Chapter 87: Attitude is the mask of the heart

第八十七节：态度就是心的面具

Translator: Skyfarrow Editor: Skyfarrow

Fang Yuan could see the intentions behind such an action, this was a small probing (test) from the clan leader.

方源已经看出此举的背后深意，这是来自族长的一次小小的试探。

His gaze swept through the arena, the entire clan’s best performing three groups were here. The clan leader’s faction’s Qing Shu group, Chi faction’s Chi Shan group, and Mo faction’s Mo Yan group.

他扫视了演武场一圈，整个家族中最优秀的三支小组都在这里。分别是代表族长一系的青书组，代表赤脉的赤山组，代表漠脉的漠颜组。

If it was a regular student, joining any of the three groups meant getting a huge backer, representing a bright future.

若是寻常学员，加入这三组中的任何一个，都意味着榜上了大靠山，前途一片光明。

But to Fang Yuan, it was the reverse.

但是对于方源来讲，却恰恰相反。

In the clan’s higher-up’s perception, he was already part of a mysterious faction. Joining any of the three spelt trouble.

在家族高层的心目中，他已经被打上了一个势力的标签。冒然加入这三个组，麻烦就大了。

For example, if he joined the Chi Shan faction, the Chi family obviously know they did not recruit him, so their first thought would be — Fang Yuan is a pawn of another family, but now that he’s joining our group, what intentions does he have?

比如他加入了赤山组，赤家自然明白自己没有招揽过方源。首先的想法就是——方源明显是别人家的棋子，加入自己的小组，有什么企图？

Next they would think — The mysterious faction that recruited Fang Yuan earlier had already broken the rules, and now that Fang Yuan is present here, the clan leader would think that we were the ones who recruited him, so isn’t this ‘carrying the fault’ for them? That will not do, we have to arrest Fang Yuan, keep a close eye on him and investigate him! We shall find concrete evidence and reveal the mysterious backer of his.

然后的想法则是——提前招揽方源的这个神秘势力，已经坏了规矩。现在方源投入自己这边，那么家老必会认为是自己提前招揽了方源。这样自己一方岂不是背了黑锅？不行，得把方源扣着，监视他，调查他！拿到确凿的证据，揪出那个神秘的后台。

But the truth was, Fang Yuan has no backer!

但真实的情况是，方源是没有后台的！

“Once I join any of the three groups, it means I am offending one out of the three biggest factions in this clan. That will definitely not do! Sigh, I originally wanted to keep a low profile and join Jiang He’s group, but Jiang He’s group is backed by the punishment hall elder. Under everyone’s watchful eye, if I join abruptly, that is inappropriate as well.” Fang Yuan inevitably hesitated.

“我一旦加入这三个小组中的一个，就等于是得罪了家族最大的三个势力之一。绝对不行！唉，我原本是想低调地加入江鹤那一组。但是江鹤一组的背后，也有刑堂家老的影子。现在众目睽睽之下，我冒然加入，也极为不妥啊。”方源不免犹豫了一下。

Gu Yue Bo’s smile became even more intense, continuing, “Fang Yuan, if you don’t choose, I’ll select for you.”

族长古月博笑意更浓，继续道：“方源啊，你不选的话，那我就给你指派了。”

The clan elders beside him watched quietly with an unmoving expression, each of them standing like statues.

他身边的家老们都静静地看着，面色神情一动不动，如一个个雕像。

“Hmph, forcing me?” Fang Yuan’s gaze shone, immediately guessing Gu Yue Bo’s next words — either throwing him to Chi Shan’s group or Mo Yan’s group.

“哼，开始逼迫我了么。”方源目光一闪，立即猜出古月博下面的话——不是把方源塞到赤山组，就是塞到漠颜组。

Gu Yue Bo knew in his heart that he did not recruit Fang Yuan. To him, this act can not only remove suspicion on him but also weaken his foe, as well as reveal the mysterious faction; it was killing three birds with one stone. It was a play that could divert the problem away — although seemingly simple, it was a strategic move showing Gu Yue Bo’s experienced political ability.

古月博自然心知肚明，自己没有招揽方源。对他来讲，此举不仅能消除自己的嫌疑，还能削弱政敌，暴露神秘势力，可谓一举三得。一招祸水东引，看似简单实则深沉，显示出了他古月博炉火纯青的政治手腕。

“No, I must not let him dictate it. It seems I can only choose a crappy group.” Fang Yuan was about to open his mouth and speak.

“不行，绝不能让古月博指派。看来，我只能选择一个杂组了。”方源正要开口。

Suddenly at this moment, someone spoke, “Why don’t you join our team. Our group is lacking an attacker.”

就在这时，人群中一个声音传来：“不如就加入我们组罢。我们小组正缺一个进攻点呢。”

Who said that?

是谁？

At once, everyone turned around towards the source of the voice.

一时间，众人都侧目，循声望去。

The person speaking was neither tall or short, with dark yellow skin that made him look sickly. A pair of triangular eyes shone with brilliance.

说话的人，不高不矮，暗黄的肤色使得他看起来一脸的病容。一双三角眼睛，此时闪烁着精芒。

“It’s the sickly snake Gu Yue Jiao San(1).” Someone pointed out his identity.

“是病蛇古月角三啊。”有人道出了他的身份。

“Gu Yue Jiao San? It’s just a trash team with no background!” The clan leader and clan elders all showed a disappointed expression.

“古月角三？不过是个杂组，没有任何的背景！”族长和家老们眼中都露出了失望的神色。

“Jiao San…” Fang Yuan’s eyes shone with an undetectable dark shine.

“角三……”方源的双眼闪过一丝微不可察的暗芒。

He and this Gu Yue Jiao San person had never met or spoken before, and he had no memories of such a person.

他和这个古月角三，根本素未平生，记忆中也记不清有无这个人物。

Why did Jiao San open his mouth and invite him into his team? Was it purely because he had gotten first place in the examination?

角三为什么开口，主动邀请自己加入？难道是单单是因为自己夺得了考核第一的缘故么？

How can that be!

怎么可能！

Only someone as childish as Fang Zheng would have such a naive thought.

只有幼稚如方正，才会有这种天真的想法罢。

But……

不过……

Since Jiao San opened his mouth and invited Fang Yuan personally, such a situation was a good breakthrough point.

既然是角三亲自开口，主动邀请，那么对于现在的情形来讲，不啻于是一个突破口。

“The clan’s higher-ups must be very disappointed now. Hehe.” Fang Yuan smiled thinking of this, his eyes looking downwards, hiding the brilliance in his expression.

“家族的高层，应该很失望吧。呵呵。”方源想到这里，嘴角不禁浮现出淡淡的笑意，眼帘垂下掩盖住眼中的精芒。

“Then I’ll join your group,” Fang Yuan agreed on the spot, blocking Gu Yue Bo’s upcoming words.

“那我就加入你们组吧。”方源一口答应下来，堵住了古月博接下来的话。

“Is this Fang Yuan retarded?”

“这方源傻了吗？”

“Ignoring those top performing groups and joining the sickly snake’s group!”

“放着那些优秀的小组不加入，偏偏要加入病蛇的小组！”

“He must be bonkers, Jiao San’s personality, hehehe…”

“脑子有毛病吧，角三这个家伙的性格，呵呵……”

The students and Gu Masters started to discuss, looking at Fang Yuan like he was a fool.

场中的学员和蛊师们都议论起来，看向方源的目光就像看一个傻子。

The clan leaders and elders’ expression turned dim.

族长和家老们的脸色都不禁一沉。

Today’s probing was thwarted by this Gu Yue Jiao San! No… Maybe this Jiao San is also a pawn in this game, but no matter what, they must investigate on this Gu Yue Jiao San!

今天的试探，居然被一个古月角三搅了局！不……也许这角三也是局中的棋子也说不定。不管怎样，要好好调查一下这个古月角三！

Three days later.

三天后。

It had already been snowing for a day, and now that it was gradually getting smaller, pieces of snowflakes flew in the air gliding with the wind.

雪已经下了一天，此时渐渐转小，一片片洁白的雪花，随着风，在空中飞舞。

On Qing Mao mountain, there was a layer of white colour over it. Many branches were naked with no leaves, except the evergreen pine trees and Qing Mao bamboo, which had retained their original colours standing proudly in the snow.

青茅山上下，都覆盖了一层白色的衣衫。许多树枝光秃秃的，唯有长青的松树和青矛竹，不改本色，欺霜傲雪地屹立着。

A group of five people ran in the snow.

一组五人在雪地上奔驰。

The leading person was neither short nor tall, bearing a sickly yellow skin — it was Gu Yue Jiao San.

为首的一位，身材不高不矮，一脸枯黄的病容，正是古月角三。

As he ran, he turned towards the quiet Fang Yuan, smiling gently with kindness, “Fang Yuan, don’t be nervous. Although this is your first clan mission, the contents are simple. Just follow us and learn along the way.”

他一边奔跑，一边侧脸望向身边一直沉默着的方源，脸上浮现出一股温和的笑意：“方源，你不必紧张。虽然这是你的第一次执行家族任务，但是任务内容是比较简单的。你跟着我们边学边做就行了。”

“Yes,” Fang Yuan lightly replied, staring forward with a solemn expression.

“好。”方源淡淡地应了声，双眼直视前方，面色沉静。

It was already winter.

已经是冬天了。

Running on the snow, the chilly winter winds were even more intense. Every breath was like eating snow dust, chilling his entire chest.

在雪地上奔驰，冰冷的冬风就显得更加强烈。一口呼吸下来，就好像是吃了一口冰沙，胸腔中都是一片冰凉。

Fang Yuan’s face was originally very white, and now that the snow shone on it, it appeared even paler. In the process of running, the snow kept falling on his short black hair, his shoulders and forehead.

方源的脸色本就白皙，此时被白雪映照着，更显得苍白。在奔跑的过程中，小雪不断地落在他的黑色短发上，肩膀上，眉梢上。

What was different than before was that Fang Yuan had changed his clothes.

和以往不同的是，方源已经换了一身衣裳。

This was a dark blue coloured battle attire.

这是一套深蓝色的武服。

The attire had long sleeves and long pants, with bamboo sheets tied on his legs as wrappings, and bamboo shoes adorned his feet. On his head there was a bright blue headband, and the headband fluttered in the air as Fang Yuan ran.

上身长袖，下身长裤。小腿上有竹片绑腿，脚上是竹芒鞋。额头上系着一条宝蓝色的头带，头带末端随着方源的奔跑，在空中飘飞。

On his waist, there was a loose belt.

在他的腰间，则系着一条宽边腰带。

The belt was navy blue with a bronze plate on it, carved with the number “1”; it was very much eye-striking.

腰带是藏青色的，正面镶着一块铜片。铜片上刻着一个“一”，十分显眼。

This was a Gu Master’s attire, showing Fang Yuan’s status as a Rank one Gu Master.

这就是蛊师的服饰，显示着方源一转蛊师的身份。

The youngsters had to stay a year in the academy and graduate before they were allowed to wear this.

少年们在学堂学满了一年，出来之后，才有资格如此穿戴。

This attire had much meaning. Once worn it meant that one has transcended the realm of mortals, leaving the lowly life and stepping into the upper society, being the middle class of the entire human race. Even if Rank one Gu Masters were the bottom of this tier, from now on any mortal had to give way to Fang Yuan and pay respects to him.

这身服饰意义非凡，一旦穿上，就代表着超越凡人阶层，脱离了卑贱，步入了高贵，在整个人类社会中位居上流。尽管一转蛊师只是这上流的末端，但是从今往后，任何凡人见了方源都要主动避退，恭敬行礼。

Gu Yue Jiao San’s gaze continued to shine. This battle attire when worn by Fang Yuan, coupled with his cold expression, showed the atmosphere of a cool and collected person.

古月角三的目光不由地闪了闪，这一套服装穿在穿在方源的身上，配合他漠然的表情，顿时就显现出一股冷酷干练的气质。

While running, he continued asking Fang Yuan, “We are out on a mission, and normally we would have to rush when travelling, so running is a common thing. Are you used to it?”

奔跑中，他继续对方源道：“我们在外执行任务，常常要快速行进。奔跑是常态，方源你还习惯么？”

“I can cope.” Fang Yuan’s words were precious like gold, using the corner of his eye to look at Gu Yue Jiao San.

“还好。”方源惜字如金，用眼角的余光看了一眼这个古月角三。

Jiao San’s warm and kind expression caused him to think about the legend of Ren Zu.

角三脸上温和的笑容，不禁让他想起关于人祖的神话。

Words have it that Ren Zu used the Rules and Regulation Gu and obtained strength but lost wisdom, leaving behind three Gu worms. One was Suspicion, one was Trust, and another was Attitude.

话说，人祖利用规矩二蛊，收了力量，走了智慧，只剩下三只蛊虫，一只怀疑，一只相信，一只态度。

Ren Zu grabbed the Attitude Gu.

人祖抓住了态度蛊。

Attitude Gu followed the betting rules, submitting to Ren Zu, telling him, “Human, you caught me, I can only curse my bad luck. From now on, I will be at your command. Wear me and you will be able to use my ability.”

态度蛊依照赌约，降服在人祖的手上，告诉人祖：“人，你抓住我，我也只能自认倒霉了。从今以后，我就为你所用吧。你只要把我戴上，就能发挥我的作用了。”

Attitude Gu’s appearance was like a mask. Ren Zu put it on his face, but in the end he could not wear it. Even if he used a rope to tie it, it would still fall off.

态度蛊外形就像是一张面具，人祖把态度蛊戴在脸上，结果怎么也戴不上，哪怕用绳子牢牢缠绕着，也总会脱落。

“What’s going on?” Ren Zu was troubled.

“这是怎么一回事啊？”人祖很纳闷。

Attitude Gu laughed, “I know, human, you have no heart. Attitude is the mask of the heart, so without a heart, how can you wear me?”

态度蛊就笑：“我知道了，人啊，原来你没有心了。态度就是心的面具，你没有心，怎么能戴得上我呢？”

Ren Zu realised at once, he had already given his heart to hope.

人祖这才恍然，他早已经把心交给了希望。

He was heartless.

他已经无心了。

Someone who is heartless cannot wear the attitude mask. In other words, to someone with a heart/an intention, their attitude is a mask.

无心的人，是戴不上态度面具的。换句话讲，有心的人，态度就是一张面具。

“This kind and warm attitude is only Gu Yue Jiao San’s mask, what is his real intention?” Fang Yuan pondered.

“温和的态度只是这个古月角三的戴上的面具，他的真正居心是什么呢？”方源心里思考着。

While the person “sickly snake” Jiao San observed Fang Yuan, Fang Yuan was also secretly observing him.

这个人称“病蛇”的角三在观察方源的同时，方源也在暗暗地观察他。

(1)Gu Yue Jiao Shan – His name Jiao Shan means three angles. Probably referring to his triangular eyes.

人祖传，态度是心的面具

《蛊真人》中英文对照版 第八十七节：态度就是心的面具

《蛊真人》中英文对照版第八十七节：态度就是心的面具