Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 104 One Pot
Viscount Firth sneered: "We are the true masters of Snow Peak. We have been operating here for over a hundred years, and we have the support of the people. The common people remember our kindness."

"As long as we get through this winter, as long as we raise our voices, everything will be back in our hands."

His gaze swept across the room, finally settling on the faces of several hesitant new nobles.

“What does a southern boy who got his title by luck know about governance? His barony… is smaller than my stable.”

Several people couldn't help but laugh, and one of them added insult to injury: "I heard that although he comes from a great clan, he's just a piece of trash who was thrown into the northern border."

"He's just lucky. He was born into a good family, gained military merit, and also got the title of prefect."

"But luck, well, it runs out sooner or later."

Viscount Firth waved his hand, his tone becoming more relaxed: "I believe that outwardly complying while inwardly resisting is the safest approach."

We'll just listen to whatever he says. As for whether we'll actually do it or not? There are plenty of reasons: disaster victims, war, freezing weather.

We are local nobles from the North, who dares to really hold us accountable? We've been intermarrying as Northern nobles for so many years, we're practically family now.

He dares to lay a finger on us; just wait and see how many people will turn against him.

All the nobles present nodded in agreement, indicating that this was indeed the case.

After the conclusion was reached, the laughter in the room quickly subsided, and the air was filled with a sense of smugness and arrogance.

"Come, let's drink to the future true masters of Xuefeng!"

They clinked glasses and laughed louder and louder, completely unaware that a strange chill was creeping in from outside.

Outside the manor, a group of figures lay in wait.

The woman leading the group wore a black feathered cloak, held a bow and arrow, and had an expression as calm as ice.

Baron Vera bowed and pointed to the brightly lit mansion in the distance, his voice trembling as he said, "That's it. Many Northern nobles are having a gathering tonight."

He tried to force a smile to please the cold-faced woman: "I'm just keeping my word, aren't I? Five? There are at least ten of them inside, each with a title. Are you satisfied?"

The woman glanced at him indifferently, said nothing, and simply waved her hand gently.

Several Snow Oath members darted out like ghosts.

Outside the manor, only a dozen or so knights were lounging around, drinking and dozing against the wall.

With a few "thuds," several arrows silently pierced through the throat.

Before the remaining people could react, they were strangled unconscious from behind.

"These few are still usable," the woman said softly. "Take them back; they can be used as offerings. Don't waste them."

Then, in the darkness of the night, dozens of dark figures suddenly leaped out and rushed into the banquet hall.

Someone had just raised their glass when they were knocked unconscious with a single slap.

Anyone who dared to draw their sword in resistance was killed on the spot, their blood splattering on the tablecloth and silverware.

"Enemy attack!!"

"Guards! Guards!!"

Screams erupted, and chaos ensued in the hall as the nobles fled in panic.

But they had already been numbed by alcohol and their vigilance had been relaxed, and for a time no one was able to organize an effective resistance.

Several daring individuals attempted to rush towards the door, but as soon as they opened it, they were met with a flurry of blows by the Snow Oath warriors.

"Leave them alive," the woman reminded again. "Take all those you can capture alive back with you."

She walked into the hall step by step, looking at the nobles struggling and wailing on the ground without a trace of pity in her eyes.

"These are the nobles of the Ironblood Empire? How ridiculous."

Baron Vera hid behind the leading woman, hunched over like a panting old dog, with an uncontrollable upward grin on his lips.

"Tsk tsk... You're in trouble now, it's all because you looked down on me." He looked at the nobles who were dragged out of the hall with terrified expressions, their hair disheveled, crying and begging for mercy, and some even with wet pants.

Vera couldn't help but lick her chapped lips, her eyes filled with lewd smugness.

He had already begun to imagine how he would rearrange the main house, take stock of the treasury, and arrange for a few concubines after returning to his fiefdom.

Until a cold voice said, "These people are not enough."

“…Huh?” Vera jolted violently, as if someone had poured a bucket of snow water over her head.

"What...what did you say?" His voice trembled, and his body involuntarily shrank back.

The woman in the lead slowly turned her head and glanced at him, her gaze like an icy blade, lightly slicing across Vera's neck.

“These people,” she said in a low, cold voice, “can’t save your life.”

The air suddenly solidified.

Vera felt her legs go weak and she collapsed to her knees with a thud, like an old dog whose neck had been grabbed.

"I...I...I can take you to other nobles! Really!" He scrambled to his feet and knelt before the woman, his voice trembling with tears. "I know, I even have a list!"

No one responded to him; the Snow Oath members simply watched the pathetic spectacle with cold smiles.

“For example…for example, that ‘prefect’!” He suddenly looked up, his voice rising as if he had found a lifeline, “Louis! Yes, that kid from the south!”
He's the newly appointed prefect, and all the nobles of Xuefeng Prefecture are going to pay him a visit. You can also go there and wait for him to come to you!

The woman narrowed her eyes slightly, seemingly finally showing some interest in what he was saying.

She took two steps closer and looked down at the man lying on the ground.

"……you sure?"

Vera kowtowed repeatedly until his head turned red: "I can lead the way! I know where he lives, and I can even pretend to visit him. I have land, and I have a reason to approach him!"

"Don't kill me...don't kill me..."

His face was covered in snot and tears, but he still couldn't suppress a twisted smile.

If I had another chance, I could sell to anyone...

…………

The first rays of morning sunlight streamed into the room through the red copper windows.

Louis sat up from the large but simple bed, rubbed his temples, his head still feeling a little heavy.

Last night was his first night in this fortress.

The house wasn't luxurious, but it was far from shabby either.

The floor is made of sanded oak planks, which feel warm and comfortable underfoot.

A row of low bookshelves stood against the wall, while ink and parchment imported from the south were on the table, and a silver-inlaid pen holder sat beside it.

In the center lay a huge animal skin carpet, from a giant winter bear, its fur grayish-white, soft and silent to the touch.

The fireplace was out, but the room was still warm.

The warmth rose slowly from the stone troughs in the floor and corners of the walls, driven by the hot spring water. Even the nobles of the capital city might not be able to enjoy such a winter blessing.

Compared to the lavish bedrooms adorned with gold and silver in the capital, Red Tide Fortress is less extravagant but more composed and considerate.

Louis narrowed his eyes and said softly, "It's pretty good."

But even in a different environment, the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning remains the same.

He yawned and casually tapped on the "Daily Intelligence System." A semi-transparent screen appeared before his eyes, with several lines of text rapidly flashing across it.

[Daily intelligence update complete]

(End of this chapter)