Mercenary performance has many aspects to evaluate, such as marksmanship, CQC, kinetic energy utilization, starfighter piloting, vehicle operation, and so forth—over a dozen major categories and more than a hundred sub-categories. Correspondingly, there are certificates like Master Gunner, Master Brawler, Master Pilot, and so on. A Level-A Mercenary designation requires possessing at least one Master-level certificate in any category, coupled with three Level-B certificates in other categories. The evaluation system is exceptionally rigorous.

In the mind of this leader, being halfway to a Level-A Mercenary—and soon to be a true Level-A—already qualified him to enter a Super Mercenary Group. If he could dedicate a year to mastering such exquisite flight techniques, he could elevate himself further, perhaps even making a name for himself among Level-A Mercenaries. Whether he continued as a Free Mercenary or joined a Super Mercenary Group afterward, he would have a far more promising future than others. This was the very essence of sharpening the axe to cut the wood faster.

However, what he didn't know was that in Yang Ying’s Terran Mercenary Group, individuals possessing Level-A Mercenary capabilities were commonplace. Even the most numerous Machine Gunners, in their roles as Firepower Attackers and Firepower Support Specialists, displayed abilities that surpassed many Level-A Mercenaries.

The Ghost Agents, on the other hand, were true generalists, possessing skill in every discipline that rivaled any Level-A Mercenary. For the Terran Mercenary Group, the value of a dozen or so seasoned Level-B Mercenaries was not particularly high.

“If we are both cultivating personnel, who would we rather train: someone who can work for us for ten years, or someone who can only work for us for three?” Brian posed the question to the leader, which was essentially a refusal.

Yet, the leader waved this off casually. “Someone willing to work for you for ten years might not actually possess the capability to complete the training,” he stated, appearing utterly confident. “Furthermore, even if someone agrees to ten years, how can you be sure they will diligently serve you throughout that decade? That they won't betray you or be bought out by another mercenary group within those ten years?”

The dozen or so mercenaries behind him nodded in agreement, clearly finding his logic sound.

The leader smiled. “But we are different. Free Mercenaries live and die by their reputation; a spoken word cannot be easily retracted. As long as you agree, we will serve your mercenary group diligently for three years. All of us already hold Level-B Pilot qualifications; with just a little more effort, we can become Level-A Pilots. We are much easier to mold than having you train people from scratch.”

This statement immediately drew the attention of everyone present.

“You are very good at selling yourself,” Brian remarked.

The leader replied with a modest smile.

“Take them in,” Yang Ying stepped forward and addressed the leader. “Since you are joining the Terran Mercenary Group, your training becomes an internal matter. It won’t be stealing business from Vorrel.”

“The Terran Mercenary Group?! The number one among the Large Mercenary Groups!” The leader’s eyes flashed with sudden light. He scrutinized Yang Ying closely. “No wonder you look familiar, sir. You must be the legendary Commander Yang Ying. It is an honor to finally meet you.”

Yang Ying nodded. “I haven’t yet asked your name. You haven’t introduced yourself yet, have you?”

Yang Ying studied the leader carefully. The man wore a black compression vest and green camouflage trousers, his bronze-colored skin exposed on both arms. His entire physique was densely muscled; while not excessively bulky, he appeared incredibly solid, like concentrated essence, brimming with potent energy.

“My name is Mars. Ten years in the mercenary life, always as a Free Mercenary,” Mars pointed to himself and introduced himself.

“Very well, Mars. I approve this transaction. Stay behind later with your names. Go handle your affairs today, and report to the Terran Mercenary Group office in Grayport within a week,” Yang Ying instructed all dozen-plus mercenaries.

“We thank you for your approval,” the mercenaries chorused.

Yang Ying left two Ghost Agents behind to process their enrollment, while he returned to the barracks with Brian and Katherina.

“Sir, we are not lacking a dozen Level-A Mercenaries. Why take them in?” Brian asked, perplexed.

“Of course, we don't lack them. But this Mars is a talent. His future is certainly brighter than just a Level-A Mercenary. His determination and shrewdness warrant my attention. His efforts deserve reward; we can place him in our outer organizations. He might bring us some pleasant surprises,” Yang Ying explained.

“And the other dozen or so?” Brian inquired.

“They are just incidental,” Yang Ying shrugged, unconcerned.

“Three years is a pity, it’s too short,” Brian sighed.

“Not too short,” Yang Ying chuckled. “Who says they will definitely leave after three years?”

“Sir means?”

“Three years is enough time for us to exert influence and make them realize the benefits of working under us,” Yang Ying said. “If they realize that working for us surpasses being Free Mercenaries, or even working for other mercenary groups, they won't leave. They might even proactively ask to stay for ten or eight years.”

“Sounds like a lot of hassle,” Katherina murmured quietly.

“Indeed, but this hassle is necessary. After all, brute force cannot solve everything. Through…”

“…a sound system,” Yang Ying finished. “We can build a system, and a good system can resolve matters that power alone cannot,” Yang Ying continued. “Mars was right earlier. Even if we can keep someone for ten years, we can’t guarantee they won't betray us midway. If handled poorly, it only takes one or two years for an outsider to develop ill will. Outsiders aren't as loyal as you are.”

Brian and Katherina both smiled upon hearing this. The three were gathered in the small lounge of the barracks, seated in a circle, without any sense of hierarchy.

“Even though Mars and his group have only a three-year commitment, by the time three years pass, we will have our Battlecruisers. If we still haven't found a way to truly secure their allegiance, that will be our incompetence,” Yang Ying stated with a laugh. “The Battlecruisers will arrive in another year and a half. At that point, we will undoubtedly be a Super Mercenary Group. If we supplement that with a solid system, these people will stay voluntarily.”

“Hearts are hidden beneath the skin. Outer organizations are a double-edged sword. Even though our infiltration of them never stops, we still cannot guarantee one hundred percent loyalty,” Brian observed.

“Demanding one hundred percent loyalty is excessive. History never recorded any faction as being one hundred percent monolithic. Only by accepting the many can one form the great ocean,” Yang Ying dismissed the idea. “While outer organizations are a double-edged sword, relying solely on the personnel in the base cannot allow us to manage such vast territory. Ultimately, we still need the outer organizations to help us administer.”

Brian nodded. “I agree on that point. Like Rulluren—without the outer organization, we would have suffered devastating losses.”

The city of Rulluren still had not completely submitted, and occasional acts of suicidal bombing attacks against the Terran Mercenary Group still occurred. To resolve these issues, the surrender faction and the neutral faction from the former Giant Mercenary Group were organized into an entity—an outer organization subordinate to the Terran Mercenary Group—to alleviate pressure on the Rulluren office.

Since this small outer organization was composed of Rulluren locals, they understood the roots of the opposing forces intimately. Under their management, the situation in Rulluren had significantly improved.

“The space cities of Hammer and Nef are the same,” Katherina added. “Without local organizations familiar with the situation to help reduce our burden, trouble would come one after another, completely draining our focus.”

“Accepting Mars is the same principle as utilizing our outer organizations—it’s a matter of system design. We need to establish such a system now, one that manages the outer organizations, allowing them in turn to manage the territories. Once the system is established, the cost of managing these outer groups will decrease significantly, allowing us to unite more strength and compelling those with ulterior motives among the subordinates to behave,” Yang Ying explained.

“Sir, what kind of system do you intend to implement?” Brian asked.

“How should I know?” Yang Ying spread his hands and smiled. “I have so many useful minds under me. Why should I rack my own brain over such a problem? Just relay the instruction to the General Staff and wait for them to produce a systemic proposal.”

“You really are lazy,” Katherina commented.

The three burst into laughter. Who would have thought that within the jovial atmosphere of this small room, they were discussing matters of far-reaching consequence?

After laughing for a moment, Yang Ying continued, “Mars’s situation did give me a reminder. We need to select certain individuals from the outer organizations for intensive training.”

“Should we establish a training system like Vorrel’s?” Brian inquired.

“There’s no need for such extravagance. We train only the outer organization personnel; strengthening their capabilities strengthens our own. Meanwhile, we can instill beneficial ideologies in the trainees—why not?” Yang Ying countered.

“That’s easy enough; I can discuss it with Kalia when we get back,” Brian replied.

The relaxed conversation concluded, and the three retired to their rooms to rest.

Yang Ying did not require sleep to recover his energy. At his current level, he could go three days and nights without sleep and not feel the slightest fatigue. He sat cross-legged, practicing mental cultivation through a form of shallow meditation.

In the meditative state, Yang Ying sensed a profound, dark, tranquil, and empty atmosphere enveloping him, rendering his mind exceptionally clear and focused.

Subtly, Yang Ying reviewed the day's events on Worell.

Although he had only been on Worell for half a day, Yang Ying already profoundly felt that the Terran Mercenary Group had deeply rooted itself in this asteroid belt location, its influence echoing widely, drawing the attention of many.

Many people had expressed goodwill towards him and the Terran Mercenary Group. However, though one should never harbor ill will toward others, one must always guard against it. The minor figure encountered at the port suggested that within the warrior city of Worell, an undercurrent of hostility toward the Terran Mercenary Group still existed.

And tomorrow was the discussion meeting regarding the Terran Mercenary Group's promotion to a Large Mercenary Group. It was likely that some clues would emerge then.

Requesting monthly tickets! Also requesting recommendation tickets!