Chapter 15 Air Glyph
Li An knelt at a low table in the quiet room, the thick scent of ink mingling with the fragrance of jasmine and old paper. Her small hands held a brush delicately, just as Concubine Su had shown her, poised above the smooth rice paper. Sunlight filtered in through narrow, latticed windows, casting a warm, dappled glow across the floor. It was morning, and today was her second lesson in the art of Zisho script writing. Concubine Su sat beside her, watching with calm intensity as Li An practiced her strokes, one careful line after another.
"Steady, Li An. The brush must glide, not press," Concubine Su said gently, her voice soft but firm. Her gaze was sharp, like that of an eagle's, unyielding and attentive, but her demeanor was warm and maternal. "You must allow your arm to relax. Let the brush breathe."
Li An took a deep breath, trying to absorb the advice, her young fingers trembling as she made her next stroke. Zisho script, with its sweeping curves and elegant angles, was beautiful but challenging. Each line seemed to hold a hidden power, and she felt it as her brush moved across the paper, carving faint marks where her strokes were unsteady. But as she continued, her movements grew smoother, her grip on the brush lighter.
Once Li An completed the character, she looked up at Concubine Su, who nodded approvingly. "Much better. With time, your strokes will become as natural as the flow of water," she said, folding her hands in her lap. "Now, take a break, and let me tell you something about our world."
Li An's eyes lit up with curiosity. She set down her brush, dusting her ink-stained fingers against her tunic. Concubine Su's voice was as captivating as a storybook, filled with images that painted themselves vividly in her mind.
"The continent you are in, Li An, is called Lamba. It is vast, and like a patchwork quilt, it is stitched with five distinct lands—empires, each with its own heart and soul," Concubine Su began, tracing her finger along an invisible map in the air.
Li An listened, leaning closer.
"We are here, in the Fir Empire," Concubine Su continued, her finger coming to rest at an imagined point on the west side. "Fir is known for its endless forests. The trees here grow tall and ancient, their branches woven like tapestries over the land. They say that the trees here remember the whispers of the ancestors, that the very air carries magic."
Li An felt a chill run down her spine. She had always thought the forests surrounding Miir felt almost alive. But now, hearing this from Concubine Su, it seemed even more magical. She imagined the towering trees holding stories within their knotted bark, secrets only the wind could unlock.
"To the east of Fir lies Xiogote, a land of steep mountains and high, jagged peaks," Concubine Su continued. "Xiogote is a place of strength and resilience. The people there are known to be as enduring as the mountains themselves, forging their lives in harsh, rocky landscapes. Some say the tallest mountain there touches the heavens."
"Xiogote…" Li An murmured, testing the name. She could picture it—a realm of towering, snow-covered peaks and narrow, winding paths. It seemed like a distant and mysterious place, so unlike the forested tranquility of Fir.
Concubine Su's hand drifted back to the middle of her invisible map. "The heart of the continent is divided into two lands: Gushan and Phrana. Gushan, to the north, is known for its fertile plains, where fields stretch endlessly under a bright sky, and crops grow in abundance. The people of Gushan are hardworking and practical, always tending to their land, feeding not only their own people but many others across Lamba."
Li An's eyes gleamed at the thought of such a bountiful place, the smell of rich earth, and the sight of fields stretching like a green sea. She could almost imagine running through those plains, the sun warm on her face.
"South of Gushan lies Phrana, a land where the sun beats down mercilessly, and the sands stretch for miles," Concubine Su said, her voice growing softer. "Phrana is largely desert, a place where survival is a skill and not a right. Water is as precious as gold, and the people there have learned to endure the heat, to cherish every drop of rain. They are resilient, like the cacti that grow in their deserts."
Li An shivered, imagining the burning sand and the people's struggle for water. Phrana sounded both dangerous and beautiful in its own way, a place where life itself was a challenge.
"Finally," Concubine Su's finger drifted westward again, "to the west of Phrana, and southwest of us is the empire of Estoc. Estoc is a realm of contrasts, where the desert meets forest and the land shifts from dry sands to deep woods. It is said that Estoc's people are like their land, adaptable, and able to thrive in any condition. They are known for their artistry and crafts, creating things of beauty from the materials they find."
Li An took in the names, committing each to memory. Fir, Xiogote, Gushan, Phrana, Estoc. Each empire sounded like its own world, each with its own spirit and challenges.
"We are in Miir, the capital city of Fir," Concubine Su concluded. "Here, the knowledge of the forest and the wisdom of the trees is strongest. And the art of Zisho script, which you are learning, also has its roots here. It is a way to connect to the land, to honor the spirit of Fir itself."
"Will learning Zisho script help me connect to Fir?" Li An asked eagerly.
Concubine Su's lips curved in a soft smile. "Yes, and perhaps more. Those who master the Zisho Script can not only write on paper but can also weave great poems and tall tales lasting through the ages. This art requires dedication, as it is as delicate as it is powerful."
Li An's heart raced at the thought. "Writing great poems? Like the scholars?"
"In a way, yes. When the words are written with true intent, they hold power," Concubine Su said, her eyes gleaming with knowledge. "The poems and tall tales can create opportunity and calmness of the heart, or even convey messages over distances. But it is not something you can learn overnight. It takes time and patience. Much like growing a tree from a single seed."
Li An nodded solemnly, filled with a mixture of wonder and determination. She looked down at her paper, feeling a new reverence for the brush in her hand. She dipped it carefully in the ink, letting the bristles drink up the dark liquid, then lifted it, ready to continue her practice.
As she worked, she could feel Concubine Su's watchful gaze, guiding her through each stroke, each line. Every curve and angle felt more meaningful now as if each line held a fragment of power, a link to the beauty of Fir itself. She could almost feel the whisper of the trees in her mind, like a faint echo.
Hours passed as Li An practiced, her small hand growing steadier, her strokes more assured. With every stroke, she grew closer to the script, feeling the energy in the lines. The Zisho script seemed to flow from her hand as naturally as the wind.
By mid-afternoon, she paused, looking at the characters she had drawn on the paper. They were still imperfect, still shaky in places, but there was an unmistakable beauty beginning to emerge. Each symbol held a spark of life.
Concubine Su examined her work and nodded approvingly. "You are progressing quickly, Li An. In time, you may master the art and could soon write poems that could last for eternity. But remember, this knowledge and skill must always be practiced. The words in the script are not just for the ears but also for the heart."
Li An nodded solemnly. She had learned enough to understand that such skill could give her enough wisdom to help Seedee grow. She wanted to honor what Concubine Su was teaching her, to grow her skills with respect and discipline.
…
After the whole day of practice, Li An entered her own room and lay on her bed. She has been feeling a bit odd while listening to the words of Concubine Su. She seems to link it to something she has read in her void space.
"Her words seem familiar, right?" the voice of Seedee echoed in her mind.
Li An closes her eyes and she lets her mind enter her void space. With this, she would not disappear and time would not stop outside.
"Yeah, I seem to recall something I have read in one of the books here." She muttered while she scanned her memory.
She has a sharp memory, but the vast knowledge she has learned needs time to recall.
Suddenly, her eyes went wide in realization.
"I knew it! I remember it now!" she exclaimed.
She suddenly began stroking the air and soon she was able to create a floating script.
"That script means fire…" Seedee said with a smile.
Suddenly, the script swirls and in almost an instant bursts into flame.
Li An was stunned and panicked a bit.
Suddenly, she felt a bit weak as if something escaped her body.
"This is what air glyphs are… However, they need natural energy from your body to activate. If you are unable to produce the natural energy yet, then it would use your physical strength as fuel." Seedee explained.
"That would be dangerous, right?" Li An said, feeling a bit afraid.
"Yes, as you will feel weak… So do not use air glyphs yet… You have to learn spirit refining techniques to be able to use it effectively." Seedee warned.
"Spirit refining…" Li An muttered while feeling a hint of excitement in her heart.
She knew that she could not practice it yet due to her age and physique. But having a knowledge of such power made her want to start it as soon as possible.