To the disciples of the Swordgod Lin Clan, the council hall might be the most sacred area of all. Not only did it represent deep respect and deference to their ancestors, it also stood for the core of the clan's power. Branch masters or mistresses, on the other hand, were just people who managed the matters of the different branches, whereas the true power to dictate policy remained with the clan council. Anyone that was allowed within the council hall definitely had a higher status than branch leaders.

It was often said that half of the council was dead, while the other half was alive. The living dictated all policy before the dead. While the dead had passed, their...