Chapter 63

Passion shines with dazzling light in the dim limestone cave, illuminating the cave extraordinarily bright, making it hard to keep eyes open. Everyone nearby can feel the scorching aura emanating from the sword, just like standing beside a fire.

But we need to be faithful, not add extra. Let's translate each line precisely.

We'll need to keep the same meaning, not add explanatory words. We'll produce concise English.

Passion shines with dazzling light in the dim limestone cave, illuminating it extraordinarily bright and making it hard to keep eyes open. Everyone nearby can feel the scorching aura emanating from the sword, just like standing beside a fire.

Passion shines with dazzling light in the dim limestone cave, illuminating it extraordinarily bright and making it hard to keep eyes open. Everyone nearby can feel the scorching aura emanating from the sword, just like standing beside a fire.

We must not add extra words. Let's produce: "Passion shines with dazzling light in the dim limestone cave, illuminating the cave extraordinarily bright, making it hard to keep eyes open. Everyone nearby can feel the scorching aura emanating from the sword, just like standing beside a fire."

Passion

Meiyi holds a sword heated red-hot, feels the temperature coming from the sword, but feels no heat at all.

Meiyi holds a red-hot sword, feels its temperature, yet feels no heat at all.

Brotherhood Without Banners' members each like a silly goose, holding their swords, at a loss.

The Brotherhood Without Banners' members are each like silly geese, holding their swords, at a loss.

Meiyi is also astonished by Passion, the magical power of this Valyrian steel sword.

Meiyi is also astonished by Passion, the magical power of this Valyrian steel sword.

Valyrian steel is indeed a creation of magic, the bane of all evil heresies and mysterious forces; while killing Lady Stoneheart, Meiyi feels it instantly absorb the life fire sustaining her existence and eternally seal this life fire within the sword.

Valyrian steel is indeed a magical creation, the bane of all evil heresies and mysterious forces; while slaying Lady Stoneheart, Meiyi feels it instantly absorb the life fire that sustains her existence and eternally seal it within the sword.

We'll produce: "Valyrian steel is indeed a creation of magic, the bane of all evil heresies and mysterious forces; while killing Shixin Furen, Meiyi feels it instantly absorb the life fire sustaining her existence, and eternally seal this life fire within the sword."

Meiyi only now feels that the legend of Yasuoyahai may never have been false.

Meiyi only now feels that the legend of Yasuoyahai may never have been false.

The question is, is she his rebirth?

The question is, is she his rebirth?

The fire collapses at this moment, sparks fly everywhere, but it gradually dims at a visible speed; soon only charred wood and puffs of thick smoke rising remain, as if someone splashed water on the fire.

The fire collapses at this moment, sparks fly everywhere, but it gradually dims at a visible speed; soon only charred wood and puffs of thick smoke remain, rising upward, as if someone had splashed water on the fire.

We'll produce: "The fire collapses at this moment, sparks flying everywhere, but it gradually dims at a visible speed; soon only charred wood and puffs of thick smoke rising remain, as if someone splashed water on the fire."

Meiyi and all the Brotherhood Without Banners' members' eyes are fixed on the sword; after a long while, the sword begins to gradually dim.

Meiyi and all the Brotherhood Without Banners' members' eyes are fixed on the sword; after a long while, the sword begins to gradually dim.

Meiyi knows that as long as she wishes, it can at any time become fiercely hot again; this is a miraculous feeling.

Meiyi knows that as long as she wishes, it can at any time become fiercely hot again; this is a miraculous feeling.

The sword quickly returns to normal ash gray; Meiyi feels it retains a hint of warmth.

The sword quickly returns to normal ash gray; Meiyi feels it retains a hint of warmth.

Perhaps Yasuoyahai's wife Nisha is not truly willing to open her chest for her husband, letting the flame-like divine sword pierce her breast to be tempered; perhaps Nisha herself is an evil species resurrected by divine spirits, Meiyi guesses.

Perhaps Yasuoyahai's wife Nisha is not truly willing to open her chest for her husband, letting the flame-like divine sword pierce her breast to be tempered; perhaps Nisha herself is an evil species resurrected by divine spirits, as Meiyi guesses.

After this turn of events, the ruby on Passion's hilt has changed from originally separate grains magically into a whole, becoming a complete piece, as if scorching flame melted them together and then froze them.

After this turn of events, the ruby on Passion's hilt has changed from originally separate grains magically into a whole, becoming a complete piece, as if scorching flame melted them together and then froze them.

"You have usurped her life fire." Suoluosi said, "The life fire belonging to the King of Light."

"You have usurped her life fire." Suoluosi said, "The life fire belonging to the King of Light."

"Suoluosi, what you said earlier makes sense. Your deity is indeed targeting me. You said it has sent people to target me? Perhaps it's true, for I have already felt its malice toward me." Meiyi, holding the sword, says to Suoluosi: "When you pray, you'd better tell it that if it dares to mischief, I will take even more; this time is just giving it a little price."

"Suoluosi, what you said earlier makes sense. Your deity is indeed targeting me. You said it has sent people to target me? Perhaps it's true, for I have already felt its malice toward me." Meiyi, holding the sword, says to Suoluosi: "When you pray, you'd better tell it that if it dares to mischief, I will take even more; this time is just giving it a little price."

Brotherhood Without Banners members at this moment relit their torches; a sturdy short-haired man embraces a pile of wood, threw it again into the already ash-covered fire, then coldly glanced at her.

Brotherhood Without Banners members at this moment relit their torches; a sturdy short-haired man holding a pile of wood threw it again into the already ash-covered fire, then coldly glanced at her.

Among the sword-wielding members, he stands out like a crane among chickens.

Among the sword-wielding members, he stands out like a crane among chickens.

Is this giving up the struggle? Hah

Is this giving up the struggle? Hah.

This is giving up.

Mei Yi held the sword burning red‑hot, feeling the warmth transmitted from the blade, but felt no heat at all.

The members of the Bannerless Brothers each looked like a foolish goose, holding their swords, at a loss.

Mei Yi was likewise astonished by the passion, the magical power of this Valyrian steel sword.

Valyrian steel is indeed a magical creation, the bane of all demons, heretics, and mysterious forces; as she killed Lady Stoneheart, Mei Yi felt it instantly absorb the life‑fire sustaining Lady Stoneheart's existence and eternally imprison that life‑fire within the blade.

Only now did Mei Yi feel that the legend of Yasuoyehai might never have been false.

The question is, is she his rebirth?

At that moment the firepit collapsed, sparks flying everywhere, but it dimmed at a visible speed, soon leaving only charred wood and wisps of thick smoke rising upward, as if water had been poured on the fire.

Mei Yi and all the Brotherhood members stared at the blade; after a long while, the blade began to grow slowly dim.

Mei Yi knew that, as long as she wished, it could at any moment become fiercely hot again—a wondrous feeling.

The blade quickly returned to its normal ash‑gray color, and Mei Yi felt it retained a hint of warmth.

Perhaps Yasuoyehai's wife Nisha was not truly willing to bare her chest for her husband, letting the flame‑like divine sword pierce her breast to temper it; maybe Nisha herself was an aberrant creature resurrected by the gods, Mei Yi guessed.

After this turn of events, the ruby on Passion's hilt, originally scattered grains, magically fused into one solid piece, as if scorching flame had melted them together and then refrozen them.

"You have usurped her life‑fire," Suoluosi said. "The life‑fire belonging to the King of Light."

"Suoluosi, what you said earlier made sense. Your god really is targeting me. You said it has sent people against me? Perhaps it's true, for I already feel its malice toward me." Mei Yi gripped the sword and told Suoluosi, "When you pray, you'd better tell it that if it dares to play tricks, I'll take even more—this time just a small price for it."

Brotherhood members relit their torches at that moment; a burly short‑haired man armful of wood tossed it onto the already‑ashen firepit, then coldly regarded her.

Among the sword‑wielding members he stood out like a crane among chickens.

"Have you given up struggling?" he scoffed.

"At least I bear you no hostility," Suoluosi said. "But I'm certain many monks will follow its will to oppose you. You may not fear it, but your kin and friends will suffer collateral damage. Some priests won't be as humble as I am, nor as inept."

"If it will choose to harm my kin and friends, then I ought all the more to eradicate it root and branch."

The red‑robed monk laughed. "You have not the slightest reverence for the gods. Tell me, what do you rely on? Know that under miraculous power, all ordinary mortals will bow and submit."

"A queen does not bow. I am the future queen of the First Men, Andals, and Rhoynar, ruler of the Seven Kingdoms and protector of the realm—this is my basis. Your King of Light uses future falsehoods to provoke you to attack me, even to judge me; naturally I can also rely on future authority to block you, or turn the tables and judge you."

She simply felt this tactic would work.

"Is this judgment? All we saw was you brandishing your sword and killing Lady Stoneheart."

"At least you didn't mention Lady Catherine."

"You can't see it? That tear is proof she willingly went to her death; she was imprisoned by your evil god, and I freed her."

"Heh, sorry, I saw nothing. Is it because you're a queen that you can speak with such arrogance?"

"Then you're blind. As for arrogance? Not at all—it's you who are utterly ignorant and crude. The Lightning King Tang Delien passed the fire‑seed to her, so even if she's a poor wretch who can't speak clearly, you still listen; even if she destroys all mortal morality, you still follow. Now the fire‑seed has come to me—I am not only the Seven Kingdoms' foremost warrior, but I also aspire to grant honor and safety to all the realm's folk; shouldn't you owe me allegiance and obey my orders?"

Leaning on his sword, Suoluosi swayed drunkenly under the influence of alcohol, saying he was a god‑fearing priest, or rather a god‑defying drunkard.

"Tang Delien saves lives; you take them. The meaning differs."

"No, quite the opposite—Tang Delien harms her, while I save her. He prolongs her meaningless false life, letting people continue to insult her; furthermore she breaks human laws… degrading human conduct, clearly a worldly evil thing, and since I have encountered her, I naturally ought to represent the Seven Kingdoms in destroying her."

Chaos looms, and all monsters and fiends emerge.

After a long silence he said, "Perhaps. Since the lady took over, the Brotherhood has become a tool of vengeance. We no longer heed worldly law; too many brothers, unable to accept her abandonment of justice, have left and never returned. They joined the Brotherhood sincerely believing they could practice morality and justice here. Because of that we earned the folk's support, accepted their food, and gave them protection; thanks to justice and reputation we could also trade with great and small lords. Now none of that remains—no lord wishes to trade with us, and we grow poorer each day."

And yet he began to retreat—that's a good thing.

"You see it clearly, then why are you still here?"

"I'm not the sort who drops to worship at the sight of mystic power. Perhaps I'm not devout enough—heh, my happiest times were carousing with King Robert in King's Landing, feasting, drinking, and beauties, as long as I amused Robert, I had everything. This company bears Robert's and the former prime minister's orders; I'd rather fight in it for the dead Robert, even amid all these wretched affairs."

"Robert's a drunkard," the youth holding the firewood said, setting it down with disdain.

"Ser Zhandeli, Robert really is a drunkard, and moreover he's quite lustful—but that doesn't stop me from liking him, indeed loving him far more than Lahelo."

Ser Zhandeli wore a simple undershirt, revealing his muscular arms. His short hair was pure black, his expression resolute yet revealing an iron‑like coldness; his face and shirt were smeared with soot.

"You look very much like someone," Mei Yi said to him.

"You're not the first to say that," he coldly regarded Mei Yi. "I and your sister Arya fled together from King's Landing; on the road she sometimes shouted she wanted to go back to Riverrun to find her brother, then moments later she'd cry she wanted to sail back to the North. If that information is useful to you."

Mei Yi felt she now knew his identity: "Thanks for the news—she hasn't returned to the North, nor is she in Riverrun."

Recalling how Robert had legitimized her, Mei Yi felt it was fate and laughed, "Zhandeli, what's your full name?"

"I am a bastard of the Crownlands; all bastards share the same surname."

"But not every bastard becomes a knight. Was it Tang Delien who knighted you?"

He remained silent—he had already answered.

"Do you believe I am the future queen of the Seven Kingdoms?"

He fell silent.

"This is one of your few chances," Mei Yi said.

Haerwen stepped forward and clapped his shoulder. "King Robert once legitimized this woman before you; her name changed from Snow to Stark."

"Isn't that hint obvious enough? Stubborn fool."

"Dumb kid," Suoluosi said. "Mei Yi, I believe he believes."

"Belief and trust are great power, Suoluosi—this he must say himself." Mei Yi drew Passion, which instantly blazed with fierce light, while the nearby firepit flames flickered slightly.

Under the silent gaze of many brothers, after a long while he dropped to one knee: "I have anguished over your sister's identity; I do not wish to endure that anguish again. If you will have it, I believe."

"Very well." Mei Yi laid the sword on his bare shoulder and said, "I, Mei Yi Stark, future queen of the First Men, Andals, and Rhoynar, queen of the Seven Kingdoms and protector of the realm, by the gods' witness, affirm that the man before you, Robert's bastard Ser Zhandeli of the Waters, is Robert's lawful heir."

Belief and trust are a power that can transcend time.

The searing sword had reddened his shoulder, yet he clenched his teeth, refusing to utter a sound.

"When he rises, his name shall be Zhandeli Baratheon." Mei Yi sheathed the sword. "The scar on the blade is the royal house's patent. Now, swear fealty to me!"

Zhandeli was at a loss.

"Kneel before her and declare your fealty," Suoluosi whispered to him.

He was like a dumb ox, following instructions stupidly knelt on one knee again, "I pledge my loyalty to you."

Ha'erwen touched his other shoulder, "Who are you, and who is she? Speak clearly."

Meiyi glanced at Ha'erwen, showing approval.

"Under the witness of the gods, I, Zhan Delibailaxien, pledge loyalty to the future Queen Meiyi Shitake."

When he stood up, Suoluosi began to clap; the Brotherhood members, puzzled, sheathed their swords, sporadically clapping, and when the sword's light grew brighter, they finally all broke into applause.

"Suoluosi, you said you were willing to serve Laobo, whom you are loyal to; now Laobo has a legitimate son before you." Meiyi sheathed her sword, and the cavern grew dark.

Suoluosi knelt first. "Sir Zhan Delibailaxien, from now on you are the leader of the Brotherhood."

The other Brotherhood members reluctantly learned to kneel like Suoluosi.

The cavern fell from noisy to solemn. Perhaps, she had already subdued the Brotherhood.

How could the Brotherhood willingly serve under a woman who cannot speak, and even go so far as to do things that cross the line?

When the affairs here were settled, they walked toward the cave entrance.

"Lady Meiyi, what needed to be said I have said; you should be careful." After a long silence, Suoluosi said.

Meiyi saw Zhan Deli turn back, used a torch to reignite the firewood pile; this time the flame became normal, without frantic trembling or rapid burning.

"Hearing your warning, people would think you had betrayed Lahe Luo." Meiyi saw the corpse of Shixin Furen still lying on the ground, returned to the fire, pulled out a burning piece of wood, and leaned it against the corpse.

The corpse ignited instantly like leather; shortly, the body melted like fat, seeping into the pale roots of the twisted, entwined massive fish-beam wood underground.

May you walk forever with Lord Ade in the old gods' paradise.

"Lady Meiyi, I am not as bold as you to dare provoke the gods casually. I am not a king, and I have no Winterfell protection."

"What does this have to do with Winterfell?"

"Some ancient castles have protective magic; Winterfell was built by the builder Brandon, possessing magical power, just like the Great Wall and Windrest Fortress. The Eastern Continent has overbearing shadowbinders; without the protection of these magics, ordinary mortals are very vulnerable before them." He laughed, "Kings or queens are no different from common folk. Sir, you should strengthen the castle's defenses and restrict strangers from entering."

"Do you know shadowbinding?" Meiyi asked.

"No. I never wanted to learn those. Those are deceptive arts practiced by priests to increase the glory of the Light King; even training is exceedingly dark. The temple sent me to preach, and I only preach."

"Stop joking, when have you ever preached?"

"Not when drinking and brawling." He burst out laughing, then turned serious, "This continent has no slaves; what religion would you spread? Turning ordinary people into slaves? I can't do that. There's no soil here for the Red God to survive."

Meiyi agreed.

"You just said there would be a mysterious force infiltrating Winterfell?"

"Possibly. Casting spells outside Winterfell cannot breach its magical protection; only inside does it take effect. Do you understand?"

"That's truly awful." Meiyi had already conscripted many nearby civilians to work at the pottery kiln; occasionally some could sneak into Winterfell.

"If the mysterious force you speak of dares to infiltrate Winterfell, no matter who it is, I will hang them beneath the heart tree as an offering to the gods my father believes in."

"Lady Meiyi, I've already heard you boast a lot."

"Do you think it's unavoidable?"

"I don't know. Action is better than inaction. If you don't find my words tedious, I still advise you to worry for your brothers and sisters. Of course, if you deliberately let them die so you can inherit Winterfell, then just pretend I never said anything."