The atmosphere in the Fang clan's main hall was thick enough to chew on.
Elder Fang Chen stood at the head of the heavy oak table, a scroll of fine imperial parchment trembling slightly in his grip.
His voice, usually a steady rumble, was tight with a mixture of fury and profound exasperation as he read the royal declaration of war aloud.
"...and the primary grievances levied by the Jade Throne against this clan are as follows!" he announced, his eyes scanning the list. With each point, his jaw grew tighter.
"First!" he boomed, "The late Patriarch Fang Yuan, upon his ascension to the Nascent Soul realm, failed to present himself at the imperial court to pay homage to the Seat Under Heaven!"
A wave of disgruntled mutters went around the table. It was a flimsy, ceremonial pretext, but a legally sound one.
Elder Fang Chen's eyes flickered up from the scroll, sharp and accusatory.
They landed like a physical weight on a young man sitting further down the table.
