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

Tormund, who had escaped, ran all the way to the Fist of the First Men. He waited anxiously for a day. He had successfully escaped from the camp, but the number of his followers who reached the Fist of the First Men was less than a hundred. This was only a small number of people who had escaped directly from the camp after the ghouls launched their attack.

Tormund counted his remaining men and found that he had less than 200, and more than 50 of them were women and children who were unarmed and unable to fight. Now Tormund only had one path left to take.

Surrender to the Wall by reporting the White Walkers' attack on Mance Rayder's camp, and then, whatever the outcome, go south of the Wall. Staying outside the Wall will only turn you into a wight, a living, dead creature under the White Walkers' command!

Tormund made up his mind, gathered everyone together, and told them his decision, allowing them to choose freely: those who wanted to go south with him to surrender at Castle Black could go with him, and those who did not want to go south could leave the group and fend for themselves!

Everyone present looked at each other, knowing that leaving the main force now meant certain death. None of the people who had escaped had much food with them, and they would starve to death in another day or two without food.

Everyone said they would follow Tormund south, for only by crossing the Wall could they survive. Seeing that everyone had decided to go with him, Tormund said:

"Then hurry up and reach Castle Black before our food runs out and the White Walkers catch up with us. Report the news from beyond the Wall to the Night's Watch, and they will take it seriously!"

After saying that, he led the way towards the Great Wall in the southeast direction, and the others quickly followed. Falling behind now would be tantamount to waiting to die, and no one wanted to die alone in the freezing cold.

To Tormund's surprise, not long after they headed south, the Night King led a large army eastward from where they had passed, toward the southern part of Ghostwood, toward the Stinger River. He intended to hunt down the monsters in the forest, and he also sent a portion of his army, led by two White Walkers, toward Hardhome.

The Night King intends to turn all living things north of the Wall into his army to storm the Wall.

 …

At this time, the Wall had been greatly improved in terms of manpower and equipment, thanks to the support of the entire North and the reinforcements of the Lannister army. Lord Commander Geor Mormont arranged for some of the Night's Watch veterans stationed at the Wall to join the Rangers.

Patrols on the walls were increased, and garrisons were reinforced at Shadow Tower and Eastwatch. During this period, more wildlings were captured trying to escape south by climbing over the walls. Old Bear did not kill them, but allowed them to join the Night's Watch army, thus strengthening the garrison and patrols on the Wall.

One-handed Corinth and Benjen Stark each led a ranger to patrol between Caster's Fortress and the forest at Stoddhorn, hoping to detect the White Walkers' southward advance as early as possible and give the Wall a heads-up.

One afternoon, when Colin the One-Handed was leading the Rangers on patrol back to Caster's Fortress, a Ranger suddenly ran up to his right rear and said that a savage army had come from the direction of the Fist of the First Men. The army consisted of old and young, as well as several tall giants!

Colin immediately knew something must have happened to the Savage King; otherwise, the Titans wouldn't be running around with such a small force. Such a small force couldn't possibly provide the Titans with their daily sustenance. Colin thought for a moment and said:

"Let's go and meet these savages, and see what they're up to."

As he spoke, Colin spurred his horse and galloped in the direction from which Tormund's group had come. After riding about a hundred meters ahead, he saw Tormund leading a large group of staggering savages toward him from a distance.

Colin stopped his horse, and the Rangers around him automatically dispersed and began to stand guard. Because of the White Walkers and wights, there was no safe place outside the Wall anymore, so the Rangers had become accustomed to being on guard at all times.

Colin watched as the savage group stopped a short distance away from him. He saw a savage with red hair and a red beard walk up to him. "Tormond?" Colin clearly recognized the savage leader. They had been fighting the savages back and forth for many years, and some important figures on both sides knew each other.

"Hey~ It's me, Colin with the broken hand. I didn't expect to run into you here. I was hoping to catch up with you at the Great Wall!" Tormund teased Colin.

Colin never joked with these people, and continued, "What's your purpose? And what about you? You actually brought women, children, and giants here? Where's the Savage King Mance Red? Was he torn to pieces by the ghouls?"

"Ha~ That's quite possible. Four White Walkers led a wight army to attack Mance Rayder's camp. We agreed to meet at the Fist of the First Men after we escaped, but apart from those of us who escaped, the other wildlings have probably already been captured by the White Walkers!"

"What?! The White Walkers attacked Mance Rayder's camp?! Something's happened!"

Colin knew that what everyone in the North had feared had happened. His attempt to persuade Mance Rayder to lead his tribe south had failed. Colin knew this would happen sooner or later, but he didn't expect it to come so quickly!

Colin ordered several rangers to return to the Wall at full speed to report to Castle Black; he had something else to do.

Colin looked at Tormund and said, "Can I trust you?"

Tormund looked up at Colin and said, "I originally came south to the Great Wall to tell you this news: all the savage tribes beyond the Great Wall are wiped out. The survivors are all standing here now. If you don't believe me, we're at your mercy!"

Colin nodded and said, "Now we have something else to do. You leave the women, children, and giants with the Rangers. I'll have them continue south with them. After resupplying at Caster's fortress, they'll successfully return to the Wall. As for us..."

Tormund suddenly looked up and said, "Hardship Village!"

Colin looked at Tormund, who had finally come to his senses, and said:

"Yes, the only place where there are still a large number of wildlings is Hardhome! Since the White Walkers haven't come after you, they can only go there. I will inform the Wall and send reinforcements to us!"

I want you to take your warriors and come with us to Hardship Village. They only believe what you savages say, and if I go to tell them this, all I'll get are arrows and spears!

Tormund knew their predicament; he had to go to this difficult place. Every life he could save was a life less wight. Tormund glanced at Colin, nodded, and said, "I'll go with you. I'll separate the women, children, and giants who can't fight, and let them continue south with the Rangers!"

Colin said, "Alright! I'll wait for you."

After saying this, he rode off to gather those who were going to Hardship Village. The rest of the people would continue south with the women, children, and giants, and after resupplying at Caster's fortress, they would return to the Great Wall.

Tormund stepped into his own ranks and said, “Women, children, and giants who cannot fight, step forward. The Rangers will lead you south. I am going with Corin the One-Handed to Hardhome to deliver the message and save the tribes there!”

Some people began to panic. With Tormund gone, they couldn't fully commit themselves to the Rangers. Several giants also said they could fight. Tormund, looking at the commotion, said:

“Go ahead. The reputation of the one-handed gorin is still trustworthy. He doesn’t have the habit of slaughtering women and children. I left the giant behind to guard against those rangers. Your task is to protect the last women and children of our tribe!”

Everyone knew their mission and spontaneously split into two groups. At this moment, several rangers rode up on horseback and said:

"Women and children, come with us. We need to head south quickly. Rangers don't have the habit of leaving their comrades to fight while they run away. After we've delivered you, we still need to go and support Lord Colin!"

At this moment, Colin arrived with the team that was preparing to go to Hardship Village, threw them a large bag of food, and looked at Tormund, saying:

"Let's go, eat as we go. We have a long way to go, and we can't let the White Walkers get to Hardship Village first, or we're doomed!"

With that, he led the rangers eastward, and Tormund quickly distributed food packages to his men, eating as they went.

 …

The two rangers who brought the news spurred their horses so fast they were foaming at the mouth. Finally, they saw the towering Ice Wall, and the two men cracked their whips and galloped towards it.

The guards on the city wall also saw the two people rushing out of the forest. Seeing that only two people had returned, they thought something serious had happened. They quickly told the people next to them to go down and inform Black Castle, while they went to open the gate for the two people.

When the two riders reached the foot of the city wall, the gates were already open. They continued riding forward, and just as they entered the Great Wall, one of the horses collapsed from exhaustion, throwing the rider off. Those around quickly helped him up, and several people held onto the horse that hadn't fallen, saying to the rider:

"What happened? Why are only the two of you back?"

Just then, Old Man Geor Mormont arrived with several men from Castle Black, with Jon Snow following behind. Old Man Mormont took a water bag and handed it to the ranger, who was still catching his breath, saying, "Child, what happened? Where is the others?"

The ranger, who had taken the water hose and taken a few big gulps, said:

"Commander, something has happened at the camp of the Wildling King Mance Rayder! The White Walkers attacked the camp, and we encountered the fleeing Wildlings on our way back to Caster's Fortress. Fewer than 200 of them escaped; the rest said they were all killed by the White Walkers!"

! ! ! ! !

A bombshell exploded in everyone's minds!

"what?"

"How could Mance Rayder allow the White Walkers to storm the camp?"

The ranger who brought the news said, "The leader who escaped is Redbeard Tormund. He's probably telling the truth. His group consists of many women and children, as well as several tall giants!"

Old Xiong's brows furrowed into a knot, and he sighed, suddenly thinking:

"Where's Corinth? Why hasn't he come back?"

The ranger replied, "Lord Colin said that since the Wildling King Mance Red is dead, the only place left outside the Wall is Hardline, and he should have gone there!"

"Yes, Hardship Village is the last living settlement outside the Wall. The White Walkers want to kill everyone outside the Wall to expand their army. It seems the day when the White Walkers march south is not far off!"

"Go back immediately and report to Maester Aemon, and have him send word to Winterfell. Gather the veterans of the Wall and the Rangers to support Hardline. Save as many people as you can. Send men to Eastwatch to prepare ships. If the land route is blocked, put everyone on the ships and sail south!"

Upon receiving the order, everyone hurriedly prepared. Old Man Bear looked at Jon Snow beside him and said, "You will lead this attack team and bring everyone back!" With that, he handed Jon Snow the Valyrian steel sword, Longclaw, from his waist.

Seeing the wide-eyed look, Jon Snow continued, "This is the Valyrian steel sword, a family heirloom of House Mormont. I hope it will bring you and your men back safely!"

Upon hearing Old Man Bear's words, Jon Snow knelt on one knee, took the long claw with both hands, and said, "I will definitely complete the mission!"

Old Bear helped Snow up, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Go on!"

The assembled troops set off, and Jon Snow mounted his horse and rode with the Rangers toward the Wall.

 …

The mounted rangers were much faster than the swaying White Walker army. When Colin and his men arrived at Hardpoint, they had not yet found any White Walker troops. Colin also knew that a force should be nearby at this moment.

The terrain of Jiannan Village is very special. To the left are cliffs and high mountains, and the village is located on a narrow flat area below the cliffs. To the right of the village is the sea. As long as the entrance is guarded, the enemy will have no way to enter the village unless they fly down from the cliffs or cross the sea.

Hardship Village was originally a gathering place for savage women and children, and there were not many warriors who could fight. When Colin brought Tormund to the village, most of the savage women and children were still cooking over a fire, and the smoke from the fire drifted outside from the village.

Tormund ran quickly to the village entrance and shouted to the guard, "I am Tormund. I have urgent business with the elder. Please bring him here quickly!"

Upon hearing Tormund's words, the guard hurried to the village to find the elders. Soon, all the elders gathered at the village pass, and one of them asked Tormund, "Long time no see! Tormund, what brings you to the village?"

Tormund strode forward and said, "The Wildling King Mance Rayder's camp has been breached by the White Walkers. Everyone is dead. The White Walkers are likely already heading towards Hardhome. Organize your men and evacuate here quickly!"

At this moment, Colin the One-Handed rode into the sight of the crowd at the difficult pass. A savage guard saw the ranger's black clothes and shouted, "Crow!"

All the wildlings picked up their weapons, and the elder angrily said, "These are the White Walkers you spoke of? You've already knelt down and licked their chaff!"

Tormund quickly said, "No! No! No! It was the Wall that accepted us. They didn't kill us. Now our common enemy is the White Walkers! The White Walkers have brought war to the entire Wall! Once all the free people outside the Wall are dead, it will be their turn!"

Colin looked at the stubborn elders and said, "Are you going to come with us and leave this place, or wait for the White Walkers to storm into your homes and turn you all into wights? Everyone in Mance Rayder's camp has already been turned into wights by the White Walkers. If you don't leave, they will be your example!"

An elder said, “When should we listen to the crows? My brother and my father both died at the hands of crows!”

"I haven't asked you to forget them! Your choice now is this: if you don't leave here, you will never have another generation! No one will remember your brothers, your father, or your mother!"

Colin interrupted the elder and shouted at them!

Just as everyone was facing off at the pass and trying to persuade each other, a white figure on horseback appeared on the cliff to the left of the village. He raised his ice sword and let out a hoarse roar. The swaying ghouls behind him jumped down the cliff to the village like madmen.

Hearing the sounds from the cliff, the people at the pass looked up and saw a white-skinned, blue-eyed Otherworlder riding a horse, holding an ice sword. Countless wights around him jumped off the cliff like madmen, tumbled down the hillside, rushed out of the forest, and charged towards the village!

"Ghouls! Damn, they're moving so fast!" Colin looked at the scene below the cliff and turned to the elder at the pass, saying:

"Are you going to waste any more time with me here? Organize the men to hold off the ghouls and get the women and children evacuated!"

At that moment, billowing dust appeared behind the rangers, and several alert rangers shouted, "Main force! It's the Black-Clad! It's the Wall Rangers!"

Tormund yelled at the elder at the pass, "Open this damned road! The rangers can help hold off the ghouls. Quickly organize the evacuation of the women and children!"

The elders knew it was too late to say anything now, so they ordered the guards to open the pass. Colin waited for the troops behind to advance, and seeing that Jon Snow was leading the way, he said:

"Why are you here? Who came with you?"

Jon Snow looked at Colin and said, "Another batch of ships is coming from the sea. Have the wildlings' women and children move towards the shore, and we'll go hold off the wights!"

Tormund heard Jon Snow's words and immediately shouted to the elders, "Any ships with the Wall, get to the sea immediately and send the women and children to the sea!"

Colin looked at the Rangers and said, "Act like you're in the North. Remember to teach you how to use incendiary and explosive bombs. Go to the city walls to hold off the ghouls. As soon as the women and children are evacuated, we'll turn around and leave!"

"Yes!"