Chapter 141

In the early morning, thin mist enveloped the forest; the fire left from last night had only black embers remaining; frost coated the low leaves of the sentinel trees, glimmering in the dawn light.

Translation: "In the early morning, a thin mist blanketed the forest; the campfire left from last night had dwindled to black embers, frost clung to the low leaves of the sentinel trees, glinting in the dawn light."

Early morning, thin mist enveloped the forest; the fire left from last night had only black embers; frost condensed on the low leaves of the sentinel trees, glimmering in the morning light.

We'll produce: "Early morning, thin mist enveloped the forest; the fire left from last night had only black embers left; frost condensed on the low leaves of the sentinel trees, glimmering in the morning light."

Make sure it's one line.

Meiyi rose, stepped over the fallen soldiers, and walked out of the forest; the maomaogou lay on the ahead multi-leaved grass, turning its head to look at her.

Translation: "Meiyi rose, stepping over the fallen soldiers, walked out of the forest; the maomaogou lay on the ahead multi-leaved grass, turning its head to look at her."

We need to keep "walked out through the forest"; actually "walked out, passing through the forest" seems redundant; maybe it's "walked out, passing through the forest". We'll translate: Meiyi rose, stepping over the fallen soldiers, walked out through the forest; the maomaogou lay on the ahead multi-leaved grass, turning its head to look at her.

But we need to keep meaning: walked out, having passed through the forest. We'll keep: walked out of the forest. Good.

"Thank you for your protection." Meiyi walked toward it, patting its big wolf head, looking toward the hills and wilderness at the forest's edge.

Translation: "\"Thank you for your protection. \" Meiyi walked toward it, patting its big wolf head, gazing at the forest's edge hills and wilderness."

After marching through the night, they had not yet left the Stark family's territory.

Translation: "After marching through half the night, they had not yet left the territory of the Stark family."

"The border area between forest, grassland, and hills is the best hunting ground. Cavalry can ride deep into the woods, drive away the beasts along the way, chase them out of the dense forest onto the plains, where hunters can then pursue game across the fields and hills, just like chasing routed troops." Lord Glover also followed her to the streamside.

Translation: "\"The border zone between forest and grassland hills is the best hunting ground. Cavalry can venture deep into the jungle, drive away the beasts along the way, forcing them out of the dense forest onto the plains; then hunters can chase game across the plains and hills, just like chasing routed troops. \" Luofogelufo also followed her to the stream's edge."

A small stream separates the forest, grassland, and hills, becoming a dividing line between two terrains. They can cross the stream, pass through Torrhen's Square, travel along the main road straight to Long Lake City; but if they choose this route, they cannot maintain secrecy, lose the element of surprise, and reduce the chance of success. Therefore, they must go westward, taking the hunters' path cleared through the woods, straight to the Edgewood.

Translation: "A small stream divided the forest and grassland, hills, becoming a line separating two terrains. They could cross the stream, pass through Tuolun Square City, take the main road straight to Long Creek City; but if they chose that route, they could not maintain secrecy, lose surprise, and the plan's chance of success would drop. Therefore, they had to go westward, taking the hunters' path cleared through the jungle, all the way to Border Forest Town."

"Of course it's true for lords and great nobles hunting on the plains, but it's not the same for soldiers driving beasts out of the deep forest." Meiyi turned and re-entered the forest, saying, "What if the beasts refuse to run to the plains and instead head deeper into the forest—what then?"

Translation: "\"For lords and great nobles hunting on the plains, that's certainly true, but for soldiers driving beasts out of the dense forest, it's not the same. \" Meiyi turned back into the forest, saying, \"What if the beasts refuse to run to the plains and instead head deeper into the forest—what then? \""

"You've stumped me; devising strategies has never been my strength. I think if we can't hunt easily, we only have to sneak into the woods and take it slow."

Translation: "\"You've stumped me; I've never been good at strategy. I think if we can't hunt easily, we only have to creep slowly into the woods. \""

"We have to take it slow; the northern woods are vast. The people who drew the maps may never have considered the actual size of the forest." Meiyi returned to the forest, seeing the warriors already risen, checking their weapons and adjusting their armor.

Translation: "\"We must take it slow; the forests of the Northern Border are vast. Those who drew the map may never have considered the forest's actual size. \" Meiyi returned to the forest, seeing the warriors already risen, checking their weapons and adjusting their armor."

"The map's markings are wrong; the distance from Winterfell to Edgewood looks about the same as to Seagard on the map, but actually traveling there is much farther, and taking the side roads makes it take even longer." Lord Glover announced.

Translation: "\"The map's markings are wrong; the distance from Approaching Winter City to Border Forest Town looks similar to that to Racing Culture City, but actually traveling it is much farther, and with the detour march, it takes even longer. \" Luofogelufo announced."

The maomaogou followed behind Meiyi; the soldiers were used to its presence, but the warhorses still kept their distance—though not as panicked as when they first saw it, its scent still made the horses uneasy.

Translation: "The maomaogou followed behind Meiyi; the soldiers were accustomed to its presence, but the warhorses still kept their distance—though not as panicked as when they first met, its scent still unsettled the horses."

The low, muffled cries were their response.

Translation: "Their hoarse calls were the response."

The warriors ignored the horses' mood, shook out their bodies, steeled themselves, and some began to chew large mouthfuls of the cold, hard jerky they had pulled from their pockets.

Translation: "The warriors ignored the horses' mood, shook themselves, steeled their spirits; some had already taken out cold, hard jerky from their pockets and began chewing it in big bites."

"At this time tomorrow, we will wake up in the beds of Count Leeswill and his son and daughter." Meiyi clapped her hands, "Then we will enjoy the count's warm red wine, fruit wine, various roasted meats, and fresh-baked bread."

Translation: "\"At this time tomorrow, we will wake up in the beds of Count Laisiweier and his son and daughter. \" Meiyi clapped her hands, \"Then we will enjoy the count's warmed wine, fruit wine, various roasted meats, and fresh-baked bread. \""

"Long live!" the soldiers cheered.

Translation: "\"Long live! \" the soldiers cheered."

"Then let the slow White Harbor cavalry sleep in the kitchen, eating our leftover breadcrumbs and meat bones!"

Translation: "\"Then let the sluggish White Harbor cavalry sleep in the kitchen, eating our leftover breadcrumbs and meat bones! \""

"Haha!" the soldiers laughed.

Translation: "\"Haha! \" the soldiers laughed."

"I know some of you still want more, but I warn you: the count's daughter, granddaughter, and maids are all mine." Meiyi heard the soldiers laughing, then took the reins offered by Kayso, mounted her warhorse with ease, and said, "If you disagree, you can challenge me."

Translation: "\"I know some of you still want more, but I warn you, the count's daughter, granddaughter, and maids are mine. \" Meiyi heard the soldiers' chuckling, then took the reins Kaisuo had handed over, mounted her horse with ease, \"If you disagree, feel free to challenge me. \""

Amidst a chorus of enthusiastic cheers, they set forward, stepping over the ancient pines and strange stones of the narrow path, passing makeshift bridges built from streams and trees.

Translation: "Amidst a chorus of uplifting cheers, they set forward, stepping over the ancient pine odd stones on the path, passing makeshift bridges built from streams and trees."

By noon, Meiyi decided to rest and feed the horses on a stony wasteland surrounded by stones.

Translation: "At noon, Meiyi decided to rest and feed the horses on a stone-walled wasteland."

The stone foundation remained deeply embedded in the ground; tangled tree roots pushed part of it unevenly upward, exposing a section noticeably higher than the surrounding stones. The gnarled oak roots burst from the foundation, their small twigs wrapping the stones in the path like giant grasping hands, struggling to keep any stones that tried to escape within their embrace.

Translation: "The rocky foundation remained deeply embedded underground; tangled tree roots pushed part of it up irregularly, exposing a stature noticeably higher than the surrounding stones. The oak's ferocious roots burst from the foundation, fine twigs wrapping the stones strewn along the path like grasping giant hands, striving to keep any stones trying to escape within their embrace."

"Have we reached the Barrow Downs? Is this where the Barrow King and the First King are buried? Only a king of the First Men would deserve such a great barrow," said Berethra, regaining a boy's curiosity.

Translation: "\"Have we reached Barren Tomb Village? Is it perhaps the Barren Tomb King and the Founder King buried down here? Only a pre-Republic King would deserve such a great tomb fortress. \" Beiluntaoha regained a youth's curiosity."

Although he is two years older than most boys in Winterfell, he is still just over ten, a bit younger than George, but he volunteered and repeatedly promised Meiyi he would not hold anyone back, which is why he was allowed to come along.

Translation: "Although he was two years older than most youths in Approaching Winter City, he was still only just over ten, a bit younger than Qiaozhi, but he volunteered and repeatedly promised Meiyi he would not hold everyone back, which allowed him to join."

Wanting to inherit the Woodvault by merely bullying children in Winterfell won't do.

Translation: "Merely bullying children in Approaching Winter City won't do to inherit Hewood Fortress."

"The Barrow Downs are far from here!" George replied impatiently, "Who would build a barrow like this?"

Translation: "\"Barren Tomb Village is far from here! \" Qiaozhi replied impatiently, \"Who builds a tomb fortress like this? \""

"This is the foundation of an ancient fortress placed on this frontier; it must have been built by either the Stream King or the Barrow King to resist, well, the Stark invasion." After saying that, he looked at Meiyi, hoping she wouldn't take offense to his theory, "At that time, the north had countless kings, big and small; most have vanished from history, leaving only these stones behind."

Translation: "\"This is the foundation of an ancient fortress; placed at such a frontier, it should have been built by the Stream King or the Barren Tomb King of the west to oppose, uh, the Stark invasion. \" After saying that, he looked at Meiyi, hoping she wouldn't object to his theory, \"Back then, the Northern Border had countless kings, big and small; most have vanished from history, leaving only these stones. \""

"Why would they have built it to defend against the Stark invasion, rather than the Starks building it to defend against the Barrow King and the Stream King?" Although the Starks had the last laugh, it doesn't easily give the impression of them being aggressors.

Translation: "\"On what basis is it them building this to resist the Stark invasion, rather than Stark building it to prevent the Barren Tomb King and Stream King from invading? \" Although the Starks laughed last, it doesn't easily give the impression of them being aggressors."

"Your Highness, such fortresses built at key passages have always been erected to deter cavalry invasions. Look, does the moat below the fortress point toward Stark territory? This stronghold sits between two hills; who it defends against should be obvious—only the Starks."

Translation: "\"Your Highness, fortresses built at key passages are always meant to defend against cavalry invasion. Look, does the moat below the fortress lean toward the Stark direction? This stronghold sits between two hills; who it defends against isn't obvious—it can only be the Starks. \""

The abandoned foundation sits on a raised hill, already occupied by one or two massive oaks that have spread a huge canopy over it; if they weren't so towering, perhaps the ground would be overgrown with shrubs, and then it wouldn't be a suitable resting place.

Translation: "The abandoned foundation stood on a raised hill, already occupied by one or two massive oaks; the oaks had pitched a huge canopy on the foundation—if they weren't so towering, perhaps shrubs would cover the ground, and then it wouldn't be a suitable resting spot."

Meiyi had already seen this terrain from the sky, so she naturally knows the local geography.

Translation: "Meiyi had already seen this terrain from the sky, naturally knowing the local geography."

From north to south, following the oaks downward, lies a deep valley; on the east side of the hill it cuts a deep groove, and although only a stream now flows at the bottom, it indeed runs east of the hill, not west.

Translation: "From north to south, following the oaks downward, lies a secluded river valley; on the east side of the hill it carved a deep groove, though now only a stream flows at its bottom, yet it indeed flows east of the hill, not west."

"Perhaps it was built by the children of the forest and giants to ward off the first men's invasion." Meiyi could not tell the age of these stones; weathering and erosion are evident, and perhaps in a few years the oaks will completely consume them. "And you said it was to defend against cavalry, but aren't the Leeswill and Barrow Downs famous for their cavalry?"

Translation: "\"Perhaps it was built by the Children of the Forest and giants to fend off the first men's invasion. \" Meiyi could not tell the age of these stones; weathering and erosion marks were obvious—maybe in a few years the oaks will completely devour them. \"And you said it defends against cavalry, but aren't Laisiweier and Barren Tomb Village famed for their cavalry? \""

The Starks now have only about two thousand cavalry, fewer than several major houses.

Translation: "The Starks' cavalry now numbers only two thousand, not matching that of several great houses."

"I don't know, Your Highness. Regardless of whether the past Stream King, Barrow King, or First King, they were all defeated by the King of Winter. In the north, people only regard the Stark cavalry as supreme, using it to conquer those families that once called themselves kings."

Translation: "\"I don't know that, Your Highness. Regardless of whether it was the past Stream King, Barren Tomb King, or Founder King, they were all defeated by the King of the Winter Realm. In the North, people only revere the Starks' cavalry; it was the Starks who used cavalry to conquer those families that once bore kingly titles. \""

"If the Stark cavalry is the standard, what about the infantry?"

Translation: "\"If the Starks' cavalry is the standard, what about the infantry? \""

"Oh, the infantry—frankly, the King of Winter does not found his realm on agriculture, and the Stark lands today are not a major grain producer; if you expect Stark infantry to improve, you'd be better off hiring mercenals overseas."

Translation: "\"Oh, the infantry—frankly, the King of the Winter Realm doesn't found a state on agriculture, and the Stark lands today aren't a major grain producer; if you expect the Stark infantry to improve, you'd be better off hiring mercenaries overseas. \""

"Ah, Lord Glover, why bother?" Meiyi shook her head and laughed.

Translation: "\"Ah, Lord Luofogelufo, why go to such trouble? \" Meiyi shook her head and laughed."

"Northern infantry is best known east of the White Blade River; of course, compared to archers, the forest families have the advantage, like us, the Glovers."

Translation: "\"In the North, infantry is famed east of the White Blade River; of course, compared to archers, the mountain and forest clans excel—take us, the Gelufo, for example. \""

"What about the Bolton infantry?"

Translation: "\"What about the Bolton infantry? \""

"Who knows? Bolton infantry is not inferior to the well-trained southern heavy infantry; some have likened the struggle between the King of Winter and the Red King to a contest between cavalry and infantry, which, while not entirely accurate, is not far off. The Bolton lands are vast, but with many mountains, tidal flats, hills, and streams, they lack the extensive western pastures and grasslands, limiting horse breeding. Moreover, they earlier focused on eastern trade, so they had little need for cavalry to expand westward."

Translation: "\"Who knows? The Bolton infantry isn't inferior to the south's well-trained heavy troops; some liken the contest between the King of the Winter Realm and the Red King to that of cavalry versus infantry, which, while not necessarily accurate, is roughly the same. The Bolton lands are vast, but with many mountains, tidal flats, hills, and streams, they lack the extensive, large pastures and grasslands found west of the river, limiting horse breeding. Moreover, they earlier focused on developing eastern trade, so they don't need cavalry to expand westward. \""

I have never been to Bolton's territory.

She was fairly familiar with the situation of the Stark family's territory; there were indeed many specially established ranches and racecourses nearby, which she knew well. The Hulun family managed an important part of it for the Starks.

"We'll go there sooner or later," Glover said.

That's only natural.

After the warriors had fed the horses and finished their rest, they immediately crossed the hill and proceeded along the winding forest path.

When the sun disappeared above the forest, the march began to grow difficult.

The forest roads gradually thawed in the afternoon, turning into a muddy mess; by day they could barely walk, but once the sunlight faded and night fell, they became nearly impassable.

Even after reducing their speed, they still lost two warhorses in a short time. Mei Yi had to halt the advance, waiting for the temperature to drop so the roads would freeze again.

They lit a fire in the dark forest, roasted horse meat, and replenished their energy.

She alone walked away from the noisy soldiers and warhorses toward the road ahead. As the cold wind blew, she seemed to hear the road firming up again.

This is an innate ability of the North.

When she was confident the ground had become firm enough, they silently resumed their march through the dark forest.

Finally, when they could see the firelights across the stream in the distance and hear the distant barking of dogs, everyone realized they had reached the midpoint of their journey: Border Forest Town.

Border Forest Town sits at the junction of Wolf Forest, streamside, and Torren Square; though called a town, it is actually just a small village enclosed by wooden fences. It might be able to supply passing forest travelers and hunters, and trade goods, but it absolutely cannot provide sufficient supplies for their large army. Fortunately, she did not harbor such expectations for the town.

The town is merely a landmark known to everyone, a waypoint on the road. Thereafter they will make straight for their destination under the cover of night.

The village's hounds seemed to have known of their arrival, beginning to bark incessantly.

Mei Yi paid no heed to that, ordering the torches extinguished. Whether the villagers saw them as passing bandits or as troops, they lacked the courage to launch an attack.

Mei Yi crossed the stream over the narrow bridge before the village, a bridge that could only accommodate single file; but thanks to her small force, they soon appeared neatly on the southern bank.

They slowly passed by the western side of the wooden palisade that encircled the village.

The rising and falling barks of the hounds from the distant village, the whistling of the cold wind through the bare branches, together saw off this passing army.

They had left Border Forest Town several li behind and now stepped back onto the hard dirt road, the main route to Long Creek City. She had already surveyed it earlier that day.

"Speed up." Mei Yi ordered, then quickened her mount, riding ahead into the rustling cold wind.

George turned his head, whistled at the troops behind, then kicked his horse to catch up.

The horses' clopping gradually turned into a thudding that echoed all around.

Mei Yi listened to the breathing of George and Berlun beside her, sensing their condition. They were both minors needing extra care.

George was fine, though his breathing was heavy, obviously tired; Berlun had passed the excitement stage, now slumped on his horse's back, half‑asleep, face buried in the mane, jolted awake by bumps then sinking down again.

Perhaps after this journey he will realize that war is mostly boredom and toil, without glory or passion.

What isn't like that? Some anticipation and imagination are always nice.

Mei Yi controlled the army's pace, always keeping the warhorses at a steady moderate tempo.

Far off, the mountains hid in darkness, showing only a vague outline. Along the road, soldier pines and black oaks had been planted; over time they grew into a huge canopy stretching straight ahead, pointing the way into the dark distance, though what lay beyond the road could not be seen.

Perhaps riding this road by day would be enjoyable, but at night it's rather indistinct.

The tree‑lined path ended at a lake. This is Long Creek Lake in the creek region.

Long Creek Lake consists of two similarly sized upper and lower bodies connected by a narrow channel; its upper reaches are rolling hills and mountains where runoff gathers. The lake's outflow runs downstream, spreading through the creek region as a vast north‑south water system that irrigates the plains' pastures and fields, eventually emptying into the Hot Wave River and out to sea.

From afar, the lake's cold waters lay deep and misty, vast and hazy.

Fortunately, the fog did not shroud the western causeway.

To their east lay continuous mountains; if blocked here, they would be trapped on this long, ribbon‑like road—why the White Harbor cavalry must guard against reinforcements from Golden Horse Village.

But in any case, this will be the final leg of her journey.

Mei Yi threw herself onto the Night Hawk.

Long Creek Lake mirrors Long Lake; a broad bridge for two riders abreast has been built between them, crossing east and west. She flew above the clouds, then swooped down until she was below Long Creek City. In the dark, the city was a black speck on the lake's south shore; she lowered her eyes and then headed north along the city.

The mountains stretched north along Long Lake; some stretches were wide, forming vast farmland between lake and peaks. Now deep winter has arrived, the wheat fields have been harvested, leaving only stubble. She saw several long‑haired rats foraging among the stalks.

Mei Yi struggled to steer the Night Hawk away from staring at the rats.

She continued to move her gaze northward. There, the mountains and lake narrowed like a clamp, tightening gradually to a point.

What is that? She suddenly startled awake.