Walking into the meeting room, Blade—or Yang Ying, depending on who was addressing him—saw a stout man in a suit seated by the conference table.
The fat man’s lips curled into a businessman's smile upon seeing him. “Surely this is Lord Blade? I am merely a humble servant of His Majesty Nab, paying my respects to Lord Blade.”
He rose and bowed slightly, clearly having been informed of Robin’s replacement.
“How should I address you? And what intelligence do you have for us?” Yang Ying cut straight to the chase.
“Address me however you wish; I don't mind.”
The fat man pulled a data chip from his pocket. “Please, take a look. All the intelligence is contained here. His Majesty personally ordered this be handed over to you.”
With that, he tossed the data chip toward Yang Ying.
Yang Ying caught it reflexively. He had initially assumed this man was here to sell secrets, but his forthright manner suggested otherwise.
“Also, His Majesty sends his regards to Commander Yang Ying. Lord Blade, please convey this greeting to Commander Yang Ying as well,” the fat man said politely.
“Understood.” Yang Ying nodded once. There was no need to convey it; he was the one being greeted.
“However, I have a doubt. Herman died by our hand, and Gray Port was brought into the mercenary fold. This caused substantial losses to the Caribbean Pirate Group’s interests in Gray Port. Under these circumstances, why would the Pirate King send us life-critical intelligence?” Yang Ying inquired.
The fat man replied, “Your mercenary group has become the rising star of the Asteroid Belt. A mere Gray Port isn't worth antagonizing the Caribbean Pirate Group and a Super Mercenary Legion over. Isn’t there an adage about harmony bringing wealth? Wouldn’t it be better if both our sides maintained good relations?”
“Does the Caribbean Pirate Group also believe in harmony bringing wealth?” Yang Ying quipped sarcastically.
“Naturally,” the fat man smiled, completely unfazed by the sarcasm. “However, to grant us harmony, one must possess sufficient qualifications—just like your side, possessing ample qualifications.” He subtly flattered Yang Ying while speaking.
“Then please convey my thanks for the Pirate King’s kind gesture.”
Seeing the fat man's sincerity, Yang Ying decided not to press the issue further, adopting a policy of 'meeting a smiling face with a smile.'
“Since my task is complete, I won’t linger any longer. Farewell.” The fat man cupped his hands and headed toward the door.
“Someone, escort our guest out,” Yang Ying called to a Ghost operative, who saw the man out.
Passing by Yang Ying, the fat man suddenly turned back. “Lord Blade, you should process the intelligence on this data chip quickly. Information loses its meaning once it becomes outdated. And we are already nearly half an hour late.”
“Understood,” Yang Ying replied with a single word.
The fat man smiled and walked out, waving over his shoulder. “Until we meet again!”
Once the man was gone, Yang Ying summoned a reader device and immediately began decrypting the chip.
Halfway through viewing the contents, Yang Ying gasped.
The data chip contained the raw, unedited conversation between Master Ape-Man Horas and Ulysses and Cato—including information about Cato’s impending arrival at Gray Port to find him!
Simultaneously, millions of kilometers away at the base, Yang Ying’s primary body received the same news.
“The Ape Worship Cult truly thinks highly of me, sending the Right Elder Master Cato on mere suspicion,” Yang Ying muttered. He hadn't expected his avatar to immediately encounter such a thorny problem.
In truth, he knew Cato’s visit wasn't primarily due to his perceived importance, but rather revenge for the disciple Cato cherished whom Yang Ying had killed in Gray Port.
Yang Ying instantly activated his communicator and relayed the entire situation to Kalia, seeking his counsel.
“Could the Caribbean Pirate Group have forged the data?” Kalia inquired.
“Blade is currently analyzing the chip for any signs of tampering or fabrication. However, I think the possibility of forgery is low; the Caribbean Pirate Group has no reason to do so,” Yang Ying stated.
“If a hostile Master-level expert infiltrates the base, our current military strength might not guarantee the Commander’s safety,” Kalia warned.
Experience from past wars showed that a Master could not withstand an army, yet an army could not stop a Master. A Master-level expert could decimate an army but could certainly assassinate its commander.
As the ancients put it: "To seize the head of the enemy general from amidst a million troops is like taking something from one’s own pocket."
“Cato departed from Sin City yesterday. Although we don't know the exact location of Sin City, the data chip provided us with his estimated arrival time at Gray Port: approximately fourteen hours from now,” Yang Ying reported.
Kalia considered this. “I suggest, Commander, that you request aid from the Thirteenth Fleet. They possess the only Master-level expert currently in the Asteroid Belt.”
“Good. I imagine they’ll be even more eager to respond upon hearing news of the Ape Worship Cult than we are.”
Without hesitation, Yang Ying pulled up his communicator and dialed Randolph’s frequency.
Randolph’s image appeared on the holographic screen. His expression was initially grim, clearly having encountered some trouble. But as soon as he saw Yang Ying’s face, a smile blossomed. “Ah, it’s the Dawn of Hope! Why contact me now? Negotiations have just begun, no results yet!”
“It’s not about the negotiations, and please stop calling me the Dawn of Hope.”
Yang Ying almost continued, intending to tell Randolph that he now had a girlfriend, but he swallowed the words. Right now, an Ape-Man Master was heading toward Gray Port. It was better to avoid unnecessary complications. Who knew how Randolph would react if he learned his niece’s ‘Dawn of Hope’ had been shattered?
“Right, right, call me whatever you like. Listen to me first; I’m furious! Today I discovered our intelligence department’s work in the Asteroid Belt is absolutely abysmal! Do you know that this morning they only informed me that of the eight major pirate groups, seven—besides the Caribbean—have already been secretly subjugated by the Somali Pirate Group? Who knows where the Somalis suddenly acquired such power, forcing even Nab to temporarily withdraw and vanish entirely!”
Randolph didn't wait to hear why Yang Ying had called; he poured out his frustrations like beans from a bamboo tube. He did this for two reasons: first, he was genuinely incensed by the intelligence department's inefficiency, and second, the sudden rise of the Somalis posed a significant threat to Yang Ying. Since the main forces of the other three Super Mercenary Legions were away from the Asteroid Belt, the Terran Mercenary Legion was likely the next target for the greatly empowered Somali Pirates. Randolph was using his complaining as a subtle way to warn Yang Ying to be cautious.
Yang Ying saw Randolph’s good intentions and nodded with a smile. “Uncle, I’m already aware of this matter.”
“You know about it?” Randolph sounded surprised, then slapped his desk. “That makes sense. You are a local power; your intelligence work probably doesn't need my instruction. How about this: on behalf of our Thirteenth Fleet, we officially hire your intelligence department to investigate what’s truly happening with the Somali Pirate Group. What do you say?”
“Actually, that’s not necessary—”
Yang Ying was about to finish, but Randolph interrupted. “You are a mercenary group; you must be paid for your services. Your men worked hard to uncover this, and you’re just going to give it to us for free? That’s unprofessional. Even if we become family in the future, we aren't there yet. Once you and my niece are together, then you can give me things for free—I won’t hold back then!”
He directly called his secretary in front of Yang Ying and ordered her to draft a Letter of Commission for the Terran Mercenary Legion.
“Admiral Randolph, you are truly formidable,” Yang Ying said, shaking his head in admiration. “Since you insist on paying me, it would be rude to refuse. Go ahead with the payment. However, my matter is quite urgent. May I speak now?”
“Speak, speak!” Randolph said generously.
“Firstly, you don’t need to dispatch anyone to investigate that mission; I can give you the information you need right now. The Somali Pirate Group’s sudden power surge is due to the backing of the Ape Worship Cult. The Cult Leader Horas and Right Elder Cato have arrived in the Asteroid Belt. Furthermore, Cato is heading to Gray Port to brainwash me, and he will arrive in fourteen hours!”
As Yang Ying spoke, he watched Randolph’s face change dramatically on the screen. His eyes and mouth widened until they were as large as brass bells, his mouth wide enough to fit a small apple.
“Horas, that—that legendary God of Slaughter has come to the Asteroid Belt? And Cato intends to brainwash you? How did you learn his itinerary?”
The sheer volume of information in Yang Ying’s words left Randolph momentarily speechless.
“This is intelligence sent by Nab. Please contact Master Garcia immediately,” Yang Ying reminded him.
“Right!” Randolph tapped a few keys on his communicator, sending a contact request to Master Garcia.
Soon, Master Garcia’s image appeared on the holographic screen.
The moment Garcia appeared, Randolph shouted, “Master Garcia, this is dire! Listen to what Yang Ying has to say—”
So, Yang Ying recounted the entire episode regarding the data chip to both of them.
The avatar had also finished analyzing the chip and sent all its data back to the base, which Yang Ying then distributed to Randolph and Master Garcia.
After reviewing the data chip, Master Garcia immediately stated, “I’ll depart at once. We can discuss the rest on the way.” His image vanished from the screen.
Randolph said anxiously, “From Ceres to Gray Port, even with the fastest ship, it takes nearly twenty-four hours. He might not make it in time. Young man, you absolutely must hold on this time; do not die! Do you understand? My niece finally saw a Dawn of Hope!”