The Heavenly River Demon Scorpion Tribe ranked among the Top Three Clans of the Azure Sea Nine Tribes.
The Top Three Clans had always observed their ancestral injunctions. They never intervened in struggles over the royal heir, serving only the Dragon Monarch of the Azure Sea from generation to generation and standing apart from the contest among factions.
Only the Heavenly River Demon Scorpion Tribe and the Water Tiger Tribe had nursed a grudge for years. Their blood feud ran deep; the two tribes were like fire and water and had long refused to deal with each other.
If the Water Tiger Tribe secured the backing of the Crown Prince, rose to power, and took control, the Heavenly River Demon Scorpion Tribe would inevitably resent it.
But turning that old feud into wholehearted support for the second prince, Gu Rui, from the ever-neutral Heavenly River Demon Scorpion Tribe would be harder than climbing to heaven.
A glint stirred in Marquis Changze's eyes. He turned to the old man beside him and asked softly, "Elder Zhuang, do you have a way to broker this?"
Gu Rui's spirits lifted at once. He bowed deeply and said with earnest respect, "Please enlighten me, Elder Zhuang."
Zhuang Zhong hurriedly waved a hand. "I'm just a useless old man. What means could I possibly have?"
But Gu Rui did not straighten. He remained bowed, plainly determined to ask for help.
Marquis Changze smiled and added his voice to the plea. "Elder Zhuang, your discerning eyes see through the situation. Please lend us a hand."
Zhuang Zhong could only sigh helplessly and relent. "I'll do my best to go and persuade them. Whether anything comes of it will be up to heaven."
Joy surged through Gu Rui at those words.
He knew Elder Zhuang's abilities well.