Night of the Broken Gliph

Chui Yim returned to his room and slammed the door shut. He pulled out a small, red pouch with a serious expression. It was a plain pouch with only the number “one” embroidered on it. 

“Open the first pouch if you choose to continue practicing gliphism instead of returning to the village to become a doctor.” Chui Tin’s words echoed in his mind. 

It’s time. Chui Yim thought, looking at the pouch on his palm, and he untied it without hesitation. 

Buzz! 

A vivid ball of light escaped the pouch as soon as Chui Yim did so, stunning him. In fact, it wasn’t a light… but a paper with a gliph drawn on it. 

It was a simple gliph called the Recorder gliph which was to be found on the Recording Gliph Stone that was widely used by gliphers and gliphist. 

Chui Tin must have an unimaginable understanding towards gliphism if he’s able to make the gliph work on a paper. 

“Siu Yim, since you have opened the pouch, you must be twelve now. The thought of us having to part for years gave me mixed feelings.” Chui Yim’s expression changed after hearing Chui Tin’s gentle voice.   

“Alright, getting to the main point now. Since you have opened the pouch, it means that returning to the village to become an ordinary doctor is not your choice. But this didn’t surprise me, as from that day you told me that you need to become stronger, I knew that my son would definitely lead an extraordinary life. I guessed that you’re at a loss now, not knowing what to do.” 

“I chose the Riding Clouds Academy for you. You might already know why; not for the cheap school fees… well, I admit it partially is, but mainly because the principal of the academy and your teacher, Chor Shing Chit is no ordinary man. I could hand you over to their care at ease.” 

It was a surprising piece of information to Chui Yim. So Chui Tin knew that Bak Wun and Chor Shing Chit were extraordinary before he enrolled me into the academy? Of course, how could a thirty-year-old three-chambered glipher and a one-chambered glipher who can beat a two-chambered glipher up badly be mediocre? There must be something going on with the Riding Clouds Academy.   

“I can decide a primary institution for you, but not the others. It’s all up to you now. If you wish to continue with your education, head to the South Imperial City, thecapital of the South where all authorities are. It’s home to many powerful institutions at the same time. Here, institutions are equivalent to organisations in the divided North. 

“Stars Unite Educational Centre is well-known for their powerful gliphist graduates. The institution is mostly meant for gliphists, and they hold the best books for cultivators in the South. Metallic Blood War Gate is an institution backed by the South’s military. Not only do they value cultivating soldiers and battle tactics, they’re very professional in cultivating gliphers and physical ability too. However, it’s not the most suitable choice for you considering your heart deficiency. The Great Book Academy is an institution of gliphism research. They don’t touch much on knowledge about cultivators but they own the most amount of books in the South, so many that even the Lam dynasty’s Imperial Library couldn’t compare to them. 

“These three institutions that I recommend are the best institutions in the South. But if you decide not to attend a higher institution, it’s fine too. You can join organisations in the North like the Imperial Sunset Palace, the famous cultivation spot for gliphist, or Blazing Skies Mountain, since you like to forge and its sect leader Yim Yung is the only Divine Master in the world. Or Four Season Mountains, the home to many gliphers.  

“Any of these six options will be good for you. Cultivating is like navigating a boat against the current. You must not rest once you have chosen to take this route.” Chui Tin nagged on. Chui Yim was annoyed by his nagging in the past, but it warmed him now. He remained silent and listened to Chui Tin’s words. 

“For the second pouch… Open it when you feel that you are about to break through to your wind chamber. It will guide you on. And that’s all. Cheer on, child. We… including your mother, we will reunite someday.” 

The paper that floated in the air like a bright candle light dimmed down gradually and turned into ashes, as if it had never once appeared. Chui Yim said nothing and folded the pouch before keeping it in his pocket. 

Higher institutions, huh…

The next day. Chui Yim’s door was pushed open abruptly. It didn’t come as a shock to him as only Bak Wun would do so. Chor Shing Chit entered his room, trailing behind Bak Wun. After all they had been through during their Journey from Southary to Night Lion City, the trio became close-knitted.

Bak Wun took up a random fruit from the table and munched on it. “I’ve received a letter from Southary. After Chan Shue Gun passed on, the mayor stepped in. Since Chan Shue Gun has betrayed the Chan Clan, there’s nothing they could do to the Chan Clan. But the Riding Clouds Academy, it’s now under protection and the Chan Clan will compensate for all damage caused. As for Chan Ngou Tin, rumours have it that the poor kid has locked himself in his room ever since he woke up.” 

Chui Yim listened to Bak Wun with a poker face. The spoiled kid would suffer some day. I’m already nice enough to that imperious boy for six years. I would never have taken things so far if he hadn’t torn the book Chui Tin gave me. 

Now that he had tattooed a gliph on Chor Shing Chit and treated Tse Yu Bak, he knew that he had stepped into a brand new world, and Southary might be somewhere he could never return to. 

“Stars Unite Education Centre, Metallic Blood War Gate and Great Book Academy. What do you guys think of them?” Chui Yim cut straight to the point. 

Chor Shing Chit exchanged glances with Bak Wun before turning back to Chui Yim in surprise. “I see that you have some information on higher institutions too. Indeed, these institutions are prestigious, and Stars Unite Education Center and Great Book Academy suits you. But…” 

“These are no big deal.” Bak Wun came to the conclusion without saying much. Chui Yim frowned. He knew that Chui Tin meant to let him have a choice by mentioning all of the choices, but it seems like these institutions weren’t considered great to Bak Wun. 

“Indeed, depending on what you compare them to.” Surprisingly, Chor Shing Chit agreed with Bak Wun. He then turned to Chui Yim, looking all serious. 

“Have you heard of the Cloud Palace?”