The Algorithm didn't just ripple this time. It capsized.

  If "You Court Death" was a challenge, "Thank you for the lesson, Master" was a religion.

  By midnight, the phrase was everywhere. It wasn't just martial arts fans. It was everyone. Humans, it turned out, were desperate for a way to lose with dignity. And Wei had just given them the ultimate script.

  **TikTok - @SophieStudies:**

  A girl holds up a chemistry test with a big red 'F' on it. She looks at the paper. She looks at the camera.

  She bows deeply to the test.

  "Thank you for the lesson, Master."

  *2.4 Million Likes.*

  **Twitter - @SenatorDavis:**

  A clip of a politician losing a debate badly on national TV. Instead of arguing, the internet dubbed Wei’s voice over him as he gathered his papers.

  "Thank you for the lesson, Master."

  *Retweeted by the Opponent.*

  **Instagram - @GymBroKyle:**

  A guy fails a bench press, the bar crushing his chest. His spotter lifts it off.

  The guy in the bench looks up, gasping.

  "Thank you for the lesson, Master."

  It became the universal sign of "Taking the L." It was suddenly cool to fail, as long as you bowed afterwards and promised to cultivate your foundation.

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  In the locker room of the Barclays Center, Sarah wasn't looking at memes. She was looking at contracts.

  "Wei," she said, scrolling through her inbox. "I have an offer from a Mindfulness App. They want to pay us seven figures to record you saying 'Class is Dismissed' as a sleep aid."

  She looked up. Wei was currently trying to remove his microphone tape without ripping his chest hair.

  "Also," Sarah said, pointing to the door. "We have a problem."

  "Is it the assassins?" Wei asked hopefully.

  "No. It's Jax."

  She opened the door.

  Jax 'The Hammer' Reynolds was sitting on the floor of the hallway. He was still wearing his fight shorts. He had a towel over his shoulders. He was holding a tray with two bottles of water and a protein bar.

  He looked up when Wei appeared.

  "Master," Jax said, scrambling to his feet. He bowed so low his nose almost touched the linoleum. "I have fetched your hydration. It is slightly chilled, as requested by the Dao of Thermodynamics."

  Wei looked at the water. He looked at Jax.

  "I did not request this," Wei said.

  "Classes start at dawn," Jax recited, clearly having memorized the 'Park Sect' schedule Sarah posted online. "I will be there. I have thrown away my pre-workout. I have burned my sleeveless shirts."

  Wei sighed. He took the water.

  "Fine," Wei said. "But if you try to punch me again, I will make you sit in the corner until your legs go numb."

  Jax beamed. It was the happiest he had ever looked.

  "Thank you, Master. I look forward to the numbness."