With a reputation of 70,000, one leader travels across countless worlds with his adventure team.

Upon returning to Winterfell, Ned Stark immediately sought out his wife Catelyn to arrange the distribution of supplies after his departure. He instructed her that in case of any urgent matter, she should either send a raven or have a trusted retainer deliver a message to King's Landing, and that she herself should not leave Winterfell.

Although Caitlin didn't know why her husband wouldn't let her leave Winterfell, after so many years together, she completely trusted his judgment.

Moreover, she was very happy to receive so much equipment and supplies from Bai Ze. The more stable the North was, the more her husband could focus on King's Landing. She couldn't let her husband be busy in King's Landing while also worrying about the North.

Just as the two were strengthening their marital bond and discussing the distribution of weapons and equipment, in the guest room, where Robert was out indulging in pleasure, Queen Cersei was having a secret rendezvous with her good brother. However, instead of discussing philosophy, they were talking about the tavern owner, Bai Ze.

"You really got this from the tavern?" Cersei looked at the sword in her hand with disbelief.

“I’ve had people inquire about it. Including mine, this generous Bai Ze boss has already given away six weapons comparable to Valyrian steel swords, and all of them were given away through duels. No one paid for them!” Jaime said with a solemn expression.

He also understood that if Bai Ze continued to hold these weapon-rewarding duels in the Northern Territory, the strength of the Northern Territory would increase infinitely in the future, which would not be a good thing for them.

“I’ve never seen anyone in all of Westeros with such superb swordsmanship and such immense wealth!” Cersei said, somewhat distressed. Why is someone like this in the North instead of the West?

"Indeed, Boss Bai Ze's swordsmanship is very powerful. When we sparred in the tavern, I could tell that he wasn't using his full strength. The last few sword strikes that knocked me down were obviously heavier and faster!"

"Even if the Sword Saint of the Dawn, who was already dead, were to be resurrected, I don't think he would be a match for him!" Jaime Lannister admitted.

“You’re right. If this Bai Ze boss stays in the Northern Territory, it will strengthen the Northern Territory’s power.”

"From now on, Ned Stark will be like an ace in the rough, and this ace will continuously strengthen the overall strength of the North. His level of danger is now comparable to an entire fully armed army," Cersei said seriously.

What our beautiful Queen Cersei didn't expect was that Bai Ze had already fully armed the Northern army and upgraded their equipment. If the Lannisters were to continue causing trouble and wage war against the North, they would regret it for the rest of their lives.

"So you want to?" Jaime Lannister was somewhat unsure of Cersei's thoughts.

"Either we win him over to provide weapons for our Lannister family in the West, or..."

Cersei looked at Jaime Lannister with a knowing expression, and the same expression Jaime gave Cersei when he wanted to poison Jon Arryn, the former Hand of the King.

Jaime was a little flustered. His sense of knightly honor made him somewhat resentful of Cersei's ideas, but his relationship with Cersei sometimes made it difficult for him to refuse her requests.

The arrival of night did not bring peace to the people of Winterfell; the underworld was even more turbulent. White Walkers, southward migration, a mysterious tavern owner, weapons comparable to Valyrian steel swords—all sorts of things were brewing in this cold North.

 …

Lunchtime on the second day

“I think you already know, I promised the King I would go south to King’s Landing to serve as Hand of the King, and after I leave, all affairs in the North will be in Rob’s care,” Ned said to the children.

“Yes, Father! I will not let you down!” Robert nodded solemnly.

Ned Stark nodded, then looked at Jori and said:

"On this trip south, I will be taking half of the guards with me. Jori, you and I will come together. Sir Rodrik Caesar will stay behind to assist Rob and protect your mother. Maester Luwin will be in charge of teaching the children their daily studies, and Beth Caesar and Sister Mordan will take care of their needs."

After hearing Ned's arrangements, everyone understood their responsibilities. After finishing their meal, they began to arrange for the carriages, supplies, and equipment needed for the journey south.

"I know you don't like Jon Snow, and now we have to choose where he should go. He wants to go to the Wall, but I want him to stay. What's your opinion?"

Ned looked at his wife. He couldn't tell anyone Jon Snow's true identity, especially since he was Robert's good brother. If Robert knew about Jon Snow's background, he would go crazy.

Caitlin looked at her husband, not wanting him to have anything on his mind before leaving, and said:

"You decide, after all, you are his father."

At this point, Scholar Luwen interjected:

“Let the child go to the Great Wall. Let Banyan take him. Old Georgio Mormont is there on the Great Wall, so it will be easier for him.”

Ned thought Maester Luwin's suggestion was a good idea. Jon Snow was a serious and good boy, so sending him to the Wall to pave the way was a good option if the White Walkers really did march south.

Ned nodded to Maester Luwin in agreement, intending to have a good talk with Jon Snow before leaving and tell him some things, but the matter of his identity would have to wait until after the trip to King's Landing was over.

That night, Ned found Jon Snow and talked to him for a long time about the White Walkers, the equipment, who he should contact after arriving at the Wall, and things he should pay attention to.

He told him that he would tell his mother and his true parentage when he returned from King's Landing. Jon Snow also realized that he had more important things to do, and temporarily put aside his past and some unpleasant thoughts.

"Lord Bai Ze will accompany you north. Once you reach the Great Wall, work with him and Elder Xiong to properly distribute this batch of weapons, equipment, medicine, and Molotov cocktails."

"If the White Walkers do anything unusual, send a message to me and Winterfell immediately. I will return as quickly as possible. This is a major event for our North," Ned instructed Jon Snow earnestly, pinching the back of his neck.

“Yes, Father, I understand,” Jon Snow replied earnestly.

Ned patted Jon Snow on the shoulder and said nothing more, telling him to go back and prepare his pack for the journey to the Wall.

... ... ...

On the third day, the king's party was ready to set off, and the Stark guards had prepared carriages, baggage, and various supplies needed for the journey.

The Wolf Clan guards accompanying us were all dressed in the armor and weapons I had prepared, all of the same style and color, clearly an elite force.

As Queen Cersei was about to board her carriage, she noticed the equipment of the Stark family and glanced at Jaime Lannister. Both of them understood that the White Zetsu had provided the North with the weapons and equipment needed by the ordinary knights and guards. It seemed that something was about to happen during Ned's trip south.

Everything was ready to go, and only Arya and Sansa followed Ned Stark south.

Jon Snow and Benjen were also traveling with them. They were to split up at the crossroads and head north. Tyrion was also in the northward-bound group. He was carrying the red robes of both families and was going to the Wall with Benjen and Jon Snow. He was going to take a piss on the Wall.

Leaving aside the southbound group, Bai Ze and Xiao Meng had already made preparations and were waiting for Benjen and Jon Snow's group a little distance away at the crossroads. Tyrion was quite surprised to see me here; I wasn't at the tavern, but waiting for them on the road.

"Is Lord Bai Ze also going to the Wall to pee? Why don't you bully those newbies in the tavern for some fun?" Tyrion spoke first, asking Bai Ze with a teasing look.

Some things can be done inside a tavern, while others require going outside.

Bai Ze did not tell Tyrion his true purpose. They did not know or believe in the White Walkers yet. Bai Ze wanted to go out of the Wall to find the real living White Walkers and give these nobles who lived in a daze outside the North a surprise!

As they talked, Bai Ze and Xiao Meng caught up with the group. Ben Yang and Snow knew the purpose of Bai Ze's trip, so they simply nodded to Bai Ze in greeting and didn't say anything more to him.

While the two groups were heading north and south, Robb Stark and Lady Catelyn in Winterfell were also busy.

He summoned several lords who had participated in the tavern tournament and had not yet returned to their fiefdoms, conveyed Ned's orders to them, and instructed them to contact their respective castles and send loyal and trustworthy men to arrange transport teams to Winterfell to collect weapons and equipment.

Ser Gabert Glover, Lord Wyman Manderley, Lord Jon Umber, and Ser Rickard Karstark were all thrilled to hear of such good news.

He immediately instructed his retainers to contact his castle and arrange for a transport team to come to Winterfell. He had also sent messengers to deliver messages to other important vassals.

Lord Wyman Manderle did not forget Ned's orders, and arranged for the Tyrion, who had previously obtained weapons at the tavern, to prepare a fleet to Blackwater Bay in King's Landing, awaiting Ned's orders, and to return to the North by sea if necessary.