Night of the Broken Gliph

The next day, golden rays of sunshine shone down as the light autumn breeze blew. Having the warm sun shining down with a cooling breeze felt great. The cultivation fanatics, Chor Shing Chit and Chui Yim, had even stopped cultivating to enjoy the weather. 

The metropolis in front of them was now within sight. Be it Southary, Night Lion City or any of the other cities they travelled to, none could compare to this city in front of them. Even if the South fell, as long as the South’s Five were safe, the South could make a comeback eventually. Thus, the South’s Five were the most well-guarded cities in the South. 

“Southern Ping will definitely pique your interest.” Bak Wun bit onto a straw, looking like an actual coachman. “This city wasn’t named ‘Ping’ as in pacification. It’s named after the Ping Clan.”

“The Ping Clan…” Chui Yim muttered.

He was no stranger to the clan; he had read about them in many different books, especially medicine books. They were seen as the greatest medicine clan in the world, besides being proficient in alchemy. Even countless Northerners would make the long trip down to purchase elixirs made by the Ping Clan. G-elixirs were primarily used in battle. They could instantly increase one’s strength, and the Ping Clan had a monopoly over the elixir market as great master alchemists were all invited to join the major clans for a huge salary, so it was rare to find any elixirs for sale on the market. 

Alchemists that had yet to reach the great master stage could only refine grade one and two g-elixirs which were almost useless to three-chambered gliphers and above. Besides alchemy, the Ping Clan were experts in medicine too. Many travelled miles to Southern Ping to get treated, detoxified or touched up on their gliphs by famous doctors. Because of the Ping Clan’s unique status, all the clans in Southern Ping made a living through medicine and acknowledged the Ping Clan as their leader. 

The trio felt that something was off when they reached the city gate of Southern Ping. Many people were leaving the city with their families, acting like they were escaping from some monster. Not only did the guards not stop them, but they also wore serious expressions. They were the only ones entering the city. 

The night wolf moved forward. Despite being a commoner, the guards could tell that it wasn’t an ordinary beast.

“Brother, may I ask what’s going on?” Bak Wun asked with a friendly smile. 

Seeing the curtains of the coach roll up, the guards spotted Chui Yim sitting in the coach and answered seriously, “Noble lords, I can tell that you are not ordinary, but the city is now unsafe. Poltergeists have repeatedly appeared in our city for the past few months.” 

The trio exchanged glances without reply. 

“I’m speaking the truth! It was said that a malicious spirit roamed the streets at night, eating teenagers for food. A few dozen teenagers have already fallen victim to it. Yesterday, the spirit even broke into a residence in the west and the entire family of three went missing, leaving only bloody traces behind,” sensing that the trio didn’t believe him, the guard quickly continued.

“Did your noble selves not see everyone fleeing the city? They did so out of fear, as many dare not stay anymore.” The guard gulped. “If not because I’m single, which the spirit avoids, I would’ve left too.”

As a warning and reminder, he said, “I know that your noble selves aren’t ordinary, but this boy looks like the favourite prey of the spirit. It’s best not to take the risk.”

Chor Shing Chit turned towards Bak Wun, who understood and responded with a shrug. “You’re familiar with the terrain too, it’ll take a month longer if we detour.” 

“What kind of malicious spirit is it? Come at me if it thinks it’s capable of eating me.” Chui Yim even patted his chest loudly. 

“The night wolf? Perhaps mister is a member of the Tse Clan?” An energetic voice rang out from afar. 

“Mister Mo-Yung!” the guard greeted him immediately.

The teenager smiled and waved his hands, signalling that the guard could leave. Mister Mo-Yung was a lively and handsome young man carrying a fan on his waist.  

“Respectable guests from the Tse Clan, I am Mo-Yung Kit from the Mo-Yung Clan.” 

The Mo-Yung Clan…

Chor Shing Chit kept his poker face while Bak Wun chatted with Mo-Yung Kit. The Mo-Yung Clan was one of the clans in the city that supported the Ping Clan. Bak Wun expressed that he was planning to travel to South Imperial City, and Mo-Yung Kit chuckled in response. 

“It’s alright. If mister doesn’t believe the baseless rumours of ghosts, feel free to enter the city and continue your journey via the northern gate.” 

“It’s best to be careful. Better take precautions than not!” Bak Wun replied eloquently. “Since that’s the case, we’ll enter the city.” 

They bid Mo-Yung Kit goodbye and entered the city. It was noon, and as the trio wasn’t rushing to leave, they stopped by a restaurant to dine. The sight of their extraordinary night wolf made the restaurant’s waiter rush out to serve them. At the same time, the restaurant’s owner appeared with beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. He immediately apologised to them, “I apologise, noble guests. I would normally take you to the top floor, but the Ping Clan has booked the top floor for today, so there are only seats left here on the ground floor.”

The trio weren’t unreasonable, so they expressed their understanding. 

As soon as they sat down, they heard the other diners discussing the event upstairs. “I heard that today is the monthly gathering of Southern Ping’s Outstanding Talents Society.” 

“Yeah, that’s why they booked the whole top floor.” 

“The Outstanding Talents Society gathering is where all the talented youths meet.”

“This is just the Ping Clan’s way of buying over the hearts of all the geniuses.” A sneer was heard. “To be honest, who is better than Mister Ping in medicinal theory?”

Everyone nodded when they heard that name. “I heard that Mister Ping is only twelve this year. He’s so skilled in alchemy that he can already refine grade one elixirs. Mister Ping is also said to be extremely talented; he hasn’t broken through his innate wind chamber even now. Most gliphists are late bloomers, so he will definitely become a powerful personage when he matures.” 

But another person disagreed. “Mister Ping might be talented, but he still needs time to grow, unlike Mo-Yung Kit from the Mo-Yung Clan. He is eighteen and already a single-gliphic gliphist that has already broken through his innate heart chamber. He is also close to producing grade two elixirs.” 

“It’s said that the gatherings now consist of two factions, one with the Ping Clan leading and the other with the Mo-Yung Clan leading the debate.” 

Many of them nodded on hearing Mo-Yung Kit’s name. “The Mo-Yung Clan is going strong nowadays. In terms of medicine, alchemy or strength, they are threatening the Ping Clan’s position.” 

“The Ping Clan might have a stronger foundation, but speaking of the younger generation, Mister Ping still isn’t Mister Mo-Yung’s opponent.”

“Yeah… He’s too young…”

Commoners always discussed the powerful, as if it made them feel closer to them. Being more experienced, Bak Wun and Chor Shing Chit weren’t interested while Chui Yim listened intently. He had spent his whole past life forging and didn’t have much experience travelling, and he was interested in such gossip as a result. 

After some time, loud gasps were heard. “It’s Mo-Yung Kit…” 

“The Outstanding Talents Soceity gathering will soon begin.” 

The crowd lowered their volume and looked outside to see the handsome Mo-Yung Kit walk in with a smile. He went towards the stairs immediately and went to the top floor. Those on the ground floor held their breaths and remained silent, hoping to eavesdrop on the debate. 

Chui Yim and the rest found it funny. This was completely unexpected as the restaurant was randomly chosen. It seemed that this restaurant wasn’t famous for its food, but for the monthly gathering instead.