Night of the Broken Gliph

“Please take a seat, Brother Chui.” Ping Ching smiled as she waved her hands. She was wearing a light green dress that twirled around her beautifully. With Ping Ching’s confident and easy-going personality, she was just like any typical young master of a clan. Having received etiquette lessons from young, her relaxed personality became a habit of hers as she grew up. 

Putting courtesy aside, Chui Yim sat down happily and raised the cup of wine Ping Ching’s maidservant poured for him unwillingly in a toast. “This toast is for brother Ping who didn’t abandon me back when I was in danger.” 

Hearing him, Ping Ching drank her tea with a complicated look. She couldn’t help but turn to Chui Yim and said, “Brother Chui, you know that I’m a girl, right?” 

“Of course,” Chui Yim replied with a smile after finishing his wine. 

Then why did you address me as brother Ping… Ping Ching thought unhappily. But she didn’t let her emotions show as she continued calmly, “I heard that brother Chui will be participating in the Outstanding Talent Competition?” 

“Yes.” Chui Yim nodded. “Old Man Ping promised me a condition.” 

Ping Ching secretly found it funny. Maybe this stubborn youth is the only one who can deal with Doctor Odd. Her eyes shone as she stared at Chui Yim. Still young, love and attraction were foreign to her, and she only felt that Chui Yim was intriguing, unlike the other talents she’d met before. Fame and profit aren’t important to him, and he only agreed to participate in this competition after Ping Chi promised him something, despite the status it provides.

“Brother Chui, I’ll have to ask for your help then. The Ping Clan must win this time,” Ping Ching whispered. “Does brother Chui understand the significance of this competition?” 

“Please.” Chui Yim drank another cup of wine and signalled Ping Ching to continue, who turned around and waved the maidservant away. The maidservant looked at Ping Ching complicatedly and sorrowfully before leaving and closing the door behind her as she knew the importance of the competition. 

Now, Ping Ching and Chui Yim were the only ones left in the room. 

“The Southern Mountain is Southern Ping’s foundation. Be it alchemy or medicine, both fields require many herbs and gliphic plants. Each clan occupies a part of the mountain, and the leader of Southern Ping will be assigned the largest area. Every five years, the five clans in Southern Ping will come together for a series of various competitions. This event has always been held and will continue to take place.Besides alchemy and medicine, combat is one of the main competitions too. The most competitive section will be the Clan Leader’s Test, the Elder’s Quiz, and the Outstanding Talent Competition.  

“These three competitions determine a clan’s standing in Southern Ping. The more victories a clan has, the larger the area they can control. The Mo-Yung Clan has been rising swiftly these past few years, and they have clinched victory in a few key competitions. Especially the Clan Leader’s Test. The Mo-Yung Clan’s Clan leader, Mo-Yung Yin has never lost ever since becoming a Divine Doctor. 

“The Elder’s Quiz just ended a few months ago, and normally, the Outstanding Talent Competition will only take place two years later, but any clan could choose to pay a price to have the competition brought forward. It costs more than a king’s ransom… and any clan will feel its weight no matter their foundation. 

“Centuries have passed, and there aren’t many examples of the competition being brought forward. Those who choose to do so are normally confident in winning, and this time around, the Mo-Yung Clan is the one who paid the price.” 

Mo-Yung Kit’s face surfaced in Chui Yim’s mind immediately as he heard this. 

“Moreover, the Mo-Yung Clan has been catching up to our clan the past few years. If they win the Outstanding Talent Competition this time, their area of control will surpass the Ping Clan, and they will become the leading clan of Southern Ping,” Ping Ching lowered her voice. 

“The Outstanding Talent Competition… It’s a competition for the younger generation, am I right?” Chui Yim asked. 

Ping Ching Nodded. “Outstanding talent, just as the name suggests, everyone participating is regarded as a future genius, the most outstanding disciples of the five clans. Mo-Yung Kit will represent the Mo-Yung Clan. Just like the gathering, anyone under twenty-five is eligible. Mo-Yung Kit is eighteen, and he is skilled in both alchemy and medicine. As Mo-Yung Yin’s direct disciple, he has a stellar future.” 

“Nonetheless, they brought the competition forward.” Chui Yim laughed on hearing this. 

“Yes. Because they fear me.” Ping Ching nodded peacefully. “To become the leading clan, a clan needs to obtain a certain region of the Southern Mountain, and to do that, the Mo-Yung Clan needs to win all three segments of the Outstanding Talent Competition: alchemy, medicine and combat. 

“If they fail, their next chance will come five years later during the Clan Leader’s Test, but they can’t wait any longer. They pushed it forward because the Mo-Yung Clan is afraid I would’ve reached the one-chambered stage by then. Once I do, Mo-Yung Kit will lose to me in medicine,” Ping Ching spoke so calmly that she sounded like she was telling a story. “But now he’s almost a great master, so I’m not his opponent. 

“Moreover, our clan isn’t good in combat. We are only left with medicine, and our strongest disciple is senior apprentice-brother Man Bun. But he is going against Mo-Yung Yin’s direct disciple… and I’m not very confident.” 

Ping Ching turned towards Chui Yim. She might be a girl, but she acted very manly as she held her fists. “If elder brother Man Bun isn’t Mo-Yung Kit’s opponent, I hope brother Chui can step in. If the Ping Clan wins this round, it will give me some time to lead the Ping Clan and turn things around.” 

“Be at ease.” Chui Yim waved his hands. “I’ve already agreed to Old Man Ping, and I will do my best. However, it’s definitely worth it to have the next Ping clan leader owe me a favour.” 

“Brother Chui is humorous.” Ping Ching smiled like a beautiful flower. “Little Ching looks up to you.” 

The competition came sooner than expected, and it was obvious that the Mo-Yung Clan was confident. Every time the competition took place, it was a large event in Southern Ping. As the city of alchemy and medicine, countless people would come to watch their competition. 

Due to the early start, the clan that asked to push the competition forward would have to cover for the loss of revenue and cover the cost of all the precious ingredients, herbs and gliphic plants used during the event. 

Any clan would think twice before doing this.