The two by the table exchanged glances, both catching the sharp glint in each other’s eyes:
桌边两人对视一眼，都看到彼此目光中蕴含的精光：
“Of course we do, and we also know that the Chief can live for a hundred years.”
“当然，我们还知道首席能活一百年。”
“A hundred years!”
“一百年！”
Ashi Zaguda stared in shock at the tall, thin speaker. He counted on his fingers, then grew a bit confused after reaching nine.
阿希扎古达震惊的看向说话的那瘦高个儿。他扳着指头，数到九的时候就有点迷糊了。
A hundred; what an immensely long span of time that must be. He could never live that long himself.
一百，那该是多么漫长的时光啊，自己都绝对活不到那个时候。
“But you will become the Chief, just three years from now,” the man who had been mixing his strange water said as he poured it.
“但你会成为首席，就在三年之后。”给他掺怪水的人边倒水边说道。
“How could that be? Father will always be…”
“我怎么可能，父亲他会一直是…”
“No, Cry. The oracle says you will be the new Chief.”
“不，希。神谕中说，你会是新的首席。”
“Oracle?”
“神谕？”
Ahizaguda looked at the man with some confusion. “The one you talk about, that heavenly…”
阿希扎古达有些茫然的看着这人，“就是你们说的，那位天上的…”
“Yes, the Great Light God.”
“对，大光神。”
After uttering these three words, the man’s expression turned solemn.
说出这三个字后，这人面目变得肃穆。
The others around them immediately put down their bowls and bowed their heads devoutly.
周围几人也顿时放下手中的碗，虔诚的低着头。
“I didn’t want to tell you now, but the time is approaching.”
“本来是不想现在告诉你的，可是，时间快到了。”
“What’s approaching?”
“什么快到了？”
“The Great Light God is the creator of the world, the sovereign. He drove the darkness to the other side, forming the night. To punish the night, the Great Light God created the Undying King.”
“大光神是世界的创造者，是主宰，他把黑暗赶到了另一边形成了夜晚。为了惩戒夜晚，大光神才创造了不死之王。”
“Impossible.”
“不可能。”
Seeing Ahizaguda’s disbelief, someone nearby interrupted disdainfully, as if mocking the boy for failing to see something so obvious:
见阿希扎古达不信，旁边有人不屑的开口插言，仿佛在嘲讽这个少年连这样明显的事情都看不出来：
“The Undying King comes from the heavens, that’s why he can fight the comet from the heavens. Don’t you understand yet? But the Undying King can only fight that star; he is inferior to the Great Light!”
“不死之王来自天上，所以才能与同样来自天上的扫把星战斗。你还不明白吗！但不死之王只能与那颗星星战斗，他比不上大光！”
Ahizaguda was stunned.
阿希扎古达震惊了。
He felt as if he had just learned the deepest, most well-kept secret of the world: that there was an even greater being above the Undying King.
他仿佛听闻到了世界最深奥最绝密的消息，原来不死之王之上还有一位更伟大的存在。
“We are the Great Light God’s earthly representatives. This good water that can send people back to heaven is the Great Light God’s gift.”
“我们就是大光神的人间代言人。这能让人回到天上的好水，就是大光神的赐予。”
The boy lowered his head in shame. Right, he should have realized it sooner.
男孩忏愧的低下头，对啊，自己早该想到的啊。
The boy sniffed the turbid liquid in the bowl, which carried a fruity and sour aroma. This was a gift from the Great Light that created the Undying King—no wonder it made one feel as if floating in the sky.
少年嗅了嗅碗中带着果味与酸味的浑浊液体，这竟是创造不死之王的大光所赐予，难怪会让人像是飘到了天上。
“Me… Will I really become the Chief?”
“我，我真的会是首席？”
“As long as you follow our instructions, you can certainly become someone even greater than the Chief. When the time comes, the god will order you to proclaim the existence of the Great Light. You will use the sacred artifact to protect the world. Can you do it?”
“只要你听我们的去做，就绝对能成为比首席还厉害的人。到时候，神要你替他宣扬大光的存在。你要运用圣器守护世界，你做得到吗？”
After saying this, the man revealed a long sword with a faint sheen from a linen pouch that had been wrapped with the utmost care.
这人说完，从包裹得极其郑重的麻布中露出一把看上去有些光泽的长剑。
“It’s a good sacred artifact—you have one too!”
“是好圣器，你们也有！”
The boy, whose mind was now fuzzy from being plied with fruit wine, fully believed him.
被果酒灌得头脑有些蒙呼呼的少年彻底相信了。
So I will still be the Chief after all, he thought happily.
原来我依旧会是首席，他开心的想到。
“Then what should I do?”
“那我该怎么做？”
“In the past, it relied on force, but from now on, the Great Light says we must also rely on our wits. The arrival of the Undying King’s Servant this time is the true test for you. You must find a way to obtain an item from him and hand it over to me—that will complete the trials set by the Great Light.”
“以前要靠武力，但以后大光说我们还要靠头脑，不死之王的侍者这次来就是考验你。你要想办法得到他身上的一个东西，将它交给我，就完成了大光给予的考验。”
With that, the tall, thin man leaned his head close to the boy’s ear, concealed his mouth with his hand, and whispered the detailed plan.
说罢，那瘦高个将头伸到他耳边，用手遮住嘴轻声说着详细的计划。
The more the boy listened, the brighter his eyes became.
少年越听眼睛越亮了起来。
……
……
Three years passed in the blink of an eye.
三年时光匆匆而过。
In recent days, a multitude of people had gathered in the small town—dense and bustling like pilgrims, causing a clamorous uproar both inside and outside the city.
这几日，无数人聚集于小城，这密集的宛若朝圣般的人群在城内外闹哄哄一片。
The rejuvenated “Chief Follower” Zaguda, holding the sacred artifact himself, led the team to clear the road and grounds, awaiting the arrival of the Undying King’s Servant.
重返年轻的“首席追随者”扎古达，亲自手持圣器带领队伍隔绝出大道与场地，等待着不死之王的使者的来临。
YangZicang arrived as promised. The man’s appearance seemed unchanged, even his clothes were the same.
杨子藏果然如约而至。男人的样貌似乎没有变化，连身上的衣服都是一样的。
Rumble, rumble—someone shook a large animal hide, producing deep, muffled sounds.
轰隆轰隆，有人震动着宽大的兽皮，发出轰轰闷响。
Crowds cheered as the figure appeared at the end of the long path.
成片的人欢呼着那道身影从长道尽头出现。
He was as plainly dressed as ever, with only the red pendant on his chest revealing something extraordinary.
他一如既往的穿着朴素，唯有胸前那红色吊坠显露出其不凡。
Wishing for primordial people to keep a secret is as absurd as praying the thunder doesn’t boom on a stormy day, so almost everyone knew what happened the day the Chief became young again. That golden coin was brought out every year during the ritual, the Chief proclaiming its holiness.
祈愿原始人保密，跟祈愿雷雨天不要打雷一样的荒谬，因此几乎所有人都知道了首席变年轻那一天发生了什么。那枚金灿灿的硬币更是在每年的祭典上被首席拿出来昭示它的神圣。
Countless warriors from the Sanctum confirmed that on that day, the coin shimmered with a faint white light like flames, a light that granted the Chief a new life.
无数圣殿的勇士证实那一日，这金币上有着火焰般的白色虚光，那光带给了首席新的生命。
And that fiery gold-red thing hanging from the middle-aged man’s neck surely held a vast amount of longevity.
而这中年人脖子上那金红如火的东西，肯定也蕴含着无数的寿命。
The crowd gazed with envy and anticipation at YangZicang’s passing figure and the necklace.
众人羡慕与期盼的看向杨子藏走过的身影，以及那枚项链。
Among them were the Chief, his third son, and those spreading the name of the “Great Light” through the crowd.
其中包括首席以及他的那位三儿子，以及在人群中传播着“大光”之名的人。
“No need for formalities.”
“不用多礼。”
YangZicang waved away the greetings, got straight to the point, walked before the now much taller children and youths, took off his outer garment, revealing a set of well-defined pecs.
杨子藏拒绝了众人的礼节，他直奔主题，来到那些长高不少的孩子与青年们身前，脱下外套露出精壮的胸肌。
“Start your performance. Come, hit me.”
“开始你们的表演吧，来，往我身上打。”
The few of them hesitated, exchanging glances. After repeated encouragement from Yang Zicang, a stout man in his twenties stepped forward, and a longsword sliced through the air toward Yang Zicang.
几人迟疑的互相看了眼后，在杨子藏再三鼓励下，一个二十多岁的壮汉子走出，手上长剑带着破风声砍来。
Bang!
嘭！
The longsword carved a wound over a dozen centimeters long, lodging beneath Yang Zicang’s shoulder blade, while the stout man trembled all over in fear.
长剑拉出十几厘米伤口，卡在杨子藏肩胛骨下，这壮汉子浑身都在害怕。
Sensing the force of the blow, Yang Zicang smiled and nodded: “Not bad, keep going.”
感受了下这力道，杨子藏笑着点点头：“还不错，继续。”
“Wow, so amazing.”
“好，好厉害。”
“As expected of the Undying King’s Attendant!”
“不愧是不死之王的侍者大人！”
Thousands of onlookers witnessed this shocking sight.
周围数千人看着这震撼的一幕。
Though they knew he wouldn’t be hurt, seeing it firsthand was a different matter entirely.
虽知道他不会受伤，但亲眼看到又是另一回事。
Those blades falling on this lord were terrifying to watch, yet he always stood unshaken, and within moments, those wounds were enveloped in gray mist and healed.
那些刀剑落在这位大人身上，看着好吓人，可他却永远屹立不倒，没多久那些伤口都灰雾弥漫的复原。
Yang Zicang tested each of the chosen individuals one by one. Most of them showed considerable effort, while a few, despite good talent, didn’t meet the ideal standard.
杨子藏一一试过这些选出的人，他们大多都比较努力，另一些天赋虽好，但却并未有理想中的状态。
“Everyone has worked hard, and you’ve all done well. But I will only select a few to grant the contract.”
“大家辛苦了，你们做得都很好，但我只会选则部分给予契约的签订。”
After the selection ended, Yang Zicang gathered the dozen or so candidates to the front and pulled a handful of gold coins from his bag.
选拔结束后，杨子藏将这十来人聚集到前方，他从随身的布袋里掏出一把金币。
“For those not chosen, don’t be discouraged. You may continue practicing the martial skills learned over these three years. However, I will no longer oversee your progress, and you must not reread them.”
“未选中也不必气馁，你们以后可以继续修习这三年学到的武技，不过我不会再过问你们的结果，你们也不能再阅读它们。”
As they gazed upon the handful of small, light-white, gold-gleaming discs, everyone began to breathe more heavily.
看着这一把带着淡白色金辉的金色小圆片，众人的呼吸都沉重起来。
The chief kept swallowing saliva, fantasizing about how wonderful it would be to get all of them into his hands.
首席不停的咽着口水，幻想着要是能将它们全部拿到自己手中该多好。
“Come, before you sign the martial pact with me, accept my gift first.” Yang Zicang said with a smile as he picked up the golden coin in his hand.
“来，在与我签订武道契约前，先接受我的礼物。”杨子藏微笑着将手中的金黄硬币捏起来。
The children’s eyes were fixed, and their hearts pounded wildly as they thought, could it be, could it be for them?
孩子们的目光都直了，他们的心脏砰砰直跳的想到，难道，难道是给自己的？
He walked up to a child of about ten years old and took his hand.
他走到一名十来岁孩子身前，拉起他的手。
The child, and even his family, widened their eyes in excitement—could it really be meant for him?
这孩子，乃至他的家人们都激动的睁大了眼，真的是要给自己！
Oh my god!
天啊！
Yang Zicang placed the coin, which he had made from gold himself, into the child’s hand.
杨子藏将这枚自己用黄金制作的金币放在他手上。
“What number does this read?” he asked with a smile.
“这个数字读什么？”他带着微笑问。
“Ten.”
“十。”
Though nervous, the child answered correctly without hesitation.
小孩虽紧张，但依旧一口就答了出来。
“Very good. This coin represents that many years of life. You can use it for yourself or give it to someone you wish to bestow it upon.”
“很好，这就是它蕴含的寿命数量，你可以自己使用，也可以交给你希望交给的人。”
The crowd erupted in uproar.
人群轰然炸响。
Many people stared at the coin in shock—so practicing martial arts well could bring such amazing rewards!
好多人震撼的看着那硬币，原来好好练武会有这样的好事出现！
Quite a few were already scheming about how to exchange it from the children.
好些人已经在想该用什么去从小孩们手上换到它。
Watching this lord hand golden discs to those who had practiced martial arts with him over the past three years, those who were not selected wept in dismay.
看着这位大人将一枚枚金色的小圆片，交给这三年来一起习武的人手中，那些未被选上的人懊恼的哭泣了起来。
After distributing them, Yang Zicang turned and scanned the people around him.
分发完毕后，杨子藏转身扫了眼周遭的人。
“This is my gift; no one shall take it by force. Violators die.”
“这是我的赐予，任何人不得抢夺，违者死。”
Among the disappointed children left behind, one person knelt and crawled forward while crying uncontrollably, begging Yang Zicang to give him one of those gold coins, claiming he needed it because his parents were injured by beasts.
这群孩子身后的落选者中，其中一人跪着痛哭流涕的往前挪动，祈求杨子藏能给予自己一枚这样的金币，他说他因其父母被野兽所伤而需要。
Just as Yang Zicang was about to tell him to get lost, he suddenly turned his head to look at the city gate.
正当杨子藏打算开口让他滚蛋之时，忽地转头看向城门口。
More people looked over.
更多的人看了过去。
They saw the body of a creature resembling a rhinoceros but with tusks being dragged towards them. The figure pulling it was, in contrast, an extremely small and skinny child.
只见一头类似犀牛，却长着獠牙的生物尸体被人拖着走来过来，拽着它的那道身影是与之对比，极其渺小的瘦弱孩童。
He was eleven or twelve years old, wearing tattered grass clothing.
他十一二岁，身上穿着破烂的草衣。
Puff… puff… He dragged the cyan ox, which was several times bigger than his own body, leaving footprints with each step.
噗~噗~他一步一个脚印地拖着比起身体大上数倍的青牛。
“Oh my god.”
“天啊。”
“Naturally, he’s so skinny—how does he manage that?”
“这小家伙，他这么瘦怎么做到的。”
The crowd exclaimed.
众人惊呼。
“Sir, this is a cyan-tusk bull I hunted alone.”
“大人，这是我独自猎杀的靑牙牛。”
The small figure knelt before the stone steps and pleaded, “Please, venerable attendant, teach me martial skills.”
这瘦小身影来到石阶前跪倒在地，恳求道：“请侍者大人教我武技。”
It’s that child from “yesterday”… Yang Zicang lowered his eyelids slightly.
是“昨天”那孩子…杨子藏的眼帘垂了垂。
“Wait for me outside the city.”
“在城外等我。”
The slightly older child looked up in surprise and joy.
长大些的孩子惊喜抬头。
“Yes!”
“是！”
He stood up and ran out quickly, as if he expected the adult to appear immediately once he reached outside the city.
他站起身快速跑了出去，仿佛只要自己到了城外，这位大人就会马上出现似的。
As the sky grew darker amidst laughter and joy, Yang Zicang accepted the feast invitation from the chief.
天色越来越晚，在一片欢声笑语中，杨子藏接受了首席的宴请。
During the meal, after tasting various dishes prepared by the chief, a young man who looked roughly 60% similar to the chief stepped out.
席间，品尝过半首席准备的各种食物后，一位跟首席长得六分相似的青年走了出来。
Ashizaguda held a special small jar in his hands, emitting a slightly pungent fruity smell.
阿希扎古达手上捧着个特别的小罐子，里面散发着略微刺激的果子味道。
“Honored Attendant, I have a delicious divine water here to offer you.”
“侍者大人，我这里有美味的神水想要供奉给你。”
The aroma drew the attention of some warriors nearby who had tasted the divine water.
这香味让周围品尝过神水的一些勇士们看了过来。
Yang Zicang glanced at the earthen jar placed on the small table before him. Inside was a murky fruit wine, along with various other things.
杨子藏看了眼放在身前小桌上的瓦罐，里面是浑浊果酒，以及一些其它东西。
Holding his wine bowl, he smiled, never expecting to find himself in such a situation.
端着酒碗的他笑了笑，没想到自己会有这么一天。
“Who gave this to you?”
“这是谁给你的？”
“It’s…” Ashizaguda was too nervous to speak.
“是…”阿希扎古达紧张得不知如何开口。
The Divine Emissary had strictly warned him never to tell the Honored Attendant, for to do so would reveal that he had received help from someone else, and the trial would be considered a failure.
神使大人可是说过千万不能告诉侍者大人，否则就知道自己获得了别人的帮助，考验也就失败了。
“Can’t say, can you?”
“不能说吗。”
“Ah, Honored Attendant, I…”
“啊，侍者大人，我…”
Several times he nearly blurted out the person’s name, but the word “Chief” kept swirling in his mind.
好几次他都差点忍不住说出那人的名字，可“首席”两字不断萦绕在脑海。
He couldn’t bear to let go.
他舍不得。
He, too, wished to distinguish himself in the next disaster, to receive a reward, to gain a longer life.
他也想在下次灾难立功，获得奖赏，获得更长的生命。
“It’s my offering to you, sir,” the young man said, lowering his head.
“是我献给大人的。”青年低头道。
Yang Zicang picked up the wine, swirled it, and loosened the fresh fruit pulp that had settled at the bottom for flavoring.
杨子藏拿起酒晃了晃，将沉在酒水底下用来提味的新鲜果肉晃荡开来。
Tiny white polyhedral particles surfaced from the bottom—if he wasn’t mistaken, this substance was a type of arsenic.
最下方的细小白色多面体翻涌到表面，没看错的话，这玩意儿是砒霜的一种。
Curiously, he brought it to his nose to sniff; the wine was also laced with the scent of certain vines.
好奇的拿在鼻下嗅了嗅，酒中还混着一些藤蔓的味道。
This scent was too familiar; a thousand years ago, I myself had taught a tribe to smear it on their arrows to help hunt large wild beasts nearby, where pythons and dinosaurs were rampant.
这种气味太熟悉了，在千年前，还是自己拿来教给一个部落，让其抹在箭上帮助猎杀附近的大型野兽，那地方的巨蟒和恐龙太多了。
Behind the small wooden table diagonally opposite, that savage watching his son, the words of the Minister Sir left him puzzled.
斜对面的小木桌后，首席好奇的看着自己的儿子，侍者大人的话让他有点糊涂。