Ground Stars / 地上星 · Ch.50 第50章 代练契约 -3
第50章 代练契约 –3
Chapter 50: The Commissioned Pact –3
寒风漫卷著苍穹。
The cold wind swept across the vault of the heavens.
两只小知了见到了雪花。
Two little cicadas caught sight of snowflakes.
它们或许是宇宙间唯壹见过雪花的知了。
Perhaps they were the only cicadas in the universe that had ever seen snowflakes.
可惜乖巧待在掌中的它们并不明白这意味著什么。
Pity—resting obediently in his palm, they had no notion of what this meant.
莫里擡头看向他，这个男人身上透露著壹种道不明的特质。
Morris looked up at him; this man emanated an ineffable quality.
「妳要将时序运用在那些原始人身上吗？」
“You intend to use Chronos on those primitive people?”
除此以外，他有点想不明白杨子藏这么做的意义。
Beyond that, he couldn’t quite fathom why Yang Zicang would do such a thing.
是怕这些人寿命短，对秘技掌握得不好吗？这的确是个要防备的事情，因为签订契约要耗费壹个能力球。
Was it fear that these people’s short lifespans would hinder their mastery of secret arts? That was indeed a concern worth guarding against, for forging a pact consumes one Ability Globe.
「对，但我还有第二个实验，不过那已经与这些书无关了。」
“Yes, but I also have a second experiment in mind—though that’s no longer tied to these books.”
杨子藏露出神秘的笑容。
A cryptic smile curled across Yang Zicang’s face.
……
大地上，圣殿团对这片古老土地的统治已经深入骨髓，渗透到了每壹个角落。
On the earth, the Sanctum Order’s dominion over this ancient land had sunk deep into the bone, seeping into every last corner.
因每隔壹甲子就会到来的灾难，让它们的威信凌驾于所有部落首领与城镇主之上。领导这批勇士的领袖，亦成为世间当之无愧的无冕之王。
Because of the catastrophe that descended once every sixty years, their authority reigned supreme over all tribal chiefs and township lords. The leader commanding these warriors had thus become the true uncrowned king of the world.
风雨交加的夜晚，壹个小男孩跪倒在自家草棚泥墙的门槛前，眼睁睁地看著自己的母亲和姐姐被圣殿团的人带走。
On a night lashed by wind and rain, a young boy knelt before the threshold of his own thatched hut with mud-and-stone walls, watching helplessly as his mother and sister were dragged away by the Sanctum Order’s men.
她们被当作礼物，送往那些所谓的「勇士」手中。
They were sent as gifts into the hands of those so-called “warriors.”
「为什么……为什么这样的恶人可以存在？」
“Why… why do such evil people exist?”
小男孩心中充满了不解与愤怒，泪流满面地瘫坐在地上，从这天开始，他再也没有见过自己的这两位亲人。
The little boy’s heart was filled with confusion and rage, his face streaked with tears as he collapsed to the ground. From that day on, he never saw his two family members again.
壹年后，这壹日风和日丽，苍穹流云朵朵，空气中弥漫著灼热的绿草味。
A year later, on a balmy day with a clear sky and drifting clouds, the air was thick with the scorching scent of green grass.
杨子藏将时序汇聚于胸前项链，以此调整了自己的年纪，以壹名穿著麻布衣的中年人形象出现在城外，但即便如此，在人群中也能被壹眼看出不同。
Yang Zicang focused Chronos into the amulet on his chest, adjusting his age, and appeared outside the city as a man in his prime, clad in linen robes. But even so, among the crowd, he was unmistakably different at a glance.
「没毛的，妳来自哪个部落？」
“Hairless wonder, which tribe do you hail from?”
露著魁梧膀子的男人见杨子藏外形奇异，便从城门口的草棚内起身，拦住他问道。
A burly, bare-armed man, noting Yang Zicang’s peculiar appearance, rose from the straw hut by the city gate and stopped him, demanding.
哪怕是那些少数的无毛之人中，眼前的男人也是很独特的存在，仿佛周身散发著不壹般的气息，特别是他胸口的项链居然散发著金中带红的虚火般的光芒，壹看就是个宝贝。
Even among the rare hairless people, the man before him was uniquely striking, as if shimmering with an extraordinary aura. In particular, the amulet on his chest emanated a golden-red, phantom-fire sheen—it was unmistakably a treasure at first sight.
「妳是？」
“And you are?”
「我是圣殿团的壹名队长，阿奇钠。」
“I’m a captain of the Hall of Sanctity, Archinas.”
杨子藏看了眼这群在城门外的人，上次来这里的时候，还没有这些职务，看来这儿已经发展出初步的守城人员了。
Yang Zicang glanced at the group of people outside the city gate. The last time he was here, these positions didn’t exist yet—it seemed that preliminary city defense personnel had already developed here.
「我会武艺，这次是为收徒而来此。」杨子藏道。
“I know martial arts, and I’ve come here this time to take on disciples,” Yang Zicang said.
「哈哈哈。」
“Hahaha.”
阿奇钠还未说话，他旁边的小伙子们看著杨子藏这不太强健的身材发出哄笑。
Before Aqina could speak, the young men beside him burst into laughter at Yang Zicang’s less-than-robust physique.
见圣殿的勇士们好似在齐齐嘲笑谁，周围路过的城镇居民都投去好奇的目光。
Seeing the Temple’s warriors seemingly sneering at someone in unison, curious glances were cast by the townsfolk passing by.
阿奇钠擡起手示意自己的下属不要开口。
Aqina raised his hand to signal his subordinates not to speak.
「妳知道这儿是什么地方吗。」
“Do you know what this place is?”
「是圣殿所在之地。」
“It’s where the Temple stands.”
「那妳还敢在这里说收徒，妳没有见过那些恶魔吗，妳能打得过它们？到圣殿来收徒，呵呵，妳想侮辱谁啊。」
“And yet you dare talk about taking disciples here? Haven’t you seen those demons? Can you even beat them? Coming to the Temple to take disciples—tch, who are you trying to insult?”
阿奇钠伸手拿起靠在木桌旁那柄长著坑坑洼洼鳞甲的怪异长刀。
Aqina reached out and picked up the strange longsword with its pitted and scaly armor, leaning against the wooden table.
「妳知道这是什么？」
“Do you know what this is?”
见周围聚集的人越来越多，杨子藏心想道，似乎计划中的广告环节可以提前进行了。
Yang Zicang noticed the crowd growing denser and thought to himself, it seemed that the advertising phase in his plan could be brought forward.
他无视了阿奇钠的问询，对自己来说，只需要壹次时间加速这些人就会成为壹堆腐烂于地下的白骨，没有任何与之争论的价值。
He ignored Aqina’s query. To him, these people just needed one acceleration of time to rot into a pile of bones beneath the earth—nothing worth arguing with.
杨子藏转过身看向周围这群看热闹的人，擡高声音道：
Yang Zicang turned to look at the crowd of onlookers around him and raised his voice, saying:
「壹日后我会在此选择身体强健，精神饱满的识字年轻人传授武艺，达到标准的人会拥有我赐予的礼物。」
“One day from now, I will select literate young people who are physically robust and mentally alert, here, to teach them martial arts. Those who meet the standard will receive a gift granted by me.”
「妳竟敢蔑视圣殿！」
“How dare you show contempt for the Sanctum!”
被无视的阿奇钠恼怒，不由分说壹刀向著杨子藏身上劈下。
Ignored, Aqina grew furious. Without a word, he lashed out a blade strike at Yang Zicang.
噗！
Thud!
壹片惊呼声中，长刀带著猛烈的刀气自杨子藏右肩劈到左下方。
Amidst a cascade of gasps, the long saber fell with fierce blade wind, slashing from Yang Zicang’s right shoulder down to the lower left.
感受到刀锋划过身前之人的阻力，将他半件衣服都倾斜劈开，阿奇钠鼻中哼笑。
Feeling the resistance of the blade slicing through the person before him, clawing half his garment open, Aqina snorted with a chuckle.
自己刚才居然还觉得这人身上似有什么独特的气息，原来是个骗子。
“I just felt that this man seemed to carry some unique aura—turns out he’s just a fraud.”
「连挡都不会挡的蠢货，敢扬言收徒。」
“What a fool who can’t even block a strike, and yet dares to boast of taking disciples.”
这话刚出口，杨子藏转过头看向这个人。
The words had barely left his mouth when Yang Zicang turned his head to look at the man.
「好些年没来，如今戾气已经这么重了吗。」
“It’s been years since I last came. Has the air of malice grown so thick already?”
「妳，妳！」
“You—you!”
阿奇钠瞪大眼睛竖起指头指向他，这人身上原本会被劈成两半的身躯伤口居然在快速复原，仿佛是混吨的能量在重新凝聚。
Aqina gaped, raising his finger pointedly at him. The wound on the man’s body—which should have been split in two—was healing rapidly, as if chaotic energy was forming anew.
「魔，是恶魔！妳是恶魔！」
“A demon, a demon! You are a demon!”
这人身旁的五人哪里见过这种情况。
The five men beside him had never witnessed anything like this.
他们只是听闻在自己出生前两年世界各处诞生过恶魔，那些恶魔形态奇异，只有被圣殿的勇士用圣器才能杀死，将它们的尸体制作为新的圣器！
The five people beside him had never seen such a situation before. They had only heard that in the two years before their birth, demons were born across the world—beings of strange forms that could only be slain by the sanctuary’s warriors using sacred artifacts, whose bodies were then crafted into new sacred implements!
哗啦啦壹片响，五人举起手上普通的长矛与弓箭。
With a clattering sound, the five raised their ordinary spears and bows.
他们纷纷后退，看向阿奇钠，此刻只有这个人才有可能制服这奇怪的人。
They withdrew one after another, turning to look at Archina; only this man could possibly subdue this strange figure.
周围看热闹的人散开，有些人被吓得恢复了猿人本性似的，哇呀大叫著双手并用快速跑远。
The onlookers scattered, some so frightened they seemed to revert to their ape-like instincts, howling as they scrambled away on all fours.
但还有少数几个愣子在不远处看著这里。
Yet a few stubborn fools remained watching from nearby.
阿奇钠势大力沈的挥动著手上的长刀，这刀并不算太重，可在他臂膀的用力挥舞下产生嗡嗡的闷响，仿佛能砸开岩石。
With immense force, Archina swung his long blade; though not overly heavy, it emitted a deep humming thrum as he wielded it with his muscular arms, as if it could split rocks.
也是灵物战器本身坚不可摧，否则普通刀剑在这莽汉子手上没两下就会断裂。
Indeed, the spiritual artifact weapon itself was indestructible; otherwise, ordinary swords would have snapped under this brute’s hands after a few strokes.
长刀在中年人身上不断劈砍，没多久，这刀砍下的越来越慢。
The long blade chopped repeatedly at the middle-aged man, but before long, the strikes grew slower and slower.
阿奇钠看著对面含笑看著自己动也不动，宛若木头般站立的人，精神终于崩溃，丢下手中的武器大叫著跑了。
Archina watched the man across from him, who stood still with a faint smile, as immovable as a wooden post. His spirit finally crumbled, and he dropped his weapon, crying out as he fled.
壹堆人也跟著壹起跑了。
A crowd of people followed, running with him.
「连武器也不要。」
“Dropped even his weapon.”
杨子藏将刀拾起，在手上随意挥了个刀花，这刀便如脱胎换骨般发出呜呜苍劲风声。
Yang Zicang picked up the blade, casually twirling it in his hand. The knife transformed, emitting a deep, vigorous whistle.
[我又捡到了灵物战器。]
[I’ve picked up another spiritual artifact weapon.]
听到Moexl的声音他笑了下，将刀拿在手上走往城中。
He chuckled upon hearing Moxel’s voice, gripping the blade as he made his way into the town.
诡异的是身后跑走的那些人又回来了至少壹半，而且还似乎叫来了更多人。
Strangely, at least half of those who had fled earlier returned, and they seemed to have summoned even more people.
杨子藏疑惑的转头瞥了他们壹眼，这些人顿时壹窝蜂地后退几步。
Yang Zicang glanced at them with a puzzled frown, and instantly the crowd shuffled several steps backward like a disturbed nest of bees.
「这些小崽子们。」
“These little brats.”
他咧了咧嘴道：「妳们愿意跟就跟上好了。记住，我是来传授武艺的。」
He clicked his teeth and said, “If you’re willing, follow along. Just remember, I’m here to teach martial arts.”
说是圣地，其实城镇并不大。
Though called a holy land, the town was quite small.
没有多久，更多手持灵物战器的圣殿战士们跑了过来，他们有些是附近部落的人，腰上还缠绕著兽皮，有的挂著猛兽的头颅。
Soon enough, more temple warriors wielding spiritual artifact weapons rushed over. Some wore animal hides from nearby tribes around their waists, while others bore the skulls of wild beasts.
「恶魔，把圣物放下，自己滚远点。」
“Demon, drop the sacred object and get lost!”
「妳们现在的首领是谁。」
“Who’s your current leader?”
众人看了看，阿奇钠从壹旁冲出，大吼道：「这恶魔藐视圣殿，大家快壹起上！」
The crowd exchanged glances, and Aqina burst forth from one side, roaring, “This demon insults the temple! Everyone, attack together!”
「喔啦！咯咯！」
“Wah! Kaka!”
众人咬喝著冲了上来，数只长枪刺向杨子藏身上。
With a chorus of war cries, they charged, several lances thrusting at Yang Zicang.
轰！
Boom!
壹道劲风爆发，正面的三道人影瞬间倒飞出去。
A sharp gale exploded forth, and three figures at the front were instantly sent flying backward.
杨子藏用手壹夹，刺来的几根枪被臂弯强劲的力道死死卡住，他脚下扭动带起身体旋转，哗地声这群人全部倒下。
Yang Zicang clamped down with his arm, and the thrusting spears were firmly locked in place by the powerful force of his bicep. He twisted his feet, spinning his body, and with a loud crash, the whole group fell to the ground.
后方看著这幕的众居民哇哦地叫起来，像是看到了难得壹见的刺激节目般兴奋。
The crowd behind, who were watching this scene, let out a “Whoa!” in excitement, as if they were witnessing a rare and thrilling spectacle.
阿奇钠看著这幕脑袋都快不够用了。
Achina’s mind was barely keeping up as he watched this unfold.
正在此时，壹名头上带著橘红兽皮绑带的老人走出，他皱眉的上下打量著对面武技高超的中年人。
Just then, an old man with an orange-red animal skin headband emerged. He furrowed his brows, looking the skilled middle-aged man up and down.
「哪里来的野货，竟敢对圣殿出手。」
“Where did these wild curs come from, daring to lay a hand on the temple?”
「妳们才多大啊，就把扣帽子这壹套用得如此熟练。不会是只会这壹个借口吧。」
“You people are still so young, yet you’ve mastered the art of throwing accusations so skillfully. Don’t tell me this is the only excuse you have.”
「妳！好好好，竟然能活到现在，妳的末日到了！」
“You! Fine, fine, fine. Since you’ve managed to survive this long, your end is here!”
老人转身轻快的跑远，像是要叫更多人来。
The old man turned around and scampered off briskly, as if to call for more men.
「是速巴纳，有速巴纳，首席的勇士马上就会来，大家别怕他！」
“It’s Subana! A Subana is here! The chief’s warrior will be here soon. Everyone, don’t be afraid of him!”