Night of the Broken Gliph

Thus, a gliph weapon and a robe weren’t equal. Now, it seemed that a sculpture was worth more than a gliph weapon! 8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡhebrclBEQG 維尼

Rarity was the main reason behind its price. There were more than twenty grandmaster blacksmiths in this world, but sculptors were as rare as a hen’s tooth. Grandmasters aside, there probably weren’t more than five great master sculptors. Now, it was obvious that this was a grandmaster’s work!  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDouJZzSCf 維尼

The second reason would be the sculpture’s use. No matter how powerful a gliph weapon was, it could only be used by one person, but a sculpture could support the growth of an entire clan, organisation or institution! It was said that the presence of a sculpture would allow the next generation to improve at lightning speed, forming a virtuous cycle which strengthened the clan.8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKKr97Flng 維尼

In short, it was an item which would help the entire clan prosper! This explained its extreme price. 8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQK5VpPTcQ 維尼

“Six million!” somebody shouted. 8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXaGVB8iDT 維尼

He captured the crowd’s attention in no time, with those in black grade private rooms wearing ugly expressions. Kam Chin Kee turned around to see that the bidder was also a red-grade guest, but he didn’t activate the gliph formation to hide his identity, allowing everybody to see who he was. 8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWnVZIuWRC 維尼

In the private room were two people, one standing while the other remained seated.  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡh89yWUJ64b 維尼

The man seated looked extremely old, yet he gave off an oppressive aura. He wasn’t like an elderly man, but a mighty tiger. He might look aged, yet everyone he passed by was scared of him! 8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XWyg8AYa8 維尼

“The Wong Clan…”  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡNao4MUYNMR 維尼

“Six million… How extravagant!”  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡSemIC3CvHA 維尼

“After Sir Chor passed on, the Chor Clan is no longer as dominant. It’s no surprise that it’s been overtaken by the powerful Wong Clan.”  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡua6275WwRq 維尼

“The Mad Tiger Wong Clan… Look, that’s a tiger sculpture. No wonder they’re so desperate for it!”  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqsEXms2Jx 維尼

Wong Pak rested his eyes, not sparing the crowd even a look. Who was he? He did not need to fight with them; he only had to call a price nobody else could afford!  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWMK0uOJSp 維尼

Even to large clans, 6,000,000 wasn’t a small amount. With that much money, one could afford a top-tier grade four gliph weapon on the condition that you could find a blacksmith willing to sell one.  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡasDq0g2Ccc 維尼

Six million was an astronomical amount. It was the amount the Wong Clan decided to bid after much consideration, even though it might hamper them temporarily.  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡxanah7bEv1 維尼

But Wong Pak didn’t care. They were the mad tiger, and they were renowned for their madness. Without their madness and strength, no amount of silver taels was enough to support them. On the other hand, this sculpture would help their disciples cultivate, birthing a stronger powerful Wong Clan, which no amount of money could buy! 8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡYr1e9t1mVD 維尼

It was simple to understand, but not many had their determination.  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uPBGgLQ10 維尼

“Six million going once! 8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DdJYA4jaS 維尼

“Six million going twice!  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxVCfjn6Mi 維尼

“And six million going three times! Sold!”  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡz50pP1kLth 維尼

Madame Yuen heaved a sigh of relief. Despite being an experienced auctioneer, it was an exciting auction even for her. Due to the great master’s status, the service charge they collected from him was only ten per cent of the item’s selling price. Even so, they earned six hundred thousand taels just from this sale. 8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwBDgmCjAm 維尼

Seeing that the sculpture was theirs, Wong Pak turned to the man standing behind him slowly. “It’s ours. Get the disciples to escort it back to the clan. There should be no mishaps, as that will be one of our clan’s guarding treasures!” 8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CiQ3VCyaq 維尼

“Yes, clan leader.” With a nod, the person left.  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2dtUTNueT 維尼

At the same time, somebody spoke up. “May I know how to address this great master?” 8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTDIdiBnNe 維尼

The crowd turned to the black grade private room to see the speaker. It was Mok Muk, the great master that gained some fame today. However, he wasn’t as special when compared to the mysterious grandmaster. Still, nobody stopped him from asking this question as everyone was just as curious.8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡivWAOmmejh 維尼

He would be the first sculptor to reach the grandmaster rank in centuries!  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QdpHlaGfx 維尼

Expecting this question, Madame Yuen answered without hesitation. In fact, she had asked the great master the same question too. “We will not reveal it as the great master hopes to keep his identity a secret. But he has mentioned that he can be addressed as Craftsman Kam.” 8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡOb9ByAPQW7 維尼

Craftsman Kam!  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5hhTOkcxX 維尼

A name that would be widely renowned starting today!  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mkBmvb0Rh 維尼

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Kam Chin Kee was also surprised by how much the sculpture was sold out for. Well, maybe it’s a tiger sculpture, and the Wong Clan felt a sense of familiarity with it?  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjMcn0R7h6 維尼

To be honest, this sculpture should cost four million taels at most. It was being sold at such a high price because sculptors were rare, and the Black Tortoise Auction knew how to gather many rich and extravagant figures. Thirdly, the Wong Clan enjoyed dealing with things in an overbearing manner.  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu6lqI0TYu 維尼

He heaved a sigh of relief. It’s a good sale. I’ll not have to worry about money for a while.  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡnp47L3o8bt 維尼

The gliphic plants and materials required to practise his craftsmanship and the unique Thousand Mechanism Sect’s puppetry required a lot of money. He wasn’t going to ask those in the Evergreen Palace for help, as he was sure he was just a temporary tenant and nothing more. 8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvzxL7Uw9W 維尼

Now, it’s time for me to leave.  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iAmCiyL6m 維尼

This thought made him turn to Chui Yim, his future landlord, only to see him in a daze.    8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWOESFzXjv 維尼

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When he saw the Predatory Ferocious Tiger, a sense of familiarity washed over Chui Yim. It was an odd feeling, as he was sure he had never come across a divine rank sculpture during his time in this world!    8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡvb5yMirxem 維尼

“Where have I seen this!?” Chui Yim pondered hard. He couldn’t recall, leaving him in pain as he somehow felt this was a critical memory. Even by the end of the auction, Chui Yim still couldn’t place it, which troubled him. That was until…8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4609smGm1F 維尼

“We will not reveal it as the great master hopes to keep his identity a secret. But he has mentioned that he can be addressed as Craftsman Kam,” Madame Yuen said. 8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvJHluEw0B 維尼

Craftsman Kam!  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GRDEc5Zml 維尼

Craftsman Kam!  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjJqXBSCUw 維尼

Chui Yim’s jaws fell as he recalled something from the depths of his memory.  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bAtCmqvJZ 維尼

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“Big brother flame, have you heard of Craftsman Kam? 8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRXVzTT3M3 維尼

“Of course. That mysterious sculptor, right?”  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qYOO5Hfq2 維尼

“Rumours have it that the Windy Sword Sage, Windy, was Craftsman Kam’s best friend. He was also the one that killed Craftsman Kam out of anger.” 8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡTttQrrVIrw 維尼

“So what does this have to do with me?”  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡtScYo5HG0N 維尼

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“Such an exquisite mask. Who made it?”  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡeols60UDmY 維尼

“Don’t touch it. It’s my elder brother’s work.” 8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXlCm5gG9V 維尼

“Wow, he has skills that are out of this world! I’d like to meet him and have a discussion if we have the chance to meet.” 8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwIMIAoYCV 維尼

“You won’t. He’s dead.”  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡvszs1zuBDb 維尼

“Your elder brother…”  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw5FWQkX9b 維尼

“He’s Craftsman Kam. And this mask is said to be the symbol of a guardian back in his hometown.”  8964 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5SN2zOYrE 維尼

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