes, saying sincerely.
At this moment, reflected in the girl's pure eyes, he saw himself—a vibrant, high-spirited man about to stir up immense waves in this world of ice and fire.
Chapter 5: A Stunning Skill, Arya's Curiosity
Sansa's visit was like a warm spring breeze, making the monotonous construction site come alive.
She didn't stay too long; under the gaze of countless ambiguous eyes, the thin-skinned noble lady quickly ran off, her face red.
Lin Hao watched her retreating figure, his mood greatly improved, and he turned with even greater enthusiasm to the construction of the greenhouse.
In the following days, he completely overturned the Northern craftsmen's understanding of the word "architecture."
He introduced the concept of "assembly line work," dividing the craftsmen into material preparation, carpentry, stonemasonry, and transport teams, each performing their duties, greatly improving efficiency.
He also drew blueprints for pulley systems, allowing craftsmen to easily lift heavy stones and wooden beams with a fraction of the effort, leaving a group of strong men dumbfounded and exclaiming it was a miracle.
He also invented a simple "ink marker," using a thin string soaked in ink to snap straight cutting lines on wood and stone, with precision far exceeding the lines drawn by experienced masters.
One after another, tools and methods full of modern wisdom were born from Lin Hao's hands, making the progress of the entire project advance by leaps and bounds.
The foundation work, originally expected to take at least two months to complete, took initial shape in just ten days under his command.
Rumors of "Hodor Snow being a wizard" began to quietly spread among the lower classes of Winterfell.
And Lin Hao's prestige among the craftsmen also reached its peak.
Now, no matter what seemingly strange command he gave, this group of people would execute it without hesitation.
One afternoon, Lin Hao was supervising a group of craftsmen laying ceramic pipes for conveying hot air when a figure, agile as a wildcat, silently appeared behind him.
"Hey! Are you that Snow who can do magic?"
A young girl's voice, a little hoarse and wild, rang out.
Lin Hao turned to see a little girl about nine or ten years old.
She was wearing practical leather clothes and trousers, her short brown hair was messy, and her small face was stained with a few specks of dirt, making her look a bit grubby.
But her gray eyes, like a wolf cub's, were full of vigilance, curiosity, and an unyielding spirit.
Arya Stark.
Winterfell's least ladylike "tomboy."
Lin Hao smiled slightly.
Compared to Sansa, who was raised like a canary in a cage, he actually admired Arya's untamed spirit more.
"I don't do magic, Miss Arya," Lin Hao gently corrected, "I just know some things you don't."
"Knowledge?" Arya pouted, clearly unconvinced.
She pointed to the nearby pulley system and asked curiously, "Then tell me, why can that thing let a skinny person lift a stone heavier than him?"
This question stumped all the craftsmen who were eavesdropping with pricked ears. This was also their biggest doubt.
"Because it disperses the force," Lin Hao explained patiently. "You see, the more wheels the rope passes over, the more strands of rope share the weight, and the less force each person... or rather, each segment of rope needs to bear. This is a leverage of force, a kind of wisdom."
As he spoke, he picked up a wooden stick and a small stone, demonstrating the principle of leverage on the spot, showing her how to pry a heavy brick with just one finger.
Arya's eyes widened; although she didn't understand the complex terms, the facts unfolding before her were incredibly shocking.
It turned out that strength wasn't just brute force!
For the first time, her gaze towards Lin Hao held a hint of admiration.
"Then what else... do you know?" Arya couldn't help but press, like a child who had discovered a new toy.
"I know a lot more," Lin Hao smiled mysteriously, and seeing the wooden sword hanging at her waist, his heart stirred, and he said, "For example, I know a kind of swordsmanship that can allow you to defeat an opponent twice as strong as you with half your current strength."
"Braggart!" Arya instinctively retorted, but her tone no longer had the certainty it had just now.
Her dream was to become a hero like the female warrior Nymeria, and she was particularly sensitive to the words "swordsmanship."
Lin Hao said no more, simply picked up an arm-thick wooden stick from nearby, and beckoned to Arya: "Come, use your sword, attack me."
"You said it!" Arya's fighting genes were instantly ignited.
She drew her wooden sword, let out a shout, and brought it down with all her might towards Lin Hao's head.
Although she was young, she had been secretly learning from her brothers, and her sword moves were quite decent.
The surrounding craftsmen were startled, but it was too late to stop her.
However, facing this fierce blow, Lin Hao merely took a small step to the side with a calm expression, his body slightly angled.
Arya's wooden sword almost grazed his nose as it came down, and because she used too much force, her body stumbled, and she almost fell.
Before she could regain her balance, the wooden stick in Lin Hao's hand, like a venomous snake striking out, lightly tapped her sword-wielding wrist at a tricky angle.
"Clatter."
The wooden sword flew from her hand.
Arya only felt a numbness in her wrist, and before she could react to what had happened, the battle was already over.
The entire scene was dead silent.
Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events.
Arya was even more frozen in place. She looked at her empty hands, then at the calm Lin Hao, and her gray eyes were filled with disbelief.
She... she was disarmed in one move?
"What... what kind of move was that?" Arya's voice trembled slightly, with shock and excitement.
"This isn't a move, it's a technique," Lin Hao dropped the wooden stick and slowly said, "Combat isn't just a contest of strength and speed. More importantly, it's about learning to use your opponent's strength and finding his weaknesses. That sword strike of yours just now, though it looked fierce, actually left you wide open, full of flaws."
These words, like the striking of morning and evening bells, heavily resonated in Arya's heart, opening a door to a new world for her.
She looked at Lin Hao, her admiration now turning into fervent adoration.
"Can... can you teach me?" In Arya's voice, there was a hint of pleading that she herself hadn't noticed.
Lin Hao was waiting for these very words.
To gain a firm footing in the Stark family, Sansa's support alone was not enough.
If he could also bring this future "Faceless Man" to his side, it would undoubtedly be a double guarantee.
He looked at the little wolf girl with burning eyes before him, deliberately pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"Yes. But my training will be very tough."
"I'm not afraid of hardship!" Arya's eyes instantly shone with astonishing brightness.
Chapter 6 The system's hidden function and my brother's provocation
Arya's "apprenticeship" subtly changed Lin Hao's status in Winterfell once again.
If before he was just a bastard who understood some "curious tricks and skills," now he also had the label of a "deeply hidden sword master."
The happiest of all was Arya herself; she practically treated the construction site as her second home, pestering Lin Hao for guidance whenever she had free time.
Lin Hao was happy to oblige; he didn't teach Arya any profound sword techniques, but rather dissected the power generation techniques, evasion footwork, and joint locks from modern combat into a form understandable in this world, instilling them in her bit by bit.
These techniques might be immature against true swordsmen, but against children like Bran and Rickon, they were a dimension-shattering strike.
Arya quickly dominated the children's sparring matches, which made her admiration for Lin Hao almost blind.
Lin Hao was also pleased to see this change.
Unlike Sansa, who required careful nurturing and cautious advancement, dealing with a straightforward little wolf-girl like Arya meant that demonstrating absolute strength and wisdom was far more effective than sweet words in winning her favor and trust.
Ding! Arya Stark's favorability towards you has increased to "Trust," unlocking a hidden interaction.
Hidden Interaction: You can gain random system rewards by teaching Arya Stark knowledge or skills.
That evening, as Lin Hao finished guiding Arya through a grappling move, the system's prompt suddenly sounded.
"Hmm? Such a good thing?"
Lin Hao was secretly delighted; wasn't this a humanoid experience package?
He tried to explain the principle of leverage more deeply to Arya, and sure enough, the system prompted again.
Ding! Taught "Advanced Principle of Leverage," knowledge point synchronization completion 1%. Congratulations, Host, you have received the reward: Slight Strength Increase (+0.1).
Although the reward was small, it undoubtedly opened up a whole new path for Lin Hao to level up!
"It seems I need to find more'students' like Arya," Lin Haothought to himself... As the walls of the "greenhouse"grew higher, Lin Hao's prestige in Winterfell also rose.
Eddard Stark even made an exception, allowing him into the castle's Great Hall to dine with the children of House Stark.
This was a great honor for a "Snow."
At the dinner table, Sansa would always find various excuses to sit next to Lin Hao, occasionally adding dishes to his plate, her beautiful blue eyes openly revealing a maiden's admiration.
Arya, like a little follower, chattered away, asking him all sorts of questions, from architecture to combat, covering everything.
Even the youngest Rickon and the somewhat shy Brangrew close to him because Lin Hao always produced some novel little toys, such as the simple Luban locks he made from wood.
At the entire dinner table, only one person showed obvious hostility towards Lin Hao.
That was House Stark's eldest son, the future "Young Wolf"—Robb Stark.
Robb was handsome and brave, an object of emulation for all young people in Winterfell, and the undisputed heir of House Stark.
He was accustomed to everyone's respect and adoration, but recently, he found that his thunder had been almost completely stolen by this suddenly appearing bastard cousin.
His most beloved sister Sansa now had eyes only for Hodor Snow;
His most troublesome sister Arya had also become Hodor's loyal supporter.
This made Robb feel very uncomfortable.
What he found even more unbearable was Theon Greyjoy—the Iron Islander hostage raised by House Stark—who constantly fanned the flames in his ear.
"Look at him, Robb," Theon nudged Robb with his elbow, lowering his voice, "He's just a Snow, but now he's almost become the master of Winterfell. Your sisters all revolve around him, the craftsmen only listen to his orders, and I even heard someone say his wisdom is more profound than Maester Luwin's."
Robb's face darkened, and the hand holding his knife and fork unconsciously tightened.
Seeing this, Theon continued to add fuel to the fire: "A bastard climbing too high is not a good thing. He can bewitch your sisters now; in the future, who knows if he will covet what should belong to you?"
"Enough, Theon!" Robb growled, cutting him off.
Although he rebuked Theon, those words, like poisonous thorns, deeply pierced his heart.
Finally, after a dinner, Robb blocked Lin Hao, who was about to leave.
"Hodor." His voice was somewhat cold.
Lin Hao turned around, looking at him calmly: "Young Master Robb, is there something?"
"They all say you're good at fighting, even Arya was subdued by you in one move." Robb's hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his blue eyes filled with scrutiny and provocation, "I'm very curious if your swordsmanship is as formidable as your glib tongue."
Behind him, Theon Greyjoy wore a gloating smile.
Sansa and Arya happened to walk over just then, and seeing this scene, Sansa immediately clutched Lin Hao's sleeve nervously: "Brother, what are you doing? Hodor, he..."
"Sansa, step aside! This is a matter between men." Robb's tone was unyielding.
Arya, however, excitedly clenched her small fists; she also wanted to see with her own eyes how strong Lin Hao's true abilities were.
Lin Hao gently patted Sansa's hand, signaling her to be at ease.
He looked at the arrogant "Young Wolf" before him, understanding.
Young men, after all, are always competitive.
Since he couldn't avoid it, he would just beat him into submission once and for all.
"Since Young Master Robb is interested," Lin Hao's lips curved slightly, revealing a confident smile, "I am happy to oblige. However, real swords can easily hurt feelings, so how about we go to the training ground and use practice swords?"
"Just as I intended!" Robb snorted, "I want to see just how much real skill you, this 'genius,' truly possess!"
A contest to determine who was the best among Winterfell's younger generation was now inevitable.
Chapter 7: The Young Wolf Lord was defeated in one move
The training ground at Winterfell had always been a place for warriors.
When news spread that Robb Stark was going to spar with Hodor Snow, guards, squires, and even some curious maids from the entire castle gathered, surrounding the training ground so tightly that not even a drop of water could get through.
On one side was the heir of Winterfell, the acknowledged young prodigy of the North, who had trained under Ser Rodrik Cassel, Winterfell's finest master-at-arms, and whose swordsmanship had long been recognized by all.
On the other side was the upstart bastard, a "genius" who had won the Duke's favor with his intelligence and captivated Miss Arya with his mysterious techniques.
This duel was full of highlights.
Robb and Lin Hao each changed into leather training armor, holding blunted practice longswords, and faced each other from a distance.
Robb was tall and well-muscled; he held his sword with both hands, adopting a standard Northern swordsmanship opening stance, his expression focused and serious.
Powerful confidence emanated from him, drawing cheers from the surrounding guards.
"Long live the Young Wolf!"
"Let that Snow boy witness the true swordsmanship of House Stark!"
Theon Greyjoy was even more smug, as if he had already seen Lin Hao being beaten to a pulp by Robb.
In contrast, Lin Hao's stance seemed somewhat "casual".
He held his sword with only one hand, its tip pointing diagonally to the ground, appearing full of openings.
"Playing tricks!" Robb snorted coldly, no longer hesitating.
He pushed off with his feet, his body lunging forward like an arrow from a bowstring, his longsword arcing sharply, aiming directly for Lin Hao's shoulder.
This was a powerful Northern swordsmanship move called "Bear's Pounce," which emphasized overwhelming skill with brute force, putting immense pressure on the opponent right from the start.
The onlookers gasped, and Sansa nervously covered her mouth, her heart in her throat.
However, facing this thunderous strike, Lin Hao's reaction was beyond everyone's expectations.
He neither dodged nor retreated, not even moving his feet an inch.
Just as Robb's longsword was about to strike, Lin Haomoved.
His wrist flicked sharply at an incredible angle, and the practice sword in his hand seemed to transform into a nimble snake, striking later but arriving first, precisely "tapping" the spine of Robb's full-force swing.
"Clang!"
A crisp clang of metal echoed.
A bizarre scene unfolded.
Robb felt a remarkably subtle vibrating force transmit through his sword; his powerful cleave felt as if it had struck a slippery, non-resistant ball of cotton, and most of its force instantly dissipated.
Immediately after, Lin Hao's sword edge seemed to stick to Robb's blade, sliding, guiding, and pulling along with it!
Robb's proud strength completely lost control at this moment; not only did he fail to injure his opponent, but he was also pulled by this subtle force, staggering several steps forward uncontrollably, leaving his entire center wide open!
An opportunity!
Lin Hao's eyes narrowed, and he stepped forward.
The practice sword in his hand made no fancy movements, simply thrusting forward in a direct, swift, and simple manner.
The sword tip stopped steadily before Robb's throat, barely an inch away.
The cold sensation made all the hairs on Robb's body stand on end; his forward momentum came to an abrupt halt, and he froze in place, fine cold sweat beading on his forehead.
The entire training ground instantly fell into a dead silence.
Everyone was dumbfounded, unable to believe what they had just witnessed.
One move!
Just one move!
The young prodigy of Winterfell, the powerful "Young Wolf" Robb Stark, had lost?
He lost so cleanly and decisively, it could even be said… without any chance to retaliate!
The smile on Theon Greyjoy's face completely froze, as if he had been slapped hard.
Sansa slowly lowered her hands from her mouth, her beautiful blue eyes sparkling with admiration that almost overflowed.
And Arya was even more flushed with excitement; she vigorously waved her small fists, eager to jump and cheer.
She knew it, she knew Hodor was the strongest!
"You…" Robb's face alternated between green and white; he looked at the sword tip so close to him, his Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty, and he asked in a dry voice, "What kind of swordsmanship is this?"
His proud strength and speed seemed like a joke in front of his opponent.
The other party hadn't even adopted a defensive stance, just a casual "tap" and a "guide" had caused his offensive to crumble.
This was not any swordsmanship he knew.
Lin Hao slowly retracted his longsword and replied calmly, "Among all martial arts, none is invincible, only the swift are unbroken. But there is also another realm, called 'using an opponent's strength against him'."
What he spoke of was the combination of Tai Chi sword intent and modern fencing techniques.
Using the smallest movements to precisely disrupt an opponent's center of gravity and point of force—for him, with "Master-level Swordsmanship Proficiency," this was practically instinct.
Robb stood rooted to the spot, repeatedly chewing on the phrase "using an opponent's strength against him," his eyes filled with shock and bewilderment.
He had lost.
He had lost convincingly.
He finally understood why Arya was so convinced by Hodor.
This bastard cousin, whom he had never truly acknowledged, possessed not only wisdom but also strength far beyond his imagination.
"I lost."
After a long moment, Robb took a deep breath, put down his practice sword, and frankly admitted his defeat.
Though proud, he also inherited Eddard Stark's sense of honor.
He walked up to Lin Hao, looking at him with an equal gaze for the first time, and solemnly said, "Your swordsmanship is very strong. I retract all my previous prejudices against you."
[Ding! Robb Stark's attitude towards you has changed from "Hostility" to "Admiration," and his favorability has increased to "Recognition."]
[Ding! Your prestige in Winterfell has greatly increased!]
Listening to the system's prompts, Lin Hao's face broke into a gentle smile.
He reached out and patted Robb's shoulder: "You are also very strong, Robb. Your strength and speed are far superior to mine, it's just that there's more than one way to fight."
A simple affirmation instantly dissolved the last barrier between the two.
Robb looked at Lin Hao's sincere eyes, and the last bit of resentment in his heart vanished.
He grinned, revealing the hearty openness of youth: "It seems I have a lot more to learn from you in the future!"
A potential internal conflict was thus resolved invisibly.
And the name "Hodor Snow," from this day forward, truly earned everyone's respect in Winterfell.
Chapter 8 The Red-haired Witch's Peep
The battle with Robb allowed Lin Hao to firmly establish himself in Winterfell.
The name "Hodor" no longer just represented a bastard with an awkward identity, but became synonymous with wisdom and strength.
Almost all of the House Stark children, except for the youngest, Rickon, became his "students" and admirers.
Robb would take time every day to humbly ask him for advice on the technique of "using an opponent's strength against them";
Arya regarded his every word as gospel;
Sansa's gaze towards him was as soft as water, with only a thin veil remaining between them.
Eddard Stark saw all these changes.
Not only did he not feel the slightest suspicion, but he felt genuine relief.
In his opinion, this was a symbol of the unity and strength of House Stark, a blessing from the Old Gods.
He even called Lin Hao to his study, formally entrusting him with all agricultural and construction-related affairs in Winterfell, and granting him the power to consult some of Maester Luwin's collection at any time.
This was undoubtedly a huge trust and reward.
Lin Hao was happy with this; while steadily advancing the "greenhouse" and "cellar" projects, he also began to draw up agricultural planning maps for the "three-field system," preparing to launch a vigorous agricultural revolution in the North by next spring.
Everything was developing in the best direction.
However, a string in Lin Hao's heart remained taut.
He knew that the peace was only temporary.
A storm that would sweep across the entire continent of Westeros was quietly brewing.
Robert Baratheon, the corpulent King in King's Landing, was about to embark on his journey north, and his arrival would completely change the fate of House Stark.
"I must quickly increase my strength and hatch the Dragon egg!"
Lin Hao was filled with a sense of urgency.
His current strength might be enough for self-preservation, but it was far from enough to protect the people he wanted to protect in the coming chaotic world, or even to control his own destiny.
And the "immense heat" required to hatch the Dragon egg became his biggest problem at the moment.
He had subtly inquired about "dragons" and "magic" from Maester Luwin, but the Maester knew very little about it, only taking it as a young man's curiosity.
"Perhaps the answer is not in Westeros, but across the Narrow Sea..." Lin Hao cast his gaze eastward.
While Lin Hao was troubled by hatching the Dragon egg, he did not know that he had already been targeted by a mysterious force... Far away, on Dragonstone.
In a dark, damp stone chamber, flames burned fiercely in a cold fireplace.
A woman in a red robe was quietly gazing at the flickering flames.
She had breathtaking crimson long hair, skin so pale it was almost transparent, and a full, alluring figure.
Most unforgettable were her eyes, also red, as if burning with an unquenchable fire.
Melisandre, priestess of R'hllor, the lord of light.
At this moment, her red eyes reflected the swaying firelight, and the form of the flames constantly shifted, finally coalescing into a series of clear images.
In the images, there was a snowy, icy North.
In a magnificent grey castle, a black-haired, black-eyed young man was instructing craftsmen to build an unheard-of glass house.
He then appeared on the training ground, easily defeating the castle's heir with an extremely subtle sword technique.
He was also explaining profound physics knowledge to a little girl of House Stark... Scene after scene, incredibly clear.
Melisandre's breathing gradually quickened, her ample chest rising and falling violently.
"This... this is..."
She saw that around the young man in the flames, there seemed to be a faint, almost imperceptible golden aura.
She had only seen that light on one person—the king she served, Stannis Baratheon.
No, it was even purer, more fervent than the light on Stannis!
"The prince that was promised..." Melisandre's red lips trembled slightly, her eyes burning with fanaticism, "Azor Ahai reborn... The long night is coming, darkness will fall, and he shall be reborn from smoke and salt, and wake dragons from stone..."
She had always believed that Stannis was the one from the prophecy.
For this, she had assisted and guided him at all costs.
But now, the sacred fire had given her a new revelation!
A bastard in the North, with Stark blood!
"Snow... a Snow..." Melisandre murmured, her red eyes, which could see the future, filled with confusion and excitement.
"Why is it him? On him, there is both the cold blood of winter, and... the shadow of fire?"
The images in the flames changed again.
She saw a black stone egg lying quietly in a hidden compartment under the black-haired young man's bed.
When her gaze focused on that egg, the flames in the fireplace suddenly shot up more than a man's height, emitting a violent bang!
Melisandre was forced back two steps by the sudden wave of heat, a look of horror on her face.
From that stone egg, she felt a powerful force that made her soul tremble, as if from the very beginning of the world!
"Dragons from stone..."
Melisandre's breathing became incredibly hot, and a thought so bold that it shocked even herself, grew wildly in her heart.
"Stannis... perhaps you are merely his true whetstone."
She slowly closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, the confusion in them had vanished, replaced by unwavering fanaticism.
"The lord of light has shown me the way forward."
"I must go see him, go to the North, to Winterfell!"
"To witness the coming of the prophecy!"
Chapter 9 The King Arrives, the Gears of Destiny
Autumn sunlight painted Winterfell in a golden hue, but an unshakeable chill already permeated the air.
Ravens brought news from King's Landing.
Robert Baratheon's retinue had already entered the North.
The entirety of Winterfell mobilized for this; Eddard Starkordered everyone to be spirited and to welcome the King with the most solemn etiquette.
Lin Hao's "greenhouse" project was also successfully completed before the King's arrival.
When Eddard Stark and Maester Luwin first stepped into this structure, a veritable miracle in the North, they were both profoundly shaken.
Outside, the autumn wind was bleak, yet inside the greenhouse, it was warm as spring.
In neatly arranged rows of seedbeds, the first batch of cold-resistant vegetable seeds had already been planted, sprouting tender shoots in the moist air.
"Hodor, you have rendered an unparalleled service to the North!" Eddard Stark exclaimed, patting Lin Hao's shoulder, his words full of praise.
"Ding! 'Miracle Greenhouse' completed. Your reputation in the North has reached 'Revered'!"
"Task Reward: Unlock System Shop (Primary)"
Lin Hao smiled, but his heart was even more eager for the shop to open.
He clicked on the system interface, and a simple list of goods appeared before him.
"System Shop (Primary)"
"Physical Enhancement Potion (Inferior): Slightly boosts physical attributes. Price: 100 Reputation Points."
"Refined Steel Ingot x1: Can be used to forge excellent weapons. Price: 500 Reputation Points."
""Basic Horsemanship" Skill Book: Master proficient horsemanship after learning. Price: 300 Reputation Points."
"???: Insufficient permissions, cannot view."
There weren't many items, and their prices were steep.
Lin Hao glanced at the 1000 Reputation Points he had just earned from completing the greenhouse and fell into deep thought.
"Physical enhancement is necessary, but more importantly... the King has arrived."
Lin Hao's gaze deepened.
He knew that Robert's arrival meant Jon Arryn's death, that Eddard Stark was about to travel south to King's Landing to serve as Hand, and it also meant the tragic beginning of House Stark.
"I must do something to change all of this."
...A few days later, the King's procession finally arrived at Winterfell.
The sound of horns echoed through the sky, and Robert Baratheon's corpulent and bloated body, surrounded by his entourage, dismounted with difficulty from his horse.
He wore luxurious attire, but it still couldn't conceal his rough and uninhibited demeanor.
Following closely behind was Queen Cersei Lannister, with golden hair and green eyes, stunningly beautiful, but her gaze towards the North was filled with undisguised disdain and revulsion.
There was also their handsome yet arrogant eldest son, Prince Joffrey Baratheon;
And the legendary "Imp"—Tyrion Lannister, rumored to be born of incest between the Lannister siblings.
Lin Hao stood among the Stark children, observing everything with a cold eye.
His gaze lingered for a moment on Cersei Lannister's beautiful face.
He had to admit, this woman was indeed a femme fatale, her mature charm like a ripe peach, exuding a deadly allure.
"Ding! Detected key plot character: Cersei Lannister."
"Triggered a random quest: The Queen's Gaze."
"Quest Objective: At the welcome feast, use your charm to attract Cersei Lannister's attention and spark a hint of curiosity in her."
"Quest Reward: 200 Reputation Points, Charisma +1 (Temporary)"
"Oh? There's a quest like this?" Lin Hao raised an eyebrow, a playful smile curling his lips.
He had no fondness for Cersei, but free Reputation Points and Charisma were not to be refused.
Moreover, getting on good terms with this future Queen Regent might prove useful at a crucial moment.
The welcome feast was held in the Great Hall of Winterfell.
Long tables were laden with roasted meats and ale, and bards in the corner sang epic tales of heroes; the atmosphere was lively and boisterous.
King Robert ate and drank without ceremony, clinking cups with Eddard Stark from time to time, reminiscing about their youthful days of fighting together.
As House Stark's "Snow," Lin Hao's seat was arranged towards the back.
But he didn't mind, quietly cutting the venison on his plate while discreetly observing the Queen at the main table.
Cersei was clearly uninterested in the North's rustic food and music; she merely took a symbolic sip of wine, a standard, distant smile on her face, completely out of place with the surrounding revelry.
Most of her gaze rested on her handsome twin brother, Jaime Lannister.
The affection in her eyes was undisguised.
Lin Hao knew that ordinary small talk would be useless on such an arrogant woman; he had to use a special approach.
He glanced at Sansa beside him; the young girl was gazing with longing at the handsome Prince Joffrey, completely oblivious to the undisguised disdain in the Prince's eyes.
Lin Hao sighed inwardly, picked up his wine glass, and softly said to Sansa, "Sansa, Prince Joffrey might not be as wonderful as you imagine. Look at his eyes; when he treats servants, they are filled with disdain and cruelty. A person who doesn't know how to respect the weak is not worth trusting."
His voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for Sansa to hear clearly.
Sansa was startled by his words, the blush on her face fading a little.
Following Lin Hao's gaze, she indeed saw Joffrey kicking away a serving girl who had accidentally blocked his path, his face full of disgust.
The young girl's fantasy showed a crack at that moment.
She lowered her head, somewhat disappointed: "But... he's a prince."
"What if he's a prince?" Lin Hao's voice carried a peculiar Infectious, "A true king should be like your father, majestic and benevolent. Sansa, you deserve better."
His words, like a warm current, instantly soothed the disappointment in Sansa's heart.
She looked up, gazing at Lin Hao's gentle and sincere profile, her heart uncontrollably quickening its beat.
This scene was fully taken in by Cersei Lannister, who was bored and looking around.
Her eyebrow lifted slightly.
She saw how that black-haired bastard, with just a few words, had comforted that little Stark girl.
She also noticed the undisguised adoration in the little girl's eyes when she looked at the bastard.
This sparked a hint of interest in Cersei.
After all, girls Sansa's age were most infatuated with fairy tales of princes and knights.
She had originally thought her son Joffrey could easily charm this little Northern girl into a daze.
Unexpectedly, a dark horse had appeared.
And, this bastard... he wasn't bad-looking.
Cersei raised her wine glass, examining Lin Hao with interest.
He wasn't as uncouth as the Northerners; instead, he possessed a Southern noble's elegance and composure.
His dark eyes were as deep as an abyss, as if hiding many secrets.
This was an interesting fellow.
Cersei's red lips parted slightly as she softly said to Jaimebeside her, "Jaime, don't you think that Stark bastard is somewhat interesting?"
Jaime followed her gaze and scoffed disdainfully, "Just a Snow, what could be interesting about him?"
"No," Cersei shook her head, a hint of playfulness flashing in her emerald eyes, "I feel he... is different from these dull Northerners."
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, on completing the quest: The Queen's Gaze!"
"Rewards received: 200 Reputation Points, temporary Charisma +1 (lasts 24 hours)"
The system's notification sound echoed in Lin Hao's mind.
He looked up, his gaze meeting Cersei Lannister's across the hall.
He didn't shy away but openly raised his wine glass, offering a distant toast to the beautiful Queen, a polite yet somewhat mysterious smile playing on his lips.
Cersei paused slightly, then also raised her glass in acknowledgment, her interest growing even stronger.
Chapter 10: The Little Devil's Friendship and Assassination
Lin Hao's subtle interaction with Your Majesty, though brief, did not escape the notice of those with keen eyes.
"It seems our Snow brother isn't just skilled in architecture and swordsmanship, but also quite good at charming women."
A voice, tinged with amusement and laziness, sounded beside Lin Hao.
Lin Hao turned his head to see a dwarf holding a wine glass, watching him with interest.
He had light golden hair, and his mismatched eyes, one green and one black, sparkled with wisdom and insight.
Tyrion Lannister, known as "The Imp."
The smartest, and most despised, man in all of Westeros.
"You flatter me, Lord Lannister," Lin Hao replied calmly, unfazed by his approach. "I merely believe that it is basic courtesy to greet the beautiful Your Majesty."
"Oh? Basic courtesy?" Tyrion let out an ambiguous chuckle. He dragged his short stature and unceremoniously sat in the empty seat next to Lin Hao. "My sister wouldn't agree. She'd think this is a provocation, an ignorant provocation from a northern bastard."
"Perhaps you've misunderstood, my Lord," Lin Hao said with a smile, pouring him a glass of wine. "I never provoke anyone, especially powerful individuals. I'm merely expressing admiration, just as... I greatly admire your wisdom, my Lord."
Tyrion's hand, holding the wine glass, paused slightly, a flicker of surprise in his mismatched eyes.
He had endured mockery and contempt his entire life; this was the first time someone had openly expressed "admiration" for his wisdom.
"My wisdom?" Tyrion chuckled self-deprecatingly. "My wisdom tells me only one thing—never trust anyone's flattery, especially from a handsome and clever young man like you."
"That's a pity," Lin Hao clinked glasses with him and drained his. "It seems my sincerity has been mistaken for flattery."
He said no more, simply refilling Tyrion's glass.
This understated attitude, however, made Tyrion regard him with higher esteem.
He found this Snow to be unlike any Northerner he had met, or even any young person.
He was neither obsequious nor arrogant, and his words and actions conveyed a maturity and composure far beyond his years.
"You are interesting, Snow," Tyrion said seriously after drinking his wine. "Much more interesting than my foolish nephew Joffrey. I enjoy reading and making friends with clever people. If you don't mind, I'd be delighted to have another drinking companion to chat with during my time in Winterfell."
He was extending an olive branch.
Lin Hao had been waiting for these very words.
He knew that although Tyrion's situation was awkward, his wisdom and status would be a tremendous asset in the future.
"My pleasure," Lin Hao raised his glass again. "To wisdom and wine."
"To wisdom and wine!" Tyrion laughed heartily, his last vestiges of caution completely gone.
The two exchanged a smile, a silent understanding subtly forming between them... The feast continued late into the night amidst the revelry.
King Robert had long since drunk himself into a stupor and was escorted away by guards to rest.
The guests also gradually dispersed.
Lin Hao excused himself early, citing discomfort.
He didn't return directly to his room but quietly detoured to another side of the castle—near an abandoned tower.
His temporary Charisma +1 had taken effect, and his heightened perception allowed him to keenly sense a cold gaze at the feast, shifting several times between him and Bran Stark.
Combined with the plot he knew, a terrifying suspicion formed in his mind.
"Someone is going to harm Bran!"
In the original story, Bran was pushed from the tower by Jaime after climbing it and discovering Cersei and Jaime's affair.
But now, things seemed to have deviated slightly.
Perhaps his interaction with Cersei had aroused Jaime's vigilance and murderous intent?
Or perhaps, some other conspiracy was unfolding in the shadows?
Regardless, Lin Hao could not stand by and do nothing.
He hid in the shadows beneath the tower, waiting patiently.
The night wind blew, bringing a biting chill.
After an unknown amount of time, a faint sound of footsteps approached from a distance.
Lin Hao held his breath, peering through a crack in the corner of the wall.
He saw a man dressed in a Lannister guard's uniform stealthily approach the tower.
He looked around, and after confirming no one was present, he pulled something from his embrace.
It was a poisoned Valyrian steel dagger!
Lin Hao's pupils constricted sharply!
He recognized this dagger! It was the very one that would later lead to the complete rupture between the Stark and Lannister families and expose Littlefinger's conspiracy!
Why had it appeared so early? And the target seemed not to be Bran, but... himself?
"No!" Lin Hao instantly reacted.
This assassin's target was probably neither Bran nor himself.
He was here to set a trap! A trap to frame House Lannister!
The true mastermind wanted to incite a war between the Lion and Wolf houses!
Petyr Baelish, Littlefinger!
It must be him!
As Lin Hao's thoughts raced, the assassin had already begun to act.
He hid the dagger behind a loose stone at the base of the tower, seemingly intending for some "suitable" person to discover it.
He cannot succeed!
Lin Hao no longer hesitated.
He burst from the shadows, moving with ghostly speed!
The assassin clearly hadn't expected anyone to be there and was startled.
He reacted extremely quickly, drawing the longsword from his waist and thrusting it at Lin Hao.
His swordsmanship was vicious and direct, each move deadly, clearly indicating he was a professionally trained killer.
But in front of Lin Hao, who possessed "Master Swordsmanship Proficiency," these tricks were utterly insufficient.
Lin Hao advanced instead of retreating, twisting his body at an impossible angle, easily dodging the fatal thrust.
At the same time, a stone he had already prepared in his hand smashed hard against the assassin's sword-wielding wrist.
"Clang!"
The longsword fell to the ground.
The assassin grunted in pain. He tried to resist, but Lin Hao's attacks came like a storm.
A precise elbow strike slammed into his temple.
The assassin's vision went black. He groaned and collapsed softly, completely losing consciousness.
The entire process took only three short seconds, clean and decisive, without a single unnecessary sound.
Lin Hao quickly moved forward and searched the assassin's body, soon finding an inconspicuous coin purse with a mockingbird emblem on it.
It was Littlefinger's man, indeed!
Lin Hao's eyes turned cold, and he unhesitatingly twisted the assassin's neck.
He would have no mercy for such schemers and their pawns.
After dealing with the body, Lin Hao picked up the priceless Valyrian steel dagger, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"Petyr Baelish... since you've delivered the gift into my hands, I won't be polite."
"Let House Lannister bear this blame for now."
He tucked the dagger into his embrace and his figure once again merged into the darkness, as if he had never appeared.
Meanwhile, Littlefinger, far away in King's Landing, had no idea that his carefully planned first move had been completely disrupted by a variable from another world.