The Jucheng Behemoth traversed hostile space for over ten hours before finally re-entering the Solar System. Once it cleared the void, the orbital trajectory brought it swiftly toward Manor City. The behemoth docked at the city’s port, and a group of figures disembarked. Yang Ying, leading the way, stretched languidly. “Whew, finally home.”

Daofeng, Lanton, Baibai, Kalia, and several dozen others, already aware of the Behemoth’s arrival time, were waiting outside the hatch.

Seeing Yang Ying’s group descend, Baibai’s eyes immediately lit up. Just as she started to rush forward, a soft cough sounded near her ear. Though slight, the sound resonated like thunder, causing the little girl to freeze instantly. She glanced back toward Lanton. With a subtle shift in posture, a slight retraction of her shoulders, and an upright bearing, her broad smile vanished, replaced by a serene expression. Her entire demeanor instantly transformed, becoming elegant and noble.

Yang Ying chuckled inwardly. Baibai was, after all, a genius in cultivation; ordinary gestures of etiquette were hardly a challenge for her. However, among the nobility of the True Human Empire, there were countless Master-level experts who could control every muscle fiber, every nerve, every facial expression, and every glance to absolute perfection. Consequently, the demands placed upon etiquette were sky-high.

During the time Lanton had been training Baibai, Daofeng had watched closely, gaining an exceptionally profound impression of True Human Empire noble etiquette.

From outward movements to inner bearing, the etiquette of the Imperial nobles imposed extremely rigorous demands on a person. Even the simplest actions—breathing, raising the head, lowering the gaze—had hundreds of crucial points, precise down to the minute muscles of the face. Walking required the entire body to cooperate, involving thousands of precise physical requirements that had to be meticulously observed.

Daofeng had once privately asked Lanton the reason for this intensity. Lanton replied, “This basic etiquette is the crystallization of hundreds of thousands of years of Imperial heritage. As an Imperial noble, mastery of etiquette is the absolute minimum foundation. If there is any flaw in one’s bearing—hmpf—you must understand, the nobility is teeming with Level Three experts whose eyes are like razor blades. Any minute imperfection will be spotted. Being unable to manage basic etiquette is, in the eyes of the Imperial nobility, the very symbol of a nouveau riche.”

As Daofeng was still sighing over the demanding scrutiny of the Imperial nobles, Lanton continued, “And this is merely the basic etiquette, just laying the groundwork for Her Highness. Next come the Royal protocols, which are dozens of times more complex, all of which Her Highness must learn perfectly. Otherwise, how could I face Her Majesty the Empress and Her Highness the Eldest Princess if, when she grows up, Her Highness becomes a princess who doesn't even understand basic courtesy—a nouveau riche princess?”

This time, Daofeng was truly speechless. To have thousands of precise physical points just to take one step—and this was only the foundation! Heaven knew how the Imperial Royal family had managed to propagate itself across millennia.

Baibai was the Second Princess; she had an elder sister and an elder brother. Lanton was the Eldest Princess’s closest confidante. When Baibai was just born, the Royal Family seemed to sense certain destabilizing factors and entrusted Lanton to flee with Baibai. Soon after, they were relentlessly pursued, eventually finding refuge on Earth.

These memories flashed through Yang Ying’s mind. Seeing Baibai, who had instantly adopted an incomparably elegant and noble bearing after Lanton’s single cough, combined with her youthful face, produced an overwhelming effect—a powerful urge to protect her. The little girl took two graceful steps forward and smiled softly, “Brother Yang Ying, Sister Katerina, welcome home.”

Katerina’s heart leaped with joy. She rushed forward two steps, lifted Baibai into her arms, and affectionately asked, “I heard you’ve been practicing etiquette these days. Has it been too hard?”

Baibai thought for a moment and murmured, “A little. But it’s nothing, just a small matter.”

“Mhm, Baibai is so strong; you won’t even complain,” Katerina laughed, then whispered a few amusing anecdotes from their recent trip into Baibai’s ear. The little girl instantly brightened up.

Lanton approached, her expression complex, for the person before her was none other than the enigmatic leader of the Terran Mercenaries. “Commander Yang Ying, greetings.”

“Master Lanton, your reputation precedes you. Welcome to our humble abode as our guest,” Yang Ying said with a smile.

“Baibai has certainly caused you trouble these past few days. I must thank you in advance.”

“It was nothing; it was what I should do.” Lanton wasn’t sure what Yang Ying was thinking, so after a few words, she fell silent.

The group proceeded to the castle. Yang Ying brought out two canisters of Guluo Grass he had acquired at the auction on Planet Bante, handing them to Lanton. “From now on, when Baibai meditates, light some of this. The fragrance will help her concentration.”

Lanton unsealed a canister, and a rich aroma spread out, seeming to penetrate every limb and bone upon inhalation, leaving one refreshed and invigorated. Lanton’s brow smoothed, and she smiled. “Excellent. All the furnishings in this castle are Earth-made. Although they are quite luxurious by Earth standards, they hardly befit an Imperial Royal. I was already thinking that since we are refugees, we would have to make do. I never expected Commander Yang Ying to return from a trip bringing two canisters of Guluo Grass. This is the only item I have seen so far that does not dishonor Her Highness’s status—a truly pleasant surprise.”

Yang Ying paid no mind to Lanton’s subtle probing regarding the supposed shabbiness of his Manor City. He didn't have the narrow mindset to get upset over trifles.

Yang Ying had brought back quite a few gifts from this trip, distributing them to everyone at Manor City. For those who were absent, he had the gifts packaged and sent via courier.

The lively celebration continued through the night. The next day, visitors arrived.

“Master Merlin, Ambassador Jiayuna. What a rare sight.”

Yang Ying welcomed the pair in the castle and led them to a conference room where they sat according to host and guest etiquette. Yang Ying began, “Master Merlin, you’ve never visited Manor City before. Ambassador Jiayuna has only been here once. I wonder why you both have come together this time?”

“The matter is like this,” Jiayuna mused. “Commander Yang Ying must know that we Singer people formally recognized Earthlings as members of a high-level civilization not long ago.”

“Yes, I know,” Yang Ying nodded. “I heard about it while outside the Solar System. I thank the Singer people for that.”

Yang Ying understood clearly that the Singers had done this because they believed he hailed from the True Human Empire, thus granting him face. Otherwise, if Earth had truly broken through to high-level civilization status, diplomatic efforts would still have been required to gain the Singer people’s recognition.

However, Yang Ying reflected that he hadn't exactly lied. Since there was indeed a princess of the True Human Empire within the Terran Mercenary Group, leveraging Baibai’s identity to borrow the name of the True Human Empire couldn't be considered going too far, could it?

“But the problem lies precisely in that recognition,” Master Merlin sighed.

“What exactly has happened?” Yang Ying saw the expression on Master Merlin’s face and sensed this matter was likely significant.

“Let me explain,” Jiayuna took over. “There is a covenant among the races of the Orion Arm, which Commander Yang Ying might have heard of: high-level civilizations cannot initiate war against low-level civilizations.”

“This was established to protect low-level civilizations from being displaced or enslaved by high-level civilizations possessing overwhelming technological superiority. It is a sound public accord, and yes, I have heard of it,” Yang Ying confirmed.

Jiayuna continued, “The reason the Kustar Star people created the Ancient Legion to deal with Earthlings previously had this covenant as a factor. They did not provide the Ancient Legion with technology unique to high-level civilizations, such as spatial jumps or Uranium Cannons above Level Seven. Instead, they reported the Ancient Legion as a race subordinate to the Kustar Star people, thus classifying the Ancient Legion as a low-level civilization. The Kustar Star people used this maneuver to bypass the covenant and exert pressure on Earthlings. Of course, the Ancient Legion becoming a low-level civilization was merely an excuse; the Ape-men never escaped their fate as biological weapons, right up until their extinction.”

“I understand now,” Yang Ying nodded, having already guessed what was coming. “You mean that now that the Ancient Legion is gone, and Earth has become a member of the high-level civilizations, the Kustar Star people can now openly declare war on Earthlings, is that it?”

“Precisely,” Jiayuna said, a shadow of worry crossing her eyes. “We have intelligence indicating that the Kustar Star people are already preparing to list Earthlings as their hostile race, citing the annihilation of their affiliated species.”

Earth was now directly facing the threat of the Kustar Star people!

Yang Ying was not surprised by this news. The General Staff had reached similar conclusions, and he was mentally prepared. Facing the Kustar Star people was easier than facing the True Human Empire; choosing the lesser of two evils.

Information gathered from the three exploratory captains indicated that although the Kustar Star people’s sphere of influence was far larger than the Solar System’s, they also had numerous enemies to guard against. The Singer people alone were roughly equal to them in power, and several other high-level civilizations hostile to the Kustar Star people tied up nearly all their military might.

The General Staff believed that even if the Kustar Star people listed Earth as a hostile race, there was little to fear; they couldn't launch a full-scale assault immediately.

Seeing Yang Ying’s composed demeanor, Jiayuna mused inwardly, Truly worthy of being True Humans. If the Kustar Star people provoke them, the Glenval people, once the strongest in the Orion Arm ten millennia ago, will serve as a warning.

Jiayuna had confidence in Yang Ying, but Master Merlin, unaware of the True Human matters, was not optimistic about the prospects of hostility between Earthlings and the Kustar Star people. He addressed Yang Ying, “Master Yang Ying, I speak on behalf of the Neng Temple. Do you have any countermeasures prepared for the possible actions of the Kustar Star people?”

Following the recent upheaval, the Neng Temple and the Terran faction held positions of paramount importance in the new human upper structure. For such a major development, it was only natural for the Neng Temple to inquire.

Yang Ying nodded. Since Master Merlin was representing the Neng Temple, he couldn't offer a simple dismissal. He summoned a Ghost operative. “Go bring the Contingency Plan Forty-Seven.”