Night of the Broken Gliph

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The continent was divided into North and South with the Bloody War Frontier.  

With a comfortable climate and arable lands, many nobles settled down in the South. As time passed, the South eventually developed into a monarchy. 

This was why many large cities could be found in the South. 

At the tip of the South, there was a metropolis called Southary. 

Southary was the commercial core for villages and towns around it. Not only were trades and auctions conducted here, but it was also close to numerous danger zones that attracted many gliphers and gliphists to adventure in. 

These were the reasons why the City of the South was extremely prosperous.

Chui Yim followed closely behind Chui Tin. His eyes screamed curiosity as he inspected his surroundings. He might have been human in his past life too, but this was literally a whole new world. The architecture, fashion and lifestyle of this world was nothing like the Sallow Continent. 

Follow me closely if you dont want to be kidnapped, Chui Tin tried to scare Chui Yim, only to receive a sneer in response. 

They were currently on Southern End Avenue, the citys main street. It was bustling with activity, but this wasnt where Chui Tin was heading.

He walked past Southern End Avenueand made a few turns, finally arriving in a back alley.  

As soon as they entered the alley, the father and son pair were greeted with loud chattering and laughter. The alley was just as alive as the main streets, only that it was full of children and teenagers in uniform instead of adults. 

This backstreet, Learners Street, might not be a main street of the city, but it was equally important. 

Just like its name, the alley was for anyone willing to learn. All the institutions in Southary were located here. 

Chui Yim glanced down the street. There was nothing other than schools to be seen. Whats worse is that there are at least ten of them! Im getting a headache just by looking at them! 

This is City of Souths Learners street. There are a total of thirty-six institutions here, and all of them teach mostly the same stuff. Most children start schooling at six. Chui Tin turned to Chui Yim with a broad smile on his face

Here, we are usually tested for our aptitude for cultivation at six. If by the age of twelve we are still deemed unsuitable for learning gliphism, well have to give up on cultivating and live as a commoner. Of course, most people in this world are such commoners.

Here where gliphers rule, one must understand gliph even if you cannot cultivate. It might help you survive if you accidentally get on the bad side of a glipher or gliphist in the future. 

This is where youll be for the next six years of your life, Chui Tin said, smiling even with his eyes. 

Six years? Chui Yim repeated as he stared down the street dumbfoundedly.

Some students were having the time of their lives playing catch, while some were absorbed in their books

This is nothing but

A street filled with immature kids. 

Ill have to spend my next six years here? 

Realising this, Chui Yim grabbed Chui Tins shirt abruptly. After some serious thought, Ive realised that becoming a glipher or gliphist doesnt suit me. Being a doctor suddenly sparks my interest. Lets go home so I can learn to be a doctor from you. 

Hearing this, Chui Tin couldnt help but smile. It actually made the surrounding girls and ladies squeal. We cant do that. This is mandatory for every Southerner. Didnt you hear what I said? Here, where gliphers rule, one must understand gliphs even if you dont cultivate.

Numerous careers and productions have gliph as their foundation. 

A glipher hunts gliphic beastsfor materials, and as a professional hunter, they must know which part of the Geast is best to be tattooed onto gliphers. If you work as a herbalist, you need to know what plants are best for gliphs. If youre a chef, the skill of making gliph meals is necessary if you want to become successful. Oh, even a coachman needs knowledge of gliphs too! Or you wont know which places are suitable for entry, and which arent. 

In short, gliphs rules the world. So you must study them. 

But whats most important is that I, your father, have already paid the school fees. Ill break your leg if you refuse to attend the lessons. Chui Tin beamed as he patted Chui Yims shoulder.

A smiling Chui Tin making such comments sends chills down my spine. Chui Yim shuddered. 

Then Ill have to trouble you, Sir, Chui Tin spoke warmly to the middle-aged man standing in front of him while holding his hand tightly. 

The middle-aged man was huge. He was about one hundred ninety centimeters tall, almost half a head taller than Chui Tin, who was about one hundred eighty centimeters tall.

What was weird was the black cloth wrapped around both his arms, leaving nothing other than his fingers exposed. 

Mr Chui, its fine. He might be a day late, but there wont be too many problems. As for his accommodation, our academys dorm is fine, right? 

Yes, yes. The dorm is fine, Chui Tin answered warmly, not letting go of the mans hand. Hes a tough guy; anyplace is fine for him. He can even stay at the woodshed if there arent any other options. 

Wow, hes like a brand new person, huh? Chui Yim watched this scene with his jaws wide open. I thought that you were the most loving father?

However, hell be returning home during weekends and holidays. Chui Tin caressed Chui Yims shiny bald head while giving him a loving stare. Hes such a filial child. He just told me that hes interested in being a doctor, and that hed like to learn from me. As a father, I definitely need to pass on my skills to my child who has such interest. 

Chui Yim was stupefied. 

Why do I feel like Im being sold? 

Hearing Chui Tin, the man frowned. Gliphism is already such a broad and profound study that your whole life might not be enough to understand it fully. Are you sure its good for him to juggle so many things at the same time? He meant it well, as focusing on too many things simultaneously would result in overall mediocreness, rather than being exceptional in one.  

Haha, this isnt a big deal. My child is a genius, after all. Chui Tin laughed. 

Hahaha The man laughed awkwardly as he turned his attention to Chui Yim. As an experienced teacher, he was used to parents having blind trust in their childrens capabilities. Come with me then, boy. 

Chui Tin squatted down, smiling from ear to ear. Learn well, okay? 

All Chui Yim did was look at him dazedly. 

To the teacher, Chui Yim was acting like this because he couldnt bear to part with his father. Thus, he reached for the boys hand and said, Come on, lets go to class.  

Chui Tin sent Chui Yim off in smiles.