Chapter 30 - Chapter 30: The Banquet

The halls of the Imperial Palace had been transformed for the evening, the tense atmosphere of the Clan Alliance Summit replaced by the vibrant energy of a grand banquet. Tables laden with delicacies from across the empire filled the room, and the finest wines flowed freely. The Emperor, seated at the head of the hall, observed the gathering with satisfaction. The leaders of the Eight Great Clans mingled among themselves, exchanging polite conversation and subtle barbs as they navigated the intricate web of alliances and rivalries that defined the martial world.