The meeting, intended to settle all matters, dragged on for a full four hours before concluding. Gun Zhi left once during the proceedings to relay orders regarding the preparation for the impending Pirate Coalition Fleet.

The meeting ultimately adjourned in a mood of amicable consensus; everyone, including Yang Ying, Si Jin, and the mercenary colonel, had achieved their objectives.

Due to long-standing animosity, Saint Radis and Old Locke fought to a costly draw, both withdrawing from the competition for the commander position. However, when their respective jurisdictions were later delineated, both secured relatively independent territories, free from the excessive control of Lloyd.

Naturally, the level of autonomy afforded to the Third Legion and the Nine Dragons’ Corps could not compare to that of the Terran Mercenary Group. Yang Ying had only dispatched those three heavy cruisers as a gesture for appearances, serving as purely symbolic forces.

At six in the evening, Gray Harbor once again buzzed with life as its populace poured onto the streets to commence their vibrant nightlife. Regardless of external events, nothing seemed capable of dampening the hedonistic atmosphere of Gray Harbor’s residents. Ever since the Terran Mercenary Group took control and proved its status as a super mercenary organization, the nightlife of Gray Harbor seemed to be enjoyed with even greater impunity.

Blade applied a touch of makeup and walked down the busy main street, observing the men and women passing by with looks of excitement on their faces.

The street-side bars were ablaze with light, and the super-stereo pop music blaring from the speakers was loud enough to carry outside, suggesting the deafening volume within the establishments.

“They really are a group of people who only catch on later.” David suddenly appeared beside Yang Ying. Although his arrival was extremely sudden, the surrounding people seemed utterly oblivious to the fact that an extra person had materialized on the street.

For a telekinetic of David’s caliber, making ordinary people overlook him was child’s play, especially for someone with some background in illusionary arts.

Yang Ying nodded and said, “This is the sense of security we’ve brought them. Ever since Gray Harbor became a mercenary city, disputes have dropped significantly. I remember when I first arrived here, driving from one end of a street to the other, we’d see at least three street brawls. Now, you might drive three blocks and not see a single one.”

David swept his gaze across the street and remarked, “From a telekinetic’s perspective, this is certainly a good thing.”

Yang Ying smiled knowingly. “Indeed.”

At that moment, the blare of car horns echoed down the street as a long convoy of transport vehicles drove past, passing right by Yang Ying and David.

Yang Ying knew this was a military transport convoy, moving ordnance and supplies.

Since the explosion of the fifty-two military bases between the front lines and the Asteroid Belt, Ceres Base, being the closest military installation to the front, would quickly become a new strategic staging point. Various rear-echelon military supplies were now rushing toward it, preparing to transform Ceres Base into a fortress of a higher level of attack and defense capability.

However, the sheer volume of supplies arriving simultaneously had already strained Ceres Base’s storage facilities to the breaking point. Although expansion projects were on the agenda, distant water couldn’t quench immediate thirst.

Since Gray Harbor was inherently a transportation hub city, its traffic and storage facilities were exceptionally comprehensive. Consequently, when Gray Harbor entered the Ceres Defense Perimeter, Rudolph immediately approached Yang Ying, requesting the lease of Gray Harbor’s various facilities to serve as a temporary transit hub for supplies.

Yang Ying reasoned that since those warehouses were currently empty, and few merchants dared risk the perils of war to conduct business in Gray Harbor for the time being, many warehouses were going unused. It was better to lend them to the military than let them sit and rust.

General Rudolph, an acquaintance of Yang Ying, ensured Gray Harbor received top-tier treatment in all aspects. Whether leasing warehouses or port facilities, the prices he offered were extremely fair.

As a result, although fewer civilian ships visited Gray Harbor now, military vessels were arriving in greater numbers. This balanced out, allowing Gray Harbor to maintain a considerable level of prosperity.

Gray Harbor’s situation was far better than that of many other refugee cities. For instance, some industrial cities collapsed immediately upon lacking raw materials. Three cities under the Terran Mercenary Group—Rubelon, Hammer, and Neff—unfortunately faced this precise predicament.

The two tourist cities, Kussen and Lehai, were also heavily impacted. Although they weren't directly plundered by the Pirate Coalition Fleet, how could tourists flock to a war zone?

Currently, both cities had retreated into the inner solar system. The latest news was that they were searching for new tourist attractions and would not be returning anytime soon.

Yang Ying remembered this incident vividly because Christina had spent a full six hours on the phone with Katerina over it, shattering their previous record for the longest call!

Furthermore, the Krigen couple had taken their leave from Blade shortly after Gray Harbor entered the Ceres Defense Perimeter. Upon the city’s arrival, Master Garcia had made a swift visit and conducted a comprehensive psychic sweep, confirming that Ulysses was no longer in Gray Harbor. Not a single worshipper of the Ape Cult could be found anywhere in the city.

For Yang Ying, this was good news.

The Silver Lightsaber was also returned by Krigen. Yang Ying hadn't found an opportunity to display more than one Silver Lightsaber; besides, it wasn't a pressing issue, and he could address it later depending on the situation.

Walking down the street, Yang Ying paused in front of a cosmetics shop and suddenly turned back to ask, “David, why did you come looking for me?”

David stepped up beside him, moving half a body length behind him, and said, “Major General Howard has prepared the three token warships; they are ready to depart. He couldn't locate Your Excellency, so he sent me out.”

Previously, Yang Ying had proposed during the video conference that Colonel Blade would join the Mercenary Joint Fleet as the personal representative of the Terran Mercenary Group’s commander.

“Oh.” Yang Ying nodded. “I see. I didn't bring a communicator when I left; I just had a sudden urge to stroll around and take in the sights.”

Just then, a conversation from inside the cosmetics shop caught Yang Ying’s attention.

“There are so many brands of perfume here, Jingjing. Which one do you think is good?”

“I think they’re all pretty much the same.”

“Oh my god, I’m going to faint! Jingjing, we were confined to the barracks for a full three months—three months! Don’t you understand what a cruel torture it is for a woman to be unable to shop? Now that the space city has finally opened up right outside our door, how could we possibly miss this chance? Besides, if you don’t know how to shop, hehe, watch out—you might not get married!”

“But… these perfumes really do look the same, and shopping has absolutely nothing to do with getting married.”

“I get it. You’ve seen the dawn of hope, and you’re feeling secure now, aren't you?”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Don’t listen to Uncle Rudolph!”

Yang Ying turned to look and saw two slender, spirited young women standing by the perfume counter inside the shop. The one speaking was one of them.

The girl on the right had her hair in a ponytail; she was fair and pretty, currently holding her hands clasped before her chest in a posture of prayer, her eyes gleaming as she looked at the dazzling array of perfume bottles on display.

The one on the left was an acquaintance of Yang Ying—niece Rudolph was always mentioning—Wen Jing.

“I ran into her here.”

Yang Ying’s eyes darted around and spotted a man standing in a corner of the shop, looking at the two women shopping with an expression of helplessness, especially towards the ponytail girl standing next to Wen Jing, whose eyes were shining so brightly.

“Wen Yang is here too? Is he acting as their protector?” Yang Ying smiled faintly. Should he go over and greet them?

At that moment, Yang Ying caught his reflection in the shop window—Blade’s reflection—and smiled wryly, thinking, Forget it, they don’t know me.

Wen Yang, Wen Jing, and the ponytail girl all appeared to be on leave from the Thirteenth Fleet. They were wearing civilian clothes, but Wen Yang’s waist looked bulky, clearly indicating he was carrying defensive weapons.

Inside the store, the ponytail girl pointed to a bottle of perfume and told a female clerk, “I’ll take this one.” The clerk instantly snapped to attention, packaged the chosen perfume, and presented it with both hands.

There were far fewer customers now compared to pre-war times; most of Gray Harbor’s commerce was sustained by military contracts. To these clerks, people fresh out of the military were practically gods.

“Let’s go,” Yang Ying said to David.

“Yes, but sir, what about those few people over there?” David pointed in a direction.

Yang Ying followed David’s gaze and saw a few men dressed like thugs loitering near the street corner, pointing and making comments toward the two women inside the cosmetics shop. With Yang Ying’s hearing, he could even discern the vulgarity in their whispered exchanges.

Just then, the ponytail girl pulled Wen Jing out of the store, with Wen Yang following behind them.

“You ladies look new around here; first time in Gray Harbor? Why don't we show you some local hospitality?” one of the thugs, clearly the leader, said with a feigned polite expression.

“Not interested,” Wen Jing replied coolly.

“I didn’t expect to see thugs even in a territory bathed in the Dawn Light,” the ponytail girl shot Wen Jing a look filled with meaning.

Yang Ying, standing nearby, sighed silently. He understood perfectly that the ponytail girl was subtly commenting that his governance of the city still needed improvement, and the presence of these thugs was clearly tarnishing Gray Harbor’s image.

Yang Ying communicated silently to David using telepathy: “Go call the patrol team.”

David nodded once and swiftly retreated without drawing attention.

“How dare you call us thugs!” The thug leader was about to step forward and get physical.

Wen Yang stepped forward, placing himself in front of the two women. He looked down at the leader and barked, “Stop right there.” As he spoke, he flipped open his coat, revealing the uranium pulse pistol holstered at his waist.

“Ooh, a hero saving the damsels appears,” the thug leader laughed heartily. “What are you trying to scare us with, dark-faced man? Boys, show them what you’ve got.”

He called out over his shoulder, and the other thugs pulled open their coats. Wen Yang frowned when he saw that every one of the thugs was also carrying a uranium pulse pistol holstered at his waist.