Meeting Unexpectidely

"Ah, junior brother, good day to you."

Chirped a young disciple who looked like he'd just walked out of a sect recruitment poster—robe pristine, hair glossier than an oil spill, and a bow so deep it screamed, I'm plotting something.

Artis returned the bow quickly, his polite smile barely hiding his unease.

"Yes, good day to you..."

He nodded and made his exit like a man avoiding a sales pitch for pyramid schemes.

'Wait a damn minute.'

Artis thought as he rounded the corner.

'Why is that kid, who's technically in a higher position than me, bowing like I'm the patriarch's golden boy?'

Alarm bells started ringing in his head, though he quickly silenced them with a mental groan.

'Great, just what I needed—a bad feeling to go with my bad reputation.'