The Deer and the Cauldron (1st Book) by Louis Cha (Jin Yong)

[Drunk Monk]

I can't remember which though. I was inclined to say part 4, but you say it's a trilogy. I'll have to look at my bookshelf when I get home. Do you want to borrow/trade? Because I never read part 1.

I agree with you about Trinket. He's a lot like Monkey in Journey to the West, quite a cad and an anti-hero, but they both grow on you.