A Dangerous Silence
After the hearing, I expected some backlash.
Luo Wen had lost face too publicly to let this go.
But instead of striking back immediately…
He went silent.
That was worse.
Silence meant he wasn't acting out of anger. He was planning.
And planning meant he wasn't just looking for revenge, he was looking to ruin me.
......
A Subtle Threat
The next few days, things seemed normal on the surface.
Disciples still came by to watch me work, whispering about my victory. A few even approached me to discuss potential commissions.
But there were small, dangerous changes.
For example..... materials started arriving late.
Dyes were suddenly "out of stock."
And twice, I caught strangers lingering near my workshop, watching but saying nothing.
I pretended not to notice.
Instead, I worked harder.
I made sure people saw me designing, creating, improving. I let the momentum build.
If Luo Wen wanted to sabotage me, he'd have to show his hand.
.....
The First Strike
It happened at night.
I had just finished locking up my workshop when I heard a faint rustling behind me.
Instinct kicked in. I ducked.
A wooden staff whistled over my head, barely missing me.
I spun around to see three masked figures.
Not sect enforcers. Thugs.
Luo Wen had hired outside help.
.....
A Fight Without Martial Arts
Here's the thing.... I still didn't have a martial foundation.
But I wasn't defenseless.
I used everything I had..... momentum, surroundings, my wits.
The first thug lunged... I sidestepped, grabbing a loose board from the workbench.
Crack!
I slammed it into his leg, sending him crashing down.
The second one swung at me, I ducked, rolling over the worktable, putting furniture between us.
The third tried to grab me..... I grabbed a roll of fabric, throwing it at his face and using the distraction to slam a chair into his ribs.
It wasn't elegant.
It wasn't pretty.
But it worked.
Within minutes, all three of them were groaning on the floor.
I caught my breath, heart pounding.
Luo Wen had finally shown his hand.
That meant it was my turn.
....
Striking Back
The next morning, I went straight to Elder Shen.
I didn't make a scene. I didn't accuse Luo Wen outright.
Instead, I presented evidence.
The bruises. The torn workshop. The fact that three masked men attacked a sect disciple inside the sect grounds.
I didn't need to say it was Luo Wen.
The elders weren't stupid.
And in a sect where honor mattered, an outsider attack on a disciple was a serious offense.
.......
The Punishment
That evening, a formal announcement was made.
Luo Wen was demoted.
Stripped of his Inner Court privileges and forced back into the Outer Court.
It wasn't a permanent punishment, but it was a public humiliation.
And as I watched Luo Wen's face as he heard the verdict…
I knew something.
This wasn't over.