Nabu's true intent in staging that execution remained a mystery even to Yang Ying. The mercenary leader had no patience for guessing motives or caring about the pirate king's schemes. If there'd once been any hope of cooperation with this man before arriving at Happy Valley, those illusions had long since dissolved.

Not even shared objectives could sway Yang Ying to align with this sadist who reveled in terror and found pleasure in bloodshed.

"Necessary? Why must our paths diverge so soon?" Nabu's voice carried from behind as Yang Ying strode past the execution platform. "Happy Valley is more than a fortress of cruelty - it's a tourist destination! You'll find no better place to spend your time." The pirate king spoke with unnerving calmness, as if discussing a cinema rather than witnessing human flesh being torn apart by piranhas.

Yang Ying didn't even glance back. "No need for delay. These attractions don't suit my temperament." He ascended the platform steps between four commanders, heading toward the fountain plaza.

Nabu's levitating chair approached from above, his shadow falling over Yang Ying's retreating figure. "You watched that performance with stoic indifference," he called down, voice dripping with mockery. "And now you want to flee? How convenient - abandoning your 'allies' only after witnessing the bloodshed! Tell me, why didn't you speak up during those executions? And why did you accept my gift of women?"

Yang Ying halted mid-step. "Pirate King," he turned sharply, "everything in this world has its limits. Some lives deserve saving, others not. Those pirates who slaughtered innocents - their deaths mean nothing to me. But these women... they've committed no crimes. If I can give them freedom, why wouldn't I?"

Nabu chuckled, his laughter sending shivers through the air. "Hypocritical nonsense that makes my skin crawl," he sneered while motioning for silence among the gathered pirates. "But I'm a generous man. Let's settle this with something tangible."

Yang Ying was already walking away when Nabu's next words froze him in place.

"Women like the one I gave you yesterday? I have plenty more where she came from." The pirate king spoke softly, knowing Yang Ying's master-level hearing would catch every syllable.

The mercenary stood motionless, thoughts churning beneath his calm exterior. Nabu watched with a calculating smile. "Heard about your virile performance last night?" he continued. "A man who cherishes beauty won't let these poor souls waste their lives in this hellhole."

Yang Ying's fingers twitched - the pirate had struck exactly where it hurt most. Yet his mind remained sharp despite the dilemma.

"Three days," Yang Ying finally turned to face Nabu. "But I want all of them. Every woman you have, I'll take away with me."

The pirates erupted in a storm of emotions - admiration mixed with disgust, envy tangled with suspicion. Some spat curses at Yang Ying, while others stared as if he were some abomination defying nature.

"Fine," Nabu waved dismissively, silencing the crowd with a single gesture. "Women are just possessions to me." His eyes darkened imperceptibly. "Yang Ying's choice will serve my purpose perfectly."

Later in his private chamber, the pirate king cradled an antique porcelain cup before hurling it against the wall. The shattering sound echoed through the room as shards of priceless porcelain rained down.

"Who does this boy think he is?" Nabu snarled at the shadowy figure materializing before him.

Agren stepped into view, his presence filling the chamber with malice. "Your methods were indeed excessive," he observed smoothly. "Yet Yang Ying's reaction was perfectly predictable."

"He associates too closely with psionicists," Nabu spat. "This test confirmed my suspicions - even if we could work together temporarily, this mercenary would eventually stab us in the back." The pirate king's voice hardened. "But three days is enough. Once Hellas is dead, their 'sacred path' and our own will diverge permanently."

Meanwhile at the golden palace housing Happy Valley's most prized possessions, Yang Ying followed Yenges through high-voltage fences into a world of cultivated beauty.

"This is where we train them," Yenges explained as they passed guards armed with electric batons to prevent male pirates from approaching. "They learn etiquette, refinement - everything necessary to be perfect companions."

The palace mistress greeted them with feline grace, her every movement designed to seduce. "Yang Ying Commander," she purred, "your appreciation for our... collection is truly impressive." Her voice dripped honeyed mockery.

Yenges cut through the overture with a sharp cough. As they toured the facility, Yang Ying's face darkened when he learned about the youngest prisoners - girls barely older than his own sister White.

Beneath the palace floor, another thousand women waited in dimly lit cells, their wrists chained to prevent escape. Their hatred and fear burned like daggers as Yang Ying passed by.

"These ones still need refinement," the mistress explained cheerfully. "They'll be properly... educated soon."

The final count sent ice through Yang Ying's veins - one thousand beauties trained for exploitation, each a soul trapped in golden gilded cages.