Night of the Broken Gliph

Chapter 185

A palm-sized Chinese-style cake lay on the white ivory plate. It was shaped like a brick and decorated in five colours: red, green, blue, yellow and purple. The colour came in strips, making the cake resemble a stunning jade bursting with colours.  

Oh? The dish captured Old Ngais interest. Whats this? 

Ahem, my newest dish, the Five Coloured Jewel, Lam Ming Sum said with a proud expression on her slightly tanned face. Since gramps is old, I wanted to make delicious yet healthy food for gramps. Thus, I made this Five Coloured Jewel. I dont have any other good skills besides my cooking, so this is the only way I can express my gratitude. Cmon! Try it, gramps! 

Under Lam Ming Sums stare, Old Ngai felt tenser than when he had faced his enemies a hundred years ago. He slowly picked up the cake and took a small bite. As a thousand-gliphic gliphist, food was no longer necessary for Old Ngai as he could turn heaven and earths energy from cultivation into the energy that his body needed. It had been years since Old Ngai last ate. 

He stood rooted to the ground as soon as he tasted the cake. Numerous flavours burst out into his mouth instantly. It tasted sweet, fragrant, and sour all at the same time, yet they mixed together perfectly. The combination of flavours made it feel like a powerful and complex gliph.

I made this with different fruits and vegetables! Lam Ming Sums soft and proud voice rang out. I didnt add any other seasonings, but I added healthy gliphic plants when steaming it. This cake is good for your health! 

When Old Ngai regained his senses, the cake was gone. He could only taste the flavour from the crumbs inside his mouth. 

Mmm, are you impressed? Lam Ming Sum was unaware of Old Ngais thoughts as she continued. 

Old Ngai laughed subconsciously before being shocked once again. How long has it been since I felt so happy? The refreshing taste was still in his mouth, like dew that moistened his withering heart.  

Its not bad, girlie. Old Ngais stare turned into a gentle gaze.  

Its nothing much, as long as gramps likes it. Lam Ming Sum stuck her tongue out. Oh yeah, the gliph on my wind chamber is slightly confusing, so Im here to ask about it too.  

Its the Maut gliph, a gliph passed down for generations down the Lam Clan. Old Ngai smiled thinly. 

Maut? Lam Ming Sum asked confusedly. 

Theres a river in the North called the Mother River; Im sure youve heard of it. 

Lam Ming Sum nodded in response.  

The Mother River originates from the Vast Ocean in the South, passing through numerous cities and the Bloody War Frontier to finally reach the North. The South thrives because the Mother River brings water from the Vast Ocean through the South. Thus, Southerners worship the Mother River, and some villages near the river still perform worship rituals yearly. 

Maut is an ancient language which means mother. The Lam Clans history dates back further than you think. 

However, only the most outstanding disciples of the Lam Clan are allowed to have this gliph tattooed on them. When the Lam Clan became the royal family, only the emperor and prince of every generation were allowed to have this gliph tattooed. Old Ngai winked his tired eyes. 

Gramps! Lam Ming Sum shrieked in fear on hearing him. How can you do this to me when you know the rules? Are you trying to put me into trouble! 

Old Ngai couldnt help but be amused at how afraid Lam Ming Sum looked. Hehe, the imperial family cant do anything to gramps. Since Kan Hang sought my aid, how could I bear to tattoo some low-class gliph for you? Of course, your cultivation style isnt ordinary either, or else you wont have enough energliph to have this gliph tattooed. 

Be at ease. If anyone discovers it and questions you in the future, tell that Lam Chun boy I was the one who did it. He wont blame you.  

Gramps, exactly who are you? Lam Ming Sum stared at Old Ngai weirdly.  

An old man with one foot in the grave. Old Ngai smiled in response. 

Lam Ming Sum left the Heaven Tower feeling confused and dizzy. Kan Hang didnt explain Old Ngais identity and only told her not to bother him. However, as a kind-hearted soul, Lam Ming Sum felt she had to thank the elderly man who tattooed a gliph for her. 

Now, she realised that he was no ordinary gliphist. However, this only stayed on her mind for a short while since she was aware that she wasnt the smartest and tended to overlook things other intelligent people could understand. All she cared was that she had gained one more friend in the palace.  

The thought of this made her run to the Imperial Gardens happily. Indeed, a teen dressed in grey was there. The teenager wasnt tall and looked cold. Lam Ming Sum subconsciously slowed down on seeing him

Every time brother Chin Kee works on his carvings, he gives the vibes of brother Chui when hes drunk. Its as if theyre in a crowd but still feel lonely.  

Ming Sum Ming Sum? Kam Chin Kee waved his hands in front of Lam Ming Sum. Why are you spacing out? 

Ah? Im not. Lam Ming Sum replied, giggling after she regained her senses. Brother Chin Kee will be heading to the whatever Palace tomorrow, right?  

Cloud Palace outer sect. Kam Chim Kee laughed as he threw a puppet to Lam Ming Sum, who barely caught it. She realised that the puppet was a funny-looking girl with small eyes staring into space. It was hard to identify who it was, but Kam Chin Kees work always had a uniqueness that allowed one to identify what or who it was immediately. 

The puppet was none other than Lam Ming Sum.  

But why does brother Chin Kee want to go there? Isnt the palace nice? Lam Ming Sum kept it happily as he asked, while Kam Chin Kee shook his head. 

This place is just a huge prison, he said as he thought, Such an innocent kid.  

Prison? 

Kam Chin Kee ignored her question and flashed a smile, his eyes darting around the Imperial Garden. Ming Sum can visit me from time to time if youre interested, and you can also get to see the legendary Cloud Palace. I heard theres a famous g-chef in seclusion in Cloud Palace. 

Really? Lam Ming Sums eyes lit up.  

Of course, Kam Chin Kee continued. But the g-chef hardly shows up. Ill inform you if I get any news when my classes start. You can sneak in then!  

Deal!  

Pinky promise!  

Erm Is there a need for this?  

Cmon!  

Is there really a need  

Are you going to do it or not!