Agene towered over two meters, draped in a black robe. His face was hidden within the cowl, and every inch of him, gloved and concealed, showed no trace of his simian heritage.

He stood within the room's shadows, a figure merged with the darkness, seemingly slack and unstructured. If Yang Ying were present, he would have been astonished, for although Agene was a Peak Master, he radiated the decadent air of a fading hero, like a lifeless zombie or a person in a vegetative state.

Agene spoke in his unchanging monotone, "Yang Ying will never lend out that item. I can feel his resolve quite clearly. When you threatened him with the assassination of the former Division Chief, he was utterly dismissive. But when you showed interest in the 'Imperceptible Eye,' he contemplated killing you. This reveals a significant misjudgment on your part regarding the 'Tran' system. Further discussion will only lead to a rupture. I advise you to use the time tonight to re-evaluate his position."

"You mean the composure he displayed just now wasn't feigned bravado, but his genuine feeling?" Nab's narrowed eyes widened slightly, showing surprise. "That truly exceeds my expectations."

After all, the Tran Mercenary Group assassinated the Division Chief of Ten. Once this news spreads, the entire foundation of the 'Ten' faction across Earth could collapse. No government official would tolerate an armed organization that arbitrarily murders high-ranking officials, precisely because they would fear becoming the next target. Figures like the Division Chief of Ten are far too numerous within the Earth United Government.

Nab had expected that his previous statement would at least disrupt Yang Ying's composure, but it had no effect. Did the people of the Tran Mercenary Group truly hold the Earth United Government, which controlled three billion people, in such contempt?

"To maintain such calm under those circumstances, one must either be insane or possess a hidden advantage," Agene stated. "Since Yang Ying is the leader of the Tran Mercenary Group, he is likely not the former."

Nab pondered for a few seconds, then inquired, "In your assessment, what is the probability that we can acquire the 'Imperceptible Eye'?"

"Zero. My instinct tells me that Yang Ying would choose to go to war with the Caribbean Pirates rather than lend out the 'Imperceptible Eye,'" Agene replied.

Nab fell silent for a moment, then murmured, "It seems there is no choice but to activate the contingency plan."

Agene lifted his head slightly. "You have a contingency plan?"

Nab let out two cold laughs, his expression turning grim. "When Yang Ying arrived, did you sense the presence of the 'Imperceptible Eye'?"

"Yes," Agene nodded. "When Yang Ying's ship approached Paradise City, I felt eyes watching us—a sensation I've never experienced before, as if a vast eye were fixated on the city from the void. Shortly after, several similar gazes brought the city under surveillance. I could feel their presence but not their location. It was an unsettling feeling. Only now do I truly understand why Huras disbanded the Pirate Allied Fleet; he was forced to do so because he could not escape this surveillance."

Nab's lips curved slightly upward, clearly satisfied with Agene's answer. "So, Yang Ying didn't just bring one 'Imperceptible Eye' when he came to Paradise City for this rendezvous. Good, very good! The more, the better!"

Agene turned his head, and beneath the shadow of the perpetually dark cowl, a pair of eyes faintly appeared—eyes that saw through everything yet seemed indifferent to all. He spoke in the same unchanging tone, "Are you suggesting that..."

"Don't you think this location is an excellent stage?" Nab clenched his fist. "To deal with a master like Huras, one must seize the initiative. Since Yang Ying refuses to lend us the 'Imperceptible Eye,' I must use this place. While he hasn't left, I will leak the news and lure Huras here. We will stage a battle of Peaks in the very heartland of humanity's darkness."

"A battle of Peaks causes immense destruction. Haven't we already sacrificed the first Paradise City? Are you prepared to abandon this second one, which has only just begun operation?" Agene asked flatly.

"One cannot catch a wolf without sacrificing a cub. If we don't abandon this city, how will we make Huras believe this isn't a trap? Besides, this second Paradise City is inherently flawed. If we lose it, so be it; there's nothing to cling to," Nab said without concern. "Huras destroyed the first Paradise City, which significantly impacted our business. That impact has barely diminished even now. After the completion of Paradise City Two, our clientele dropped by nearly eighty percent. The fundamental reason is that Huras still reigns supreme in the universe. Those wealthy men crave pleasure and fear death above all else; they won't tolerate the slightest danger. They will believe that since Paradise City had one incident, a second is inevitable, and they won't return."

Nab gestured with his hand.

"To restore the guests' confidence in Paradise City in a short time, Huras must be dealt with. If we can secure Huras's head, even sacrificing Paradise City Two is profitable, because Paradise City Three will then restore the glory of the original Paradise One, perhaps even surpass it! Furthermore, the Ape Worship Cult is the supreme power in the dark world. Killing the leader of the Ape Worship Cult will greatly enhance my prestige in that realm. The voice of Pirate King Nab will become louder, commanding greater obedience!"

Because Huras had led the Pirate Allied Fleet to be scattered by the Mercenary Allied Fleet, followed by a series of relentless pursuits, the pirate factions in the asteroid belt had been shattered. Even Somalia, once the second-ranked super pirate group, had been wiped out.

For the pirate faction, this was a crisis, but for Nab, it was an opportunity. If handled correctly, Nab could unify the entire pirate faction, achieving a feat never before seen in pirate history.

Agene slowly stated, "Such ambition, your words sound very much like you, but I must remind you: this is a gamble. How can you be certain that the Peak Master Huras will die here? Killing him is no easy task."

"My friend, a true pirate has adventure in his bones! Hesitation only ensures others feast while you drink the dregs!" Nab's eyes glittered with an unknown light, and he spoke with firm conviction. "Planning must be bold, but execution must be cautious. Indeed, killing a Peak Master is almost impossible, but the opportunity is precious now. The leader of the Tran Mercenary Group has brought his eyes to Paradise City. If we cannot kill Huras now, we never will. Do you wish to spend the rest of your life under his pursuit? Even if you don't care, I do..."

He spoke at length and then began to cough violently. He raised the container of Naha liquid and took another sip to soothe his throat. Agene watched silently without uttering a word.

Nab caught his breath and continued, "As for ensuring Huras is truly killed, we are not enough on our own. Therefore, we need other players to step onto this stage with us. Rest assured, I will manage the timeline perfectly. Once everyone is gathered, the grand show will commence!"

After Yang Ying left the room, Yanges led the way. The group passed through a broad corridor lined with pillars hung with ancient and magnificent gold lanterns, casting a soft, golden-yellow light that reflected off the polished marble floor.

They arrived before an exquisitely decorated door. Yanges snapped his fingers, and the door hummed open, revealing a luxurious interior.

"This is the highest-class guest suite," Yanges introduced deferentially, like a true butler.

Yang Ying glanced inside. The room was divided into an outer and an inner chamber. The outer area was relatively simple, but the inner chamber was drastically different; every detail, from the chandelier to the carpet, the central furnishings, and the walls, pursued extreme luxury.

Yang Ying had sent his clones to travel the world, seeing everything from imperial palaces to slums, and he recognized most of the furnishings. He made a quick mental calculation, arriving at a figure that startled even him.

Even a single chair in the room, judging by the rare wood and meticulous craftsmanship, must have come from Europe's oldest furniture maker, likely worth more than the latest model Ferrari hovercar. Truly, only a royal palace could rival this setting. Although Earth was unified, the former royal families of various nations still existed, albeit with further diminished power.

"The outer chamber is for your bodyguards and retinue. Please inspect the inner chamber and let me know if you are unsatisfied, and I will arrange a change," Yanges continued.

Yang Ying’s moment of surprise passed instantly; the rhythm of his steps didn't even change. He walked to the center of the inner room, surveyed the surroundings, and nodded. "This room is excellent. We will take this one."

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from outside the door. Everyone turned to see more than a dozen beautiful women, dressed in various styles and fashions, walking gracefully inside. Some wore revealing attire, others were demure; some were in evening gowns, others in cheongsams, and one was even dressed in an Arab style, completely veiled.

They entered the inner chamber, lined up, performed a unified bow to Yang Ying, and then stood in place.

Yanges broke into a knowing smile, explaining, "Commander Yang Ying, these women have been assigned to entertain you. They are the finest women in Paradise City, styled by professional designers for their most suitable appearances, refined through years of the strictest training and selection. They can offer you a heavenly experience, and they are all virgins. If you take a liking to one and wish to keep her, that is also possible."