Ground Stars / 地上星 · Ch.144 第144章 霄干事与黑夜 -1
第144章 霄干事与黑夜 –1
Chapter 144: Captain Xiao and the Darkness –1
流云缓缓移动，风吹过树梢，绿叶们响起大片哗哗声。
The drifting clouds moved slowly as the wind rustled through the treetops, stirring the green leaves into a chorus of rustling.
「子藏先生，你在做什么？」
“Mr. Zicang, what are you doing?”
陈老师好奇的看著木屋后方的杨子藏在摆弄著个小熔炉。
Professor Chen looked curiously at Yang Zicang, who was fiddling with a small furnace behind the wooden cabin.
「造假币，铁‘铜钱‘。」
“Counterfeiting coins—iron ‘copper cash’.”
「好稀罕的词。」 小刘走过来蹲著看杨子藏的动作，「我发现你好像什么都会点，挖地砍树搭帐篷，现在还能造钱。」
“What a rare term.” Xiao Liu walked over, crouching down to watch Yang Zicang’s movements. “I’ve noticed you seem to know a bit of everything—digging the ground, cutting trees, setting up tents, and now making money.”
「没办法，你要是在邮徽世界跟原始人待上几千年，你也会。」
“Well, try living with primitives in the Yore-Realm for a few thousand years, and you’d know how, too.”
「几千年…」小刘打了个寒颤，他望向自己的老师，「老陈，你帮下棚主呗，你不是会这个吗？」
“A few thousand years…” Xiao Liu shuddered, then turned to his teacher. “Old Chen, how about helping Penglord out? Don’t you have the skills for this?”
「去去去，」陈老师赶小狗似的挥挥手，「小兔崽子说话没大没小的。」
“Shoo, shoo,” Professor Chen waved his hand as if shooing off a stray pup. “You little brat, talking without any respect.”
陈老师已不是第一次见杨子藏造这东西，有些明白杨子藏能靠这玩意儿存储时序，于是自己也帮著刻模具。
It wasn’t the first time Professor Chen had seen Yang Zicang make these things. He had some understanding that Yang Zicang could use this method to store Chronos power, so he joined in, helping carve the mold.
两人一起忙活起来，不到两天营地便多出套小巧的手动小「冲压」机，看著这娴熟的制造动作，杨子藏感叹有时候人类文明几千年都没点进步，也是正常的，因为一直沿用的是固有思维——比如自己。
The two of them got to work together, and in less than two days, they had added a small, manual “stamping” press to the campsite. Watching these skilled manufacturing moves, Yang Zicang remarked that sometimes it’s no wonder human civilization hasn’t advanced for thousands of years—because the same inherent thinking has been used all along, like himself, for instance.
「这样就好看很多了。」 陈老师满意的看著眼前冷却的铁币。
“Now that looks much better.” Professor Chen said, satisfied with the cooled iron coin before him.
铁汁完全凝固冷却后，杨子藏从压实的模具里倒出几枚铁币，没有淬火的它虽不算非常牢固，但用来存储时序绰绰有余。
After the molten iron had completely solidified and cooled, Yang Zicang emptied a few iron coins from the compacted mold. Though they weren’t very sturdy without quenching, they were more than sufficient for storing Chronos.
能量球捏爆。
He crushed the energy sphere.
[寿命银行发动。]
[Lifespan Bank Activated.]
铁币上迅速诞生莹莹辉光，转眼这里面便已蕴含九千多年的额外寿命。
A faint, shimmering glow was born on the iron coin instantly, and within moments, it already contained over nine thousand years of extra lifespan.
｛子藏，有件事我要告诉你。｝
｛Zi Cang, there’s something I need to tell you.｝
逐银的心灵连结线条传来。
A thought-link from Ju Yin Chase came through.
杨子藏直起身擦了擦额头的汗。
Yang Zicang straightened up and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
「麦蚜女士有消息了？」
“Any news from Ms. Wheat Aphid?”
｛她快回来了，但这件事不是关于她，而是「主编」。 他的下属最近在失频之地出现，似乎在进行什么动作，刚刚我得知，除了失频客栈，另外两处进行秘密情报交易的地方也被覆灭了。 最后一处有人见到自称为主编之笔的存在。｝
｛She’ll be back soon, but this isn’t about her; it’s about the ‘Editor-in-Chief.‘ His subordinates have recently been spotted in the Shibin Wastes, seemingly up to something. I just found out that aside from the Lost-Frequency Inn, two other secret intelligence trading posts have also been wiped out. At the last place, someone was seen referring to themselves as the Pen of the Editor-in-Chief. ｝
「主编！」
“The Editor-in-Chief!”
杨子藏豁然想起之前的那道声音，自己怎么把主编的事情给完全忘记了。
Yang ZiCang suddenly recalled that earlier voice—how could he have completely forgotten about the chief editor?
「是他的下属在进行清理？」
“Is it his subordinates doing the cleanup?”
在身旁人诧异的眼神中，杨子藏一下惊呼出声。
Amid the bewildered gazes of those around him, Yang ZiCang let out a startled cry.
忽地，杨子藏感受到一道视线射来，身边几人都转头看向树林旁。只见一小片幕景地中，不知何时已经站着道帅气到妖艳的男士身影。
Suddenly, Yang ZiCang felt a gaze upon him. Everyone nearby turned toward the edge of the woods, where, in a patch of scenic ground, an eerily handsome man now stood, appearing as if he had materialized out of nowhere.
那位少年唇色苍淡，两眼闪动金色辉光，身着灰西装的他梳着分头，仿佛从充满灵气的仙灵世界走出。
The young man’s lips were deathly pale, his eyes shimmering with golden light. Dressed in a gray suit with his hair slicked back, he seemed like a being stepped straight out of a spiritually charged, ethereal world.
「你好，杨子藏。」他说着人类的语言。
“Hello, Yang ZiCang,” he said in human language.
虽然这就是人类外形，但杨子藏敢肯定他不是人类，没有人长得如此精致。
Even though he bore a human appearance, Yang ZiCang was certain he was not human—no human could be crafted so flawlessly.
少年身侧走来位同样身穿西服，脸庞有着烧红烙印般的人，他沉闷地道：
A person in a matching suit, his face bearing marks like burned brands, walked up beside the young man and said somberly:
「大甲方货队的诸位。你们眼前这位是遗失幻境公司：谷风幻境的尊贵干事，尊号霄先生。」
“Esteemed members of Cargo Crew, this man before you is a distinguished officer of the Lost Illusion Company: Valley Wind Illusion, honored by the title Sir Xiao.”
霄先生挂着淡淡笑意看向有点不知所措的吕志等人道：
Sir Xiao bore a faint smile as he looked at the somewhat bewildered Lyu Zhi and the others, saying:
「你可以把我当成真正的记者，我想来记录些，你当初与校正官战斗的经历。」
“You may think of me as a real journalist. I’d like to record your experiences from that battle with Justiceer.”
杨子藏心中颤动，他努力维持郑重的语气到：
Yang ZiCang’s heart trembled as he struggled to maintain a solemn tone:
「当然可以。」
“Of course.”
少年看向这附近的地皮：「对于这些地貌，未来你有什么规划吗。」
The young man looked at the nearby land: “As for these terrains, do you have any plans for the future?”
「我们要将这里建设为一个新的棚区，未来这里可以常年提供数十人的日常生活所需。」
“We’re going to build this place into a new Peng Zone, which can sustainably provide for dozens of people’s daily needs in the long run.”
｛呀，坏坏杨。｝
{Ah, sneaky Yang.}
杨子藏抬头。小光团带着尖尖的声音出现。
Yang ZiCang looked up. A small ray of light appeared, carrying a sharp, high-pitched voice.
｛我建议名人最好寻求帮助。｝
{I suggest the celebrity seek help.}
[作为伟大的四边形，我感知到，精英记者团在关注着「笔与指」的存在。]
[As the great Quad, I sense that the elite journalist corps is paying attention to the existence of ‘Pen and Finger’.]
小小的身影们陆续出现在头顶。
Little figures emerged one after another above their heads.
｛我们没法记录它，大人物，看不见。｝
{We can’t record it, big shot—unseen.}
「怎么回事。」这些记者突然就出现了，「大人物看不见什么？」
“What’s happening?” The journalists suddenly appeared. “What can’t the big shot see?”
霄先生的视线从杨子藏的几间帐篷与木屋上收回。面对这些出现的记者，他显得很是淡然。
Xiao, Mr. Xiao, withdrew his gaze from Yang ZiCang’s few tents and wooden huts. Facing these suddenly appearing journalists, he remained distinctly unfazed.
「放心，它们的意思是，因为我的存在，所以枢纽镇看不见这里。」
“Don’t worry. What they mean is that, because of me, Hubville can’t see this place.”
他看向杨子藏：「在我曾经的职业经历中，有你所期待而未能获得的职务，那便是制作Moexl线条的升频道具。」
He looked at Yang ZiCang: “In my past career experience, I once held a position you longed for but failed to obtain—a crafter of Up-Freq items that produce Moxel lines.”
这人指头一弹，指尖能量溃散，从中浮现出个东西，是一枚类似失念Moexl的暗沉晶体，里面有着根金色的虚线。
With a flick of his finger, the energy at his fingertip dissipated, and from within emerged an object—a dark, lusterless crystal resembling a Lost Moxel, containing a golden dotted line inside.
从帐篷中出来的洛宾呼吸一滞，「就是它，能提供一次晋升Moexl线条机会的道具。」
Robin Lo, who had just come out of the tent, caught his breath. “That’s it—the tool that provides one chance to advance to the Moxel lineage.”
左非闲等人早已被这些突然出现的人震慑，因为他身上幻灭的能量非常像上次出现的月影怪物。但即便是那样的怪物，其能量波动跟眼前之人相比也逊色。
Zuo Feixian and the others were already stunned by these sudden arrivals, for the energy of annihilation radiating from him was strikingly similar to the moonlight monster that had appeared last time. But even that monster’s energy fluctuations paled in comparison to the man before them.
杨子藏目光一拧，来者的目的到底是什么。
Yang Zicang’s gaze tightened. What exactly was this newcomer’s purpose?
霄先生将东西收回。
Mr. Xiao put the object away.
「听说你试图加入遗失幻境公司，就为了成为埋藏它的工作人员，以此获取埋藏它的交错空间编码，好在城市中进入获得该道具，对吗？」
“I heard you tried to join the Lost Mirage Company just to become a staff member in charge of burying it, thereby obtaining its Crosspace code through a city entry to acquire that tool, correct?”
杨子藏斟酌的道：「那种打算我已经放弃了。」
Yang Zicang said cautiously, “I’ve already given up that plan.”
他对身旁陈老师递着眼色，让他们赶紧溜。陈老师哪里不知道这意思，早就一边拉着小刘往后跑去，一边用心灵链接联系其他几人赶紧跑路。
He signaled to Professor Chen beside him, urging them to slip away immediately. Professor Chen, well aware of the implication, had already started pulling Little Liu back and using Syn-Link to alert the others to flee at once.
突然，霄先生转眸盯向抱着雕像打算先撤的吕志。
Suddenly, Mr. Xiao turned his gaze toward Lyu Zhi, who was preparing to slip away first with the statue in his arms.
「停下，放下你手上的东西。」
“Stop. Put down what you’re holding.”
众人感觉气氛瞬间冰冷，仿佛有风暴在蕴量。
Everyone felt the atmosphere turn icy cold, as if a storm was brewing.
杨子藏略有恍然，「你的目标是它？」
Yang Zicang was slightly enlightened. “Your target is it?”
闻听此言，抱着秦蒙遗物的吕志更是不敢放下，这个是证明自己好友在世上存在过的唯一的东西了。
Hearing this, Lyu Zhi, clutching Chin Mong’s keepsake, dared not set it down—this was the only proof that his friend had ever existed in this world.
「还不照做吗！我让你放下，否则我将开始校量你的贡献值。声明，贡献不足者，我将有权对其进行清理。」
“Still not following orders? I told you to put it down, or I will begin assessing your contribution. Declaration: Those with insufficient contributions will be subject to my authority for elimination.”
「什，什么。」吕志赫然感觉被一头恶龙锁定，从头到尾都在冒着冷汗。
“Wh-what?” Lyu Zhi felt as if a dragon had locked onto him, cold sweat running from head to toe.
杨子藏急切道，「这雕像有什么用，直得你专门来一趟？」
Yang Zicang urged, “What use is this statue that you’d make a special trip for it?”
吕志闻听此言，一咬牙，转身便跑。
On hearing that, Lyu Zhi gritted his teeth, turned around, and bolted.
「哼！」
“Hmph!”
霄干事脸色微嗔，他身旁之人顿时愤怒着开口，一道浑厚的声音在众人心中响起：
Xiao, the senior staffer, wore a slight scowl. The man beside him opened his mouth in anger, a gruff voice booming in everyone’s mind:
｛校量开始，大甲方筑货队，历史名气值为415分。｝
{Assessment begins. Great Builder Crew Cargo, historical renown score: 415 points.}
｛校量目标吕志，贡献度不足十分之一。｝
{Target: Lyu Zhi. Contribution less than one-tenth.}
｛评价为大甲方F级成员。｝
{Rating: Rank-F member of the Great Builder.}
｛你已具备被清理资格。｝
{You are now eligible for elimination.}
吕志胸中响起自己Moexl的心念声。
In Lyu Zhi’s chest, the murmur of his Moxel’s thoughts echoed.
[我已具备被清理资格。]
[I am now eligible for elimination.]
「什么？」
“What?”
霄先生抬起臂膀手指直伸，指尖能量波动爆闪。
Mr. Xiao raised his arm, fingers pointing straight, with flashes of energy fluctuations surging at his fingertips.
「吕志！」杨子藏胸前圆环快速浮现。
“Lyu Zhi!” A circular ring rapidly emerged on Yang ZiCang’s chest.
嘭！吕志的双腿在疾射而来的混沌能量线中化为血雾，「啊！」
Bang! Lyu Zhi’s legs turned into a cloud of blood mist in the midst of the swiftly shooting chaotic energy threads. “Ahh!”
杨子藏愣了下，随后一股怒气上涌至大脑，脚下猛地飞蹬带起身形闪动。
Yang ZiCang froze for a moment, then a surge of anger rushed to his brain. He violently kicked off the ground, his figure flickering as he moved.
啪！还未坠地的青年与雕塑突地拐过弯落在杨子藏怀中，他抬头紧紧盯着远处嘴唇色泽淡薄的少年。
Slap! Before the young man could even hit the ground, he and the statue abruptly turned a corner and fell into Yang ZiCang’s arms. He looked up, staring intently at the distant, pale-lipped youth.
霄先生拍掌称赞道：「还不错嘛，反应挺迅速。我很好奇，的你Moexl要面对多快的速度才来不及扭转它们的轨迹？根据记者的记录…」
Mr. Xiao clapped in approval, saying, “Not bad at all. Pretty quick reflexes. I’m curious—how fast must your Moxel face before it’s too late for you to redirect their trajectories? Based on the reporters’ records…”
他扶手走了走，转头笑道：「之前那被控制的无辜者被你朋友刺爆脑袋时，你应该来得及救下那人的对吧。」
He paced while supporting himself on an armrest, then turned his head with a smirk and said, “When that innocent guy you controlled had his head stabbed by your friend just now, you should have been able to save him, right?”
｛杨子藏，不要冲动。｝
｛Yang ZiCang, don’t act rashly.｝
洛宾的声音焦急的出现。
Robin Lo’s voice rang out urgently.
「甲子…哥，我…」倒在青年怀中的吕志口中吐着鲜血，杨子藏快速摸出随身携带的治疗能力球为他使用。
“Brother Jiazi…I…” Lyu Zhi, limp in the young man’s arms, spat out blood. Yang ZiCang quickly took out a healing ability sphere he carried with him and started using it on him.
「没事，我会为你请最好的大夫。」
“It’s okay, I’ll get you the best doctor.”
「腿…没了，就算是最好的大夫，也没办法让我再站起来…这个世界…我保不住我朋友，也保不住我自己…」
“My… legs are gone. Even the best doctor can’t make me stand again… In this world… I couldn’t protect my friends, nor myself…”
杨子藏将人放下，拿起他怀中的雕像，带着怒气冲霄先生道：「你为什么要它。」
Yang Zicang set the person down, picked up the statue from his arms, and said angrily to Master Xiao, “Why do you want it?”
「那里面的东西，你们没资格拥有。」
“You’re not worthy of what’s inside.”
「难道里面有血脉？」
“Could it be there’s a bloodline in there?”
杨子藏直视对方：「现在，你计算我的贡献看看？！」
Yang Zicang stared at him squarely: “Now then, calculate my contribution and see?!”
霄先生往前走，身上的威压越来越重，但青年却一步都未后退，只是苦了地上的吕志。
Master Xiao stepped forward, the pressure of his aura growing heavier, but the young man didn’t retreat an inch—only Lyu Zhi on the ground was suffering.
「你的不用计算，但我想告知你，现在将这几份血脉之环给我，将获得我的友谊。或者，你大可以成为我的敌人，接受我的怒火。」
“There’s no need to calculate yours, but I want to tell you this: hand over these bloodlines right now, and you will gain my friendship. Or, feel free to become my enemy and face my fury.”
「你以为我不知道吗，幻境公司从什么时候开始可以肆意干扰失频之地的发展了？你们的权力已经这么大了吗！」
“Don’t think I don’t know—since when has the Illusion Corporation been allowed to interfere freely in the development of the Shibin Wastes? Has your power truly grown so great?!”
杨子藏举起莹莹辉光的钱币。
Yang Zicang raised a faintly glowing coin.
少年身后的女人道：「霄先生，那里面似乎蕴含着许多时序。」
The woman behind the young man said, “Master Xiao, there seems to be a great deal of Chronos energy within it.”
霄先生的目光中魔纹缓缓旋转，钱币上数字9999N浮现在眸光中。
The magic patterns in Master Xiao’s eyes spun slowly, and the numbers “9999N” flickered within his gaze on the coin.
他盯着杨子藏看了许久。
He stared at Yang Zicang for a long while.
「知道的挺多，虽然都是些陈年旧账，不过你是仅靠单人名气就已然超过两百分的名人。就这般死了，我的名声会很难听。」
“You know quite a lot—old debts, to be sure—but you’re a legend who’s amassed over two hundred points from name value alone. If you die like this, my reputation will take a real hit.”
他的食指竖起。
He raised his index finger.
指尖能量波动一闪，轰！
A flicker of energy rippled across his fingertip—Boom!
[调度。]
[Override Command.]
[受格位压制，调度效果微弱。]
[Resisted by authority suppression; override effect is negligible.]
呼！ 能量波从空气中划过射向远方几人。
Whoosh! The energy wave streaked through the air toward the distant figures.
「不！」 这次改变轨迹竟然失败了，杨子藏震惊的看向那道死亡般的波动。
“No!” The attempt to alter its trajectory failed this time. Yang Zicang stared in shock at the deathly ripple heading his way.
[格位展现，个位！]
[Authority realized: Individual Level!]
四边形须臾笼罩四方。
In an instant, Quad enveloped the surroundings.
跑动的几人身躯忽然变化，一声沉响，波纹擦著四散的众人射到地面爆炸。
The running figures suddenly transformed, and with a deep rumble, the shockwave grazed the scattering crowd as it hit the ground and exploded.
「呵，原来这次是改变了目标的轨迹，反应真快。」
“Ha, so this time it altered the trajectory of the target—quite the quick reaction.”
虽然没有击中陈老师等人，但光是这道光线扩散出的能量，已经让他们的衣服崩成碎片，沿途两间木屋也瞬间被炸飞，一地木屑与垃圾。
Though it didn’t directly hit Professor Chen and the others, the sheer energy radiated by that beam alone shredded their clothes into tatters. Along the path, two wooden cabins were instantly blasted apart, leaving nothing but wood chips and debris scattered across the ground.