Colonel Yang is certainly accomplished for his youth, not inferior to an old man like myself. I hear you single-handedly swept a Triceratops warship with your fleet. In the old Chinese saying, the waves behind drive the waves ahead. The future belongs to you young people," Isaac laughed heartily.

However, Yang Ying didn't believe his words were entirely sincere. As the saying goes, how can one tolerate another snoring beside one's own bed? Any new power attempting to enter an established sphere of vested interests will inevitably face exclusion. Even if Isaac himself didn't mind, other key figures within the Giant Mercenary Group certainly would.

The asteroid belt operates by the law of the jungle: the strong prey on the weak, and they always seek to consume more. Small factions risk complete annihilation if they don't align themselves with a major power. Therefore, one more major power means a smaller slice of the pie, leading to competition among these large entities. Amity only exists when mutual benefit is present.

Yang Ying represents a new force that shares no common ground with the established powers. Thus, being viewed with hostility by them is simply a function of where Yang Ying and his group stand.

The Trant Mercenary Group has already demonstrated its strength by accomplishing something only large mercenary groups typically attempt, earning them a voice in significant matters. However, what tangible benefits they can secure still depends on future efforts.

The future is for later. Today, since Isaac has deigned to attend, regardless of his true feelings about the Trant Mercenary Group, Yang Ying must maintain appearances.

Thus, Yang Ying feigned delight, ushering Isaac into the banquet hall while exchanging pleasantries. This performance led everyone present to believe the relationship between the two mercenary groups was exceptionally harmonious.

Several impeccably dressed individuals soon gathered around.

"Colonel Isaac, my son’s wedding is next month. I sincerely request your esteemed presence as a guest."

"Mr. Qiao, I held your son when he was a baby. I still remember the time he relieved himself all over me. How can you speak so formally today? I will certainly be there next month!"

"Colonel Isaac, my son has worked for you in your city of Rubelen for two years. He constantly speaks of your kindness and care. Thank you very much."

"Mr. Beni, you have helped me a great deal. If your son works in Rubelen, how could I neglect my duties as a host?"

"Colonel Isaac, I recently acquired a batch of 'Red Goods' that need secure transport to Mars. This task is tailor-made for you!"

"We naturally accept profitable business. You can discuss the details with my assistant."

Isaac appeared to be quite well-connected, capable of engaging with anyone, and displayed not the slightest hint of impatience when addressed, which naturally garnered goodwill.

Simultaneously, without making a sound, Isaac delivered a subtle show of dominance to Yang Ying. The moment he appeared, he became the focal point of the room. Those who had been surrounding Yang Ying immediately migrated to Isaac's side. He fully leveraged the disparity in foundational strength and prestige between the two groups. Under Isaac’s radiance, Yang Ying, the host, was reduced to a mere backdrop, looking significantly dimmer.

Many onlookers witnessing this scene instantly perceived the Giant Mercenary Group as the true leader among the assembled powers, and Yang Ying as nothing more than a nouveau riche who stumbled into success by sheer luck in vanquishing a Triceratops-class warship.

Yang Ying and Isaac stood together, keenly aware of the shift in atmosphere within the banquet hall. Although Yang Ying showed no outward reaction, he was already calculating the gains and losses in his mind.

Undeniably, Isaac's maneuver was highly successful in dampening the recently established prestige of the Trant Mercenary Group. However, Yang Ying had never aimed for excessive fame; only a suitable level of recognition was required.

After all, Yang Ying was still new. Too high a reputation invited unwanted attention, marking him as a target that stood out above the crowd.

For a newcomer to display excessive sharpness was often interpreted as an attempt to challenge the existing order, or possessing the latent potential to do so. It was known that even this mere potential was enough to incite hostility from certain vested interests.

Although they had just destroyed the ancient Legion's Triceratops-class warship, thus securing a moral high ground—meaning no one would openly resist the Trant Mercenary Group during the event—the hidden machinations remained unknown.

To reiterate: major powers are inherently competitive. Yang Ying’s current positive reputation provided them with an added layer of caution, limiting the means available to them, though not eliminating them entirely.

Conversely, too low a reputation was also detrimental, as it rendered many actions impossible because others would simply ignore him.

Kalia saw Isaac brazenly stealing the limelight and understood the situation instantly. His eyes turned cold, but just as he considered deploying countermeasures to reclaim the spotlight, Yang Ying stopped him using telepathy, conveying his own thoughts and Kalia’s analysis of the situation.

The Mercenary Alliance had been awaiting this enormous commission for a long time. For a considerable initial period, intelligence on the Ancient Legion's guerrilla warships was as scarce as a needle in a haystack, causing the Alliance leadership to fret anxiously. The longer the mission remained open, the more incompetent the mercenaries appeared, which would undoubtedly cause tremendous damage to the Mercenary Alliance’s credibility.

At that very moment, the news of two destroyed Triceratops battleships arrived like a timely gift in the snow. Consequently, the Mercenary Alliance heavily promoted the two meritorious mercenary groups, employing exaggerated language in many reports. This resulted in Yang Ying feeling that his mercenary group's reputation had exceeded the necessary threshold, with the excess becoming a burden.

Therefore, Isaac inadvertently helping the Trant Mercenary Group to cool down, spreading the word through the influential guests in the banquet hall, was actually beneficial to the Trant Mercenary Group.

It sent a clear message to the surrounding powers: "We have no intention of challenging the existing order."

This message served to reduce the number of enemies and potential threats Yang Ying faced.

As for letting others believe the Trant Mercenary Group was inferior to the Giant Mercenary Group, that posed no significant issue. Strength was proven through action, not rhetoric. If necessary, a mutual spar with the Giant Mercenary Group would suffice to redirect public opinion.

Thus, Yang Ying instructed Kalia to stand down, deciding to play along with the situation, treating it as if nothing unexpected had occurred.

Isaac, who had initially intended the maneuver as a probe, saw Yang Ying’s compliance, and his smile widened.

As the reception progressed, more and more guests arrived. Isaac proactively began acting as a mediator for Yang Ying, introducing key figures from Gray Harbor.

Note: Key figures, but not all of them. This reminded Yang Ying of his prior investigation into the Giant Mercenary Group’s social network. He noticed that the influential figures Isaac enthusiastically introduced were all spokespersons for factions on good terms with the Giant Mercenary Group. Those with ordinary relations were dismissed with a brief mention, and those with strained ties were not mentioned at all.

This at least indicated that Isaac had indeed come with thoughts of cooperation, intending to draw the Trant Mercenary Group into his sphere. However, bringing them in as cannon fodder was still a form of cooperation, and Yang Ying did not let down his guard despite Isaac's warmth.