Night of the Broken Gliph

“Falling fruit is a fire-attributed fruit that explodes every time it falls onto the ground. Not only does the explosion loosen the soil, but it also helps to disperse the seeds hidden within the fruit. However, an unripe falling fruit is an excellent gliphic plant. As for the sharp tooth man-eating flower, it’s an omnivorous gliphic plant that preys on animals passing by it. Thus, it’s considered a dangerous gliphic plant.

Chan Lai Faat said with amazement written across his face, “This master has unconventional but wonderful ideas. Falling fruit is best used for gliphs carved on long-ranged gliph weapons like arrows or concealed weapons, but he used the fruit in the “Stunning Thunder '' gliph instead. This is a popular gliph amongst short-range attackers. Attacks with the Stunning Thunder have stunning characteristics, and it can numb enemies if the gliph is carved with thunder attribute materials. 

“However, when falling fruit is used in Stunning Thunder, it will result in stuns with the same impact as an explosion. If the opponent uses light weapons like swords or a dagger, this weapon can even injure the opponent between his thumb and index finger with just one attack, making the opponent lose grip of his weapons. 

“Then there is the second gliph.” Chan Lai Faat’s eye lit up as he looked at the weapon as if he was admiring art. “This gliph, the Vanguard Soldiers gliph,uses the sharp tooth man-eating flower. Vanguard Soldiers is usually used in sharp weapons like knives, swords and spears. When activated, it gives the weapon an invisible sharp aura that increases the damage done as it’s being swung around. 

“It’s usually unsuitable to carve Vanguard Soldier on a rod, but this rod is made of three hundred catties of fallen star’s stone and has Stunning Thunder as its main gliph. Combining these three factors, it results in an unprecedented change. The rod made of fallen star stone is naturally heavy; adding on Stunning Thunder, it can cause huge damage to an opponent’s weapon. Now it also emits a sharp aura when swung due to Vanguard Soldier. Therefore, I can say that this weapon is an unorthodox rod. Rods are a nimble weapon, but this gliph weapon here is a rod that has been forcefully turned into a highly explosive and destructive weapon. If the enemy isn’t aware of its abilities, the glipher using this rod can win a battle with just one attack. 

“The combination of the three hundred catties of fallen star’s stone used in the weapon combined with Stunning Thunder’s stun and the sharp property of Vanguard Soldier is extremely powerful.

“In fact, this weapon was made casually. Fallen star’s stone, falling fruit and sharp tooth man-eating flower are ingredients that can be found easily. The shape of the weapon is made with a mould too, lowering the requirement for casting skills. Despite this, the weapon could be said to be flawless, and the planning of this weapon was innovative from the start.

“These years, gliph weapons are mostly made of water-casting and grass-refining. But that is just because we are in the south. It’s been said that in the north, fire-forging is still the primary method used. Even the only divine metalsmith on this continent uses fire-forging.

“I know that it’s been tough for metalsmiths who use fire-forging these days, so I hope to encourage all of you with this weapon. Creativity is the core to forging. As long as you are creative, you can turn ordinary ingredients into a grade two gliph weapon with powers similar to a grade three weapon. If I have the chance, I’d like to meet this master and discuss weapons with him,” Chan Lai Faat said as he turned to Chan Ching. 

“Master?” Chan Ching blurted out. “Old clan leader, do you mean that this grade two gliph weapon is the work of a master?” 

“A disciple might have done the casting and forging, but the gliphs carved onto the weapon have exposed him.” Chan Lai Faat laughed upon hearing Chan Ching. “Be it Stunning Thunder or Vanguard Soldier, both gliphs were carved onto the weapon smoothly. This shows how confident this master is. If he isn’t a great metalsmith, how can he be this confident of his skills? 

“Adding the Hidden Cloud gliph, it technically has three gliphs. Moreover, he’s pushing the limits to turn an ordinary ingredient, the fallen star’s stone into a grade two gliph weapon. That’s why I’m sure that a fire-forging master must’ve made this, and even this is just a casual piece of work. This master is even more skilled than me! 

“Hand this Recording Gliph Stone along with this gliph weapon to our clan’s fire-forgers.Sell it afterwards.” 

The South. 

Unlike the messy Northern part of the continent, the South was a monarchy under the South Pole Imperial Dynasty. In short, the South Dynasty. 

The South Imperial City, the capital of the South Dynasty, was enormous; a city like Southary absolutely couldn’t compare to it. The palace within South Imperial City was known as the Evergreen Palace. 

South Imperial City, Evergreen Palace was where the core of authority of the South Dynasty stood. 

It was late at night, yet the prosperous South Imperial City was still brightly lit. From a bird’s-eye view, one could see that the Evergreen Palace was filled with guards, sentries, and plenty of gliphers standing guard. 

The Evergreen Palace was made up of many halls such as the Hall of Affairs for morning court meetings, the Pure Sun Hallwhere Emperor Lam stayed… There were countless such halls, too many to count. 

And just a gateway away from the Pure Sun Hall was the Three Thousand Hall, which represented the three thousand imperial concubines that Emperor Lam had. Of course, “Three Thousand” was just a metaphor. Emperor Lam didn’t actually have three thousand concubines, but he did have a few hundred. Within the hall, the central courtyard would be the one where the current empress was living. 

The main courtyard was in total darkness, leaving only a candlelight to light up the place. The light shone onto the sides of the table where a man was kneeling on both knees. It was a weird sight to see. 

“Your Highness, it’s confirmed to be Sit Ting, the imperial chef who escaped from the palace ten years ago.”

If Emperor Lam or Kan Hang were around, they would immediately recognise that he was the third person who followed them to Sit Ting’s house, Lau Fa Ming, the most well-known eunuch in the palace. 

These few years, Lau Fa Ming was a popular figure in the palace for being a skilled all-rounder. He was so capable that he could serve Emperor Lam personally after just a few short years. However, he had a dark secret: he only got where he was today thanks to the Empress who had been supporting him from the shadows. 

“Sit Ting…” A voice was heard from within the darkness. 

There was nothing to be seen in the darkness, and Lau Fa Ming had his head so low that he didn’t even dare to sneak a look. He knew how powerful the empress was. 

After some time, the voice rang out from the darkness again. “You said that Kan Hang has disappeared?” 

“Yes, Your Highness,” Lau Fa Ming replied respectfully. “On our way back, Your Majesty secretly sent for Old Ngai to escort him back from Southary while Kan Hang was nowhere to be seen.” 

“Hah…” A faint sigh was heard, and Lau Fa Ming was slightly bewitched. It was as if the sigh was made of a myriad sea of flowers, and it felt like the floral scent was coming from her voice. Very soon, Lau Fa Ming realised his disrespectful actions and adjusted his state of mind. A drop of sweat rolled down his forehead. 

“Such an ungrateful man. Eunuch Lau, I never want to hear the name Sit Ting ever again… Do you understand?”   

Lau Fa Ming, who was kneeling on the ground, trembled violently on hearing her. Intense fear filled his eyes as he kept his forehead stuck to the ground. He understood what the empress meant, as he himself had witnessed how broken-hearted the emperor had been back on the white stone path.  

Am I going to kill the woman that the emperor loves so deeply? 

After some time, the faint voice rang out again. It seemed like the empress was unhappy that she didn’t receive an answer.

“Eunuch Lau, do you understand me?” She might be a few meters away from Lau Fa Ming, but it sounded like she was whispering right next to his ears. “If I can make someone the ace of the palace, I can make someone else a replacement. Disobedient dogs are better dead. Eunuch, you’re smart enough. I believe you understand what I mean.” 

“Yes… Yes! I am willing to serve Your Highness faithfully; I’ll do whatever Your Highness wishes no matter what it takes!” Lau Fa Ming’s body shook even more violently. 

“Hahaha… How would I bear to kill an obedient dog? Leave, I need some peace.” 

“Yes!” Lau Fa Ming answered with a low voice as he walked out of the Three thousand Hall’s main courtyard with his head down and a fierce look in his eyes. 

Don’t blame me, Sit Ting. I’m just trying to survive too.