Ground Stars / 地上星 · Ch.73 第73章 失频之地与奇怪引擎 -1
第73章 失频之地与奇怪引擎 –1
Chapter 73: The Shibin Wastes and the Strange Engine – 1
宽广大厅，沈寂的夜晚也不乏有条条身影在木质地板上走动。
In the vast hall, the stillness of the night was not without figures pacing across the wooden floor.
壹阵骚动从正前方传来，吸引了周围人的目光。
A commotion from the front drew the gazes of those nearby.
他们擡头看去，只见那古老又巨大的突屏阴极射线管显示器上，壹个陌生的城市符号如同坐火箭般突然窜了上来，与另壹座城并排出现。
They looked up and saw, on the ancient and massive cathode-ray tube display, an unfamiliar city symbol shooting up like a rocket, appearing alongside another city.
「那座城市的排名怎么突然跳了十八位？」
“How did that city’s ranking suddenly jump eighteen spots?”
正注意著其它几个小些屏幕画面的人也被那边所吸引，起身过去。
Others focusing on several smaller screens were also drawn by the disturbance and rose to approach.
大屏幕下方如同银行柜台般的横台内，壹人推醒了正在伏案熟睡的值班人员：「快查查，41号城发生了什么。」
Inside the horizontal counter resembling a bank teller’s station beneath the large screen, someone shook awake the duty officer dozing on the desk: “Check it out quickly—what’s happening in City 41?”
「哦噢。」
“Oh, right.”
「41号？欸，它壹下排到23名了。」
“City 41? Hey, it just shot up to 23rd place.”
正在人群喧闹时，壹道身穿红色斜格子西装的男人从二楼包厢出来，他双手撑在木横栏上，注视著屏幕上变动的那个城市代码。
As the crowd buzzed, a man in a red windowpane suit emerged from a second-floor booth. He braced both hands on the wooden railing, his gaze fixed on the shifting city code on the screen.
这人身旁出现道身穿黑色长衫，带著圆帽子的八字胡男人。
Beside him appeared a man in a black long gown, wearing a round hat and sporting a handlebar mustache.
「逐银，据说几小时前，下面那座城市出现了抵御者，提升这么快难道是抵御者被消灭了？」
“Ju Yin Chase, word is that a few hours ago, a Defier appeared in the city below. Leveling up this fast—could it be that the Defier was eliminated?”
「排名暂时提升而已，能不能稳定得看年末。」
“It’s just a temporary ranking boost. Whether it can hold depends on the end of the year.”
逐银敲敲指头，将脸转向另壹边，由二楼至下透过大厅旁小房间的窗口，缓声道：
Ju Yin Chase tapped his fingers, turned his face to the other side, and spoke slowly from the second floor down through the small room’s window beside the hall:
「镇内的有些物品有点缺货了，夏天壹过就要准备过冬的煤矿以及储粮，去年给我们供货的筑货队已经失联半年了。」
“Some supplies in the town are running low. Once summer ends, we need to prepare coal and stored grain for winter. The Construction Crew that supplied us last year has lost contact for half a year.”
顶著黑圆帽的八字胡点燃根烟。
The man in the black round hat with a handlebar mustache lit a cigarette.
「估计已经覆灭了吧。」
“They’ve probably been wiped out by now.”
他突然冲逐银笑道，「醉翁之意不在酒，妳真正想找的壹个完成那种引擎的人吧。这事只能慢慢等。」
He suddenly smiled at Ju Yin Chase, saying, “You’re not here for the wine—what you really want is someone who can complete that engine. This can only be waited on slowly.”
「是啊。但还要等多久？」
“Yeah. But how much longer do we have to wait?”
「其实有个人倒是很符合条件，他就在这座四十壹号城内。可惜啊，他却是怪物的人。说不定在另壹座枢纽镇，那里的人已经快获得了那种失念引擎了吧。」
“Actually, there is someone who fits the bill. He’s right here in City Forty-one. Unfortunately, he belongs to those monsters. Maybe in another Hubville, people there are close to obtaining that Shin Engine.”
「妳是说那个老是偷度进来的马超吧，的确是合适的人，可惜我们的手册没法给他用，而且那事没那么容易，他也不是那么容易合作的。」
“You mean Matt Chao, that sneak who keeps slipping in? He’s indeed the right man. Too bad our handbook can’t be used by him, and that matter isn’t so easy—he’s not that easy to cooperate with either.”
正说著，壹穿著黑绒外套的人噔噔跑上楼，手上捏著份文件递给了红西装的逐银。
As they spoke, someone in a black velvet coat came clattering up the stairs, holding a document that they handed to the red-suited Ju Yin Chase.
「恶魇列车的拥有者换人了？代号新马超和小马超？竟然就是他干掉了抵御者，噢，是这样啊，疑似召唤名片。」
“Has the owner of the Nightmare Train changed? Codename New Matt Chao and Little Matt Chao? He actually took out the Defier. Oh, I see—if it’s him, he could be something like a Summoning Card.”
「召唤名片？」
“A Summoning Card?”
八字胡闻言将头伸了过来：
At these words, the mustachioed man leaned in:
「耶诶！新马超是我们的人了？喂，如果是他，不就是妳壹直想的那种人吗！快找那座城的人联系他。」
“Yeah! New Matt Chao is one of ours? Hey, if that’s him, isn’t he exactly the kind of guy you’ve always been looking for?! Hurry up and contact him through someone in that city.”
「谢天谢地，他没有通过名片离开这个世界。」
“Thank heavens he didn’t leave this world via the Calling Card.”
逐银正要往楼下跑去，他胸前的Moexl隐隐浮现。
Ju Yin Chase was about to rush downstairs when the Moxel on his chest faintly flickered to life.
[镇长告知我，有偷渡者即将到达。]
[The mayor told me that stowaways are about to arrive.]
「偷渡者？这个时候…」
“Stowaways? At this hour…”
逐银擡头望向了大厅外的夜色，露出喜色。
Ju Yin Chase lifted his head to gaze at the night beyond the lobby, a flicker of delight spreading across his face.
……
于此同时，这座枢纽镇的另壹端，寂静的岩石房屋内。
At the same time, at the far end of this Hubville, inside a silent stone house.
窗外路灯昏黄的光线透过毛玻璃，将笼罩碎石路的黑暗驱散出几米空间。站在窗前的叼著木烟嘴的安斯瞧了眼墙上的挂钟，还有不到十几分钟天色就要明亮起来了。
Dim yellow light from the streetlamp outside filtered through the frosted glass, carving back the darkness that shrouded the gravel path by just a few meters. Standing by the window, a wooden pipe clamped between his teeth, Ans glanced at the clock on the wall—less than a dozen minutes remained until the sky would grow light.
那家伙不会出现的吧，他想到。
The guy won’t show up, he thought to himself.
「兄弟们，今晚算是平安度过了。」
“Brothers, we’ve made it through tonight safe and sound.”
五官立体的他打著了火将烟嘴点燃。
With his chiseled, three-dimensional features, he struck a match to light the wooden cigarette holder.
「那该死的马超，娘的。明天我就回去。」
“That damn Matt Chao, damn it. I’m going back tomorrow.”
「唉呀欸，早知道不贪那点时序了，偷度者可不在和平规则束缚之内。」
“Ah, damn it, if I’d known better, I wouldn’t have coveted that bit of Chronos. A Stowaway isn’t bound by the rules of peace anyway.”
刚说完，他们觉得气氛有些不对。
No sooner had he spoken than they felt something was off in the atmosphere.
几人擡头看去，只见站在窗前对著自己的那道身影竟然站著就睡著了。
Several of them looked up and saw that the figure standing by the window, facing away from them, had actually fallen asleep while standing.
空气在他背后扭动，似有远方的存在即将到来！
The air behind him twisted, as if some distant presence was about to arrive!
「新马超来了！」
“The new Matt Chao is coming!”
壹人惊恐地从复古造型的木椅子上跳了起来：「安斯，快醒醒！」
One man jumped up in terror from his vintage wooden chair, shouting, “Ans, wake up, quick!”
几人乱成壹团，他们又不敢分散离去，那要是突然睡著就死定了。
They fell into a chaotic mess, yet none dared to scatter and leave, for falling asleep instantly would spell their doom.
「希望这里的保护可以抵御念力攻击，这镇子应该没问题吧。」壹人带哭腔道。
“I hope the protection here can withstand a psychic attack. This town should be fine, right?” one man said, his voice trembling with tears.
他明明知道偷度者可以攻击到镇子里的人，却依旧心存幻想。
He knew full well that a Stowaway could attack people even within the town’s limits, yet he still clung to false hope.
「天啊，我现在就要回去城市！」
“Oh god, I need to go back to the city right now!”
慌了两分钟后，他们发现窗前的安斯已经醒了过来，背后的气流恢复平静。
After two minutes of panic, they noticed Ans standing by the window had woken, the airflow behind him now calm and still.
「唔，我打了个盹儿？」
“Ah, I dozed off a bit?”
几人动作僵硬地看了他壹眼。
The others shot him a stiff glance.
……
「莫里哥，你真的能说服这样一个人，加入你的队伍吗？」
“Brother Morris, can you really convince someone like that to join your team?”
「不是我们的队伍吗？」莫里回神般看向这个将脑袋抓成鸡窝的男孩。
“Our team, you mean?” Morris snapped back to reality, looking at the boy whose hair had become a messy chicken coop.
「啊，是，合租房客也是可以组队的。」
“Ah, yes, even housemates sharing a rental can form a party.”
「先别说你那些游戏杂志上的名词了。」莫里手撑着桌子站起身来，看向旁边桌子上的一些书，因为这里亚洲人很多，所以这边的语言和文化等书籍，甚至是个人档案，都是一种交易品。
“Hold on with those terms from your gaming magazines.” Morris propped himself up on the table with his hands and glanced at the books piled on the nearby desk. Since there were many Asians in this area, books on languages and culture, and even personal files, had become trade goods.
有时为了方便，这对租客，两人都共用一个可以额外储存五千时序的小雕像。
For convenience, the two roommates sometimes shared a single small statue that could store an extra five thousand Chronos.
「唔，在那个世界，我们一起待了上千年，虽然醒来后宛如一场梦，不过我有信心这个人是值得信任的队友。」
“Well, in that world, we spent over a thousand years together. Though waking up feels like a dream, I have confidence that this person is a trustworthy teammate.”
莫里转过头看向身边这个先前看上去除了当苦力学习机，就没多少能力，但现在已经不可或缺的家伙。
Morris turned his head to look at the guy beside him—the one who earlier seemed like nothing more than a grunt work-study machine, but now had become indispensable.
「而且我在那里时，已经给他提过相关的事宜，虽然没有明确邀请，但从态度上将他并不抵触。」
“And while we were there, I’d already brought up the relevant matters. I didn’t extend a formal invitation, but based on his attitude, he wouldn’t be opposed.”
看着波波利拿手指头拨了下腮下，莫里想到，只要有杨子藏这样实力强横的队员，以后便能再次获得完整邮徽，加上自己的时序调转储存能力，还有波波利这家伙的天生Moexl能力。
Watching Popoli scratch under his chin with his finger, Morris thought: as long as he has a powerful teammate like Yang Zicang, they could secure a full mail voucher again. Combined with his own Chronos inversion storage ability and Popoli’s innate Moxel talent…
那么此三人的组合，甚至比一整只十来人的A级队伍来得要具备价值。
Then the trio’s combined value would far exceed even an entire Grade-A squad of over a dozen members.
「唔，在那个世界，我们一起待了上千年，虽然醒来后宛如一场梦，不过我有信心这个人是值得信任的队友。」
“Well, in that world, we spent over a thousand years together. Though waking up feels like a dream, I have confidence that this person is a trustworthy teammate.”
莫里鼓气式的对自己说道。
Morris said to himself in an effort to bolster his courage.
在那里面的时候，自己可完全没有想过今夜的这种阵仗，面对一个城市的动荡，还有那无可匹敌的威力。
When he was in that place, he had never imagined a scenario like tonight—facing the upheaval of an entire city and an overwhelming, unmatched force.
那个跟自己在原始人社会里游走了千年的青年小伙子，居然能够坦然的面对，游刃有余。
That young man, who had traveled with him through a primitive society for thousands of years, was able to face it all calmly and with ease.
波波利看着莫里跑进他的那间房间里去，在门外喊道，「我需要准备一些什么吗？」
Boboli watched Morris run into his room and called out from outside the door, “Do I need to prepare anything?”
「不用了，我都想好了。」
“No need, I’ve already thought it all through.”
……
列车悬停在这排高地错落的岩石房屋街道外。
The train hovered outside this row of streets lined with rock houses perched on the highlands.
因为停下时的速度不快，到没吸引太多人的注意力，毕竟凌晨的街道也没几人。
Since the train had slowed down before stopping, it didn’t attract much attention—after all, there were few people on the streets in the early hours.
莫里已经提前来到了这里，在他身边跟著两位医生和壹辆四轮车。它就像是最古老的轿车，拥有敞开如马车般的座椅，后方两个轮子是前面的两倍大。
Morris had already arrived ahead of time, accompanied by two doctors and a four-wheeled cart. It resembled the oldest sedan chairs, with open carriage-like seats, and the rear wheels were twice the size of the front ones.
这竟然不是恶魇化现的车子。
Surprisingly, this was not a conjured vehicle from a nightmare.
列车壹打开门，抱著少女的男人就迫不及待地跳下车。
As soon as the train’s door opened, the man carrying the young woman eagerly jumped out.
「辛苦了，我的时间不多，能尽快吗？」
“I appreciate your hard work, but I have little time. Can we do this as quickly as possible?”
[我感受到了不受欢迎的注视。]
[I feel an unwelcome gaze upon me.]
[这座城的主人示意我在壹小时内离开。]
[The master of this city signals for me to leave within an hour.]
壹层能量迅速弥漫覆盖身体。
A layer of energy swiftly spread and enveloped his body.
莫里身旁两名穿著得体的大夫走了上来。
The two well-dressed doctors beside Morris stepped forward.
「就是这位小姐？」
“This young lady?”
「嗯，伤得并不严重，不过需要动个小手术，大约四十分钟就能搞定，到时候她会跟普通人壹样健康。」
“Mm, her injuries aren’t severe, but a minor surgery is needed—about forty minutes can do the trick, and she’ll be as healthy as an average person afterward.”
「真是神医。」杨子藏松口气的夸赞道。
“Truly a miracle doctor.” Yang Zicang breathed a sigh of relief, praising.
「嚯嚯，先生，我们可都是正经通过绯月级交错地来到这里的人，作为地球上的医师，获得相配合的Moexl加成后，说是神医真的不过分。放心吧，她会活蹦乱跳出现的。」
“Ho ho, sir, we’ve all legitimately come here through Crimson Moon-level intersections. As doctors from Earth, with a dose of compatible Moxel enhancement, calling us miracle arts isn’t too far off. Rest assured, she’ll pop up sprightly and sound.”
看著他们离去，莫里道：
Watching them leave, Morris said:
「子藏先生，咱们又见面了，没想到这么快。」
“Mr. ZiCang, we meet again—didn’t expect it to be this soon.”
「我也没想到，原本还以为要稳定A级交错地才行，对了波波利呢。」
“I didn’t expect it either. I thought I’d have to stabilize an A-level intersection first. By the way, where’s Popoly?”
「那家伙这会在躲人，妳不知道他现在的身价。」
“Ani’s dodging people right now. You don’t even know the bounty on their head.”
杨子藏能想象那画面。
Yang Zicang could imagine the scene.
「哈哈，不会有危险吧。」
“Haha, no danger there?”
「对于正常进入这里的人来说没有危险，这里不允许互相进行时序攻击。不过妳要小心，可能会遭受攻击，妳算是偷渡者。」
“Not for those entering here legitimately—for them, danger’s not an issue. Chronos attacks are forbidden on each other. But you need to watch out; you might get targeted. You’re a stowaway, after all.”
杨子藏略壹感受便获知了是怎么回事。
Yang Zicang focused briefly, then sensed how it all worked.
正常情况下，镇子里的人无法进行时序上的攻击。不过因为是偷渡，所以此刻自己并不受城镇保护。
Normally, the townsfolk can’t launch Chronos-based attacks. But since he was a stowaway, he wasn’t protected by the town’s defenses at this moment.
「代练契约赚了多少？」杨子藏小声地问。
“Getting into a leveling contract—how much did you pocket?” Yang Zicang whispered, lowering his voice.
「卖了五本，妳猜咱们赚了多少…」不等杨子藏真去猜，这男人就兴奋的举起两根手指，又比划了下四。
“We sold five copies — take a guess how much we made…” Before Yang Zicang could really make a guess, the man excitedly raised two fingers, then gestured with a four.
「整整二十四万五的时序！」
“A whole twenty-four thousand five hundred in Chronos!”
「我的天。」杨子藏也不禁念刀了句，这可是笔天大横财。
“My God.” Yang Zicang couldn’t help but mutter; this was a windfall of a fortune.
莫里目光闪动著精光：
Morris’s eyes sparkled with a sharp gleam.
「子藏先生，我们组成只队伍吧，就像上次说的那样。有我的能力，加上妳的战斗力，咱们能轻松在这里活上壹万年。咱们已经经过战斗的磨合了不是吗！而且我也有秘技了。」
“Mr. ZiCang, let’s form a team together, just like we discussed last time. With my abilities combined with your combat prowess, we can easily survive here for ten thousand years. We’ve already been tempered through battle, haven’t we? And I’ve also got my secret techniques now.”
他露出了手上的雕像。
He revealed the statue in his hand.
「我相信，这座城市存在不了几百年。」杨子藏笑呵呵的随口道，「不过，队伍我们的确可以共同成立。」
“I believe this city won’t last more than a few centuries,” Yang Zicang said with a casual chuckle. “But as for a team, we can certainly establish one together.”
「那真是太好了！」
“That’s wonderful!”
这壹次跟雄英组的战斗，杨子藏更加理解了王总那样的人存在。
After the battle with the Xiongying group, Yang Zicang gained a deeper understanding of the existence of people like Boss Wang.
多人的共同投资，精准的时序控制，以及优秀的战士，最基础也最牢靠的队伍模版。
A team formed by multiple individuals, utilizing precise Chronos control, complemented by exceptional warriors—this is the most fundamental and reliable template.
但…王总虽有十几人的成员，却无法跟眼前人相比。
But… although Boss Wang had over a dozen members, he could not compare with the man before him.
他只需要几枚硬币，或是壹叠钞票，就已经强过了众多融资型队伍为存时序而养活的大帮子人。
He needed only a few coins or a stack of bills, which already surpassed the large groups raised by numerous fund-raising teams just to hoard Chronos.
眼前这人的每张钞票，都能储存9999N的时序!
Each of this man’s banknotes could store 9999N of Chronos!
之前他很少往这方面想，因为他根本不知道时序有上限这回事。
Previously, he rarely gave this any thought, simply because he had no idea there was any such thing as a Chronos limit.
「我有个问题，当然这不是必须回答的，我只是好奇而已。」杨子藏道。
“I have a question—not that you have to answer it, I’m just curious,” Yang Zicang said.
「什么？」
“What is it?”
「既然妳的钱币时序最多固定为九千九百九十九，那么妳能用来储存时序的钱币数量是多少呢？」
“Since your Chronos per coin is fixed at a maximum of 9,999, how many coins do you actually have to store your Chronos in?”
「喔，妳说的是我能力的格位？嗯，托妳的福，我的格位已第四次解锁，到达千位了。」
“Oh, you mean the slots of my ability? Well, thanks to you, my slots have been unlocked for the fourth time, reaching a thousand.”
站在路灯下的男人整个凹进鼻梁的眼睛都在笑。
The man standing under the streetlamp had eyes so deeply sunken that his whole face seemed to laugh with them.
格位，千位！
A thousand slots!
杨子藏深吸了口气，这家伙的Moexl天生就是开时序银行的料。
Yang Zicang took a deep breath—this guy’s Moxel was practically born to run a Chronos bank.
9999格，每壹格可储存9999N！
9,999 slots, each capable of storing 9,999 N!
据他所知，哪怕是在这枢纽镇内，也没多少人舍得花那么多时序来解锁千位格位。那要花费九千九百九十九年时序，这还不算百位与十位。
As far as he knew, even here in Hubville, not many people were willing to spend that much Chronos to unlock a thousand slots. That would cost 9,999 years of Chronos, and that’s not even counting the hundreds and tens unlocked before that.
「厉害啊。」
“Damn impressive.”
真不知道他之前的队长脑子是怎么长的，竟然会将这样的人才在稳定A级区域后就抛弃出队伍。
He really had no clue what the guy’s former captain had been thinking, to abandon such a talent from the team after reaching a stable A-level zone.
而莫里心中也紧张的想到：终于不会走到哪儿都被人嫌弃了。
Meanwhile, Morris’s heart was thumping nervously: *Finally, I won’t be despised wherever I go.*
虽然今夜他亦察觉到自己能力的真正强大之处，可明白这点的人其实并不多。
Though now he too had realized the true power of his ability, there were actually very few people who truly understood it.
但哪怕以后有人察觉到这点，想要邀请自己的话，莫里也会毫不犹豫选择与眼前这人成立队伍，只因「安心」。在这里，信任比黄金更珍贵。而杨子藏值得信任。
But even if others came to realize this in the future and sought to recruit him, Morris would still unhesitatingly choose to form a party with the person before him, solely for “peace of mind.” Here, trust is more precious than gold. And Yang Zicang is worthy of trust.
莫里擡起雕像看向杨子藏，对面青年笑著点点头。
Morris raised the statue to look at Yang Zicang, and the young man opposite smiled and nodded.
[莫里邀请我成为朴明集团壹员。]
[Morris has invited me to become a member of the Pu Ming Group.]
「朴明？」
“Pu Ming?”
「‘知其荣，守其辱，为天下谷。为天下谷，常德乃足，复归于朴。‘朴，是妳们文化中的好字。」
“‘Know glory, yet embrace disgrace, to become the valley of the world. Being the valley of the world, constant virtue suffices, and you return to the *pu*.‘ *Pu* is a fine word in your culture.”
杨子藏哑然。
Yang Zicang was momentarily struck speechless.
[我已与朴明集团产生共频。]
[I have resonated in frequency with the Pu Ming Group.]
见杨子藏入队，莫里心中欢喜无比。
Seeing Yang Zicang join the team, Morris delighted from the bottom of his heart.
……
聊了几句代练契约的售卖后，莫里建议有空三人碰头，梳理下契约书。杨子藏乐得对方愿意跟自己共享，当然是点头同意。
After discussing the sale of temporary proxy contracts for a while, Morris suggested that the three of them meet up to sort through the contract documents. Yang Zicang was more than happy that the other party was willing to share, so of course, he nodded in agreement.
天色渐渐明亮，杨子藏背后的列车身影变得虚无。
The sky gradually grew bright, and the train behind Yang Zicang faded into nothingness.
｛我的时间到了，需要我出现请在夜间十壹点以后找我。｝
{My time is up. If you need me, find me after 11 p.m.}
杨子藏转头看向它：「妳知道被这儿驱离后是什么样的地方吗？」
Yang Zicang turned to look at it: “Do you know what kind of place it will be after being expelled from here?”
｛荒芜的遗弃之地，马超是那里的常客，妳过去后原地待到晚上就行了。｝
{A desolate, forsaken land. Matt Chao is a regular there. Just stay put in that place until evening, and you’ll be fine.}
听到这话，杨子藏终于彻底放心。
Upon hearing this, Yang Zicang finally felt completely at ease.
｛噢，今天妳可以提取座站台，需要吗？下次是三天后。｝
{Oh, today you can withdraw the platform station. Need it? The next one is three days later.}
列车周围浮现出站台的模样，对于城镇来说就像是个突然出现的，格格不入的海市蜃楼。
The outline of the platform station emerged around the train, like a sudden, incongruous mirage hovering over the town.
「那就提取吧。」
“Then withdraw it.”
当列车离去后，站台依旧在原地。
After the train departed, the platform remained still in its place.
杨子藏手上四边形闪动著将它框选围住，站台如同被拆的毛衣般迅速随著光线折回而逐渐进入Moexl。
Yang Zicang’s Quad flickered and enclosed it within a selection frame. Like a knitted sweater being unraveled, the platform swiftly retracted along with the beams of light, gradually folding into the Moxel.
……
随著早起的行人渐渐增多，到处都是石头房子的镇子空气中，开始弥漫出阵阵烟火饭香。
As more early risers gradually gathered, the air of the town, dotted with stone houses, began to waft with the aroma of cooking smoke and food.
两名陌生人手里拎著两份食物和水过来。激动的表示了番总部给予的好意与他们本身的倾佩，总部在这边的人并不多，这镇子有好几条街道，能找到自己估计花了不少功夫。
Two strangers, carrying two portions of food and water in their hands, approached with excitement, expressing their appreciation for the generosity from HQ as well as their personal admiration. The headquarters didn’t have many people stationed here, and this town had several streets—it must have taken them quite some effort to track him down.
「我好崇拜妳，能给我签个名吗！」
“I’m such a huge fan of you—could I please have your autograph?!”
「签名就算了吧。」
“Let’s skip the autograph.”
两人虽激动，但也很有分寸，杨子藏跟他们客套几句后两人便告辞离去，他们主要就是为了给自己送这份吃穿用具。
Though excited, the two kept their composure. After Yang Zicang exchanged a few pleasantries with them, they took their leave. Their main purpose was simply to deliver these supplies—food and clothing.
[此地主人告知我，停留时间还剩十分钟。]
[The host here informed me that only ten minutes of stay remain.]
沐小雨还不见来。杨子藏内心有点焦急，要是做手术壹半被驱离就糟糕了。
Mu Xiaoyu still hadn’t shown up. Yang Zicang felt a twinge of anxiety; it would be terrible if she got forcefully evicted midway through the surgery.
「还没结束吗？」
“Not done yet?”
「子藏！」
“ZiCang!”
披著毯子的少女见到街边那道身影，眼眶里不由自主滚动起委屈的泪水，从车上快步跑了下来。
The girl draped in a blanket spotted the figure by the street, tears of grievance welling up uncontrollably in her eyes as she hurriedly ran down from the vehicle.
「气色都变好很多了。」
“Your complexion looks much better now.”
少女过来抱住了杨子藏，抽泣道：「我以为我会死。」
The girl rushed over to hug Yang Zicang, sobbing, “I thought I was going to die.”
杨子藏壹时有点手足无措。
Yang Zicang momentarily felt at a loss, uncertain how to respond.
「贾偌靑医生，真是太谢谢了，还有这位史医生。」莫里道。
“Doctor Jia Ruoqing, thank you so much. And you too, Doctor Shi,” Morris said.
「不用客气，以后还有技能书记得优先考虑我们。」
“Don’t mention it. In the future, if you get any skill books, remember to prioritize us first.”
杨子藏注视著对方离开，这里的人都有种从容不迫的气质。
Yang Zicang watched them leave; everyone here carried an air of unruffled ease.
这两位就是波波利之前的客户之壹。作为医生的他们缺少攻击性的能力，而现在这位贾医生在获得代练契约书后，已经多了暗中的保命手段，可谓是能医人也能打人。
These two were among Boboli’s former clients. As doctors, they lacked offensive abilities, but now Doctor Jia, having obtained the Delegation Training Contract, had gained a covert means of self-defense—able to heal and fight with equal skill.
见他们离去，莫里冲杨子藏默默比了个八字。
Watching them depart, Morris silently flashed a figure-eight sign at Yang Zicang.
杨子藏了然，光他们就给予了八万年的额外寿命。八万对这种级别的医师来说，的确不算凑不出的时序数目。
Yang Zicang understood—just from them alone, they had granted an extra eighty thousand years of lifespan. For a physician of this level, eighty thousand was indeed not an unattainable sum of Chronos.
「我有种感觉，好像不能在这里停留了。」沐小雨从杨子藏胸膛上直起身，不好意思的道。
“I have a feeling that we shouldn’t stay here any longer.” Mu Xiaoyu sat up from Yang Zicang’s chest, speaking with embarrassment.
「是的，这座镇子在拒绝我们进入，因为这儿并不是现在的我们能来的。」
“Yes, this town is refusing us entry, because it’s a place where we, as we are now, aren’t supposed to be.”
沐小雨睁著黑闪的眼睛，她细语道：「是妳带我来的吗？」
Mu Xiaoyu, her dark, shimmering eyes wide open, murmured, “Was it you who brought me here?”
「嗯哼。」
“Uh-huh.”
啪啪啪。
Clap, clap, clap.
冷清的掌声响起。
Applause, sparse and cold, rang out.
正在告别的几人都转首看过去，壹道身著红格子休闲西服的男人从杨子藏背后走来。
Those who were taking their leave turned to look. A man in a red checkered casual suit approached from behind Yang Zicang.
随著他的出现，周围空气中的声音仿佛被突然隔离开来。早起的行人们说笑著绕过此地，像是看不见这里似的。
With his arrival, the sounds in the surrounding air seemed abruptly isolated. Early morning passersby, chatting and laughing, skirted around this spot as if they couldn’t see anything.
「我已经知道妳提升城市排名的事情了，干得不错，杨子藏先生。」来人道。
“I’ve already heard about you improving the city rank. Well done, Mr. Yang Zicang,” said the newcomer.
这壹小时，越来越多的消息传来，他也终于搞清楚了杨子藏的名字，对方还是拥有念力型能力之人。
Over the past hour, more and more news had reached him, and he had finally gotten a clear picture of the name Yang Zicang. He also realized the opposing party possessed psionic abilities.
杨子藏将沐小雨护在身后，「妳是来赶我们走的吗？请告诉我离开的路就好，我们会离开的。」
Yang Zicang shielded Mu Xiaoyu behind him. “Have you come to drive us away? Just tell us the way out, and we’ll leave.”
莫里赶紧咳嗽了声，上前步小声开口：
Morris hastily cleared his throat, stepped forward, and said in a low voice:
「子藏，这位是逐银副镇长。他出现是件好事，别担心。」
“Zicang, this is ChaseFutown’s overseer, Ju Yin Chase. His appearance here is a good thing—don’t worry.”
逐银挥了挥手，笑道：
Ju Yin Chase waved his hand and said with a smile:
「看吧，还是妳的朋友懂我。先自我介绍下，我叫逐银，如他所言是这座小镇的副镇长。嗯，我也属于跟妳壹样的人。」
“See, your friend understands me. Let me introduce myself first. My name is Ju Yin Chase, and as he said, I am the Futown Chief of this town. Well, I’m also one of the same kind as you.”
杨子藏心中壹动：
Yang Zicang’s heart stirred:
「难道这座城镇的管理者们都是各城市进来的人？」
“Could it be that the managers of this town are all people who came from various cities?”
「没错哦，比如我的城市排名便是第12名，有资格获得竞选副镇长之位。等妳们的城市排名提升到最前面，以后也有这种机会。」
“That’s right. For example, my city ranks 12th, qualifying me to run for the position of Futown Chief. When your city’s ranking rises to the top, you’ll have similar opportunities in the future.”
原来这座镇子不光能入住，还能成为这里的管理者！
So this town not only allows residence but also offers the chance to become its administrator!
眼前之人便是竞选上去的实力很强的其它城市之人。
The person before him was someone from another city, possessing strong strength, who had earned this position through election.
至于城市排名…
As for city rankings…
根据莫里透露的消息，据说共有五十五座跟自己所在地方壹样的城市，但也有说四十五座。
According to information revealed by Morris, it was said there are a total of fifty-five cities like the one they were from, though some say forty-five.
杨子藏不禁为家乡叹息，居然过来这么多人。
Yang Zicang couldn’t help but sigh for his hometown—so many people had come here.
沐小雨仰头看了男生消瘦的脸庞壹眼：
Mu Xiaoyu looked up at the boy’s lean face:
「要是咱们不用出去就太好了，这里除了像是两三个世纪前，其它跟地球都差不多。」
“It would be great if we didn’t have to go out. Aside from feeling like two or three centuries ago, everything here is almost like Earth.”
她期待的说完，随后看向莫里，像是想知道眼前这人是不是这里的长住者。
She finished speaking with anticipation, then looked toward Morris, as if hoping to find out if the person in front of her was a permanent resident here.
杨子藏拍了拍她的肩膀，安抚了下少女。
Yang Zicang patted her shoulder gently to comfort the young girl.
逐银点头道：
Ju Yin Chase nodded:
「是啊，这里有商店，有售卖街、旅馆以及生活娱乐区，成为这里的镇民，妳们可以安度接下来的漫长时光。」
“Indeed, this place has shops, a market street, inns, and areas for recreation and daily living. If you become residents of this town, you can spend your long remaining time here in peace.”
「不过正因如此，所以进入这里的资格格外高，小姐，妳甚至连Moexl都没有就能知晓这里的存在，还真是幸运，至少有目标了不是吗。」
“But because of that, the qualifications for entry are exceptionally high. Miss, you don’t even have a Moxel yet, yet you somehow know of this place’s existence—truly fortunate. At least you have a goal now, don’t you.”
「还，还好啦。」沐小雨有点不好意思。
“Ah, well, it’s not that impressive.” Mu Xiaoyu felt a bit embarrassed.
逐银的目光灼灼看向杨子藏，「难怪如此，那些突然冒出来的技能书，也有妳的份对吧。」
Ju Yin Chase’s gaze burned as they looked at Yang Zicang, “No wonder. Those skill books that suddenly appeared—you had a hand in them too, didn’t you?”
作为镇子的管理者，眼皮子底下发生了什么壹目了然，莫里当然没想过瞒他。
As the steward of the town, what went on under his nose was crystal clear, and Morris had never considered hiding it.
「没错，技能书的制作我这位朋友有很大的功劳。副镇长，妳是有什么事吗？」
“That’s right. My friend here played a huge role in making those skill books. Futown Chief, is there something you need?”
「帮我做件事情，应该是说帮这座镇子做件事情。」
“There’s something I need you to do—or rather, something I need you to do for this town.”
杨子藏眉毛挑了挑道：「不用被赶出去了？」
Yang Zicang raised an eyebrow and asked, “Meaning we don’t have to get kicked out anymore?”
听到杨子藏的问话，沐小雨紧张地将他胳膊抱在手里。
Hearing Yang Zicang’s question, Mu Xiaoyu nervously clutched his arm in her hands.
能在这里住下吗？她还记得那满城怪物的可怕景象。
Can we stay here? She still remembers the terrifying sight of the city overrun with monsters.
她有点期待，又怕只有壹个名额，自己会被独自驱离。
She felt a glimmer of hope, yet feared there might be only one spot, and she would be driven away alone.
「NO，妳依旧要出去，这是这座镇子的规矩。不过妳可以每日进来壹次，最长三小时，这是我给妳行的方便。」
“No, you still have to leave. That’s the rule of this town. However, you may come in once a day, for a maximum of three hours. That’s the courtesy I’m extending to you.”
沐小雨的眼帘垂下。
Mu Xiaoyu lowered her gaze.
逐银看了眼莫里，对方没有任何打算离开的意思。
Ju Yin Chase glanced at Morris, who showed no intention of leaving.
「原本我只是看中了妳的列车能力，那辆地铁之前的主人不属于我们这边，现在它的主人换成了妳，我才亲自前来。没想到啊没想到，妳竟然成功降服了念力型恶魇，甚至将之彻底制服。」
“Originally, I was only interested in your train ability. The previous owner of that subway didn’t belong to our side, but now that you’re its master, I came in person. Never did I expect—never did I expect—that you would successfully subdue a telepathic nightmare, even fully conquering it.”
副镇长赞叹不已，眼前之人比他想得更优秀，竟然拥有念力攻击，难怪能将马超给创飞。
The lord of Futown lauded endlessly. The person before him was even more impressive than he had imagined, possessing telepathic attacks—no wonder he could send Matt Chao flying.
「只有三分钟了。」杨子藏提醒道。
“Only three minutes left,” Yang Zicang reminded.
「嘿嘿，那我就不废话了。」
“Heh heh, I won’t waste words then.”
逐银走上前，从怀里摸出本册子。
Ju Yin Chase stepped forward, pulling a booklet from his chest pocket.
「这里面记录著关于这件事的情报，若是妳愿意，我们互相进行下寿命投资如何？」
“Inside are records about this matter’s intelligence. If you’re willing, let’s mutually Life Invest, how about that?”
杨子藏主动闪出Moexl，两人互相投资又返回后，彼此间便算是在时序上相识过了。
Yang Zicang voluntarily flashed out his Moxel, and after the two investment and return, they were considered acquainted within Chronos.
[逐银为我投资了0.01R全权时序，时效壹月，我猜他应该是进不去我即将被赶去的地方。]
[Ju Yin Chase invested me 0.01R full authority Chronos, valid for one month—I reckon he can’t enter the place where I’m about to be banished.]
Moexl准确读出了自己的心声。
Moxel precisely read his own inner thoughts.
杨子藏看著册子。
Yang Zicang looked at the booklet.
「这东西算是城镇的订货函，可以开启失频之地的通讯封印，让妳的Moexl能与外界联络。信息在里面。」
“This thing is the town’s order letter, able to unlock the communication seal of the Shibin Wastes, allowing your Moxel to contact the outside. The info’s inside.”
[我获得银白枢纽镇的订货函。]
[I have obtained the order letter from Silver White Hubville.]
接过它的瞬间，书册产生几道黑色如闪电的烟雾扩散。
The moment I took it, the book emitted several black, lightning-like trails of smoke that spread outward.
整个世界仿佛以此为基点迅速坍塌，沐小雨紧张地靠在他身边，看著周围空间如同龟裂的玻璃绵延扩散。
The entire world seemed to collapse rapidly from that point onward; Mu Xiaoyu pressed nervously against him, watching as the surrounding space fractured like cracked glass spreading in all directions.
[通过订货函我能成为枢纽镇供应商]
[Through the order letter, I can become a supplier to Hubville.]
[枢纽镇货物储备处有资格锁定我的位置与供货信息。]
[The Hubville Goods Reserve has the authority to lock onto my location and supply information.]
沐小雨感觉镇子在排斥自己。
Mu Xiaoyu felt the town rejecting him.
杨子藏擡头。
Yang Zicang looked up.
莫里和逐银，以及四周的岩石建筑与行人，乃至天际的碧蓝苍穹和太阳都转瞬被灰浊的风刮走消失不见。
Morris, Ju Yin Chase, and the surrounding rocky buildings and pedestrians—even the azure sky and the sun—were all swept away by a gray murky wind, vanishing without a trace.
整个城镇仿佛活了过来。
The entire town seemed to come alive.
淡漠不似人类的声音在心间响起，又迅速远去。
An indifferent, inhuman voice resounded in his heart, then quickly faded away.
｛妳已被驱离。｝
{You have been expelled.}
沐小雨忍住了想要尖叫的冲动。
Mu Xiaoyu suppressed the urge to scream.
仿佛空间瞬间被拉远，城镇的轮廓远远出现于地平线上。
As though the space was instantly stretched far away, the town’s silhouette appeared faintly on the horizon.
……
世界灰蒙蒙的，光秃秃的树木顽强自黝黑深沈大地长出。
The world was gray and bleak; bare, stubborn trees grew from the deep black earth.
晒干般的大地块之间流动著的黑色溪流，壹幕幕不同的景象似倒影般在它们表明浮现。
Between the desiccated clumps of earth, black streams flowed, and different scenes appeared on their surfaces like shifting reflections.
「怪水？好可怕。」
“Weird water? How terrifying.”
沐小雨快哭似的抱著身前唯壹能够依靠之人。
Mu Xiaoyu, on the verge of tears, tightly clung to the only person he could rely on in front of him.
杨子藏四下望去，荒芜、灰蒙蒙，以及阴冷。
Yang Zicang looked around—desolate, gray, and bitterly cold.
壹株树下，躺著半截黑色的骷髅，从他的衣服破碎程度可以看出，它已经逝去至少几十年。
Beneath a tree lay half a blackened skeleton; from the tattered condition of its clothes, it had been dead for at least several decades.
有点懵圈的杨子藏刚看了眼周围环境，手上的书册便如同自燃般被能量侵蚀。
Slightly bewildered, Yang Zicang had barely glanced at his surroundings when the book in his hand began to corrode with energy, as if spontaneously combusting.
「喂，我还没看！」
“Hey, I haven’t finished reading it yet!”
他将书册在衣服上擦了擦，又丢到地上猛踩了几下，但它没有任何停止消失的意思。书册化为壹股能量漂浮，白影念龙如嗅到美味似的忽地自背后浮现，将大脑袋伸出，壹口吞掉了这团烟雾。
He wiped the book on his clothes, then threw it to the ground and stomped on it violently, but it showed no sign of stopping its disappearance. The book transformed into a wisp of energy that floated up. The Paleshade Wyrm, as if catching a whiff of something delicious, suddenly emerged from behind, stretched out its massive head, and gulped down the mist in one bite.
地上出现张微小的类似塑料的小票据。
A tiny slip resembling a plastic receipt appeared on the ground.