Pride (2)
Cheolwon Pavilion had requested reinforcements and an expansion of space from Samcheong Hall. Even Samcheong Hall was left dumbfounded. They were raking in Hebei's money like a rake through dirt with a business no one had ever heard of.
Cheong-ui felt dazed, as if this sudden change couldn't possibly be real. He couldn't even comprehend how the representatives of the Hwi-ju Merchants had suddenly appeared before him.
"We offer our deepest thanks to the sect leader. With Wudang taking charge of this, the other merchants can now do business in Hebei without worry. This will elevate Hebei to a whole new level."
"...Uh, er, yes?"
"It's a brilliant idea, but one that only Wudang could pull off. Who would entrust something more precious than their own life to anyone else? No one but Wudang, which has proven its integrity and upheld the justice of the Central Plains, would be trusted with it."
"Heh heh..."
Cheong-ui let out a hollow laugh. Truth be told, it pricked at his conscience. When Cheolwon Pavilion first proposed the brokerage business, he had his doubts.
It wasn't just him, either. All the elders had questioned if it made any sense, and even Pavilion Master Cheong-su seemed uncertain about the venture. Some had grumbled that Cheolwon Pavilion shouldn't move based on the word of a mere lay disciple, but Cheong-ui had given permission when Cheong-su expressed a desire to try it on a small scale.
"This is a modest gift from us Hwi-ju Merchants. Please accept it."
The man in black silk robes pushed a box toward Cheong-ui. It was lavish just to look at.
"We've done nothing to deserve such a thing."
"A merchant's enemies aren't just bandits. Even if you pay them tolls and pass safely, if the other merchant turns out to be a swindler, it's all for naught. Your role in preventing that is invaluable."
The Hwi-ju representative turned the box so Cheong-ui could see inside and opened it.
A soothing fragrance immediately filled the sect leader's chamber. The box was lined with colorful jade stones, and at the center sat a pill that exuded an ominous aura.
"...This is?"
Cheong-ui's voice trembled. He had a guess as to what it was, though he wasn't certain.
"Heavenly King Divine Pill."
"Heavens. A Heavenly King Divine Pill? And you Hwi-ju Merchants had it?"
Cheong-ui clicked his tongue in amazement. Ten years ago, the dissolution of the enigmatic Heavenly King Sect from Qinghai had caused a massive uproar across the Central Plains.
No one knew the internal details, but the key point was that the sect's spirit medicines and manuals had lost their owners.
People had flocked to Qinghai upon hearing the news, searching for the Heavenly King Sect's location. Among the treasures, the Heavenly King Divine Pill had drawn the most attention.
Rumored to be a spirit medicine consumed only by the sect leader's direct lineage, it was said to rival the Shaolin Temple's Great Return Pill in efficacy.
The conflict had dragged on, and everyone assumed the pill's whereabouts had faded into obscurity—yet here it was with the Hwi-ju Merchants. It seemed the saying that they possessed three of the world's great treasures wasn't empty talk.
"How did a Heavenly King Divine Pill end up with the Hwi-ju Merchants?"
"Heh heh. That's something we can't disclose, if you please. Of course, Wudang has its own wondrous spirit medicine, the Taecheong Pill, but more good things are always better, aren't they? If this produces another pillar of the Central Plains, how fortunate for us common folk."
Cheong-ui swallowed hard at the merchant's words. It was undeniably for the benefit of the disciples—not for his own gain. Moreover, with Hebei falling under the Hwi-ju Merchants' sphere of influence, ongoing relations were inevitable. Building goodwill couldn't hurt.
"Ahem. Very well, then. But no complaints later about this."
"Of course not."
The merchant smiled slyly. He spent some time praising Wudang before departing.
Cheong-ui rubbed his temples. Dealing with merchants always left him feeling like he needed to wash his ears. It was that disorienting.
"What in the world is going on?"
Sure enough, as Muk Hwi-yeong had predicted, it had taken less than ten days to prove his merchant talent. How explosive must the business's impact be to draw even the titans of the merchant world, the Hwi-ju Merchants? Their visit was tantamount to pleading for Wudang to continue it. The pill was bribery for that purpose.
From Wudang's perspective, it wasn't a bad deal. Continuing the business would bring in massive wealth. Two hundred taels of silver every ten days. Even accounting for the initial hype drawing crowds, it was a stable, reliable moneymaker.
And if competitors emerged, who else could claim Wudang's level of trust? They'd be left competing solely on price.
"Is someone outside?"
"Yes."
The voice of his first-generation disciple assistant came from beyond the door.
"Inform the elders of an elders' meeting."
"Right now?"
"Yes."
"Understood."
"Oh, and go to Cheolwon Pavilion now—bring back the disciple named Muk Hwi-yeong."
"Ah, yes. I know him. Understood."
Muk Hwi-yeong had already become a famous figure in Wudang. Everyone knew the business exploding across Hebei was his brainchild.
They had all been watching eagerly, ready to mock his claims of merchant talent. But he had turned their sneers back on them, proving himself spectacularly.
Before long, the elders gathered in Samcheong Hall's meeting room. They had known today's elders' meeting was scheduled anyway, so they had waited nearby without venturing out.
"...Ahem."
Awkward coughs echoed through the room.
"Shall we begin? It looks like all the elders are here."
One elder, Cheong-yeong, spoke up, but Cheong-ui shook his head.
"One more person is still coming."
Soon, the meeting room door opened. In walked Muk Hwi-yeong, a broad smile on his face. Being at distant Cheolwon Pavilion was why he was late.
"Haha. Sorry to keep the elders' meeting waiting on my account."
Muk Hwi-yeong chuckled. The elders' faces soured at his joking tone.
***
The elders looked thoroughly uncomfortable. They clearly didn't like waiting on me alone.
"We'll proceed with the meeting immediately. The agenda is whether to approve Muk Hwi-yeong here as a named lay disciple."
Straight to the point—nice. I took a deep breath. Man proposes, heaven disposes. I'd done my part; the rest was up to fate. Honestly, I felt a twinge beyond just that.
Then Cheong-yu raised his hand. He was Myeong-han's master—and someone with bad blood toward me. In a low voice, he said,
"I acknowledge that he's human."
"Of course you're human, Elder. Or are you a jiangshi?"
"Quiet. This isn't a place for jokes."
"Ah, yes sir."
I tried to lighten the heavy mood with a joke, but it fell flat with the elders.
"However, a named lay disciple sets a bad precedent. The other Nine Great Sects using similar systems won't like it."
"So you're opposed?"
"Yes."
"One vote against."
Yeah, I expected Cheong-yu to oppose. Wudang had eight elders, plus the sect leader made nine with voting rights. His presence was unlucky for me, but it was something I'd have to bear.
I kept my mouth shut, listening as the meeting unfolded. As expected of Wudang, the pinnacle of murim's vested interests, they were deeply conservative. They feared change.
"Named lay disciples were a peculiar measure used only during the Demonic Cult's rampage. Using it in peacetime could have unknown ill effects on the other disciples. If the temple disciples crave freedom and the lay disciples covet Wudang's martial arts, how could discipline hold?"
"Would allowing one really lead to that?"
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"That's exactly why we must be cautious."
"But we are the righteous sects. We can't forcibly drag in a child who doesn't want to join as a temple disciple, can we? We're not the Demonic Cult."
The mention of the Demonic Cult made the elders flinch. Their debate was sharp. From what I heard, both sides had logic; neither seemed poised for a one-sided victory.
"Better to just vote."
After nearly half a shichen of discussion, Cheong-ui made the call. Listening in, I could see that my proposal for a named lay disciple was a tough concept to swallow.
"Before the vote, may I say a final word?"
I raised my hand. All eyes turned to me.
"This isn't a place for the likes of you to speak."
Cheong-yu was firm, but Cheong-ui nodded.
"It's about his own status, so one word should be fine."
"...Ahem. If that's the sect leader's will."
Now it was my turn to speak. After half a shichen of bored standing, this was my last chance to defend myself.
"Perhaps I've been underestimating Wudang."
I began. The elders' brows furrowed at my words.
"I'm born with a merchant's blood—my destiny and my pride. But I know I have martial talent too, and I thought, why not have both? They're complementary; martial and merchant talents together shine brighter. So I got greedy. But hearing the elders, I realize pushing Wudang to change for my sake alone is selfish."
"Good, then you're done."
"Be quiet."
Cheong-yu interrupted, but Cheong-ui silenced him. Without looking at Cheong-ui, I continued.
"But I have no intention of abandoning my selfish self. I want to enjoy everything I desire—that's the meaning of life to me. So now, I'm here to promote and sell myself to you. I've shown Wudang my martial and merchant talents and proven them splendidly. I promise you this: if made a named lay disciple, I'll contribute to Wudang as both merchant and warrior. What I've shown so far is just a fraction. Expect great things, elders. Even those opposing, please reconsider for the future glory of Wudang."
I finished and exhaled. I'd talked too long and run out of breath.
"That's all."
"Very well."
Cheong-ui nodded and turned to the elders.
"Now, show of hands for and against."
With that, Cheong-ui raised his hand. The sect leader, silent through the debate, sided with me. The elders flinched.
Then, one by one, they followed. Even the conservative holdouts slowly raised theirs.
The result was before my eyes.
Eight votes in favor.
Cheong-yu alone kept his hand down, head bowed.
"By the will of Sect Leader Cheong-ui and the elders' council, Wudang hereby accepts Muk Hwi-yeong as a named lay disciple."
With Cheong-ui's solemn declaration, my status changed.