Gu Rui quickened his steps, hurried forward to help Xie Yuan up personally, then cupped his hands and bowed deeply to Elder Zhuang beside him.
Everything had become clear to him now. Xie Yuan came from the Celestial River Demon Crab Tribe of Azure Sea Lake. Since Elder Zhuang had personally persuaded him to come, the two must share deep ties, far beyond a casual acquaintance.
The Celestial River Demon Crab Tribe ranked among Azure Sea Lake's Top Three Clans, with deep reserves and firmly established influence.
With this tribe's assistance, his foundations amid Azure Sea Lake's tangled political landscape would become firmer, and his influence could advance another step.
At that thought, a flicker of delight slipped through Gu Rui's eyes. This truly was an unexpected windfall.
Xie Yuan was a middle-aged cultivator with an elegant, unworldly bearing, carrying himself like an immortal sage. Once upright, he bowed solemnly to Gu Rui. "Today, I have resolved to enter the Second Prince's service. From this day forward, my honor and disgrace, fortune and calamity, shall be bound to yours."
"Henceforth, your glory shall be my glory, and your loss shall be my loss."
Gu Rui nodded slightly. He knew well that countless people would add flowers to brocade, but precious few would deliver charcoal in the snow.
Now, dark currents surged beneath Azure Sea Lake's Heir Apparent Contest. The three princes were evenly matched, and the winds had yet to favor any one of them.
As a central figure of the Celestial River Demon Crab Tribe, Xie Yuan had dared to stake his entire tribe's fortunes and future on allegiance to him. Such courage and loyalty were enough to make him one of Gu Rui's most dependable pillars and confidants.
Xie Yuan said, "In the great hall today, Hu Xiaozi's