Chapter 219: Entering Bai Gu mountain

第二十节：跋涉白骨山

Translator: ChibiGeneral Editor: ChibiGeneral

After a short period of time, Bai clan leader took her gaze off the map, giving up.

片刻之后。

百家族长将目光从地图上收回，她无奈地放弃了。

Bai Gu mountain was huge, even though the range was restricted to the back mountain, it was still a long way to pinpointing the exact location.

白骨山很大，虽然范围缩减到了后山，但是距离准确的定位，还差距很远。

“That Gu Yue lad, he is on guard against our Bai clan and would not ask for the direction directly. It seems that to find out the location of the spirit spring, we will need to buck up!” Bai clan leader gritted her teeth, evaluating.

“古月家的小子，顾忌我百家，肯定不会直接问地点。看来要测算出元泉的位置，还得再加把劲！”百家族长咬咬牙，心中思量着。

Once they obtained the location of the spirit spring, Bai clan would hold a thorough investigation.

一旦得到元泉的位置，百家就会进行详细的侦察。

“But if the spirit spring’s surrounding beast groups isn’t a lot, and the price for killing them isn’t huge, I will strike directly. After all, we have the initiative to act first! But if the surrounding wild beasts and gu worms are too many, we will provide support and reinforce Gu Yue clan, making them bear the brunt of the attacks, while we wait for the opportunity to reap the rewards afterwards. If we do this well, we might even absorb the remnants of Gu Yue clan. Hehehe…”

“如果元泉周围的兽群，并不多，剿杀它们的代价不大，那么我就直接动手。先下手为强！但若是周遭的猛兽蛊虫太多，那就提供后勤，支援古月一族。让他们打头阵，待时机成熟之后，再接收成果。如果操作得当，说不定还能吞并掉古月家的这些残众。呵呵呵……”

Thinking of the great plan, Bai clan leader laughed out.

想到妙处，百家族长不禁轻笑出声。

She had no idea now, that the so called Gu Yue remnants were just a big fat lie.

她现在还不知道，所谓的古月残众，根本就是子虚乌有的事情。

In fact, Fang Yuan obtained even more valuable information from Bai Lian.

反倒是方源，从百莲的口中，获得了许多珍贵的情报。

The righteous inheritance was at the back mountain of Bai Gu mountain, Fang Yuan did not fake the information.

那正道传承就在白骨山后山处，这点方源没有隐瞒。

However, there were many bone beasts at the back mountain, and even more Gu worms dominating the area, it would be tough and full of obstacles to claim the area as a clan territory.

然而，后山多骨兽，更有许多蛊，霸占一方，存在艰难险阻。

He knew from Bai Lian’s words, that there were some exaggeration, relying on his five hundred years of experience, he filtered the exaggerated parts, and obtained one truth —— if he and Bai Ning Bing worked together, to get to the inheritance ground, it would take at least half a year.

他知道百莲的话中，有夸张的成分。凭靠着前世五百年的经验，驱除夸张的内容，方源得到一个事实——如果单靠他和白凝冰二人之力，要到达传承地点，至少得需要半年多的功夫。

The situation on Bai Gu mountain was not like the woods. There were large numbers of wild beast groups, and many ferocious beasts and dangerous gu worms lurked. Many areas needed to be avoided and some places even needed to be steered clear of.

白骨山上的情形，不同于山林。栖息着大规模的兽群，同时盘踞着猛兽和危险的蛊虫。很多地方都需要绕道而行，有些地方更要退避三舍。

Once back at the village, it was like what Bai Sheng Jing said, their battle results were superior to Bai Zhan Lie.

回到山寨之后，果真如百盛景所说，他们的战绩超过了百战猎一筹。

After a day of circulation, this competition was widely known.

经过一天的流传，这场比试已经广为人知。

The five walked in the campgrounds, receiving much attention.

五人走在营地中，受到许多关注。

“Senior Bai Lian won today.”

“百莲前辈今天得胜了呢。”

“That is just Lord Bai Zhan Lie being unlucky. You know, hunting relies on luck too. If you do not encounter rare prey, so what if you have strength?”

“那是百战猎大人运气不佳罢了。你要知道，狩猎也得靠运气。没有碰到珍稀的猎物，就算是有实力也不行啊。”

“Those two, are they the ones from Gu Yue clan?”

“那边的两位，就是古月家的人吗？”

“Who is that girl? So beautiful… not any less than Bai Lian’s beauty!”

“那女子是谁？好漂亮……竟然有不下于百莲的美貌！”

“I heard this Gu Yue clan young master is interested in Lord Bai Lian, truly a lame toad trying to eat swan meat .”

“听说这个古月家的少主，对百莲大人有意思。哼，真是癞蛤蟆想吃天鹅肉。”

“According to my observations, this person’s nature is flawed. Having one beside him already, yet craving another, no wonder Lord Bai Zhan Lie was furious.”

“依我看，此人品性不端。身边已经有了一位，还想另一位，难怪百战猎大人会发怒。”

“Everyone can tell Lord Bai Zhan Lie is interested in senior Bai Lian. After all, I heard they were childhood friends.”

“百战猎大人对百莲前辈的心意，大家都看在眼里。据说，他们可是青梅竹马呢。”

“Sigh, unfortunately the feeling isn’t mutual…”

“唉，可惜落花有意流水无情啊……”

Many whispers and secret talks were undergoing, as people lowered their heads.

许多人窃窃私语，低头谈论着。

Fang Yuan looked like he was gloomy, even though he won, he did not show any joy on his face.

方源却显得心思沉重，虽然得胜，却没有开怀的表情。

Only until at night, at the central tent, as another campfire banquet was held.

到了晚上，在中央营帐中，又有篝火晚宴。

The twins, Bai Sheng and Bai Hua, toasted to Fang Yuan before being brought away. In the tent, many new faces emerged.

百生、百花这对胞兄妹，敬了方源酒后，就被领了下去。营帐中，又多了几个新面孔。

Bai Lian and Bai Zhan Lie’s competition caused them to leave the ordinary hunting competition. Thus, the spots they used to hold were freed now, causing many youngsters in the Bai clan to step up.

百莲和百战猎的比试，使得他俩都脱离了正常的狩猎大比。因此原先霸占的名次空余出来，引得百家的两位年轻翘楚出现。

These two males were evidently closer to Bai Zhan Lie, one stared at Fang Yuan angrily during the banquet while the other was apathetic.

这两位男子很显然亲近于百战猎，宴会间一个对方源怒目而视，另一个则不理不睬。

“Junior, it has been so many days, where are your clansmen?” At the banquet, Bai clan leader asked.

“贤侄，如今已经过去了数天。怎么却还未见到你的族人呢？”酒宴间，百家族长问道。

Fang Yuan showed some worry: “According to my calculations, it should be these few days. Sigh, maybe they encountered some trouble, but with their strength, there should be no problems.

方源显露出一丝忧愁：“按照推算，应该是最近几天。唉，也许他们遇到了一些变故。但是我想，以他们的实力，应该没有太大的问题。”

Bai clan leader nodded, what she was concerned with was Fang Yuan.

百家女族长点点头，她关心的重点，还是在方源身上。

After spending so much effort, and establishing this stage. At this point where progress was being made, and success was around the corner, she did not want the Gu Yue remnants to appear and thwart the entire plot.

费了老大的劲，搭建了这么一个舞台。眼看着进展迅速，成功再望，她可不想因为古月残众的出现，搅了这个大好局面。

What she did not know was, her worry was unnecessary. In this world, only two Gu Yue remained, Fang Yuan and Fang Zheng.

百家族长并不知道，她的这个担忧完全是多此一举。这世间的古月一族，就只剩下方源和方正这两兄弟了。

“No worries junior, I have sent people to scout around, I believe that not long later, you will hear news of your clansmen.” After reacting, Bai clan leader consoled Fang Yuan.

“贤侄勿忧，我已经派人四处侦探。相信不久之后，就会有你族人的消息了。”反过来，百家族长宽慰方源。

Fang Yuan quickly thanked her, as Bai Ning Bing frowned.

方源连忙道谢，身旁的白凝冰微微皱眉。

The situation was getting more critical, the longer they dragged, the worse it was for them.

情势越来越危急了，世间拖得越久，对他们俩来讲，越是不利。

Now was still fine, using excuses to answer them. After all, in the wild, encountering unexpected troubles is normal. But after they dragged it out, Bai clan would be suspicious, and may even find out the truth behind their lies.

现在还好说，可以用借口搪塞。毕竟野外行进，遇到一些意料之外的麻烦，也是正常的事情。但是一旦时间拖得更长些，百家就会起疑心。甚至直接窥破己方的虚实。

But these days, they continued to hunt in the wild, and Bai Ning Bing did not dare to do anything. She knew that there were Bai clan gu masters invigilating the entire process, hiding at a corner.

但这些天来，不断地在山野中狩猎，白凝冰却一直不敢轻举妄动。她知道周围必定有监视的百家蛊师，隐藏在一旁。

They lacked a strong movement gu, and with the complex forest terrain, it limited their speed.

他们俩缺少强力的移动蛊，山林中的复杂情况，又大大限制了他们的速度。

In Bai Ning Bing’s perspective, the situation was worsening by the day, they seemed to have fallen deep into the quicksand, sinking deeper as time passed, at this rate they would be thoroughly consumed.

在白凝冰看来，局面正一天天的糜烂。他们如同深陷沼泽，越陷越深，放任下去，早晚会沉沦腐朽。

“What exactly are you planning?” Bai Ning Bing stared at Fang Yuan.

“那么你究竟有什么打算呢？”白凝冰看向邻座的方源。

She understood Fang Yuan, he was not the type of person to wait and die. But because of her little life experiences, she could not think of a way to break out of the situation.

她了解方源，知道他绝不是坐以待毙之人。但是因为人生经验的限制，她想不出破局的好方法。

In this environment, she could not discuss openly with Fang Yuan either.

在这个环境中，她又不好直接和方源商议。

The pressure in Bai Ning Bing’s heart was intensifying.

白凝冰心中的压力越来越重。

Another day passed.

如此又过了一天。

Fang Yuan’s group was narrowly beating Bai Zhan Lie’s group in terms of results.

方源这队的战绩，险险地盖过百战猎一头。

At the banquet, Bai clan leader called Bai Mo Xing for another secret discussion.

晚宴之后，百家族长召来百陌行商谈密谋。

Clan leader tapped on the table with her finger: “This cannot go on, although today during the hunting, Bai Lian continued to talk about the dangers of Bai Gu mountain, I could feel Fang Zheng wavering but time waits for no one. Once the Gu Yue group shows up, Fang Zheng would’ve found his pillar of support, and our efforts would have been in vain.”

女族长用手指头敲着桌面：“不能再这样下去了。虽然在今天狩猎的过程中，百莲不断地谈及白骨山的危险。我已经感觉到方正的动摇。但是时间不等人啊，一旦古月一族的大部队出现，方正就找到了主心骨，我们的努力也都白费了。”

“Time is not on our side.” Bai clan leader sighed, unable to hide her worry.

“时不我待啊。”百家族长长叹一声，掩盖不住脸上的忧虑。

What she did not know was, Bai Ning Bing was more worried than her.

她不知道，其实白凝冰比她还要忧虑。

Time was even more precious for Bai Ning Bing and Fang Yuan.

时间对于白凝冰和方源来讲，更加宝贵。

Bai Mo Xing pondered for a while: “Clan leader, the way I see it, it is not realistic to expect Fang Zheng to trust us in the short run and give us the location of the spirit spring. I have an idea here, but we still need to continue manipulating and intensifying his pressure.”

百陌行沉吟了一番：“族长，依老朽的想法，要在短时间内让方正信任我们，说出元泉的具体位置，恐怕不太现实。我这里想了一个方法，还是得靠旁敲侧击，不过得加一把火。”

“Oh? Speak.”

“哦？你说说看。”

Bai Mo Xing whispered softly.

百陌行低声咕哝了一番。

Bai clan leader nodded slightly: “You are right, that Fang Zheng is very anxious, probably worried that his clan would suffer too much losses from fighting for the spirit spring. Doesn’t he want information on the area near the spirit spring? He definitely wants it, but is wary of us. Moreover, their cultivation is weak too, your idea seems good…..”

百家族长微微点头：“你说的对。那方正忧心忡忡，一定很担心家族为了攻取元泉，损失过大。他难道不想得到元泉附近的情报吗？他心里面想得很，但又顾忌我们。而且他们俩的修为也太弱了。你的方法听起来不错……”

Subconsciously, the female clan leader felt that this method was inappropriate, but now that they had no better plans they could only try this.

隐隐之中，女族长觉得这个方法有些不妥之处。但如今已经没有其他的好办法，只能试一试了。

Thus, on the third day of the duel, Bai Zhan Lie accidentally caught a wild swimming dragon butterfly during hunting, and the entire camp was in a commotion.

于是到了约斗的第三天，百战猎因为在狩猎过程中，意外地捕捉到一只野生的游龙蝶，全营都轰动了。

Bai Lian showed a grim expression: “The situation is looking bad, swimming dragon butterfly Gu, rank three and very precious. Bai Zhan Lie’s score is way ahead of us, we can only take a risky move to have a chance to win. I am very clear of the forest’s terrain. We can only go into Bai Gu mountain to hunt, and kill bone beasts or capture wild bone Gu.”

百莲神情沉重：“情况很不妙。游龙蝶蛊，乃是三转蛊，十分珍稀。百战猎已经遥遥领先，我们只有兵出险招，才有胜利的希望。周围山林的情况，我都知道。只有上白骨山狩猎，猎杀骨兽，或者收服野生的骨蛊了。”

Bai Ning Bing heard this, and her heart jumped.

白凝冰听到这里，顿时心中砰然一动。

Bai Gu mountain, isn’t that the best way to break out of their predicament? Haha, to think that an opportunity would arrive like this.

白骨山，这不正是破局的最好时机吗？哈哈，想不到良机居然主动送上门前来。

Although Bai Gu mountain was dangerous, it was the best way to escape Bai clan.

白骨山虽然危险重重，但却是摆脱百家的最好方法了。

Fang Yuan shook his head: “This is too dangerous, lady Bai Lian, we have limited strength, forget it.”

方源却摇头：“这太危险了。百莲姑娘，我们实力有限，还是算了吧。”

Bai Ning Bing stared with wide opened eyes, wanting to strangle Fang Yuan so badly.

白凝冰闻言瞪眼，这一刻恨不得掐住方源的脖子。

Bai Lian laughed instead: “No worries young master. I have a plan, I have a good relationship with Bai Sheng and Bai Hua, we can coax them into joining the hunt tomorrow. They have no cultivation, thus they are not considered reinforcements for us. But they have Gu Masters hiding around protecting them from danger. If we enter Bai Gu mountain, and encounter danger, how can they not help? We will not take the wild beasts they kill, but only hunt our own. The beast groups are bound to have the old, sickly and weak, the wild beasts on Bai Gu mountain are way more valuable.”

百莲却一笑：“公子勿忧，我已有法子。我和百生、百花二位少主私交甚密，明日可哄骗他们一起参加狩猎。他们没有修为在身，不算我们偷偷引援。但是他们身边，必定有保驾护的隐蛊师。我们上了白骨山，若是遇到危险，这些护卫能不出手吗？我们也不偷取他们杀死的猛兽尸体，我们狩猎我们自己的。兽群中总会有老弱幼残。白骨山上的野兽，可是有价值多了。”

Fang Yuan was shocked: “To think that Bai clan is doing this, all just to prevent my suspicion.”

方源着实愣了一下：“想不到为了不引起我的疑心，百家方面居然这样做。”

As he thought so in his heart, he said instead: “Great idea! Lady Bai Lian is truly pure hearted, I am very amazed.”

心中这样想着，但他嘴中却道：“此计大妙。百莲姑娘你蕙质兰心，叫人刮目相看。”

“No, I am flattered.” Bai Lian smiled shyly, but smugness flashed across her eyes.

“哪里，公子谬赞了。”百莲羞涩一笑，眼中藏着隐晦的得意。

……

————————————————————–

The next day.

次日。

At dusk, in the central tent, Bai clan leader stared at the rainbow smoke in the air tightly.

昏暗的中央大帐中，百家族长紧紧地盯着半空中的彩色烟雾。

In the smoke, an image appeared.

烟雾中，显现出画面。

In the image, there were seven people. Other than Fang Yuan, Bai Lian and the three, there were also two children, the Bai clan young masters.

画面中，一行七人。除开方源、百莲五人之外，还多了两位孩童，正是百家的两位少主。

“It seems Bai Gu mountain is very peaceful. We’ve moved for so long, and not encountered any trouble.” In the image, Bai Sheng Jing spoke.

“看来白骨山，很平静么。我们走了这么久，也没有遇到什么麻烦。”画面中，百盛景开口道。

Bai clan leader snorted out of anger.

百家族长立即气得冷哼一声。

To protect them, she sent out a large number of Gu Masters to pave the way, not leaving behind a single elder, all protecting them in secret.

为了保护他们开道，她派遣了大量的蛊师，甚至身边的家老一个不留，都暗中跟随了过去。

The reason Fang Yuan’s group was having such an easy time, and encountering sporadic wild beasts, was because they were purposely left behind by the Bai clan Gu Masters.

方源这队人马，走得畅通无阻，遇到的零星野兽，也是百家蛊师故意遗漏，放进来的。

In this six hours, Bai clan had sacrificed tens of outstanding Gu Masters, and even three elders were injured.

在他们跋涉行进的这三个时辰内，百家已经牺牲了数十位优秀的蛊师，甚至三位家老都负伤。

Among them, two were severely injured, falling unconscious and were on the way back to camp.

其中两位伤重者，已经昏迷不醒，正在返营的途中。

But this was still Bai Gu mountain’s foot, the more they ascended, the more danger lurked.

但这还是白骨山的山脚处。越到山上，就越加危机四伏。

Don’t see how easily Fang Yuan and the others travelled, this was all due to the other Gu Master’s sacrifice of life and blood.

别看方源等人走的轻松，其实都是前方的蛊师用鲜血和生命换来的。

Especially Bai Gu mountain, no one lived there, and it was a wild beast territory. To pave the way and explore, the price to pay was huge.

尤其是白骨山，从未有人烟，是属于猛兽和野蛊的地盘。要开荒探路，付出的代价都巨大而且高昂。

Fang Yuan continued to ascend, and with Bai Lian’s guidance, they arrived at Bai Gu back mountain.

方源一行人不断攀登，在白莲有意的引导下，不知不觉间到了白骨后山。

“We have limited information, I do not know where to continue going. The sky is getting dark, maybe we should get back.” Bai Lian purposely said.

“情报有限，接下来我就不知道该怎么走了。天色不早，或许我们该回去了。”白莲故意地道。

“Since we’re here, we might as well explore.” Fang Yuan said instead.

“来都来了，不妨再探一探。”方源却道。

He looked around, trying to discern, like he was trying to find something.

他四处张望，不断辨别，似乎正在寻找什么东西一般。

He started to lead them, according to his memories, he knew the inheritance ground was close by.

他开始主动带路，按照记忆，他知道传承地点已经不远了。

“Hey, hey, hey, can you at least try to pretend?” Beside him, Bai Ning Bing saw this and was screaming in her heart. Fang Yuan’s behaviour was already out of character.

“喂喂喂，你好歹装得像一点吧？”一旁，白凝冰看在眼中，急在心里。方源如此行为举止，有些露骨了。

Bai Ning Bing looked around worriedly, but what was strange was: Be it Bai Lian, Bai Sheng Jing or the others, it seemed they could not tell anything, letting Fang Yuan search in silence.

白凝冰担忧地扫视身边人。但令她感到奇怪的是：不管是百莲，还是百盛景等人，都似乎察觉不到，沉默中放任方源行动。

“Good, this is it! It seems this place is very close to the spirit spring!” In the tent, the clan leader said agitatedly.

“好，就是这样！看来此地，已经极为接近那元泉所在了！”营帐中，族长激动之情溢于言表。

“Hehehe, Fang Zheng, you are still too young… Eh? They entered the cave, is the spirit spring inside the cave?” The image flashed, showing the insides of the cave.

“呵呵呵，方正，你还是太嫩了点……咦？进了山洞，难道元泉是在洞内？”画面一闪，显现出山洞中的景象。

Right when Bai clan leader was getting confused, someone reported from the outside: “Reporting to clan leader, an investigative Gu Master is back, bringing a Tie clan Gu Master, they have important news to report!”

正当百家族长有些疑惑的时候，帐外有人禀告道：“启禀族长，有侦察蛊师归来，俘虏了一位铁家蛊师。并且有重大情报汇报！”

《蛊真人》中英文对照版 第二十节：跋涉白骨山

《蛊真人》中英文对照版第二十节：跋涉白骨山