Chapter 148: Circumstance

第一百四十八节：局面

Translator: Skyfarrow Editor: Skyfarrow

Two giant banners fluttered in the wind with a ringing noise.

两道巨幡在风中飘荡，猎猎作响。

One was the battle merit board; Fang Yuan was now among the top ten in the list. Another banner listed all kinds of goods which could be exchanged with battle merits.

一道是战功榜，如今方源已位列前十。一道幡面上，记录着各种物资，都需要战功才可兑换。

However, most of the Gu Masters in the crowded plaza had their attention on a newly announced decree.

但此刻，人来人往的广场上，众多蛊师的视线却被一道刚刚颁布的法令通告吸引住。

The content of the announcement was: The wolf tide is becoming more fierce and the casualties among the clan’s Gu Masters are increasing day by day. To reinforce the treatment methods, the medical hall orders all the Gu Masters who possess Nine Leaf Vitality Grass to temporarily hand them over to the clan. The medical hall will organize staffs to unify all the productions.

通告的内容大意是：狼潮凶猛，家族蛊师死伤情况日益严重。为了加强治疗的能力，药堂勒令所有拥有九叶生机草的蛊师们，都将手中的九叶生机草暂时上缴给家族。药堂会组织人手，进行统一的生产。

There were a list of names in the notification. They were the names of the Gu Masters that possessed Nine Leaf Vitality Grass in the clan.

通告的最后，是一列名单。名列着家族中拥有九叶生机草的蛊师姓名。

Naturally, Fang Yuan was also listed.

不用说，方源自然是榜上有名。

Right now, he was standing in a distant corner looking at this notification; his expression couldn’t help but turn ugly.

此刻，他站在远处的角落，看着这张通知，脸色不免有些难看。

At first sight, he had realized this to be Gu Yue Yao Ji’s move against him.

看的第一眼，他就立即意识到，这是古月药姬在针对他，向他出手。

“Hmph, this Gu Yue Yao Ji has been indignant since she failed to purchase the Liquor worm from me. I already accumulated enough battle merits to exchange for that Three Steps Fragrant Grass gu, but she prevented this from happening in the dark. Now, she is actually coveting my Nine Leaf Vitality Grass…..”

“哼，这个古月药姬，先前向我求购酒虫未果，一直不死心。我原本早就积累了足够的战功，想要兑换了那三步芳草蛊，也被她暗中阻止。这一次，居然觊觎我的九叶生机草……”

Gu Yue Yao Ji’s actions were understandable.

不过，古月药姬这么做，也可以理解。

People of the same trade were natural enemies.

同行是天生的冤家、仇敌。

By controlling the sale of the vitality leaves, Gu Yue Yao Ji could consolidate her authority, deepen her influence and maintain her connections. However, Fang Yuan sold them in increased price, so this imperceptibly was infringing on her benefits and shaking her influence.

古月药姬通过控制售卖生机叶，来巩固权位，加深影响力，维系人脉关系。方源却暗地中贩卖，抬高价格，这无形中就侵犯了她的利益，动摇了她的影响力。

“I have a lot of Gu worms on me now; White Jade Gu, Moonglow Gu, Plunder Gu, Water Shield Gu, Earth Communication Ear Grass and more. Nine Leaf Vitality Grass is my most important economy source; if I lose this Gu, it will be like receiving a checkmate. Gu Yue Yao Ji made a really fierce move,” Fang Yuan frowned.

“我现在身上蛊虫众多，白玉蛊、月芒蛊、强取蛊、水罩蛊、地听肉耳草等等。九叶生机草是我最主要的经济支撑。若是失了这蛊，等若是被釜底抽薪。古月药姬这招，真是狠辣。”方源皱起眉头。

The discussions of the surrounding Gu Masters entered his ears.

周围蛊师们的议论声，传入他的耳中。

“Medicine hall made a truly great decision! There are very few vitality leaves and they simply can’t meet our needs. Every time a batch appears in the goods board, they will immediately be purchased by others.”

“药堂这举措真是太好了！生机叶太少。根本满足不了我们的需求。每次刚刚在物资榜上出现一批，就立即被人收购走。”

“Elder Yao Ji is truly gentle and kind. Look at the name list, it includes several Gu Masters from both Chi and Mo factions. She has no doubt offended many powerful elders with this action.”

“药姬家老果真是慈爱仁厚，你们看这名单，有一些人都是赤脉、漠脉的蛊师。她这样做，无疑得罪了许多当权家老。”

“Elder Yao Ji is thinking for the clan, she is worthy of respect!”

“药姬大人一心为了家族，值得尊敬！”

“Ai, only Lord Yao Ji has such courage. If it was any other elders, who would dare to take such action?”

“唉，也只有药姬大人才有如此魄力了。换做其他家老，谁敢如此做？”

“Eh! Look, the notification contents have changed. Chi and Mo faction’s Gu Masters have handed over their Nine Leaf Vitality Grass.”

“哦！你们看。通告的内容变动了。赤脉、漠脉的蛊师，都上缴了九叶生机草。”

The crowd was boiling.

人群沸腾起来。

Nine Leaf Vitality Grass being consolidated and unified production meant the availability of much more vitality leaves. This was a great news to the crowd.

九叶生机草集中起来，统一生产，代表着更多的生机叶。这对于他们来讲。是一个大大的好消息。

Fang Yuan watched the notice with rapt attention and sure enough saw: Beside the name list of these Gu Masters, there were new words ‘handed over’. His own name had thus become conspicuous.

方源凝神看去，果真便看到：在这一些蛊师的名字后面，已经增添了“已上缴”三个字样。而自己的名字，更因此变得显眼突出。

His heart felt increasing pressure.

他心中更添一份沉重。

Gu Yue Yao Ji was an old veteran with deep schemes; with this move, she was borrowing the momentum to pressure Fang Yuan. If Fang Yuan resisted or disobeyed, that would be attracting even bigger troubles, giving people a hold over him; it was absolutely not a sensible act.

古月药姬到底是年老成精，深于权谋。此举是借助大势，向方源压迫。方源若要硬抗不遵，反而会惹来更大的麻烦，受人把柄。绝非明智之举。

This was the power of the system.

这就是家族体制的厉害之处了。

If the clan wanted you to sacrifice, it won’t directly say so. Instead it will drape a shiny cape of righteousness, and give you no choice but to submit.

家族叫你牺牲，不会直接说。而是披上一层光鲜的皮，夹裹大义。让你不得不就范。

An example was the recruitment of those retired old Gu Masters and making them sacrifice their lives, how could they resist?

就像征召那些退隐的蛊师老者，让他们牺牲生命，他们谁敢违抗？

The current movement of collecting the Nine Leaf Vitality Grass was asking Fang Yuan and other Gu Masters to sacrifice their benefits to satisfy everyone, and was basically to Yao Ji’s benefits. Anyone that dared to disobey was going against the clan and alienating themselves! They were traitors and rebels!

现在要收集九叶生机草，就是要方源等一些蛊师，牺牲他们的利益，来满足大家的，其根本上是她药姬的利益。谁要是敢不听，就是违逆家族，脱离群众！就是贼子，就是反动！

“To resolve this, small schemes like delaying tactics won’t work and will instead put oneself into an even more passive state. Yao Ji’s move carries righteousness and the public opinion; any small schemes will be destroyed. Only by using an even bigger momentum, fairly fighting back and defeating her momentum openly will resolve this.”

“要解决这事，拖延耍赖都行不通，反而会令自己更加被动。因为这些都是阴谋小道，药姬此举夹裹大义民意而来，任何的小道阴谋都要被击溃。唯有用更大的势，堂堂正正地反击过去，从正面击溃她的这股势，才是解决之法。”

Fang Yuan already had a solution.

方源心中已有根本的解决之计。

This plan was simple but grand; advance to Rank three!

这计策简单而又堂皇，就是晋升到三转。

Rank three and Rank two Gu Masters had completely different status. In the clan, any Gu Master that advanced to Rank three would immediately become an elder and join the decision makers circle. Even the clan head couldn’t lightly infringe upon their benefits.

三转和二转蛊师的地位，完全不同。在家族中，只要蛊师晋升三转，立即就是家老，加入决策高层圈子。就算是族长，也不能轻易触犯其利益。

Don’t think that the Gu Masters of the Mo and Chi factions obediently handed over the Nine Leaf Vitality Grass, seemingly sacrificing their own benefits. Behind the scenes, Gu Yue Yao Ji should have already completed secret transactions with Gu Yue Chi Lian, Gu Yue Mo Chen and other elders.

别看这通告中，漠脉、赤脉中的等等蛊师，乖溜溜地上缴了九叶生机草。似乎是牺牲了各自的利益。其实背地里，古月药姬早就和古月赤练、古月漠尘等家老，完成了暗中的利益交换。

This was political transaction.

这就是政治交易。

However, the majority couldn’t see this truth and were hoodwinked by Yao Ji.

但大多数人看不到这幕后真相，因此都被药姬蒙骗住。

If Fang Yuan was a Rank three Gu Master, even if he had to hand over the Nine Leaf Vitality Grass, he would definitely obtain enough compensations in other aspects.

方源若是三转蛊师，就算是上缴了九叶生机草，也必定在其他方面，得到足够的补偿。

Why was Gu Yue Yao Ji so anxious to deal with Fang Yuan?

古月药姬为什么这么着急对付方源？

On one hand, it was because of benefits; Fang Yuan’s actions infringed on her benefits and similarly she wanted some Gu worms that was on Fang Yuan’s body.

一来，是因为利益，方源的行动触犯了她的利益，同时方源身上的一些蛊虫，也是古月药姬想要得到的。

On the other hand, Fang Yuan was already at Rank two peak stage; if she didn’t make any move now and waited for him to become a Rank three elder, there would be no more opportunities.

二来，方源已经是二转巅峰，若再不对他动手，等到他成了三转家老，那就没有机会了。

“Advancing to Rank three is a must. The clan can sacrifice Rank two Gu Masters, but Rank three Gu Masters are its pillars and each loss would incur a huge damage. Moreover, I have accumulated too many troubles. Qing Shu died but the clan didn’t do a careful investigation. I have the Water Shield Gu, Plunder Gu and other Gu worms, but the clan has turned a blind eye to it. My cultivation is advancing so fast, the higher-ups clearly know about it, but are enduring it and haven’t examined the secrets on me.”

“晋升三转，是必须的。对于家族来讲，二转的蛊师也可以牺牲，但是到了三转，就是支柱，少一人都是巨大损失。况且，我现在身上麻烦不少。青书的死，家族并没有详细调查。我手中留着水罩蛊、强取蛊等等，家族也睁一只眼闭一只眼。我修为进步如此快速，家族高层都看在眼里，却一直隐忍，没有探察我身上的秘密。”

Fang Yuan was very clear on his current situation.

方源对自己目前的处境心知肚明。

On the surface, he looked to be strong and well off, but he was actually surrounded by danger.

表面上，他强势风光，其实背后危机四伏。

The clan didn’t move against him because their attention was completely on the wolf tide. If they can’t resist the wolf tide, the clan would be destroyed. In front of such pressure, Fang Yuan’s situation was only a minor detail to them.

家族没有针对他，是因为被狼潮牵引了全部注意力。抵抗不了狼群，家族就要灭亡，这样的压力下，方源的事情只是细枝末节。

However, once the wolf tide is gone, the clan’s higher-ups would regain their energy; how could they not look for him to settle the account?

但是一旦狼潮过去，家族高层有了精力，怎么可能不找他秋后算账？

Before in the academy, the clan elders didn’t move against Fang Yuan because he was too weak. He was taking small steps and didn’t infringe upon their benefits, thus not attracting their attention.

以前学堂那会儿，家老们不对付方源，是因为他太弱小了。小打小闹。都没有触犯家老们的利益，他们也不把方源放在眼里。

But, it was different now.

但是现在不一样了。

Fang Yuan’s cultivation was already at Rank two peak stage, if he took one step further, he would become an elder.

方源的修为，已经是二转巅峰，再上一步。就是家老。

Simply this cultivation had already touched the elders’ nerves. His every movement was observed and noted by the elders.

单单这份修为，就已经触及了家老们的神经。一举一动，都会被家老们看在眼中，记在心上。

Any newly advanced elders could influence the whole political situation of the Gu Yue clan. This resulted in continuous suppression of Fang Yuan. What’s more, Fang Yuan hadn’t joined the system and entered any factions, thus these made the suppressions become even more intense.

任何一个新晋的家老，都会影响古月一族的整个政治格局。因此，针对方源的招揽和打压都将接踵而来。方源一日不入体制，不进阵营，这些招揽和打压就会愈演愈烈。

Neutral faction was also a faction.

中间派也是一个阵营。

No one could tolerate the current Fang Yuan, someone who was roaming beyond the clan system.

没有人会再容忍现在的方源。游离于家族体制之外了。

“If I advance to Rank three, the suppression will definitely be much more lower than now, though they will still be there. Rank three is a point of qualitative change, a threshold. Stepping through it will bring one to a whole new world. Similarly, with Rank three cultivation, I can freely move about. At worst, I will simply leave the clan.” Fang Yuan was clear on this.

“若是我晋升三转，虽然招揽和打压仍旧会有，但绝对比二转巅峰从容许多。这就是一个质变的点，一个门槛。跨过去。就是新的天地。同时，三转修为能让我进退自如。大不了直接离开家族就是了。”方源对这局势洞若观火。

However, advancing to Rank three was not an easy thing. Especially considering Fang Yuan’s C grade aptitude, it was almost an impossible barrier.

但晋升三转，绝非易事。尤其对方源这身丙等资质，几乎是难以逾越的障碍。

In his previous life, he had stalled at Rank two peak stage for over a hundred years. Until afterwards, he paid a painful price to obtain a Gu and promoted his aptitude. Only then could he step through this difficulty.

前世时，他就卡在二转巅峰一百余年。直至后来。付出惨重代价，得了一只蛊，提升了资质，这才跨过难关。

In a Gu Master’s cultivation, it was easy to advance through small realms, they only needed enough time and patience. However, every large realm had a barrier, and the higher you go, the harder it is to cross. Especially the difficulty in advancing from Rank five to Rank six was beyond imagination, harder than ascending heaven!

蛊师修行中。小境界容易晋升，只要时间足够。皆是水磨功夫。但是大境界，每一道都是关卡。越到后面越难。尤其是五转到六转，难度超乎想象，比登天还难！

Fang Yuan already had a lot of difficulties in advancing from Rank one to Rank two. Now, to advance from Rank two to Rank three, there was no possibility of success by following the traditional route.

方源从一转晋升二转，已经是艰辛无比。如今要从二转晋升三转，常规的方法根本就没有成功的可能。

Fortunately, in Fang Yuan’s five hundred years of life experience and vast memories, there were two to three methods. Saying it nicely, they were alternative paths but saying it coarsely, they were demonic practices.

但好在方源有着五百年的人生体验，在他浩瀚繁芜的记忆中，有着那么两三个偏方。说好听些，是另辟蹊径，说难听点，就是歪门邪道。

This option was very suitable for Fang Yuan’s current situation.

方源现在选的这法子，最适合他现在的处境。

With this option, advancing to Rank three required one to refine a peculiar and bloody Gu — Man-beast Life Burial Gu. An ancient devil path sect leader had made painstaking efforts and invented this recipe to strengthen his subordinates’ cultivation.

要晋升三转，就要炼成一只奇诡血腥的蛊虫，名为——人兽葬生蛊。这是古代一位魔道教主，为了壮大下属修为，殚精竭虑，发明的秘方。

The Man-beast Life Burial Gu was specialized for Rank two Gu Masters to breakthrough to Rank three realm.

人兽葬生蛊专门为二转蛊师，突破三转境界所用。

In his previous life, Fang Yuan explored unknown places and coincidentally found this recipe. It had made a deep impression on him and he had firmly kept it in mind.

方源在前世寻幽探秘，机缘巧合得到这秘方，印象很深刻，一直牢记在心中。

The crucial point was that the materials required for the fusion were not rare.

关键是，合炼所需的材料，也并非稀罕之物。

If it were normal times, Fang Yuan might need two-three years to collect them, given his circumstances. However the wolf tide gave him a great opportunity.

若在平常，以方源的条件，要收集这些需要两三年的时间，但狼潮带给了他大量的机会。

He had already collected sufficient primeval stones and Gu worms. The only remaining thing was to wait for an opportune moment.

这些天来，他已经收集到足够的元石，还有蛊虫。只剩下一种，需要时机。

……

“Everyone, quickly look at the notice the medicine hall has just issued.”

“大家快来看啊，药堂刚刚发出的通告。”

“They want to collect Nine Leaf Vitality Grass and unify the production of vitality leaves?”

“竟然是要征集九叶生机草，统一生产生机叶？”

“This is a great news.”

“这可是个天大的好消息啊。”

In the bamboo building, a group of Gu Masters gathered near the notice pasted on the wall. They were all filled with delight when they read it.

竹楼中，一群蛊师围着墙上的通告，看得眉飞色舞。

“Hahaha, I reckon Fang Yuan is close to tears.”

“哈哈哈，这样一来，那方源估计要哭了。”

“Hmph, serves him right for selling the vitality leaves at such a high price, exploiting our hard earned money!”

“哼，叫他乱卖生机叶，剥削我们的血汗钱！”

“I really want to see what expression Fang Yuan has now….it would definitely be very ugly.”

“我现在很想看看方源他是什么样的表情啊……一定非常难看。”

Many people were taking joy in the others’ misfortune.

许多人都幸灾乐祸。

“Hehehe, this really lets us vent our resentment. We really need to thank Miss Yao Le for this, if she didn’t persuade Lord Yao Ji, how could there be such a day?”

“呵呵呵，这真是给我们出了一口恶气。不过此事还得谢谢药乐小姐，没有她劝说药姬大人，又怎么可能会有这样一天？”

“Right, we are really grateful to Miss Yao Le.”

“是啊，真是太感谢药乐小姐。”

“Miss Yao Le is not only beautiful, she is also kind-hearted, upholding justice and fairness for us. She has the demeanor of Lord Yao Ji.”

“药乐小姐不仅人漂亮，关键是心地善良，为我们伸张正义，主持公道。有药姬大人的风范呀。”

……

As she heard the continuous praises, Gu Yue Yao Le shyly lowered her head, she felt happy.

周围的称赞声不绝于耳，古月药乐羞涩地垂下头，心中很是开心。

“Little sister Yao Le.” Right at this time, Xiong Jiao Man walked in through the door, “I came to say my goodbyes. I saw the medicine hall’s notice, I am really thankful to you for letting me vent out my indignance. People like Fang Yuan are black sheeps and need to be controlled.”

“药乐妹妹。”这时，熊骄嫚从门外走进竹楼“我是来向你道别的。药堂的通告我也看了，多谢你给我出了一口闷气。像方源这种人，就是害群之马，必须得整治。”

“Big sister, you are leaving?” Gu Yue Yao Le threw a concerned look.

“骄嫚姐姐，你这就要走了吗？”古月药乐投来关切的目光。

Xiong Jiao Man put one hand on her hip and pointed the thumb of her other hand to a group of Gu Masters standing outside the door, saying, “I have already asked for reinforcements, I must hurry back. Let’s meet again next time.”

熊骄嫚一手叉腰，一手翘起大拇指，往后指了指门外站着的一群蛊师：“我已经请到了援兵，必须得尽快赶回去。我们下次见。”

Yao Le’s heart was filled with grief.

药乐的心中，顿时涌出一股忧伤之情。

Xiong Jiao Man had ten Gu Masters when she had left her clan, but there were only seven left when she reached here. Now, these Gu Masters were going to step into the cruel battlefield again, how many of them could safely return?

熊骄嫚出发时，是十位蛊师，到达这里时，只剩下七人。现在门外的这些蛊师，即将步入残酷的战场，能安全归来的又有几人呢？

《蛊真人》中英文对照版 第一百四十八节：局面

《蛊真人》中英文对照版第一百四十八节：局面