The Tower of the Hand.
Lynn stood inside it, with Sansa and Myrcella standing before him.
The two girls still had a hint of excitement on their faces from having successfully carried out their scheme.
They told Lynn everything about their conversation with the mysterious assassin.
"...He said Robert has been poisoned with a slow-acting venom and won't live much longer."
Sansa's voice was very low, as if afraid the walls might overhear.
"He also said he could help us fabricate evidence to pin everything on Stannis."
Myrcella added.
"He said he didn't want anything, only that after the deed was done, he wanted to go to the North with you."
Lynn listened quietly, without much expression on his face.
Jaqen Hghar.
He had already known of this man's arrival through his Greensight.
A person who shouldn't appear in King's Landing, and certainly not at this time.
Because his own butterfly effect kept flapping its wings, everyone's trajectory had already shifted.
"You two should go back first."
Lynn ruffled Myrcella's golden hair.
"I will handle this matter."
"But..."
Myrcella still wanted to say something.
"Be good and listen."
The two girls exchanged glances.
In the end, they still obediently nodded and quickly left.
Myrcella actually wanted to kill Robert.
It seems this little girl had an unexpected incident that shouldn't have happened... it's hard to say if it's good or bad.
However, none of that matters now.
What matters is Jaqen.
A Faceless Man.
Lynn withdrew his gaze from Myrcella.
The moment the door closed, Lynn closed his eyes.
The entire world instantly changed in his perception.
Light, sound, smell... everything transformed into the purest stream of information, surging through his spiritual world.
His consciousness, like an invisible giant net, spread rapidly from the Tower of the Hand, extending across the entire King's Landing.
He "saw" Robert, lost in debauchery in the The Red Keep.
He "saw" Cersei indulging herself alone in her bedchamber.
Hmm?
Cersei has such a habit?
Lynn saw things he shouldn't have.
He'd investigate that later.
Important matters first.
He also "saw" Jaime wiping his new sword, preparing to pack his luggage and depart.
Soon, he found his target.
Flea Bottom, in the cheapest and dirtiest rented room.
Jaqen Hghar was sitting cross-legged on the bed.
He had already changed into ordinary commoner clothes.
There was no expression on his face, which was so ordinary it was forgettable.
Lynn's consciousness, like an invisible probe, cautiously touched him.
Too lazy to guess, he'd just look at his hand directly.
[Greensight] activated!
In an instant, countless chaotic images and information rushed into Lynn's mind!
It was a black and white temple located on a small island in the Braavos Bay.
Deep within the temple, countless faces of the dead were enshrined.
The God of Many Faces.
The assassins here had no names, no past; their identities and names were determined by the "wearer."
They underwent the most rigorous training here.
They learned different ways to take lives, and how to change their faces into anyone's likeness.
Not traditional poisoning or dagger assassination; these traditional methods were merely their most common approaches.
More sophisticated methods often didn't require them to personally kill.
They would judge the situation, or use others' hands... For them, the process wasn't important, only the outcome.
They were servants of death, givers of "gifts."
The scene shifted.
This was a mine deep beneath the Valyria Peninsula.
Countless slaves toiled day after day under the whips of Valyria overseers.
The first Faceless Man was born in this hell.
He bestowed the "gift" of liberation upon his suffering compatriots, and also attempted to bestow it upon the high and mighty Dragonlords.
The seeds of hatred had been sown then.
In the teachings of the Faceless Men.
Dragons were a symbol of old-era tyranny.
They were heretics that must be eliminated.
All men must die.
Dragons were no exception.
Next, Lynn saw a man with an eye patch, his expression crazed.
Euron Greyjoy.
He placed a petrified Dragon Egg on the altar of the House of Black and White.
He wanted to buy the life of his brother, Balon Greyjoy.
He wanted to become the true ruler of the Iron Islands.
And Jaqen Hghar was the one dispatched to carry out this mission.
Assassinating Balon was merely a convenient side task.
His true purpose in Westeros was to study the weaknesses of Winter and find a way to kill a living dragon.
Then, to bring this "knowledge" back to the House of Black and White.
Yes, dragons were also among their assassination targets.
Lynn slowly opened his eyes.
A cold glint flashed in his deep eyes.
So that's how it is.
He wanted to use Sansa and Myrcella, and through the assassination of the king, legitimately infiltrate his team, thereby approaching Winter and studying its weaknesses.
What a clever plan, killing two birds with one stone.
Lynn's lips slowly curved into a playful smile.
Want to study my dragon?
Then let me give you a good study of what true fear is... Flea Bottom.
Jaqen Hghar abruptly opened his eyes.
For a moment, he felt a chilling sensation of being spied upon.
It was as if an invisible pair of eyes watched him from the darkness, seeing all his secrets clearly.
He had only felt this sensation when facing the most ancient elders in the House of Black and White.
How was that possible?
Just as he was filled with doubt and surprise, there was a gentle knock on the door.
"Who?"
"One who can bring you a gift."
A calm male voice came from outside the door.
Jaqen's pupils suddenly constricted.
He leaped from the bed, silently pressed himself against the door, and his right hand had already reached into his sleeve.
There, a silver needle poisoned with potent venom was hidden.
The door was pushed open.
Lynn walked in slowly, regardless of whether Jaqen agreed or not.
He glanced at the simple furnishings in the room, then at the wary Jaqen.
Killing Jaqen would certainly be convenient, but it wasn't what Lynn wanted.
It would be satisfying, but the House of Black and White in Braavos was an assassin's den; killing Jaqen would only put him in a passive position, facing retaliation from countless assassins.
Moreover, he wasn't invincible right now and could still be killed. Using Greensight also consumed mental energy, so he couldn't treat active skills as passive ones.
Therefore, Lynn needed to intimidate him.
To warn him not to cause trouble for him again.
And also to see if there was a way to bring these assassins under his control.
If he could truly subdue them, then their connections, channels... and a series of other resources could also be used by him, which would be incredibly helpful.
"Jaqen Hghar."
Lynn called out his name directly.
Jaqen's body instantly tensed, like a leopard about to attack.
"A man has no name."
He said in his characteristic tone.
"Is that so?"
Lynn smiled.
As long as they were human, they had names; how could they truly forget?
"Then why has a man from Braavos come to Westeros?"
Jaqen didn't answer, only stared intently at Lynn.
"Is it for Balon Greyjoy's head?"
Lynn slowly approached.
"Or is it for... a dragon's weakness?"
These words, like a clap of thunder, exploded in Jaqen's mind!
His plan, his true purpose for coming here, his biggest secret... was actually revealed by this man in a single sentence!
How could this be?!
Aside from a handful of people in the House of Black and White, it was impossible for a fifth person to know about this!
Who exactly was this man in front of him?!
For the first time, cracks appeared on Jaqen's perpetually unchanging face.
He looked at Lynn, his grey eyes filled with undisguised shock and horror.
He felt as if he wasn't facing a mortal, but an omniscient god!
"A man... does not understand what you are saying."
Jaqen was still making a last struggle.
Inside his wide sleeve, his fingers had already grasped the poisoned needle.
He was confident that at such close range, no one could evade his "gift."
"Don't move."
Lynn's voice was very soft.
"That silver needle in your left sleeve is tipped with basilisk's blood, instant death on contact."
"But it's useless against me."
"In front of me, you'd best put away those ridiculous little tricks."
As long as Jaqen dared to strike, he would instantly solidify his entire body into ice armor.
Such a sneak attack was completely useless against him.
The second time!
This was the second shock!
If Lynn revealing his purpose just now had merely shocked him.
Then now, when Lynn accurately stated the type and location of the poisoned needle hidden in his sleeve, Jaqen felt a shiver from the depths of his soul!
All his disguises, all his techniques, in front of this man, seemed like child's play, easily seen through!
His proud art of assassination appeared so pale and powerless in the face of absolute insight.
Jaqen's fingers froze.
For the first time, he doubted himself.
"Who... exactly are you?"
This time, he no longer used "a man" or "someone" to refer to himself.
"Haven't you been trying to find clues about me?"
Lynn walked up to him, looking down at him.
"I am Lynn, the one you are looking for."
"A servant of the God of Many Faces?"
Lynn let out a scoff.
"Just a false god who maintains faith through slaughter and lies."
"It was once somewhat interesting, but unfortunately, you've completely changed your flavor now."
"Whether good or bad, you kill them all."
"You!"
Anger flared in Jaqen's eyes.
It was the rage of desecrated faith.
"That plan you told Sansa and her is very good."
Lynn ignored his anger and continued speaking to himself.
"Tywin asked you to handle Robert's matter, didn't he?"
"Now, you're trying to use some fabricated evidence to pin the blame on Stannis."
"After Robert's death, your House of Black and White will not only clear its name but also ignite infighting within House Baratheon."
"Not only that, Tywin's reward, the million gold dragons that the iron throne owes the Iron Bank of Braavos, you can all get your hands on."
"I admit, it's very ingenious and very safe."
"But it's not enough."
Lynn paused, looking at Jaqen's face, which was filled with surprise and doubt.
"A good story needs a sufficiently weighty piece of evidence."
"Evidence that will silence everyone."
"If you want to do this, I can help you."
Saying that, Lynn pulled something from his embrace and threw it in front of Jaqen.
It was a human skin mask Lynn had just prepared.
The mask was exquisitely crafted, lifelike.
It perfectly replicated all the facial features of another person.
Jaqen had seen that face in King's Landing.
Stannis Baratheon!
Jaqen's breathing completely stopped at that moment.
He reached out with a trembling hand and picked up the mask.
It was warm to the touch, with the unique texture of skin.
He examined the mask with his most professional eye.
From the curve of the brow bone to the nasolabial folds at the corners of the mouth, every detail was impeccably perfect.
This... this was absolutely the highest-grade work of the House of Black and White!
It was even more perfect than any mask he had ever seen!
The third time!
This was the third immense shock, enough to overturn his entire worldview!
Besides the House of Black and White, there was actually someone else in this world who could create such perfect human skin masks!
"Could it be... you... you've already killed Stannis?"
Jaqen's voice trembled, a tremor he himself hadn't noticed.
This was the only possibility he could think of.
How could a mask be made without killing him?
"Killing people?"
Lynn smiled.
There was a hint of pity in that smile, as if looking at an ignorant child.
"Why kill people?"
"Can't masks be made without the faces of the dead?"
"It seems your House of Black and White still has more to learn."
Jaqen was completely stunned.
To be able to create perfect human skin masks without killing people?
This... this was beyond his comprehension.
Could it really be done?
Lynn's meaning wasn't fake!
This was no longer a skill, but a miracle!
It was a power that only a true god could possess!
He looked at Lynn, at his eyes that seemed to see through everything.
An absurd and terrifying thought grew wildly in his heart.
The God of Many Faces... could it be that this man in front of him was the true... God?
How else could it be explained?
No, it was also possible that he was mistaken.
There were many different methods in this world, and it was not impossible that Lynn used some unconventional means.
But none of that mattered anymore.
Jaqen held the mask.
"Why are you helping me?"
Lynn smiled.
"You want to collect the debt and Tywin's bounty."
"I want to ruin the reputations of both Stannis and Renly."
"But all of this depends on the unfortunate Robert."
"To some extent, your goals and mine are similar."
"Helping you is helping myself."
Jaqen nodded thoughtfully.
"Alright, I'm too lazy to say any more useless nonsense."
"I already understand your intentions. You're not in a position to negotiate any terms with me now."
Lynn's voice, like a final judgment, softly echoed in Jaqen's ears.
"You can choose to do this thing for me well."
"Then, you can happily go to the Iron Islands to assassinate Balon."
"I have no intention of making enemies with the House of Black and White; not only do we not interfere with each other, but we can even become good friends, and I will become your potential client."
"Of course, you can also choose to refuse."
"However, if you do, the consequences will be severe."
"I will cut off your head, which will be the insignificant price you pay for constantly coveting my dragon."
"You choose."
"A friendly reminder, I'm in a pretty good mood right now, so please don't annoy me."
"If I'm not happy, you won't be happy either, thank you."
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