Ground Stars / 地上星 · Ch.45 第45章 商业道德 X 寿命果实-1
第45章 商业道德 X 寿命果实–1
Chapter Forty-Five: Business Morality × Longevity Fruit – 1
行人三三两两。
Passengers wandered in sparse twos and threes.
昏暗的街道下，穿著呢绒长衣的男人将一张名片揣进衣服内兜。
Beneath the dim streetlights, a man in a woolen overcoat tucked a business card into the inner pocket of his clothes.
他看了眼天上的那轮永恒不变的圆月后，压了压帽子埋头顺著石板街道穿梭在各式各样的行人之间，回到自己的旅店房间。
He glanced at the eternal, unchanging full moon in the sky, then pressed down on his hat, retracing his steps through the stone-paved alleyways, weaving among all kinds of pedestrians, back to his inn room.
铺满实木地板的房间并不大，它的装潢比较复古，充满乡村风格。
The room, with its solid wood flooring, was not large; its decor was quite vintage, infused with a rustic charm.
床头位置摆著个长著翅膀的小雕像，他关上门后，先是从玻璃瓶中倒出小半杯柠檬水一饮而尽，略作歇息后，从贴身的小包里拿出本书籍。
Beside the bed sat a small winged figurine. After closing the door, he poured a small glass of lemonade from a glass bottle and downed it in one go. Resting briefly, he then took a book from his inner bag.
书中记载著许多格斗动作，以及身体内部的某些能量的运转线路，就像是本内外功法都有的武功秘笈。
The book recorded many fighting moves, as well as the flow routes for certain energies within the body—like a martial arts manual encompassing both external and internal techniques.
他身旁的单间卧室门嘎吱声打开。
The single-bedroom door beside him creaked open.
头上顶著毛躁卷发的灰白肤色少年伸出脑袋，他的眼眶下陷，皮肤比较干燥，穿著蓝色条纹的睡衣。
A young man with a dry, grayish-white complexion and a shock of frizzy, curly hair poked his head out, his eyes sunken and skin parched, dressed in blue-striped pajamas.
「莫里，你怎么这么快就回来了，难道是找到新队伍了？」
“Morris, why are you back so soon? Did you find a new team?”
「是之前的副队长联系我解除频晶的兑换资格，他将我的所有贡献换成了这本书。」
“It was the former vice-captain who contacted me to cancel the crystal’s exchange eligibility. He converted all my contributions into this book.”
莫里气愤不已。
Morris was fuming with anger.
「呵，那该死的驼屁股，居然还跟我说这玩意儿是最珍贵的兑换物，抵我的贡献绰绰有余。 真是应了这地方的那句古话，人走茶凉，好歹还共事了几个月，连一件能用的武器都不换给我。」
“Hah, that damned hunchback actually told me this was the most precious exchange item, more than enough to cover my contributions. This really fits that old saying here: ‘When people leave, the tea gets cold.‘ After all those months of working together, he couldn’t even exchange a usable weapon for me.”
「书？ 秘技书籍吗。」
“Books? Secret technique manuals?”
他晃了晃封面，《烈焰剑道》。
He shook the cover, 《Blade Blaze Path》.
这个功法看上去很好，但对他们来说根本没什么作用。
This cultivation method looked good on the surface, but it was utterly useless for them.
因为如果练习则要很多年，自己根本没有那么久的时间来练习。
Because practicing it would take many years, and they simply didn’t have that much time to train.
「就是那个什么，山什么肖？」 波波利瞪著大眼睛问道。
“Is it that Shaw, no, X-Shaw something?” Popoli asked with wide eyes.
「他中文名是肖宇山。」
“His Chinese name is Shaw Yushan.”
莫里将书丢给了身旁那卷发少年，叹道：「你的能力要是能够使用就好了。」
Morris tossed the book to the curly-haired youth beside them and sighed, “If only your ability could make use of it.”
「我？ 嗯，呵。」
“Me? Hmph, heh.”
少年翻了翻书，他一想到自己的能力就内心哀叹。
The youth flipped through the book, dismay sinking deep in his heart the moment he thought of his own ability.
明明是一等一的能力，却毫无用武之处。
It was a first-rate ability, yet it had no place to shine.
要不是上次被自己城中的一位高手带入此地，以后恐怕连这座小镇都很难再来了。
If not for being brought to this place last time by a master from his own city, he might never step foot in this town again.
莫里转头看了眼床头柜上的小雕塑。
Morris turned his head and glanced at the small sculpture on the nightstand.
这东西还是当初肖宇山拉拢自己进队伍时，送给自己的，结果帮了半年忙，最终除了那本破书，就只有这东西算是最值钱的了。
This was back when Shaw Yushan had drawn him into the team, a gift he gave him. After half a year of helping, all he got that was remotely valuable was this tiny thing, apart from that worthless book.
「原来他一早就把雕像当费用付给了我，这毫无信用的混蛋。」
“So he had already paid me with the statue, that faithless bastard.”
感受了下胸前Moexl里的光点，当自己的合租室友重新关门开始睡大觉后，莫里脱下外套，走至床头柜前单膝下跪双掌合拢。
Feeling the light spots in the Moxel under his chest, after his roommate closed the door and started sleeping, Morris took off his coat, walked to the bedside table, knelt on one knee, and brought his palms together.
胸前的Moexl亮起道银白微光，其中一个如针尖般的小光点闪烁，莫里低声开口。
The Moxel on his chest glowed with a faint silver light, and one light spot, as tiny as a needle tip, flickered as Morris spoke in a low voice.
「请血脉雕像聆听我的声音，回应我的愿望请求。」
“I humbly plea to the Bloodline Statue, hear my voice and answer my heartfelt wish.”
[心愿护符已使用。]
[Heart-Wish Charm used.]
前方的小雕像被这光芒照耀到后，它胸口也亮起了类似的微弱小光点。
After the small statue ahead was illuminated by this radiance, a similarly faint light spot flickered on its chest.
[请说出我的愿望。]
[Please state my wish.]
自己目前的迫切愿望有两个，虽然决定早就做出了，但此刻莫里还是稍微踌躇了下后，才继续道。
He currently had two pressing wishes. Though the decision had been made, Morris hesitated for a moment before continuing.
「我想获得能够快速学会书上这套秘技的可能。」
“I seek the ability to quickly learn the secret technique recorded in this book.”
刚说完这句话，他就感觉自己的意识脱离身躯拔高，整个一卧一厅的房间都映现在自己脑海之中。
The moment he said this, he felt his consciousness lift from his body, soaring, so that the entire one-bedroom apartment unfolded clearly in his mind.
明明与自己隔著堵墙的波波利身影出现半透明的轮廓直接出现在感应之中。
The figure of Bobali, who was distinctly separated from him by a wall, appeared with a translucent outline vividly in his perception.
「不不，尊贵的雕像先生，他的能力无法为我快速学会这套秘技，请您给我更快速的可能性。」
“No, no, honored Master Statue, his abilities cannot let me swiftly master the secret technique. Grant me a more instant possibility.”
[我即将获得某些秘闻，我应该信守不将之外传的承诺，如此我有很大几率获得解决此事件的契机。]
[I am about to acquire certain esoteric secrets, and I should keep my promise not to divulge them; by doing so, I have a high chance of obtaining the key to resolving this matter.]
「是，我保证不会外泄秘密。」
“Yes, I swear I won’t leak any secrets.”
他感觉雕像散发出朦胧辉光将自己笼罩。
He felt a hazy radiance emanating from the statue, enveloping him.
漫长的等待，当他以为自己失败之时，无数资讯流出现在心灵之间。
After a long wait, when he thought he had failed, countless streams of information surged between his heart and mind.
莫里的眼睛闪过几丝迷惑。
A flicker of bewilderment passed through Mori’s eyes.
「梦境？ 什么，完整邮徽的世界还能这样。」
“A dream? What—this has happened to the completion of the entire Postal Emblem World can go like this?”
他刚下意识惊呼，便觉得内心涌现一股力量死死将其犀薄的嘴皮封住，无法张开。
The moment he cried out in surprise, he felt a force surge within, tightly sealing his thin lips, rendering him unable to open them.
[异常提示：梦境之主当前所在区域处于时序扩散状态，当下的每分钟，在他所处之地都是十分钟。]
[Anomaly Alert: The current area of the Dream Lord is under the diffusion of Chronos; every minute in this location equals ten minutes for him.]
[心愿护符已消耗。]
[The Wish Charm has been consumed.]
Moexl里的光点彻底消失了，莫里呆愣了下后慌忙地撑起手臂起身。
The light dot in Moxel disappeared completely. After a dazed moment, Mori hastily propped himself up on his arm and stood.
他的脚崴了下，差点再次摔倒在地。
He stumbled on his foot, nearly falling to the ground again.
「天啊，波波利！ 快，快把咱们的所有时序换成你的能力球。」
“Oh my god, Boboli! Hurry! Swap all our Chronos for your ability spheres.”
「什么啊，我刚睡下。」
“What? I just lay down to sleep.”
「快起来！ 我就知道你的能力不应该如此被蒙尘，快，动起来！」
“Get up! I knew your ability shouldn’t remain buried like this. Quick, move it!”
莫里砰砰砸著门喊道。
Mori pounded on the door as he shouted.
……
二十四小时后，杨子藏感受著身上冒起的金辉虚影，增幅时序完全补充完毕了。
Twenty-four hours later, Yang Zicang felt the golden phantom light emanating from his body; his enhanced Chronos had been fully replenished.
为了稳妥起见，他们知道此刻才敢真正离开。
For the sake of caution, they only dared to truly leave now.
「你可以说再见了。」
“You can say your goodbyes now.”
杨子藏将余晨丢了出去。
Yang Zicang tossed Yu Chen out.
滚在枯叶上的余晨看著裂缝后方那双冷漠的眼神，喉咙中准备说出的求收留的话不敢吐出。
Rolling on the dead leaves, Yu Chen stared at the cold gaze behind the fissure, his throat choking in silence the words begging for shelter he had prepared to utter.
「我，我这就走。」
“I-I’ll be on my way now.”
他起身摇摇晃晃地往外走去，失去双臂的他平衡能力大减，但得益于这些时日在这个世界的体能锻炼，倒也不至于完全走不动路。
He stumbled to his feet and lurched outward, his loss of arms greatly reducing his balance, but thanks to the physical training he had endured in this world over the past few days, he was at least not completely unable to move.
「我还有心愿护符，我… 我还希望。」
“I still have my Wish Talisman, I… I still hold hope.”
他嘴唇干裂地走在树林中，自己对著自己道。
His lips cracked as he walked through the woods, muttering to himself.
此刻他最怕的就是遇到以前被自己坑过的人，还好，外面的天色已是一片漆黑。
At this moment, his greatest fear was encountering those he had once swindled; fortunately, the sky outside was pitch black.
洛滨拍了拍杨子藏的肩膀：
Luo Bin patted Yang Zicang on the shoulder:
「我知道你作这些决定的心情，刚开始是这样的，以后就会习惯了。」
“I know how you feel making these decisions. It’s like this in the beginning; you’ll get used to it later.”
「心情，倒也还好。」
“Feelings… I’m fine with it, I suppose.”
现在的自己已经没有什么令人惦记的了，外面一片寂静。
Himself now had little left to be concerned about; the silence outside was profound.
[总部有个人的能力是可以在投资后，获得对方大约一天时间的观察许可权。 你要是进行融资，做好被窥视整天的心里准备。]
[Someone at headquarters has the ability to obtain observation permissions for about a day after Invest. If you proceed with the fund raise, be mentally prepared to be spied on all day long.]
杨子藏心中微紧，离这么近洛宾还用心灵对话，可见他对总部那人的忌惮程度。
Yang Zicang’s heart tightened slightly. Even this close, Robin Lo still used telepathy, which showed just how wary he was of that person at headquarters.
无奈地耸耸肩，自己能有什么办法。
He helplessly shrugged his shoulders—what could he do about it?
三人回到之前隐蔽的驻地内，那群人骚动了下。
The trio returned to their previous hidden base, and the group stirred restlessly.
王迟剑眼神怪异的看向洛宾身后的青年。
Wang Chijian cast a peculiar glance at the young man behind Robin Lo.
说他怂吧，他独自一人干掉了李王那种狠角色。
Call him timid? He had single-handedly taken down a ruthless bastard like King Li.
说他厉害吧，别人两句嘴炮，他就把珍贵的百年级时序战器给丢出去了。
Call him formidable? Yet a few words of trash talk were enough to make him toss away a precious century-class Chronos War Device.
就这么怕联盟总部？
Was he that afraid of the Alliance headquarters?
「你的百年器目前已经换了几个主人了，你知道吗？」
“Do you know how many owners your Cent-Arms have had so far?”
他略带玩味笑容的看著对面坐下后，拆开零食袋子的杨子藏。
A sly, playful smile curled on his face as he watched Yang Zicang, who had sat down opposite and was tearing open a bag of snacks.
杨子藏将饼干迫不及待塞进嘴里。 这两天没有调味的烤肉吃得快吐了。
Yang Zicang eagerly stuffed a chip into his mouth. For the past two days, he’d nearly been sick of the unseasoned grilled meat.
「嗯，我大概晓得。 怎么样，完成你们那什么任务前，还要去B 级异度空间测下我的能力吗？」
“Mm, I have a rough idea. So before you guys finish whatever mission you’re on, do we still need to head into a B-grade EX-Space to test my abilities?”
「不必了！」
“We won’t be doing that!”
一个憋屈愤怒的身影走出，是这些人口中的王总王育安。
A figure emerged, seething with frustration and anger—the man they called General Manager, Warren Wang.
王总略带气愤地道：「以你能干掉李王的水平，我实在想不出还需要什么去B级异度空间那档子事儿。」
With a hint of indignation, General Manager Wang said, “Given you can take down King Li with your skill level, I honestly can’t imagine we’d need to mess around with a B-grade EX-Space matter.”
「对啊，你说你，早知道还不如把百年器卖给我们！」
“Right? Honestly, you would’ve been better off just selling us the Cent-Arms from the start!”
那把枪被神秘人抢走后，没多久神秘人就遇到众人的围攻，无奈之下，那人将时序战器丢下逃跑。
After that gun was snatched by a mysterious figure, they soon found themselves besieged by a crowd. With no other option, the person discarded the Chronos weapon and fled.
这两天武器已数易其主，好些人无视了总部的禁杀令，争夺中至少四五人毙命于同阵营之手，还有几人是被怪物阵营之人所暗算。
Over the past two days, the weapon had changed hands multiple times. Many ignored the headquarters’ kill ban, and in the chaos, at least four or five people died at the hands of their own camp, while others were ambushed by the monster faction.
现如今区域内已经很是混乱，有人想要逃走，有人想要进来。
By now, the area was in utter chaos—some wanted to escape, others sought to enter.
[我，伟大的四边形，接受到了中转链接。]
[I, the great Quad, have received the relay link.]
[因为时序流速的差异，心灵通讯链接失败。]
[Due to the difference in Chronos flow, the telepathic communication link has failed.]
就在这时，一道心念声响起。
Just then, a voice of thought echoed.
[我不会与第三方分享以下内容。]
[I will not share the following content with any third party.]
模糊的画面中，一个白肤男子半跪于地，以英语低声述说着他的愿望。杨子藏听着这人的声音，这家伙像是在对雕像许愿。
In the blurry image, a pale-skinned man knelt on one knee, speaking his wish in a low English murmur. Yang Zicang listened to this voice; the guy seemed to be making a wish before a statue.
还能这样？
Could it really be like this?
画面内的讯息快速出现在自己心中，并获得理解。
The information within the image swiftly surfaced in his mind, and he understood it.
[应选者莫里希望能够获得快速学会的技能。]
[ElectMorris wishes to acquire the skill of rapid learning.]
[你是否愿意进行此项帮助。]
[Are you willing to offer this assistance?]
[好！]
[Yes!]
大概理解了对方所需的杨子藏内心回应道。
Having roughly grasped what the other party needed, Yang Zicang responded inwardly.
他可没忘记自己总结出来的经验，要尽力争取更多议员的认同与青睐。
He hadn’t forgotten his self-summarized lesson: to strive for the recognition and favor of as many councilors as possible.
[再次进入念境时，应选者莫里将会同时进入你所在的世界。]
[Upon re-entering the Near Realm, ElectMorris will simultaneously enter the world you inhabit.]
[应选者莫里拥有获得技能的道具，并获得可以在念境世界运用的权限。]
[ElectMorris possesses items that grant skills and has obtained the authority to use them within the Dream Realm.]
「？？？」
「？？？」
他努力理解着这句话「应选者莫里…拥有…获得技能的道具？」
He struggled to comprehend the words—”ElectMorris… possesses… items that grant skills?”
杨子藏懵了，既然你都有这种玩意儿了，怎么还找上我的。
Yang Zicang was bewildered. Since you already have something like that, why come to me?
「喂，你这个家伙，有没有在听我说话啊，好歹我也是给你投资了几千年，让你有本钱打败李王的人啊！」
“Hey, you bastard! Are you even listening to me? At least I invested several thousand years in you, giving you the capital to defeat King Li!”
王育安气愤的过来拍了拍大木箱。
Warren Wang strode over furiously and slapped his hand on the wooden crate.
「你该不会在心灵跟哪个家伙在交流吧。」
“Don’t tell me you’re having some kind of mental exchange with some other guy.”
「啊，结束了，没有交流了。」杨子藏恍然道。
“Ah, it’s over. No exchange anymore.” Yang Zicang said, snapping out of his daze.
「你！」王育安深深的吸了口气。
“You!” Warren Wang took a deep breath.
这个可恶的东西，自己完全被人给无视了。
This infuriating creature—he was being completely ignored.