Night of the Broken Gliph

“You’re headed for the South Imperial City, am I right? Do you want to join us?” Wong Kwan turned to Chor Shing Chit long after the Stars Unite Education Centre group left. 

“Nope, we’ll get there by foot.” Chor Shing Chit rejected her offer without hesitation, and Ha Yu Bing’s mouth dropped slightly agape. How long would it take to walk from the Engraved Village to South Imperial City? At least two months, right? 

As if able to guess Chor Shing Chit’s thoughts, Wong Kwan nodded slightly. “Since then, alright! See you at the South Imperial City.” 

Chor Shing Chit only nodded in response. His cool stance and masculine visuals made Ha Yu Bing unable to remove her eyes from him. No wonder such a cold Miss Wong fell for him! 

“To the South Imperial City,” Wong Kwan said after entering the formation with her students. The gliphists on the side nodded and start inserting energliph. The formation lit up brightly, while Wong Kwan and Chor Shing Chit’s eyes met. 

“Since you’re heading back, some things are unavoidable. Be it your family… or her.” Her voice got softer as the light dispersed. 

“Let’s go.” Chor Shing Chit wore a complex look after hearing her words. 

It didn’t bother Chui Yim that they chose to travel by foot instead. Of course, it would be great to reach their destination directly, but he liked travelling around the world too.

 “Why did you not take up the offer? Isn’t it better to get there directly?” 

“Teleportation gliph formation is the most superior transportation in this world. Not only are fees needed to take it, the passengers’ status matters too. You can lie to them that you’re from the Great Book Academy here, but if you come across an identity check during toll collection at the South Imperial City, you’ll be doomed,” Chor Shing Chit replied coldly. 

“Or is it because you want to keep your return a secret from your clan members?” Chui Yim chuckled. Chor Shing Chit said nothing in response. He wasn’t surprised by how smart Chui Yim was. 

“Not everyone could have such a top-notch gliph like Spiral Dragon tattooed on their chambers. Big brother Chor’s clan must be something else,” Chui Yim continued rambling on. 

“Yeah,” Chor Shing Chit replied, still with a cold tone. “Spiral Dragon is a gliph exclusive to only my clan. It was passed down by my ancestors. If there’s someone who knew about it and had the ability to tattoo Spiral Dragon in all six chambers, he’d definitely not be someone simple. Kiddo, everyone has secrets, so, stop asking.” 

Chui Yim only hummed in response. 

Golden rays shone down on both of them, reflecting a tall and short silhouette on the ground. 

The night lion got on its feet again, leaving the Engraved Village with the trio for their next destination. Bak Wun steered the night lion boredly while Chor Shing Chit and Chui Yim sat on the coach chit-chatting.

“You’re born under the lucky star to have seen the gliph on the Engraved Mountain Range. From what I know, other than me, Wong Kwan and Wat Suen, you’re the fourth to see the gliph. The gliph also played a huge part in me reaching the three-chambered state in my thirties.

“The gliph increases your understanding of all gliphs in the world. Gliphs that confused me initially became simpler to understand after I chanced upon the natural gliph.”

Chui Yim nodded in agreement. He could feel this well. In the past, he could only forcefully memorise all gliphs that Chui Tin showed him. Moreover, he only succeeded in tattooing the Spiral Dragon gliph on Chor Shing Chit because it was separated into six parts and he only had to tattoo one of it—and that already came at the expense of nearly paralysing himself for life. 

After coming across the mysterious Engraved Mountain Range gliph, Chui Yim realised his viewpoint of gliphs changed from the fundamentals and he was able to comprehend many of the uncertainties that he had in the past. He also came to understand a few superior gliphs that Chui Tin had shown him. It was not a direct upgrade, but it would be crucial for his journey as a cultivator. 

“For me, a glipher, I find that I could create gliphilities better. For gliphists, it helps converting energliph into gliphs and making comprehending gliphs simpler. You must treasure this opportunity well.” 

Chui Yim nodded, eyes shining bright at Chor Shing Chit. “Big Brother Chor, I have yet to see your gliphility!” 

Chor Shing Chit frowned. He did not want Chui Yim to deter from the right track. “All my gliphilities are rod techniques and are driven by rods. It works too with fist, just that there only form, not the essences. Remember, you’re a gliphist, do not focus too much on what gliphers do but on cultivating energliph instead.” 

Chor Shing Chit was supportive of havingChui Yim pick up self-defence skills before he stepped into the single-gliphic state. He knew how intelligent Chui Yim was, and he would not be even astonished if Chui Yim, who always brought him surprises, only managed to store enough energliph at the age of twenty-two just like Man Chin Hung. However, researching on gliphility would be another matter.