Night of the Broken Gliph

On D-day, the Outstanding Talent Competition was held at the peak of the Southern Mountain. 

Southern Mountain was a vast mountain with a plateau at its peak. It was hard to imagine how a mountain this size was located within a city, and this showed how large Southern Ping was.

Competitions were always held at the thousand-metre-wide plateau at the mountain’s peak.

The space wasn’t as packed as it usually was since this Outstanding Talent Competition was arranged quickly; they didn’t have any time to promote it. The important figures of Southern Ping and many members of the five clans were there to spectate, but few outsiders were present. 

Amongst the outsiders were two inconspicuous youths. One of them was simply dressed, with a fan at his waist. If a skilled tailor was there, he would notice that the robe was made of snow silkworm silk, a textile that automatically adjusted to the temperature for the wearer’s comfort. In short, the textile would become cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Moreover, it was also a protective garment which ordinary weapons couldn’t penetrate. 

The silk itself was priceless, but it still cost less than employing a tailor able to make a robe out of it. One had to be at least a great master to do so. In this world, even tailors were graded, and the person who brought the career to recognition was none other than the well-known Imperial Sunset Palace’s Imperial Empress, Man Chin Hung. Besides being a thousand-gliphic gliphist, she was also a divine tailor. 

The youth was definitely no ordinary person to wear such an extravagant robe. 

Behind him was another youth following him silently. In contrast, the youth wore a black robe and moved quietly. He was so unnoticeable that others would assume he was a shadow if they didn’t pay attention.

The duo watched from within the crowd. 

“This Outstanding Talent Competition is quite interesting,” the white-robed youth spoke while smiling. “As an outsider, it’s hard to believe that people can compete in alchemy and medicine.” 

“Your… Young Master, Southern Ping is an important city in the South, and this city is the main supplier of supplementary cultivation elixirs to clans, institutions, and the royal family. Besides South Imperial City, Southern Ping sees the most travellers due to the alchemy and medical industry. Clans and institutions will request a doctor from Southern Ping for emergencies,” the youth in black whispered. 

His words made the other youth chuckle. “I’m aware of this, I didn’t mean to be sarcastic. I sincerely find it interesting, that’s it. As I grow up, I will need to nurture my own team of confidants. As one of the great cities of the South, I need someone here.” 

“Young Master, the Mo-Yung clan has been growing rapidly recently,” the youth behind him whispered. “Especially after the appearance of Mo-Yung Yin, the Divine Doctor, they are now on par with the Ping Clan. The most popular member in the younger generation is Mo-Yung Kit, the direct disciple of Mo-Yung Yin. Even if he doesn’t become a divine doctor in the future, he will likely become a grandmaster.” 

“I shall observe them first.” Understanding what the black-robed youth meant, he smiled and turned back to the competition. Amidst the crowd, something reflected the bright, powerful sunlight, catching the youth’s attention. As he turned to look, he saw a… bald head.

Southern Mountain’s peak. Ping San Yat sat with the clan leaders of the other clans on a platform. On the other hand, Ping Cheng Sau stood with the Ping Clan’s younger generation. Ping Man Bun was amongst them, and he was staring at the figure next to Ping Ching. 

This irritating asshole looks especially annoying with his bald head… Ping Man Bun couldn’t help but speak up, “Great Elder, why is that kid standing here? Moreover, what does he know of medicine or alchemy? Or is he supposedly a great elite despite his age?” 

Ping Cheng Sau frowned. He didn’t really care about what Chui Yim did, but the memory of Ping Chi raging because of Chui Yim…

Ping Cheng Sau held the title of Great Elder, but only the title. The actual Great Elder of the clan was Ping Chi, who had a much higher standing within the clan. Even Ping San Yat had to respect him as his disciple. Moreover, the Southern Mountain Elixir was kept by Ping Chi. 

The thought of an angry Ping Chi made Ping Cheng Sau cough as he kept silent, pretending that he didn’t hear Ping Man Bun. 

Chui Yim heard him as well, but Ping Man Bun felt like a little boy to him. Why should he argue with a kid? But next to him, Ping Ching answered seriously, “Brother Chui is Master Ping Chi’s direct disciple, while my father and I are just his normal disciples. As such, he is our senior brother. So? Does brother Chui have a right to stand here?” 

Ping Man Bun’s face fell as he heard Ping Ching, staring at Chui Yim angrily and enviously. Whether it was about Ping Chi being his master, Ping Cheng Sau’s attitude, or Ping Ching siding with Chui Yim, Ping Man Bun was jealous of it all as his hatred of Chui Yim increased. 

However, Chui Yim didn’t even spare him a glance as he looked around. His eyes met the white-robed youth who was looking at him. Feeling an odd affinity, Chui Yim flashed a smile, and the youth smiled back at him. 

The youth felt that the bald boy was interesting, but who was he compared to himself? Thus, he looked away the next second. 

Dong! 

A bell rang across the entire Southern Mountain. The bell signalled the start of the competition. 

At the same time, a white-robed figure appeared on the platform. Ping San Yat frowned while Suen Ho, the Suen Clan’s Clan Leader, spoke sarcastically. 

“Clan Leader Mo-Yung is so mighty that all four other clan leaders of Southern Ping have to wait for you. Did you lose your common sense after becoming a Divine Doctor?”