Lynn's consciousness sank through golden halos, then surged abruptly upward.
The surrounding air—no longer the North's sharpness mixed with pine needles and ice.
Instead—warm fragrance woven from expensive spices, wine, and women's heated skin.
He "saw" a pair of well-defined, meticulously maintained hands holding a ruby-encrusted golden goblet.
Inside—red liquid gently swaying.
"Jaime? I'm talking to you... stop spacing out, will you?"
A lazy, seductive voice sounded beside him, carrying coquettish complaint.
Lynn's "vision" slowly moved.
A breathtakingly beautiful face came into view.
Cersei Lannister.
The woman whose beauty crowned the Seven Kingdoms.
She wore only gossamer-thin silk nightgown, that waterfall of golden hair casually draped over her shoulders.
Several playful strands fell across the heart-stopping whiteness of her chest, rising and falling slightly with her breathing.
This was King's Landing. The Red Keep. Jaime Lannister's bedroom.
And he—Lynn.
Currently controlling Jaime's body.
Spirit at 25 points—this made the Skinchanger ability, though only beginner level, far more domineering than Lynn imagined.
He could not only share senses—he could even briefly control the body when mental defenses were most relaxed, creating this effect.
"Nothing, sister."
Lynn tried mimicking Jaime's tone, voice carrying Jaime's habitual casualness.
Lynn drained the wine in one gulp.
"Just wondering if those Northern fools are still shivering in the ice and snow."
Lynn set down the goblet, reaching out to pull Cersei into his embrace.
That smooth, tender skin texture transmitted clearly through the mental link to Lynn's consciousness.
Lynn's heart held no ripples. No guilt whatsoever.
Enemy anyway. Consider it... making friends.
He came here—not to steal fragrance—but more for intelligence.
Cersei nestled obediently in Lynn's arms, snow-white arms circling his neck, breath like orchids.
"Don't mention those barbarians."
"Just thinking about living under the same roof as that Stark makes me uncomfortable."
"He's like a stinking, stubborn rock. Head full of his ridiculous honor."
Cersei's tone—full of disdain.
"Though he's been quite docile lately."
Here it comes.
Lynn's spirit instantly focused.
"Docile?"
Lynn raised an eyebrow, one hand beginning to wander dishonestly beneath Cersei's nightgown hem.
"Isn't he investigating Jon Arryn's matter?"
"Investigating? Hmph."
Cersei released a derisive laugh, body trembling slightly from Lynn's movements.
"His so-called investigation—diving into shabby smithies and brothels every day, dealing with lowborn scum."
"Asking stupid questions nobody understands."
"Robert that fool made him Hand, and he treats the Small Council like decoration, disappearing all day."
"Baelish and the others practically treat this Northern bumpkin as a joke."
Cersei's face showed triumphant satisfaction.
"Seems he's no match for us at all."
"Just a Northern pig who only knows brute force. Can't adapt to King's Landing's rules at all."
"We overestimated him before."
Lynn also laughed.
His hand had already explored deeper places, eliciting a series of suppressed coquettish protests from Cersei.
"So we can rest easy?"
"Of course."
Cersei's breathing quickened.
"When he finds nothing and Robert's completely disappointed, we can kick him out of King's Landing like garbage."
"Then the Hand's position will naturally return to Lannister hands."
"Father will be very pleased."
Lynn's breathing also grew heavy.
Very good, Ned.
You've done well.
You indeed followed my words, disguising yourself as the person they most want to see.
Stupid, incompetent Northern brute who ignores governance.
This completely put Lynn at ease.
As long as Cersei and company relaxed their vigilance, as long as Ned could buy enough time.
Then this King's Landing chess game—once he Lynn arrived—could proceed according to plan.
Intelligence obtained.
Lynn's consciousness prepared to slowly withdraw.
But seeing Cersei's exquisite face bearing pain, Lynn's heart stirred slightly.
Cersei—acknowledged beauty of the Seven Kingdoms.
Missing this would be a shame.
One freebie then.
Never leave empty-handed...
(Won't take responsibility for Cersei, rest assured)
A long while later.
However, just as Lynn's consciousness was about to depart—
An unconscious thought from Jaime—like lightning—flashed through Lynn's mind.
A sealed memory.
A young Jaime Lannister, not yet Kingsguard.
He stood in Casterly Rock's training yard, holding two identical longswords.
Opposite him—a man shaped like an iron tower, face stern.
Barristan Selmy. "Barristan the Bold." One of the Seven Kingdoms' strongest knights.
"Your right hand relies too much on strength, Jaime."
Barristan's voice—steady as mountains.
"Swordsmanship's true essence lies in balance and coordination."
"Try your left hand."
Young Jaime clumsily wielded the longsword with his left hand, repeatedly parried easily by Barristan.
Sweat soaked his golden hair, but those green eyes burned with unyielding fire.
"Again!"
"Dual wielding?!"
Lynn's consciousness jolted awake from that memory.
He discovered—he could actually glimpse combat techniques buried deep in Jaime's subconscious!
What... what is this?
Greensight—can only see past events.
Skinchanger—can only share present senses.
But now—these two abilities, under his terrifying 25 Spirit, seemed to produce wondrous chemical reaction!
He could not only "enter" someone's present.
He could even follow their consciousness back to their past!
Glimpse their deepest memories! Learn their most exquisite skills!
A crazy idea exploded in Lynn's mind.
What if... what if he used this method to "see" young Arthur Dayne?
To "see" how that legendary "Sword of the Morning" practiced his unparalleled swordsmanship?
What if he could "see" how Rhaegar Targaryen played the harp, making Lyanna Stark weep?
What if he could "see" how ancient, long-lost magic was cast?
Lynn felt his blood burning!
This isn't simple voyeurism. Not mere intelligence theft.
This is CHEATING!
Directly accessing Westeros continent's entire top-tier skill library!
Anyone's lifetime learning!
Any family's untransmitted secrets!
As long as Lynn wants.
As long as his Spirit is strong enough.
He can "claim it as his own"!
Indescribable ecstasy swept through Lynn's entire body, almost making him laugh aloud.
He forcibly suppressed inner excitement, slowly withdrawing from Jaime's consciousness.
"What's wrong, darling?"
Cersei felt Jaime's body stiffen, asking puzzledly.
"Nothing."
Jaime came to his senses, face showing confusion.
"Just now... seemed to space out."
He shook his head, tossing this strange feeling aside, focusing attention on the tempting body before him.
Castle Black. Aemon's room.
Lynn's eyes snapped open.
He gasped heavily, forehead covered in cold sweat.
The thousand-mile mental journey consumed him enormously.
But those eyes burned with unprecedented brilliance.
"My lord, are you alright?"
Torren's voice came from outside the door, carrying worry.
Lynn stood, walked to the door, pulled it open.
"I'm fine."
His voice—full of vigor.
"Pass my order. Pack supplies."
"We depart immediately. Return to Winterfell."
He'd visit Bran.
His promise to Jon.
The journey wouldn't be idle either.
He could verify his new ability's first attempt.
He'd go see that legendary "Sword of the Morning"—Arthur Dayne.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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