As Yang Ying had his men move the safe, awareness of the major events unfolding in Gray Port spread among more and more people. With communications down, the news traveled by word of mouth among the citizens. Within an hour, the rumors had morphed through a hundred different versions.

In their accounts, the size of the Terran Mercenary Group ranged anywhere from ten men to a hundred thousand. Those claiming ten men had likely only seen the small detachment sent out on the mission, while the claim of one hundred thousand was pure fabrication.

The fighting styles they described varied wildly, with every conceivable tactic being cited, enough to fill an encyclopedia—though whether these citizen-reported tactics could actually be executed on a real battlefield remained to be seen.

Yet, one point of agreement ran through all the rumors: the Terran Mercenary Group’s forces were impeccably equipped; every infantryman wore powered armor. Their gear vastly surpassed that of the pirates, resulting in a sheer, overwhelming victory that left the pirates utterly defenseless.

As for the Terran Mercenary Group’s motive for attacking the pirates, the reasons were manifold. Some claimed it stemmed from a personal grudge with Herman; others suggested a specific pirate gang had offended Yang Ying and were now facing retribution.

However, no one suggested the Terran Mercenary Group acted out of a commitment to justice when attacking the pirate faction. Nor did anyone seriously consider that Gray Port might end its neutrality and align itself with the mercenary sphere.

Such a notion was absurd to the people of Gray Port. Impossible. Only a fool would entertain such a thought.

While the Asteroid Belt lacked formal law, it adhered to strict codes of conduct. A place devoid of such codes could not sustain life, nor could it ever form a society.

Without the framework of law, justice was like water without a source, a tree without roots—a concept rarely voiced. Those harboring ideals of justice rarely survived long in the Belt. Here, parents taught their children from a young age that might made right, that justice was nonexistent, laughable, even poisonous!

The code dictated that a neutral city could never join a mercenary faction. Gray Port had always been neutral and always would be. A change of allegiance was unprecedented and unimaginable; this was the established rule, the commonly accepted truth. Anyone attempting to challenge this minor reality would inevitably find themselves arrayed against every established vested interest within Gray Port.

As the sounds of gunfire gradually subsided, the residents of Gray Port began placing bets with their neighbors on when the Terran Mercenary Group would depart, how the balance of power between the pirates and mercenaries would be reshuffled, and what the future equilibrium would be—all declared with the certainty of seasoned strategists.

At the entrance of the Crown Hotel, Gray Port’s famed seven-star establishment, a convoy of grav-vehicles arrived. When the vehicles stopped, a squad of soldiers clad in military environmental suits and armed with uranium rifles disembarked. They formed a tight protective perimeter around the central vehicle, scanning their surroundings with sharp, economical movements that suggested absolute discipline.

The door of the main vehicle opened, and a gaunt, middle-aged man emerged. Under the shadow of his elite guard, he strode into the hotel lobby.

The lobby manager immediately rushed forward. “Commander Dennis, welcome to our establishment. What brings you to the hotel today?”

Dennis sounded impatient. “Find me a private lounge. Skip the pleasantries.”

“Yes, yes.” The manager, entirely unfazed by Dennis’s brusque tone, personally escorted him toward a lounge, making sure to leave one subordinate behind in the lobby.

Barely two minutes later, an identical grav-vehicle convoy pulled up alongside Dennis’s. Commander Xie stepped out, similarly flanked by a detail of soldiers whose combat readiness seemed equal to Dennis’s own, and entered the Crown Hotel.

Seeing this display, the manager instantly knew something significant was unfolding. These two commanders usually maintained a frosty distance. Furthermore, as a man skilled at reading people, he instantly recognized the elite caliber of the guards—a level of proficiency rarely seen in all of Gray Port. Their simultaneous presence here gave him the distinct feeling that a storm was gathering.

Dennis’s subordinate, having spotted the arriving convoy, immediately left to inform Dennis of Commander Xie’s arrival.

“I saw the convoy outside. Has he arrived?” Commander Xie asked the manager. “Take me to him.”

“Right this way, Commander Xie.” The manager led Xie to the lounge and then discreetly withdrew. As a seasoned lobby manager, he knew precisely what sounds and conversations he ought not to overhear.

“Dennis, the Terran Mercenary Group’s movements have been too swift, too blinding. I just heard a rumor that Herman is dead. Have you heard it?” Commander Xie cut straight to the point. His men and Dennis’s guard stood watch outside the door, ensuring absolute privacy for the lounge where only the two commanders remained.

“Of course, I heard. I didn’t expect Herman to die so quickly. The Terran Mercenary Group is currently occupying the pirate sector, ordering all pirates to surrender their weapons and assemble at designated points, with summary execution for any who resist. I still can’t fathom where Yang Ying got the audacity to wage war against the entire pirate coalition,” Dennis replied, taking a sip of Bordeaux to wet his throat.

“Herman’s death will certainly cause an uproar. I wonder what Yang Ying is aiming for. Even if he takes the pirate sector, he’ll have to relinquish control in a few days, or he’ll violate Gray Port’s neutrality,” Commander Xie mused, leaning forward slightly. “Be careful, Dennis. I worry Yang Ying might actually succeed in pulling Gray Port into the mercenary sphere.” He paused. “By the way, have you managed to contact Commander Isaac?”

“All external communications from Gray Port are severed—even the data networks are down. I sent a team to the docks to commandeer a ship and relay a message from outside, but they were forced back by Valkyrie-class frigates patrolling the perimeter. Only then did we learn the Terran Mercenary Group has blockaded all Gray Port docking facilities—only entry is permitted, no exit.”

Dennis frowned. Since the communication blackout began, he had tried every conceivable method to restore contact, all in vain.

“In that case, why did you call me out here? Speak plainly,” Commander Xie said calmly.

Dennis nodded. “If we cannot reach the outside, we must deal with this bizarre incident using our own resources. We should form an alliance. If the Terran Mercenary Group makes any move detrimental to our interests, we face it together.”

“Agreed.” Xie stretched out his hand, having evidently prepared for this eventuality before arriving, ready to seal the pact with a handshake.

Dennis reciprocated, and their hands met with a sharp smack.

Bang!

At that exact moment, the lounge door was thrown open. Yang Ying strolled in with a casual gait, greeting them: “Gentlemen! Long time no see.”

“It’s you!” The two mercenary commanders immediately flushed with awkwardness. They had just been conspiring to form an alliance to counter the pressure from the Terran Mercenary Group, only to be caught red-handed by the very subject of their plotting.

The elite guards they had stationed outside, supposedly the best from their respective units, had apparently failed to raise any alarm, allowing Yang Ying to walk right in.

However, both men were veterans of countless life-and-death situations, and the embarrassment barely registered on their faces.

“Commander Yang, good to see you well. I assure you, my actions were purely defensive, not intended as a proactive threat to your forces. I trust you understand that, Commander Yang,” Commander Xie smoothly withdrew his hand and offered a casual explanation.

Dennis immediately followed suit. “I echo Commander Xie. I had no intention of attacking your forces. Your troops are exceptionally well-equipped and powerful; they would be considered elite even within the Earth military structure. To suddenly storm the pirate sector and begin a slaughter has understandably caused us great unease. Perhaps this is an opportunity to clarify the situation.”

Dennis continued, adopting a tone of concerned diplomacy. “Mr. Isaac has always shown great interest in Gray Port’s affairs. I’m certain he will demand an explanation from me the moment communications are restored. I must have a grounded explanation, not mere conjecture, lest I inadvertently create friction between you and Commander Isaac.”

Dennis’s words were silk wrapped around steel; he finished by subtly invoking Isaac’s name, reminding Yang Ying that he had powerful backing.

Yang Ying clapped his hands once. “Commander Dennis is direct. I came precisely to discuss with you both how to resolve today’s events.”

Commander Xie interjected, a hint of suspicion in his voice. “Commander Yang, what about the troops we stationed outside the door? I hope your entrance wasn’t so smooth that they didn’t even notice? If so, I’ll have to severely reprimand them.”

Yang Ying smiled. “They are currently sleeping. Naturally, the area outside is now occupied by my men, guaranteeing no outsiders will overhear our conversation.”

Dennis and Xie exchanged a meaningful look. Dennis finally spoke up. “Commander Yang, what solution do you propose? Gray Port is a neutral city. What has transpired today goes too far, violating the rules of neutrality. If you ask me, the best course is for you to immediately withdraw your forces and focus on handling the inevitable condemnation from the Pirate Confederation.”

Yang Ying shook his head. “Commander Dennis, you are perhaps exaggerating the danger. The two largest factions within the Pirate Confederation are currently locked in conflict; they hardly have time to worry about minor affairs in Gray Port. Out of the hundreds of space cities in the Belt, Gray Port is utterly unremarkable. Even if I decided to turn it into a mercenary city under the jurisdiction of the Terran Mercenary Group, I doubt the Pirate Confederation would muster any effective counter-response.”

As he spoke, he walked to the table, poured himself a glass of Bordeaux, and took a slow sip, as if enjoying a leisurely afternoon. “I hear there are four steps to appreciating fine wine: looking, swirling, smelling, and tasting. However, I confess I know nothing about wine; I’ll skip the looking and swirling and just drink it.”

Though Yang Ying presented himself with an air of easy indifference, the two men in the room were stunned by his preceding words.

Commander Xie snapped out of his shock, stepping forward seriously. “You intend to bring Gray Port into the mercenary fold? Is this a serious declaration or just idle talk?”

“It is absolutely serious. For this, I require the assistance of you two.” Yang Ying drained the rest of the wine in his glass. “I want you both to package and sell your mercenary groups to me!”