Chapter 235

line: "You're not satisfied, Qiongen." Scholar Yimeng stretched his neck and gazed blankly at him. No Chinese.

Translation: "You're not satisfied, Qiongen." Scholar Yimeng stretched his neck and gazed at him blankly.

We need to keep it concise but faithful. Let's produce: "You're not satisfied, Qiongen." Scholar Yimeng stretched his neck and stared blankly at him.

same.

We'll output: 【1】 "You're not satisfied, Qiongen." Scholar Yimeng stretched his neck and gazed blankly at him.

"He was smoothly elected as Night Watch Commander in the final election, but the outcome seemed shrouded in gloom." No Chinese.

Translation: He was smoothly elected as Night Watch Commander in the final election, but the outcome seemed shrouded in gloom.

same.

"I don't know how to say it," Scholar Yimeng. No Chinese.

Translation: "I don't know what to say," Scholar Yimeng.

same.

Better: "I don't know what to say," Scholar Yimeng.

"You don't need to say more, Sam has already told me the whole story." He raised his hand blankly, resting it on the table, "Tell me, Qiongen, did you run for office for the glory of Commander or to defend the Seven Kingdoms, save the Free Folk, or protect the North?" No Chinese.

Translation: "You don't need to say more, Sam has already told me the whole story." He raised his hand blankly, resting it on the table, "Tell me, Qiongen, did you run for office for the glory of Commander or to defend the Seven Kingdoms, save the Free Folk, or protect the North?"

same.

"Of course it's the latter, scholar." No Chinese.

Translation: "Of course the latter, Scholar."

"The election process made him feel like he was cheating, as people didn't think he had enough ability." No Chinese.

Translation: The election process made him feel like he was cheating, as people didn't think he had enough ability.

"Some brothers chose him because he could bring resources to the Night Watch from Winterfell and his sister's help, while others simply yielded to the pressure of Ser Rodrik. Glory had been crushed by these things, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth." No Chinese.

Translation: Some brothers chose him because he could bring resources to the Night Watch from Winterfell and his sister's help, while others simply yielded to the pressure of Ser Rodrik. Glory had been crushed by these things, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.

same.

"\"Very good, very good. Now that you are Commander, go do what you should do—at least there is still a chance for the latter. \" The old scholar's tone was firm." Wait we need to ensure quotes correct. We wrote: "Very good, very good. Now that you are Commander, go do what you should do—at least there is still a chance for the latter." The old scholar's tone was firm. That's fine.

same.

same.

"\"I have selected suitable people from the prisoners to send letters to Tormund and the other Free Folk tribes to negotiate permanent peace; we will soon receive a reply. \"" We wrote: "I have selected suitable people from the prisoners to send letters to Tormund and the other Free Folk tribes to negotiate permanent peace; we will soon receive a reply." Good.

Translation: "I have selected suitable people from the prisoners to send letters to Tormund and the other Free Folk tribes to negotiate permanent peace; we will soon receive a reply."

same.

"\"Very good. Do it with all your strength. \" The old scholar's tone made Qiongen feel that he was the true Commander. \"The sun is about to set behind the mountains; only warriors can survive in the dark night. Though you are not old enough, your courage and breadth already surpass most people—I believe you can do it. \"" We wrote: "Very good. Do it with all your strength." The old scholar's tone made Qiongen feel that he was the true Commander. "The sun is about to set behind the mountains; only warriors can survive in the dark night. Though you are not old enough, your courage and breadth already surpass most people—I believe you can do it." Good.

Translation: "Very good. Do it with all your strength." The old scholar's tone made Qiongen feel that he was the true Commander. "The sun is about to set behind the mountains; only warriors can survive in the dark night. Though you are not old enough, your courage and breadth already surpass most people—I believe you can do it."

same.

"\"I have already informed Winterfell of the entire plan. \"" We wrote: "I have already informed Winterfell of the entire plan." Good.

Translation: "I have already notified Winterfell of the entire plan."

"\"I know. Your sister has already replied. \" He glanced toward Clydas and Samwell nearby, \"Let me speak privately with the Commander. \"" We wrote: "I know. Your sister has already replied." He glanced toward Clydas and Samwell nearby, "Let me speak privately with the Commander." Good.

Translation: "I know. Your sister has already replied." He glanced sideways at Clydas and Samwell, "Let me speak alone with the Commander."

same.

"The two then left; Sam hesitated, wanting to speak but stepped back." Good.

Translation: The two then left; Sam wanted to speak but hesitated and stepped back.

"\"Sam already knows this news, but he won't spread it. \" Qiongen felt the scholar staring at him, \"Your sister's letter spoke of your mother's identity... \"\" We wrote: "Sam already knows this news, but he won't spread it." Qiongen felt the scholar staring at him, "Your sister's letter spoke of your mother's identity..." Good.

Translation: "Sam already knows this news, but he won't spread it." Qiongen felt the scholar staring at him, "Your sister's letter spoke of your mother's identity..."

same.

"\"What is her name? \"\" We wrote: "What is her name?" Good.

Translation: "What is her name?"

"\"You can read the letter yourself. \" The scholar handed over two letters; Qiongen stepped forward and quickly took them. \"As I understand, your sister is a great warrior, but through this letter I feel she also possesses extraordinary wisdom. I especially agree with the last line—what blood we carry doesn't matter, what surname we bear doesn't matter; what truly matters is whether we fulfill our duties, do our jobs well, and when time rushes past and life reaches its end, can we be without regret. This is meant to comfort and encourage you, but as one who approaches life's end, I too cannot escape questioning. I truly wish to meet her, see her bearing, and have a good talk. \"\" We wrote: "You can read the letter yourself." The scholar handed over two letters; Qiongen stepped forward and quickly took them. "As I understand, your sister is a great warrior, but through this letter I feel she also possesses extraordinary wisdom. I especially agree with the last line—what blood we carry doesn't matter, what surname we bear doesn't matter; what truly matters is whether we fulfill our duties, do our jobs well, and when time rushes past and life reaches its end, can we be without regret. This is meant to comfort and encourage you, but as one who approaches life's end, I too cannot escape questioning. I truly wish to meet her, see her bearing, and have a good talk." Good.

Translation: "You can read the letter yourself." The scholar handed over two letters; Qiongen stepped forward and quickly took them. "As I understand, your sister is a great warrior, but through this letter I feel she also possesses extraordinary wisdom. I especially agree with the last line—what blood we carry doesn't matter, what surname we bear doesn't matter; what truly matters is whether we fulfill our duties, do our jobs well, and when time rushes past and life reaches its end, can we be without regret. This is meant to comfort and encourage you, but as one who approaches life's end, I too cannot escape questioning. I truly wish to meet her, see her bearing, and have a good talk."

same.

"\"Lyanna? \"\" We wrote: "Lyanna?" Good.

Translation: "Lyanna?"

"\"Lyanna Stark, she is the sole daughter of the past few Wardens of the North and Lords of Winterfell, Rickard Stark; you should know her better than I do. \"\" We wrote: "Lyanna Stark, she is the sole daughter of the past few Wardens of the North and Lords of Winterfell, Rickard Stark; you should know her better than I do." Good.

Translation: "Lyanna Stark, she is the sole daughter of the past few Wardens of the North and Lords of Winterfell, Rickard Stark; you should know her better than I do."

same.

"\"My father... \"\" We wrote: "My father..." Good.

Translation: "My father..."

"\"You will eventually find the answer yourself. \" The scholar interrupted him, \"Knowing this secret comforts this old man, but it is not the Starks' comfort. The letter also mentions other choices you must face. If you need, we can talk another time. \"\" We wrote: "You will eventually find the answer yourself." The scholar interrupted him, "Knowing this secret comforts this old man, but it is not the Starks' comfort. The letter also mentions other choices you must face. If you need, we can talk another time." Good.

Translation: "You will eventually find the answer yourself." The scholar interrupted him, "Knowing this secret comforts this old man, but it is not the Starks' comfort. The letter also mentions other choices you must face. If you need, we can talk another time."

same.

"\"No need. \" The following text made his heart break and turn cold: \"She does not agree to the Wildlings' southward migration unless she accepts her order to disband the Night Watch and return to Winterfell... \"\" We wrote: "No need." The following text made his heart break and turn cold: "She does not agree to the Wildlings' southward migration unless she accepts her order to disband the Night Watch and return to Winterfell..." Good.

Translation: "No need." The following text made his heart break and turn cold: "She does not agree to the wildlings' southward migration unless she accepts her order to disband the Night Watch and return to Winterfell..."

same.

"\"Return to Winterfell as her heir. \" The scholar placed both hands on the table and tremulously rose to his feet, \"The population of Winterfell's Starks is already too few; it's only natural for her to have this idea. \"\" We wrote: "Return to Winterfell as her heir." The scholar placed both hands on the table and tremulously rose to his feet, "The population of Winterfell's Starks is already too few; it's only natural for her to have this idea." Good.

Translation: "Return to Winterfell as her heir." The scholar placed both hands on the table and tremulously rose to his feet, "The population of Winterfell's Starks is already too few; it's only natural for her to have this idea."

same.

"\"Ser Rodrik? \"\" We wrote: "Ser Rodrik?" Good.

Translation: "Ser Rodrik?"

"\"He doesn't know this yet, but he will soon. She has ordered Rickard Hackett to command the Mountain Clans' soldiers to fully take charge of the Wildling prisoners and the Wall's remaining strongholds. This is good; soon, beacon fires will line the Wall, and the Free Folk beyond the Wall will have no chance at all. \"\" We wrote: "He doesn't know this yet, but he will soon. She has ordered Rickard Hackett to command the Mountain Clans' soldiers to fully take charge of the Wildling prisoners and the Wall's remaining strongholds. This is good; soon, beacon fires will line the Wall, and the Free Folk beyond the Wall will have no chance at all." Good.

Translation: "He doesn't know this yet, but he will soon. She has ordered Rickard Hackett to command the mountain clans' soldiers to fully take charge of the Wildling prisoners and the Wall's remaining strongholds. This is good; soon, beacon fires will line the Wall, and the Free Folk beyond the Wall will have no chance at all."

same.

"\"What should I do? \"\" We wrote: "What should I do?" Good.

Translation: "What should I do?"

"\"You should reply, choosing either to accept her order to disband the Night Watch, save the Wildlings beyond the Wall, and return to Winterfell as her heir, or to keep the Free Folk outside the Wall, letting them be driven by the White Walkers, and serve as Wall Commander. \"\" We wrote: "You should reply, choosing either to accept her order to disband the Night Watch, save the Wildlings beyond the Wall, and return to Winterfell as her heir, or to keep the Free Folk outside the Wall, letting them be driven by the White Walkers, and serve as Wall Commander." Good.

Translation: "You should reply, choosing either to accept her order to disband the Night Watch, save the Wildlings beyond the Wall, and return to Winterfell as her heir, or to keep the Free Folk outside the Wall, letting them be driven by the White Walkers, and serve as Wall Commander."

same.

"Qiongen felt resentment, then wanted to cry because his sister had laid everything out perfectly." Good.

Translation: Qiongen felt resentment, then wanted to cry because his sister had laid everything out perfectly.

same.

"She left him no choice; not even the Night Watch's oath needed to be abandoned, and even the option to return to Winterfell, which is not very honorable, now carried the morality of \"saving people. \"" We wrote: "She left him no choice; not even the Night Watch's oath needed to be abandoned, and even the option to return to Winterfell, which is not very honorable, now carried the morality of \"saving people. \"" Need to ensure quotes correct. We have double quotes inside? Actually we wrote: She left him no choice; not even the Night Watch's oath needed to be abandoned, and even the option to return to Winterfell, which is not very honorable, now carried the morality of "saving people." That's fine.

Translation: She left him no choice; not even the Night Watch's oath needed to be abandoned, and even the option to return to Winterfell, which is not very honorable, now carried the morality of "saving people."

same.

"When did she acquire such means?" Good.

Translation: When did she acquire such means?

"\"How should I choose? \"\" We wrote: "How should I choose?" Good.

Translation: "How should I choose?"

"\"Be a Commander who disregards life and breaks faith, or be the heir of Lord Winterfell who saves the people and saves the family? \" The scholar slumped into his seat, \"Qiongen, besides the silent, icy Wall beneath your feet, all the Night Watch brothers know how to choose. \"\" We wrote: "Be a Commander who disregards life and breaks faith, or be the heir of Lord Winterfell who saves the people and saves the family?" The scholar slumped into his seat, "Qiongen, besides the silent, icy Wall beneath your feet, all the Night Watch brothers know how to choose." Good.

Translation: "Be a Commander who disregards life and breaks faith, or be the heir of Lord Winterfell who saves the people and saves the family?" The scholar slumped into his seat, "Qiongen, besides the silent, icy Wall beneath your feet, all the Night Watch brothers know how to choose."

same.

"The two fell into mutual silence." Good.

Translation: The two sat in silence.

"\"There is still plenty of time to think, Qiongen; the Wall still has tasks. \" The old man slowly rose, walking and chanting, \"Ice or fire? This is a tough question. \"\" We wrote: "There is still plenty of time to think, Qiongen; the Wall still has tasks." The old man slowly rose, walking and chanting, "Ice or fire? This is a tough question." Good.

Translation: "There is still plenty of time to think, Qiongen; the Wall still has tasks." The old man slowly rose, walking and chanting, "Ice or fire? This is a tough question."

same.

"Qiongen didn't know how to leave the scholar's tower." Good.

Translation: Qiongen didn't know how to leave the scholar's tower.

same.

"As he returned to the King's Tower lodgings, the ranger Jaman called out to him." Good.

Translation: As he returned to the King's Tower lodgings, the ranger Jaman called out to him.

same.

"\"Lord Snow, a few more Free Folk have surrendered outside the city. \" He laughed and said to him, \"Now it's fine; even if they surrender, we don't need to tie ropes to pull them up. \"\" We wrote: "Lord Snow, a few more Free Folk have surrendered outside the city." He laughed and said to him, "Now it's fine; even if they surrender, we don't need to tie ropes to pull them up." Good.

Translation: "Lord Snow, a few more Free Folk have surrendered outside the city." He laughed and said to him, "Now it's fine; even if they surrender, we don't need to tie ropes to pull them up."

same.

"Jaman was a skilled ranger; when his uncle once boasted about being a ranger, he mentioned his name, leaving Qiongen with a lasting impression." Good.

Translation: Jaman was a skilled ranger; when his uncle once boasted about being a ranger, he mentioned his name, leaving Qiongen with a lasting impression.

same.

"\"I want to go out to the Wall to have a look. \" Qiongen said. \" We wrote: "I want to go out to the Wall to have a look." Qiongen said. Good.

Translation: "I want to go out to the Wall to have a look." Qiongen said.

same.

"\"You're going yourself? \"\" We wrote: "You're going yourself?" Good.

Translation: "You're going yourself?"

"\"Bring the Free Folk who have newly joined the Night Watch. I want them to swear an oath before the Heart Tree, affirming their faith in the Old Gods. \"\" We wrote: "Bring the Free Folk who have newly joined the Night Watch. I want them to swear an oath before the Heart Tree, affirming their faith in the Old Gods." Good.

Translation: "Bring the Free Folk who have newly joined the Night Watch. I want them to swear an oath before the heart tree, affirming their faith in the old gods."

same.

"\"You definitely need to bring more warriors; if they tie you up, that'll be a laugh. \" He chuckled, \"The she-wolf will sweep the Wall inside and out, right? \"\" We wrote: "You definitely need to bring more warriors; if they tie you up, that'll be a laugh." He chuckled, "The she-wolf will sweep the Wall inside and out, right?" Good.

Translation: "You definitely need to bring more warriors; if they tie you up, that'll be a laugh." He chuckled, "The she-wolf will sweep the Wall inside and out, right?"

"You definitely need to bring more warriors; if they tie you up, that'll be a laugh." He chuckled, "The she-wolf will sweep the Wall inside and out, right?"

It would be better if there were no second half.

Translation: It would be better if there were no second half.

"You come too." He said expressionlessly; Jaman shrugged indifferently.

Translation: "You come too." He said expressionlessly; Jaman shrugged indifferently.

"You come too." He said expressionlessly; Jaman shrugged indifferently.

The newly recruited Night Watch soldiers numbered thirteen in total, obtained only after he promised them they could fully enjoy the same treatment as Night Watch members; to ensure the thirteen were honest, he additionally brought nearly twenty people, and the group marched out of the Wall in grand fashion.

Translation: The newly recruited Night Watch soldiers numbered thirteen in total, obtained only after he promised them they could fully enjoy the same treatment as Night Watch members; to ensure the thirteen were honest, he additionally brought nearly twenty people, and the group marched out of the Wall in grand fashion.

The newly recruited Night Watch soldiers numbered thirteen in total, obtained only after he promised them they could fully enjoy the same treatment as Night Watch members; to ensure the thirteen were honest, he additionally brought nearly twenty people, and the group marched out of the Wall in grand fashion.

The recent snow had whitened a stretch of land beyond the Wall once more. Qiongen determined the direction and rode forward in silence on a mare.

Translation: The recent snow had whitened a stretch of land beyond the Wall once more. Qiongen determined the direction and rode forward in silence on a mare.

The recent snow had whitened a stretch of land beyond the Wall once more. Qiongen determined the direction and rode forward in silence on a mare.

The wind blew fine snow into the air, the sky was overcast gray, and he couldn't remember when he last saw the sun.

Translation: The wind blew fine snow into the air, the sky a uniform gray; he could no longer remember when he last saw the sun.

On the broad field beyond the Wall, traces of the previous battle remained—scattered firewood piles and fragments of human bone lay beside the fire, haphazardly stacked, remnants of the Free Folk burning corpses.

Translation: On the broad field beyond the Wall, traces of the previous battle remained—scattered firewood piles and fragments of human bone lay beside the fire, haphazardly stacked, remnants of the Free Folk burning corpses.

On the broad field beyond the Wall, traces of the previous battle remained—scattered firewood piles and fragments of human bone lay beside the fire, haphazardly stacked, remnants of the Free Folk burning corpses.

As they approached the forest, the cut and discarded branches remained fresh, their leaves retaining a dark green in the snow, like grass growing on ice.

Translation: As they approached the forest, the felled and discarded branches remained fresh, their leaves retaining a dark green in the snow, like grass growing on ice and snow.

The warhorse carefully stepped over the branches and plunged into the forest.

Translation: The warhorse carefully stepped over the branches and plunged into the forest.

The warhorse carefully stepped over the branches and plunged into the forest.

Upon entering the forest, the scene became completely another dim, gloomy landscape.

Translation: Upon entering the forest, the scene became completely another dim landscape.

"Prepare defenses." He ordered.

Translation: "Prepare defenses." He ordered.

The warhorse's exhaled breath grew abnormal, and he felt his own breathing differed from that on the plains.

Translation: The warhorse's exhaled breath grew abnormal, and he felt his own breathing differed from that on the plains.

The warhorse's exhaled breath grew abnormal, and he felt his own breathing differed from that on the plains.

They arrived at the destination unscathed; compared to the last time they met, the Weirwood had hardly changed. Once ready, he had the thirteen newly recruited Night Watch soldiers each step forward to swear and recite before the tree, just as he had done before those Weirwoods.

Translation: They arrived at the destination unscathed; compared to the last time they met, the weirwood had hardly changed. Once ready, he had the thirteen newly recruited Night Watch soldiers each step forward to swear and recite before the tree, just as he had done before those weirwoods.

They arrived at the destination unscathed; compared to the last time they met, the Weirwood had hardly changed. Once ready, he had the thirteen newly recruited Night Watch soldiers each step forward to swear and recite before the tree, just as he had done before those Weirwoods.

How long could the oath hold? He wondered.

Translation: How long could the oath last? He wondered.

When he accepted his sister's command, the Night Watch organization would end in his hands; all oaths ever taken would be dissolved, and he would also return to Winterfell bearing unfinished oaths.

Translation: When he accepted his sister's command, the Night Watch organization would end in his hands; all oaths ever taken would be dissolved, and he would also return to Winterfell bearing unfinished oaths.

When he accepted his sister's command, the Night Watch organization would end in his hands; all oaths ever taken would be dissolved, and he would also return to Winterfell bearing unfinished oaths.

He had wanted to report everything about the Great Wall and his current thoughts, but faced with such a letter, he felt he could only remain silent and pay no heed to it; this was the only thing he felt he could do.

All twelve recruits had finished the oath, except the last boy, who could never recite it completely; the others kept teaching him over and over, which was exasperating.

Qiongen could only sigh.

If he cannot recite the oath completely before the heart tree, then he must wait for the next swearing-in to be considered a true night watch soldier.

While the soldiers were being instructed, he slipped over a small hill's clearing and observed to the northeast.

The captive he had sent to contact Tuomengde, including Waer, disappeared in that direction.

He felt the war horse give an uneasy snort, so he carefully dismounted and drew out the light and heat, holding it in hand. The two night watch behind him took the horse and also drew their weapons.

The howling in the wind grew louder, with the rending of beasts and the sharp, piercing shrieks of monsters.

The sound drew nearer, and Qiongen's heartbeat quickened.

"My lord," Jia Man whispered.

A huge white wolf appeared before them, its mouth gripping a living person—the person had lost both arms and legs, and the wolf dragged him forward.

That was no longer a person, but a corpse ghost with gloomy blue eyes.

"White Spirit!" he exclaimed.

White Spirit looked bigger now, no longer like a pup.

Upon seeing Qiongen, White Spirit immediately released the corpse ghost and lunged at him.

Qiongen raised his treasured sword, went forward and scooped up the little wolf, rolling happily in the snow.

Its fur was fluffy, rough and warm to the touch; he stretched his head toward its neck, and White Spirit stuck out its tongue to lick his face.

"Oh gods," Qiongen said, his voice shaking with emotion. "You're actually unharmed—after all this time, how have you been?"

White Spirit silently embraced him.

Jia Man stared at him and the ice‑plain wolf as if he had seen a ghost.

"Lord Snow, your wolf brought back a corpse ghost. I don't know whether the remaining parts were eaten by it." After a while, Jia Man spoke, only to see him bracing the struggling corpse ghost with his sword, cautiously guarding ahead.

"Time's up, we're heading back," Qiongen said, picking up his sword and giving the order while stroking White Spirit's pelt.

"What do we do with this monster?"

"Keep the fire away from it, we'll take it back."

"Are we keeping this monster?"

"Of course. If someone wants to trade grain for this, I can agree as well," Baluo said, after binding the corpse ghost in a sack, he rose and remounted his horse, and added, "I'll send it to my sister."