Night of the Broken Gliph

To the naked eye, the cauldron was just a ball of flame. It was hard to believe that this was a cauldron, and the experienced blacksmith Chui Yim from the Sallow Continent immediately identified that this cauldron wasn’t ordinary. The cauldron was made of at least thirty types of iron and steel.

Moreover, the carvings on the cauldron…

Dragon carvings with their mouths open towards the mouth of the cauldron surrounded it. There were nine dragons in total. 

Calm, energetic and proud. 

Such qualities amalgamated into the aura that came from the vivid dragons baring their fangs and brandishing their claws. 

“I found this in an ancient tomb in the past.” Ping Chi’s proud voice rang out. “But since it wasn’t compatible with my fire skillset, I could only keep it in my collection. It’s yours now. Treasure this Nine Dragons Flame-Gatherer Cauldron well. It’s in no way worse than  little Ching’s Frosty Flame. 

“The rewards given by the clan aren’t even ten per cent the value of this cauldron. Do you know how lucky you are?” 

Chui Yim suddenly realised that the aura of the cauldron was shockingly similar to the Heaven’s Flame inside him! 

Ping Chi might’ve looked disinterested, but he still noticed Chui Yim’s reaction. “You must have sensed it, kiddo,” he continued. “Legends have it that this Nine Dragons Flame-Gatherer Cauldron was refined using Heaven’s Flame. With the Heaven’s Flame inside you, you’re destined to have it. This cauldron suits you the most.” 

“Hmph!” With a huff, Chui Yim stopped arguing with him. “ I didn’t know you still had a bit of conscience.” He reached out for the cauldron, instantly feeling attracted to it. 

This cauldron possesses spirituality! 

It wasn’t far from gaining sentience. Chui Yim, who had once created a divine weapon, knew that the Heaven’s Test was a condition required for a weapon to become a true divine weapon. 

This cauldron would be considered a half-divine weapon back on the Sallow Continent, and a half grade five item in this world. Only a forging grandmaster or divine master had the ability to produce this. This cauldron was priceless!  

Chui Yim might act coldly, but he remembered all of this by heart.

Before Chor Shing Chit fully recovered, the trio couldn’t continue their journey, and they could only stay in the Ping Clan. Chui Yim returned to his room after his lesson, only to find an invitation with his name on the table. 

He picked it up and looked around curiously before opening it. There was only a location and time written on it: Southern Ping’s Crystal Clear Lake Inn at night.

Chui Yim left the Southern Mountain with the invitation. It’s not a bad idea to relax. 

Moreover, Chui Yim loved alcohol. He might’ve drank a lot the previous night, but he could drink the next day again. There was a teen waiting for him when he reached the Crystal Clear Lake Inn. The teen was dressed fully in black, with an ordinary look that made him easily forgettable. He approached Chui Yim and bowed respectfully. 

“Mister Chui Yim, my young master is already waiting for you. Please.” 

Chui Yim entered the inn without suspicion. He might be easygoing, but not stupid. He was in Southern Ping, and the Crystal Clear Lake Inn was the most well-known inn in Southern Ping. The inn was so popular because it was supported by all five clans of Southern Ping. After the competition, he was already famous. Many people were whispering when they saw him in the streets. 

Nobody would dare attack him here. Even if they did, Chui Yim was confident that he had ample life-saving methods to escape.

He was no longer the stupid great master Flame who only knew how to forge. The current him was equipped with medicinal, alchemical, gliphism and battle skills. He also had a better sense for danger, meaning assassinating was relatively tough. When he reached the top floor, there was a youth drinking alone. 

Chui Yim was taken aback by his poise. The teen might’ve been drinking wine, but it was as if Chui Yim could see him ruling the world beneath him. He was like a divine emperor; the heavens were his wine, and the earth was his cup—he was in control of it all. 

Chui Yim wasn’t a country bumpkin. Having lived two lives, he had more experience than anyone. He hadn’t met more than five people with such an aura, and all were undoubtedly extraordinary. 

But he was Chui Yim, so he calmed down very soon. The entire top floor was booked by the teen. Chui Yim went over and sat down next to him. He took a jug and downed it immediately, startling the teen. 

The delicate atmosphere… was ruined. It was as if there was something out of place, like a fly on top of your food. 

It might be insignificant, but it was obvious. Chui Yim didn’t say anything as he continued drinking, unconsciously lessening the teen’s demeanour. After some time, Chui Yim finally looked at him.

“Boy, why did you look for me?” 

The black-dressed youth’s eyes shot wide open on hearing the way Chui Yim addressed the white-robed youth. A murderous intent filled the room, but he was stopped by the white-clothed youth who turned to Chui Yim curiously. “Don’t you know who I am?” 

“Who are you?” Chui Yim was taken aback. “How would I know?” 

It was a weird question that somehow made a lot of sense. 

“Let me give you a hint. My surname is Lam.” The teen in white was more and more interested in Chui Yim. 

Hearing this, Chui Yim smiled. “Lam? Such a great surname! The South’s dynasty is the Lam dynasty!” 

“Yeah.” The teen in white smiled on hearing him. 

But not much later, Chui Yim started talking about his past. “I have an old friend with the same surname, but he’s so stupid, I have no idea if he’s doing well… Hah… c’mon, brother. Let’s toast. This is for the Lams!” 

The teen looked at him dumbfoundedly. His expression was extremely interesting. “Do you really not know who I am?” 

He might not appear in the public much, but he was well renowned years ago, when his father instated him as the crown prince. 

Yes, the Crown Prince. He was the current crown prince, Lam Ming Sum’s half brother, Lam Zaa. Despite not leaving the palace much, his portrait was spread across the world after he was officially made the crown prince. Almost every clan disciple could recognise him!

Ping might not be his surname, but he’s still Ping Chi’s disciple, shouldn’t he know? 

This interested Lam Zaa even more. Every other teen acted scared or cautiously in front of me; this is the first time I’ve interacted with someone who doesn’t know who I am! 

Thinking about this, he glanced at the teen in black. “You may leave first. Let me and brother Chui have a good drink.” 

“Yes, young master,” the teen in black answered hesitantly yet respectfully. 

He nearly attacked Chui Yim out of anger when Chui Yim spoke as he was leaving. “I say, brother Lam. Your servant looks dead! He’s just like a zombie. I can’t even drink at ease with him around, it’s better that he left!”