Part 1
The first crack appeared in something trivial.
Attendance.
Three outer disciples failed to attend morning drills.
Not injured.
Not assigned elsewhere.
They were waiting.
Waiting for Zheng Wen Te to arrive first.
It was subtle.
But deliberate.
When he entered the courtyard, they stepped forward immediately.
"Senior, can you demonstrate yesterday's form?"
It was a standard request.
Except they bypassed the appointed instructor.
Across the yard, Instructor Bao stiffened.
Authority had not been challenged openly.
But it had been rerouted.
Zheng Wen Te understood instantly.
If he refused, he appeared distant.
If he agreed, he undermined structure.
So he did neither.
"You should ask Instructor Bao," he said evenly.
The three hesitated.
"But—"
"He holds the position."
The word position was intentional.
They withdrew.
Instructor Bao's expression did not soften.
Because the damage was already done.
A seed had been planted.
The idea that legitimacy might not flow from hierarchy alone.