Under the guidance of the small boat, Yang Ying's spacecraft delved deep into the asteroid field. It navigated through hundreds of hectares of celestial debris, weaving cautiously between the separating rocks for five full hours before the path ahead suddenly opened up.

By this time, the spacecraft was deep within the asteroid belt, yet the boundless surrounding rocks had vanished abruptly. It was as if a piece was scooped out from the center of a massive cake—an entire expanse of space unnaturally clean. Floating silently at the center of this void was a space city.

Yang Ying activated the optical screen for a closer look. The entire circular city was encased in thick armor plating. Yang Ying knew this was necessary protection, given the city's location within the belt, where rogue asteroids could occasionally shoot outward. This armor served as the primary defense.

Should an asteroid prove too large for the armor to withstand, the space city's defensive cannons would naturally engage to shatter it.

After a while, the ship entered the city’s civilian port. Yang Ying observed that the Paradise City port was vast, capable of docking thousands of vessels. Several hundred yachts and spacecraft of various designs were currently moored, sharing one common feature: opulence.

In the military harbor on the city's opposite side, several dozen large warships were docked. Although they were kept in a cloaked state, Yang Ying detected them through intelligence relayed by the Observer.

Following instructions from the port control tower, the spacecraft docked at a designated berth. A telescopic gangway slowly extended towards the ship, aligning perfectly with the airlock.

Hiss.

A sound of pressurization filled the gangway as air rushed in.

The ship’s hatch opened. Surrounded by his Ghost Agents, Yang Ying stepped out, followed closely by the Marines.

The gangway spanned only about ten meters. After crossing it, the group entered a large hall.

Apollo, the grandson of the Pirate King, and his butler, Yangesi, were already waiting in the hall. Behind them stood two rows of about twenty burly men, clad in black suits, their physiques imposing and their gazes menacing—they clearly looked like trouble.

"Welcome to Paradise City, Commander Yang Ying," Apollo stepped forward, his demeanor matching his name. The young man possessed silky golden hair and pupils as deep blue as the ocean. His features held a vibrant martial spirit. Though young, it was easy to foresee that in a few years, he would be as handsome as the sun god of myth.

The butler, Yangesi, remained silent behind him, rigidly and conventionally maintaining the proper posture of a retainer.

"Hello there, kid," Yang Ying extended his hand for a shake. He sensed Apollo was distinctly displeased with being called a "kid."

However, given Yang Ying's own standing, addressing Apollo as "kid" was not entirely inappropriate. Considering their respective statuses and the resources each commanded, Yang Ying was in no way inferior to the Pirate King.

"Commander Yang Ying, a major figure in the Mercenary Alliance, to venture into Paradise City takes real courage. It is truly admirable," Apollo raised an eyebrow and spoke these words—a blatant declaration that this was their territory and Yang Ying should tread carefully.

Yang Ying smiled faintly: "This is no longer the original Paradise City."

This was a subtle reminder to Apollo that the former Paradise City had been massacred by Hras; this iteration was merely a replacement built later, giving him little room for arrogance.

Apollo laughed heartily at the remark, adopting an air of forced maturity. He let go of Yang Ying’s hand, shrugged, and displayed a look of complete nonchalance. Simultaneously, he signaled those behind him. A man in a black suit stepped forward, holding a tray upon which rested a gold and jeweled mask. Yangesi accepted the tray and presented it to Yang Ying.

Apollo let out a low chuckle. "Commander Yang Ying must be familiar with the masks of Paradise City. This is a sort of formality. The Trane Mercenary Group enjoys quite a high reputation now, and if Commander Yang Ying were seen openly in the Pirates' Paradise City, the repercussions could be unfavorable. Please accept this mask as our token of welcome. You will find that in a place like Paradise City, wearing this mask offers considerable convenience."

A gold and jeweled mask was valued at one hundred million Earth credits on the outside; it was the entry ticket to the highest tiers of enjoyment in Paradise City. Holders of the mask enjoyed an almost imperial status, where any desire could be fulfilled.

Yang Ying considered it for a moment before accepting the mask. As Apollo mentioned, having it would indeed save him a lot of trouble.

Next, several other trays were brought forward by the men in black suits, each laden with dozens of black masks.

Apollo explained, "Most guests coming to Paradise City bring retainers or bodyguards. These black masks are prepared for them. In Paradise City, if you are not masked, you are assumed to be service staff. Service staff occupy a very low rung here; even if one were beaten to death on the street, the perpetrator would only pay a small fine. If you do not wish your entourage to be accidentally harmed by other guests, please have them wear these masks." Apollo gestured toward the Ghost Agents and Marines beside Yang Ying.

He continued with a few more necessary warnings about conduct within Paradise City, then turned and extended his hand, gesturing toward the exit of the hall.

"The vehicles arranged to meet the esteemed Commander are waiting outside. To welcome and refresh you after your long journey, my grandfather has specifically arranged a banquet. Allow me to escort you."

The pathway leading to the exit was carpeted in red. Two lines of men in black suits stood flanking the carpet, their expressions unchanging, an almost palpable aura of killing intent radiating from them. Clearly, these were seasoned pirate enforcers who had seen much bloodshed. Had any ordinary person walked that carpet, they might not have kept their balance, or perhaps, if timid enough, might have soiled themselves on the spot.

But to the disappointment of the black-suited men, neither Yang Ying nor his entourage gave them any notice, treating them as wooden stakes or perhaps even as air.

Before exiting the hall, Yang Ying donned the gold and jeweled mask. This seemed to act as a signal; the Ghost Agents and Marines immediately followed suit, fitting their black masks onto their faces with crisp, synchronized movements.

The group emerged from the port to see a motorcade of luxury vehicles lined up on the road. Apollo guided Yang Ying to the central, stretched limousine. Apollo invited Yang Ying to board first. Yang Ying entered the vehicle with a Colonel from the Ghost Agents, followed shortly by Apollo and Yangesi.

The remaining Ghost Agents and Marines boarded the other vehicles in the convoy.

"How is my meeting with the Pirate King scheduled?" Yang Ying asked while observing the scenery outside.

"Immediately following the reception banquet, Grandfather will meet with Your Excellency privately," Apollo replied.

Yang Ying chuckled softly. The term "meet" carried a distinct air of condescension. However, dealing with a mere fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy by taking umbrage would only lower his own status. He decided not to respond.

After watching the scenery for a while, Yang Ying’s gaze suddenly sharpened. Many aspects of the city felt strangely familiar. He searched his memory carefully, and a flash of insight struck him. He turned and asked, "Kid, was the predecessor to this Paradise City called Bos?"

Apollo glared at Yang Ying again, forcing the words out: "So what if it was?"

"Heh, it just looked a little familiar," Yang Ying recalled the War of the Three Cities, an engagement that was, in part, instigated by the Pirate King himself.

At this point, Yangesi cleared his throat. "I recall now. Commander Yang Ying's Trane Mercenary Group played a significant role in the battle when Bos joined the pirate faction. After Bos lost the War of the Three Cities, we claimed that Paradise City had descended into chaos under Bos, forcing us to abandon it. Conveniently, we already possessed Bos, so we just made do. It was a tumultuous period then, and no one followed up on the matter of Bos."

Yang Ying nodded and said nothing more.

The motorcade arrived before a complex of buildings resembling a palace in the city's core district. The core was drastically different from the outer sectors; it had been comprehensively modified to a degree that Yang Ying could no longer recognize it.

The reception banquet was unremarkable, serving only to parade a few high-ranking members of the Caribbean Pirates for a brief appearance. Yang Ying spotted the Fatty again and exchanged a few casual pleasantries; nothing of consequence was discussed.

After delivering Yang Ying here, Apollo had disappeared somewhere, seemingly unwilling to remain in Yang Ying’s presence for another second.

When the banquet concluded, Yangesi reappeared. "His Majesty requests your presence."

Yang Ying nodded. He summoned two Colonels from the Ghost Agents and two Colonels from the Marines to act as his retinue. Although his own strength rendered bodyguards unnecessary, attending a meeting with the Pirate King alone would diminish his stature given his position.

Yangesi escorted Yang Ying deep into the area marked 'Imperial,' leading him to a lavishly decorated conference room.

The moment Yang Ying stepped inside, he saw an old man seated in a wheelchair, skeletal and frail, his white hair sparse, his face etched with deep wrinkles. Only his eyes shone brilliantly, radiating a profound, contemplative aura, as if he were gazing upon the entire cosmos.

"Commander Yang Ying. We finally meet," the old man’s voice was somewhat hoarse. He gestured toward a leather sofa nearby. "My body makes it difficult to rise and greet Your Excellency. Please forgive me, have a seat."

"Captain Nab, I have long heard your name..." Yang Ying offered customary pleasantries before settling onto the sofa.

The Pirate King, Nab, coughed twice. "My grandson is quite reckless in his youth. If he caused any offense to Your Excellency, allow me to apologize on his behalf first. I only tasked him with the greeting because, within the entire Caribbean Pirate Group, only his status permits him to undertake such a duty besides myself."

Yang Ying thought to himself: You admit he is your grandson and apologize so lightly, brushing the entire incident aside. If I were to press the issue now, wouldn't I appear petty and small-minded?

However, he hadn't taken Apollo's minor provocations seriously in the first place. He smiled. "It's nothing, nothing. Young men are full of spirited blood; they have the right to make mistakes."

Yang Ying and Nab both laughed.