Exposing a narc abuser, what to expect?

I was the target of narc abuse and went NC. Opened up about it to a mutual friend who went behind my back and told the narc everything, hoping to patch things up between us. This had the opposite effect, with narc feeling exposed.

Dealing with smear campaign now. What else can i expect and is being silent (maintaining no NC) better than confonting him? I don't have enough enough evidence to take legal action.