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#148 - Chapter 34: Hunting in the North

Eddard said, "I wanted to bring Catelyn back then, but the Dane family wouldn't let her go. They said I had already taken away the pride of their two families, and the child should be returned to the Dane family. You know my situation; I couldn't give her the status she deserved."

Liu Yuan tapped his fingers on the table and said, "It's good that way. That child named Jon is Lyanna's, isn't he? His eyes and nose are very similar to hers. You don't need to be so surprised. I modified Lyanna's armor and shield for her, and I even saw her meeting with Prince Rhaegar in secret." Eddard was so shocked that he stood up.

Liu Yuan: "For your personality, it must have been hard to hide such a secret all this time, right?"

Eddard: "I thought that besides Howland, no one else in this world would know."

Liu Yuan said, "I'm just traveling in the North. I happened to pass by Winterfell this time and asked about a question that had been in my mind for many years. Duke, you don't need to mind too much; the past is the past."

Eddard looked at him with complicated emotions and said, "I'm sorry! I can no longer repay you for your help openly. But what requests do you have? I will try my best to fulfill them."

Liu Yuan smiled and said, "I heard that Winterfell is organizing a hunting event. Can I participate?"

Eddard was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Welcome ~ It's an honor. I invite you to visit my home. You will be a distinguished guest of Winterfell, and we will participate in the hunt together. Hahaha!"

Duke Eddard arranged for Liu Yuan to stay in the castle, in the best room. He even prepared a family banquet to entertain him. Liu Yuan met Eddard's family. The Stark family has had few members in the recent three generations. Among the direct members, there was only a cousin of the previous Duke, who was over 60 years old and still had no children. Eddard's generation only had him and Benjen left, and none of the new generation was over ten years old. However, Liu Yuan still liked the atmosphere of the Stark family very much. Duke Eddard was approachable, and even on such occasions, he would reserve places for people like Ser Rodrik, Maester Luwin, the nanny, and the master of the stables.

Catelyn was curious as to why Eddard would value a knight from the South so much, especially since he looked so young. At the banquet, Liu Yuan shared some of his travel experiences. The children's eyes lit up as they listened; it was much more interesting than the ghost stories told by the old nanny.

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Four days later, in the Wolfswood, a grand procession of more than two hundred people set out from the west gate of Winterfell. In addition to the Stark guards, there were also 60 people gathered from Wintertown. Hunters and several lords from nearby also came to participate, bringing their sons with them. In the North, hunting events are also a very important form of social interaction.

According to the customs of the North, boys over the age of six must participate. Robb and several little ones stood on the carriage, clapping their hands excitedly, while Jon Snow still shrank back timidly.

Eddard announced the rules of the hunt and divided the areas. The guards beside him blew their horns, and with the melodious sound of the horns, many people mounted their horses and rushed out.

"Father! Father!" Seeing Robb's excitement, Eddard scooped him up and held him on the saddle. He laughed and said, "Okay, I'll take you hunting."

Ser Rodrik also picked up Theon Greyjoy, who was jumping up and down. Seeing Jon Snow's eager expression next to him, Liu Yuan rode over, picked up Jon, put him on the saddle, and pulled the cloak over him.

"Hold on tight, we're leaving! Giddy up ~." People showed knowing smiles and joined the hunting party.

Liu Yuan's archery was superb. To accompany the children, he would specifically shoot small prey such as pheasants and rabbits. The eight-year-old Jon was quite sensible. Whenever prey was shot, he would happily run over to pick it up. He was even more useful than a hunting dog. Before long, many small prey were hanging on the horse.

Little Jon looked up and asked, "Ser Galon, why are you so kind to me? You know I'm just a…"

Liu Yuan smiled and said, "So what if you're a bastard! It's not a big deal. I was also born a bastard, but I used my own efforts to not only gain the family's recognition, but also earned a title through military merit and established my own family. Child, the future is uncertain. Feeling sorry for yourself is just the performance of a coward. Only when you are strong enough can you control your own destiny."

"Yes, I will work hard to become a great person like you." Jon showed a firm look in his eyes, clenching his small fists.

Just then, a bear appeared in front of them. It seemed to have been frightened and ran towards them in a panic.

"Bear!" Jon exclaimed.

Liu Yuan stroked his little head and said, "Jon, hold on tight and don't blink. Today I'll give you a lesson: when you encounter danger, don't back down; face it calmly." As he spoke, he drew a armor-piercing awl from the leather bag behind him and rode his horse towards the giant bear.

Ordinary horses would have retreated long ago when encountering fierce beasts like bears, but the warhorse he had trained was able to overcome its fear.

"Watch!" With a light shout, a silver light flashed. It hit the giant bear's neck, piercing nearly halfway through. The giant bear immediately lost its balance and fell forward.

At that moment, the warhorse leaped high, its hooves heavily stomping on the bear's back, and then landed steadily. Liu Yuan's warhorse was equipped with steel horseshoes, and the stomping power was extremely strong, crushing the bear's skull. This majestic scene was seen by those who had been chasing the grizzly bear. Everyone exclaimed. After the warhorse landed, it turned its head and did not approach the grizzly bear, which was still twitching and had not completely died.

Liu Yuan circled it, picked up Jon, jumped off the horse, came to the grizzly bear, drew his sword, handed it to Jon, and instructed, "Come here, Jon, hold the hilt tightly with both hands. Do you see this white fur? Don't be afraid, stab it in hard. This is the only way to become a strong person."

Jon looked at the grizzly bear's ferocious expression, made up his mind, shouted, "Ah! ~" and stabbed the sword in hard. Even though the sword was sharp, an eight-year-old child did not have enough strength. Liu Yuan pressed on the hilt and gently pushed, and the sword went into the grizzly bear's body, piercing its heart.

Jon seemed to be stunned, sitting on the ground. But his hands were tightly clenched on the hilt, and he pulled the sword out smoothly. "Pfft ~" A stream of hot blood sprayed on Jon's face, and he turned his head and vomited.

Liu Yuan smiled. Killing a bear was indeed a bit stimulating for this child. He reached out and pulled out the armor-piercing awl and wiped the blood off the bear skin. The people who had been chasing the grizzly bear came over. It was Duke Eddard and his party. Among them was a middle-aged man dressed as a nobleman who smiled friendly at Liu Yuan. They circled around the grizzly bear, praising, "What a big bear! Hahaha ~ A group of us chased it for a long time, but you took it first."