a) 炎 -> 畑 -> 胃 -> 胆
炎 EN, honou - flame
畑 hatake - cultivated field
胃 I - stomach
胆 TAN - gallbladder, courage
b) 早 -> 古 -> 員 -> 賄
早 SOU, SA, haya(i) , haya(meru) - early, fast, hasten
古 KO, furu(i) - old
員 IN - member
賄 WAI, makana(u) - provide board, supply, furnish