Jerman slammed out of the hotel entrance, turning back to glare fiercely at Number Three! "I ask you a question, and you actually answer honestly. Are you deliberately trying to make me lose face?"

Number Three immediately broke out in a cold sweat: "Boss, it’s not like that. That person’s eyes… I… I…" He stammered a few incomplete sentences, thinking to himself, Under those eyes, I dare not speak anything but the truth. Have I been cursed?

He knew this boss killed without blinking, and if he spoke his true thoughts, his life might very well end. However, he still underestimated his boss’s savagery.

"Hmph! Incompetent in handling affairs, and you embarrass me. Are you looking for another excuse? I’m giving you a mission now to redeem yourself. If you succeed, I might spare your family," Herman said in a voice as venomous as a viper.

"Boss, spare my life!" Upon hearing this, Number Three’s face turned ashen, his legs weakened, and he immediately dropped to his knees.

"Lean in close," Herman said, without a trace of hesitation, his tone icy.

Number Three’s heart engaged in a fierce internal battle: submit or resist?

Ultimately, he accepted his fate. He knew if his boss wanted him dead, he had to die, and only by dying alone could that be achieved. Resistance was useless. Number One, the boss's subordinate, was ten times stronger than him; he wouldn't stand a chance.

After Herman whispered a few words in his ear, he turned away with a grim expression and slid into his luxurious car without looking back.

The other bodyguards glanced at Number Three with sympathy, then silently followed Herman into the vehicle. Only Number One patted his shoulder in passing as a gesture of comfort.

Number Three stood rooted to the spot, his face the color of dead ashes, watching the opulent mag-lev car rise and then speed past him with a roar.

Inside the car, Herman’s face was dark and brooding. The bodyguards who had been with him longer knew this was his expression when he was plotting something.

"Number One, thoroughly investigate the background of the Teran Mercenary Group. See if they have any major backers. Also, dispatch more people to infiltrate them. I want every single move the Teran Mercenary Group makes to be as transparent as glass before my eyes! This ungrateful brat actually dared to speak to me that way," Herman’s expression turned fierce as he finally vented the frustration bottled up inside him.

"This..." Number One showed a hesitant look.

"What is it? Do you want to learn from Number Three?" Herman asked coldly.

Number One immediately felt as if he were being scrutinized by a venomous snake, goosebumps prickling his entire body. He quickly replied, "When the Teran Mercenary Group was first established, we already sent operatives to investigate them. However, they are not recruiting in Gray Harbor, nor in any surrounding space city. Their troop sources are extremely mysterious. Our people cannot infiltrate."

"Mysterious troop sources?" Herman murmured for a while, chewing over this piece of intelligence in his mind. He felt the possibility of the Teran Mercenary Group having powerful backing had increased significantly.

Seeing that Herman remained silent for a long time, Number One and the others dared not speak either, sitting in the car in oppressive silence.

"It seems a careful plan is needed. Be extra vigilant from now on. Report to me immediately if you receive any news related to Yang Ying," Herman said, waking from his deep thought.

"Understood, Boss!" The duty of these bodyguards, besides protecting Herman’s personal safety, also included relaying his commands, serving as his voice in front of others. Although their appearance was glamorous, seeing Number Three’s fate was enough to show that their lives were not easy either.

Back inside the hotel, several mercenary leaders saw Herman off. Yang Ying said to the assembled group, "Shall we return to the banquet hall?"

"Please wait a moment, Commander Yang. I have something I wish to discuss with you," Isaac said with a pleasant demeanor, clearly looking to ask for a favor.

"If it’s about the Valkyrie warship, then there’s no need to discuss it," Yang Ying saw exactly what Isaac was thinking. He, too, had developed an interest in the Valkyrie warship, so he unhesitatingly shut the door to communication.

"Can't you lend a hand, considering we are all in the mercenary faction?" Isaac believed that since Yang Ying had already offended Gray Harbor's largest pirate force, he shouldn't push away the entire mercenary faction as well. However, he didn't realize that, to Yang Ying, the Valkyrie was more important than both factions combined.

"Since we are all in the mercenary faction, Commander Isaac, why force the issue?" Yang Ying returned the exact phrase verbatim.

Isaac’s face darkened. Dennis also stepped forward to mediate, "Commander Yang, is it necessary to make things so tense over a light cruiser? Is there some hidden reason?"

Yang Ying ignored Dennis; Isaac’s stance was the most crucial factor here. If Isaac changed his mind, Dennis wouldn't have any further objections.

In the asteroid belt, ultimately, various morals and laws were useless; only power mattered. Those with power could plunder without consequence, while those without it could only be plundered. If Yang Ying possessed the influence of Pirate King Nab, who would dare come knocking to demand his possessions!

Isaac and Yang Ying faced off without yielding an inch. Dennis tried to persuade Yang Ying to support Isaac, while Commander Xie stood by several meters away, observing without any intention of interfering.

Kalia and Robin also did not join the standoff, as it was unnecessary; Yang Ying could handle Isaac’s pressure entirely on his own.

Shortly after, Isaac suddenly laughed: "Commander Yang, I was just joking. How could I let a mere light cruiser ruin the friendly relations between us? Since this so-called Valkyrie warship is still in its trial period, I’ll just wait until it’s officially released and buy a few then. Hahaha."

"Indeed, Commander Isaac is a reasonable man."

Yang Ying also laughed in return, "Since that is the case, let’s return to the reception."

Yang Ying was the last person to believe Isaac was merely joking just now, but since Isaac had offered an exit ramp, Yang Ying gracefully took it. After all, it was not yet time to start a war with the Giant Mercenary Group.

The two returned to the party as if nothing had happened, but Herman's disruption had cast a shadow over the event, causing it to conclude rather hastily.

Yang Ying paid no mind to the shock experienced by the social elites. The original purpose of the reception was to announce his arrival to the powers of Gray Harbor. Judging by the current situation, that goal had been achieved. The elites were nothing more than fence-sitters, only singing praises for those with power; otherwise, they wouldn't have managed to establish themselves in this perilous asteroid belt. These people could be used, but they were not worth Yang Ying’s attention.

As he left the hotel, Yang Ying immediately spotted Herman’s Number Three bodyguard waiting by the main entrance. His face was pale, his eyes swollen, presenting a picture of utter misery.

Seeing Yang Ying approach, the bodyguard turned his gaze over and spoke, "Mr. Herman asked me to bring you a message. He keeps his word, and he said to wait until you regret begging him for mercy! As proof..."

With that, he drew a uranium-slug pistol from his waist, aimed it at his own temple, and pulled the trigger, blowing his head apart with a ziz sound.