Eight Corners Society (12)
Eight Corners Society (12)
While Docheol continued his secret meetings with Eun Ho-seol, Zhuge Yeong-yu was equally busy. The doorstep of his Hubei Province base was worn thin by constant visitors, and through the clan's agents they extended contacts and overtures in every direction.
"Why has the Zhuge Family sought me out?"
The de facto second-in-command of the Eight Trigrams Association, Gyeong Hwi, was among those the Zhuge Family contacted. As if dismissing the Zhuge name as nothing but the bluster of outdated old men, he stood with his arms crossed and fixed them with a sidelong glance. Zhuge Yeong-yu, unperturbed by his counterpart's disrespect, opened with a calm smile.
"Does one need a grand reason to visit a great hero? As they say, day by day, all things are renewed. Even a commoner's face looks different each time you see it; merely beholding a great hero's countenance is an inspiration to a writer and a source of strength to those striving to follow in his footsteps."
Gyeong Hwi shrugged. He was pleased that the Zhuge Family was polishing his image. Zhuge Yeong-yu inwardly sneered at how openly Gyeong Hwi showed that pleasure.
Martial artists were all the same.
Outwardly they treated the Zhuge Family and the other Five Great Clans as "nothings," but in the end, when summoned, they scurried over like pet dogs and stuck their snouts in to see if there was anything to eat—that was their true nature. Gyeong Hwi went on, not bothering to hide the twitching at the corners of his mouth.
"But isn't the Zhuge Family's relationship with the Murim Alliance somewhat uncomfortable? Even someone like me, who knows nothing of political strife, knows well how the Zhuge Family latched onto someone in the past to amass wealth and reputation in a particular manner."
Zhuge Yeong-yu nodded. He heard such talk every time he attended large gatherings, so it didn't bother him at all that this man brought it up. His real goal was to goad Gyeong Hwi into making a desperate plea.
"True. The Zhuge Family attached itself to the name of the imperial household and accumulated wealth. But isn't that something only the capable can do? The strong do not tolerate fleas sucking their blood. We merely proved our skill and ability to the imperial family during a time when the martial world was being suppressed. And now, we simply strive to follow the greater flow of things."
"Your talk of following the greater flow sounds amusing. If you follow the flow, you should have sought out my elder brother. So why did you seek me out?"
Gyeong Hwi asked, casting a provocative look. Of course, Zhuge Yeong-yu knew exactly what he meant: Tell me plainly why you summoned me instead of Hwang Ryong-seong. He wanted even more flattery, the kind so thick it would be embarrassing. Zhuge Yeong-yu couldn't help but laugh at the transparent back-and-forth.
Smiling broadly, he asked back:
"Do you wish for me to seek out Great Hero Hwang Ryong-seong? I thought, as the second-in-command of the Eight Trigrams Association, you would be in a position to discuss friendship and harmony. But it seems that is not the case?"
"No, well... it's not necessarily that."
Gyeong Hwi, who had been sitting arrogantly, adjusted his posture. He pulled his chair forward, cleared his throat with a fake cough, and mouthed a curse as he glared at Zhuge Yeong-yu. Yeong-yu leaned back in his chair, smiled, and said:
"Rest assured, Great Hero. I will not truly seek out Great Hero Hwang Ryong-seong. Our friendship with the Eight Trigrams Association is one thing, but I called for you because I needed Great Hero Gyeong Hwi specifically. As you know, there was a slight clash between the Eight Trigrams Association and the Zhuge Family around the time of the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, was there not?"
That clash involved the youngest member of the Eight Trigrams Association, who teased the wife of Crimson Ring Sect's Docheol and then fled after apologizing. Furthermore, after being defeated by Docheol in a martial contest, that youngest brat had holed up at home, refusing to step outside. Gyeong Hwi said:
"We lost our youngest, and on the Zhuge side, Docheol of the Crimson Ring Sect came over to the Eight Trigrams Association. Come to think of it, if you want to build bridges with the Eight Trigrams Association, couldn't you simply ask Sect Leader Docheol?"
From the Eight Trigrams Association's perspective, Docheol's arrival wasn't a bad thing. In every respect, a martial artist who, though a bit of a womanizer, was serious and capable was better for the group's reputation than a madman picking fights everywhere.
Zhuge Yeong-yu answered his question firmly:
"How could I seek help again from one who received the Zhuge Family's favor and then so cruelly betrayed us?"
"Hmph."
Gyeong Hwi was pleased by those words. Though his snorting laugh and flaring nostrils were ridiculous, Zhuge Yeong-yu remained unperturbed. He continued coolly.
"I have no intention of holding a grudge. The currents of the world are changing. Sect Leader Docheol merely moved in a direction that benefited him. But whether or not to ask such a person for help again is a matter of face. And it is also a matter of principle: one cannot make great use of a man who discards loyalty like a worn-out shoe."
"So you came to me? The real power of the Eight Trigrams Association. The actual force. To this Gyeong Hwi."
Gyeong Hwi emphasized the words "real power" and "actual force." Seeing his excited expression, it was clear he had grasped what Zhuge Yeong-yu was driving at. Zhuge Yeong-yu nodded in agreement.
"Indeed. There are those who whisper that the Eight Trigrams Association exists only for Hwang Ryong-seong, but I do not believe such outdated slander. It is because men like Great Hero Gyeong Hwi play their part and contribute to the name that the organization's name carries weight."
Gyeong Hwi nodded with a satisfied face. Of course, Zhuge Yeong-yu had no idea what weighty actions Gyeong Hwi had actually performed. Not because his investigation was insufficient, but because Gyeong Hwi truly had never performed such actions.
According to the reports Zhuge Yeong-yu had received, two days prior, Gyeong Hwi had gotten drunk at a brothel, stuck his penis into a wine bottle, and performed a trick of passing the bottle among the courtesans.
His inner energy and martial arts were outstanding enough to claim the position of second-in-command, but his true nature was that of such a man.
"It is an honor to be so highly esteemed by the Zhuge Family."
In a sense, Gyeong Hwi was an incredibly shameless fellow. Zhuge Yeong-yu thought it fortunate that he didn't have to resort to any tiresome flowery phrases. After glancing around once, Zhuge Yeong-yu lowered his voice and spoke.
"And, personally, I also have the intention of giving Great Hero Gyeong Hwi a bit of a push."
Gyeong Hwi blinked at those words and asked:
"A push? What do you mean?"
To forestall any hasty speculation, Zhuge Yeong-yu quickly added:
"Calm down. I'm not asking you to betray the Eight Trigrams Association."
Gyeong Hwi half-rose as if to stand, then settled his agitation. Since the Eight Trigrams Association was doing well at the moment, talk of betraying the organization wouldn't take root at all. Zhuge Yeong-yu brought up another matter instead.
"Do you intend to remain merely the second-in-command of the Eight Trigrams Association? The Eight Trigrams Association is not an organization that will last forever, is it? At some point, each will go their separate ways and distinguish themselves. When that time comes, who will stand at the very front? Will Great Hero Hwang Ryong-seong still tower alone, while you, Great Hero Gyeong Hwi, remain as second-in-command? In a world without constraints. Are you truly content with just playing a supporting role?"
Gyeong Hwi did not answer. For now, he didn't know. But would he continue living like this in the future? Remain Hwang Ryong-seong's second forever, living a shadow-like existence without recognition or glory? In the name of loyalty, one should naturally nod and accept it.
But Gyeong Hwi was a martial artist.
However vulgar his amusements, however thoughtlessly he seemed to live, he too was a martial artist who had leaped into the Central Plains with dreams of rising in the world.
No one learns martial arts and wanders the world to remain second-in-command.
Everyone roams with their own grand achievements in their hearts.
"That..."
Gyeong Hwi's eyes were shaking. Zhuge Yeong-yu asked:
"Is it not natural for a martial artist to want to climb to the top? Have you never once had such a thought?"
Gyeong Hwi squeezed his eyes shut. Hwang Ryong-seong's face flickered momentarily and vanished. Then the glorious moments he had shared with the Eight Trigrams Association passed before him like a lantern show: the drinking parties where they gathered at the Murim Alliance's invitation, the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, the occasions when the Murim Alliance Leader personally encouraged them and awarded prizes.
Thinking back,
in all those moments,
what Gyeong Hwi had been looking at was Hwang Ryong-seong's back.
Gyeong Hwi looked at Zhuge Yeong-yu. Zhuge Yeong-yu smiled, extending a cup. Without a word, Gyeong Hwi took the cup and drained it in one gulp. The liquor tasted bitter. He wondered if this was the right thing to do. With his own talent, he could think of no way to surpass Hwang Ryong-seong.
But wasn't the Zhuge Family a place with minds far sharper than his?
They had said they would push him, so surely they had some plan.
"You've made a wise decision, Great Hero."
So saying, Zhuge Yeong-yu rose from his seat.
Leaving Gyeong Hwi behind, Zhuge Yeong-yu rubbed his chin and muttered.
"Is Great Hero Docheol doing well?"
"Yes. According to recent reports, everything is proceeding very smoothly."
Zhuge Yeong-yu gave a soft smile at those words. The corners of his mouth rose gently and a faint blush bloomed and faded on his cheeks. He touched his own cheek and lips as if gauging the shape of his smile, then shook his head and said:
"Yes, naturally it would be."