Only as Idni saw the talks weren't progressing to substantive issues did she start feeling uneasy. What's more, for the Flinn people, Yang Ying was an alien. A squabble like this meant losing face that stretched out into the void of space.

She looked at the Eye Representative, the Fat Representative, and the third and final representative—an elderly Flinn whose scales were beginning to slough off—and asked coldly, "What exactly are you thinking? Stop hiding things and put them on the table."

"Well, you asked me to speak, so I shall. The Eye Representative felt he had seized an opportunity and stated, "First, the status of the Resistance Organization has always been in limbo. This is the perfect chance to settle it. We people have endured the harshest lives fighting the rebels for the Kingdom. I’m not boasting about myself, but the entire organization, from top to bottom, their merits and their toil cannot be erased. They absolutely must know their efforts were not in vain."

"Then, in your view, how can we make them feel their efforts were not wasted?" Idni laughed in exasperation.

Fausto frowned, sighing inwardly. He still said nothing. The problem the Little-Eye Representative raised existed in his own organization too. Lower-level members fought the rebels for revenge, to fight back against the rebels' brutal rule. But once their status rose and they became part of the leadership, they started thinking about more complex matters, like what would happen to their status after the war—would it be preserved, or even elevated?

At this juncture, forcefully suppressing the Little-Eye Representative's proposal was out of the question. If the news spread, instability would begin to bubble up within his own organization as well.

The Eye Representative stared at Idni. "People of the Royal Family live in luxury day in and day out, enjoying the finest food and living in the grandest palaces. You surely won't be stingy with us poor sods, will you? On behalf of our organization's leadership, we demand the Royal Family provide ten blank letters of patent for nobility, along with commensurate territories. The names on the authorization letters will naturally be filled in by our leader. The Royal Family may not raise any objections. Furthermore, at least one must be for a Viscount and two for Barons. As for the territories, assign them to Dorun Star. After all, quite a few nobles on Dorun defected to the rebels. Confiscate their lands and then bestow them upon us meritorious individuals. Wouldn't that be most fitting for the Royal Family?"

"I second that!" the Fat Representative immediately raised his hand. "Our organization also requires ten letters of patent for nobility, so that the people below know their efforts are rewarded!"

The elderly representative pondered for a moment, then also nodded. "I second that as well."

Seeing that the other two representatives seconded his proposal, the Little-Eye Representative was ecstatic, becoming smug and pleased with himself. He thought inwardly, "Once I become a noble lord, I'll eat the best and use the best every day. It won't have been for nothing that I stayed in the Resistance Organization until now."

Tu Zhong faithfully translated their words. Warren Gas slammed the table and roared, "What an idiot! At a time like this, he’s still thinking about personal gain, quibbling over trifles here! You were right just now; everything we plan to give you comes from the rebels anyway. Since it's free, if you don't want it, then get out!"

The Little-Eye Representative’s eyes darted around. He cursed the Fat Representative silently for meddling, then turned to Yang Ying. "Master Yang Ying, this is a private matter between us and the Kingdom. It has nothing to do with your mercenary group, so please don't interfere."

"Absolutely not!" Yang Ying didn't even look at him. "This is my territory. This is my meeting. The topics discussed should be the ones I decide."

After all, these words came from a Third-Tier Peak expert, and the other party was a military leader possessing considerable armed force. The Little-Eye Representative stammered repeatedly and lowered his head.

Yang Ying turned to Idni. "I recall you mentioning that when the Resistance Organizations first contacted you, their request was only for munitions and grain. Is that correct?"

Idni nodded. "That is correct. At that time, they didn't mention anything about noble titles. This person brought it up suddenly today." She pointed at the Little-Eye Representative. "I found it strange."

"Then, Mr. Fausto, how do you explain the difference in the requests made by the Resistance Organization then and now?" Yang Ying inquired.

Fausto glanced over the three representatives beside him. "I have never changed the original conditions. Opening the armory and the granaries is enough for our organization. These three have other ideas; they need to explain them themselves."

The three representatives simultaneously cursed inwardly. They resented Fausto not only for failing to seize the moment to press their advantage but also for drawing a clear line, washing his hands of the matter, and tossing the burden onto their shoulders.

Yet, they failed to consider that this was the very burden they had intended to throw onto Fausto’s shoulders in the first place. Being thrown back was only fitting.

By now, Yang Ying could see that Fausto had been "publicly elected" as the leader of the four major Resistance Organizations not only because his was genuinely the largest but also because he was isolated, thus being pushed forward as a shield.

Fausto now also understood the three representatives' thoughts, secretly lamenting that the other three major Resistance Organizations were utterly incompetent and unable to grasp the current trend of events. He mused, "Don't these fellows ever think? Is now the time to pressure the palace? We have nothing that can truly threaten the Royal Family. On the contrary, the weapons and grain we desperately need are controlled by the Trand Mercenary Group. Without these supplies, once the Trand Mercenary Group leaves, how will the Resistance Organization deal with the rebels’ retaliatory attacks?"

Fausto considered for a moment and decided to attempt mediation. He spoke, "I request a short recess so that I can confer with the three representatives and unify our position."

"Fine," Yang Ying agreed.

There were several small lounges along the sides of the meeting hall. Fausto's group chose one to enter, while Yang Ying and the others went into another. These lounges were fully soundproofed and even equipped with a silence field, preventing any sound from leaking out.

The Flinn, after all, were a high-level civilization with a history of development far surpassing Earth's. Even if their technological level ranked low among all high-level races, they could not be casually dismissed. Years of accumulated technology meant that Flinn life was filled with sci-fi ambiance; advanced technology only seen in science fiction could be spotted everywhere.

"These guys are despicable, especially the three resistance organizations that sent representatives. Their leadership has been corrupted; they actually demanded noble titles and matching fiefdoms! Good heavens, what will they ask for tomorrow? Earl? Duke? Or Planetary Governor?"

As soon as Idni entered the room, she began to lose control.

"Sir, the observers are scanning the entire planet's surface. Both the rebel forces and these resistance groups will soon be exposed before us. If you wish to teach them a lesson, I, Howard, am willing to execute your orders, Sir," Howard said, thumping his chest.

Warren Gas stated, "If they were negotiating with our Burke Royal Family with this attitude, the talks would have broken down long ago, leading to swords being drawn and fighting."

Yang Ying paced back and forth a few steps. "I believe Idni is correct. Those resistance groups have been corrupted. Today they demand titles from the Kingdom's military; tomorrow they might sell out the royal line for greater personal gain and defect to the rebels. I believe they are untrustworthy—at least, their top echelon is untrustworthy."

Idni asked, "Then what should we do about them?"

Yang Ying said, "I think they need a cleansing process before they can be considered clean."

In the other room, Fausto sternly admonished the three representatives, demanding to know what was going on. But clearly, all three had come to a mutual understanding. Even if they hadn't conspired originally, once all three proposed the same idea, they became united. Fausto, who disagreed with this opinion, was isolated by the three.

After a round of arguments, Fausto failed to change the minds of the three who were blinded by greed. Just then, the doorbell rang, the sound resonating directly inside the silence field. If one had tried knocking, no sound would have reached the interior.

Fausto inquired and learned that Tu Zhong was calling them out to resume the meeting. Yang Ying and his group had already returned to the table.

Fausto sighed, feeling somewhat powerless. He hadn't felt this way when facing enemies, but facing internal strife among his own people exhausted his spirit. He ultimately failed to persuade the three, and they emerged from the room with dark expressions to continue the meeting.

"Is that so? You still want letters of appointment for nobility?" Idni asked coldly, having lost her patience.

"That's right. We believe this is what we deserve. After you leave, the resistance efforts on Dorun Star will still fall to us. We will not only clean up your mess but will also have to fight the rebels for a long time to come. Based on our past, present, and future contributions, ten letters of appointment for nobility are absolutely not excessive," the Little-Eye Representative adopted the posture of a hardened rogue, appearing ever more self-righteous.

The Fat Representative and the elderly representative also affirmed their agreement.

"Very well. Guards, escort those three out. I will discuss the remaining matters with Mr. Fausto," Yang Ying waved his hand. Six sturdy Marines entered, two per person, restraining the three representatives and dragging them out.

The Little-Eye Representative’s legs kicked uselessly in the air, shouting, "You will regret this! The stingy Royal Family dares to treat meritorious servants this way; who will follow you in the future!"

Idni's expression soured upon hearing this. Yang Ying sent her a mind-link message. "Don't be angry over such petty people. You can tell from his words that he is entirely driven by self-interest and holds no loyalty to the Royal Family. He aims to claim all the merits of the entire Resistance Organization as a stepping stone for himself. When he returns, he will likely deceive his superiors and subordinates, sow discord, and ruin the Royal Family's reputation. In the future, he might even surrender to the rebels, exposing all the Resistance Organization's secrets in hopes of gaining favor from them. He will find excuses for every action he takes—it will always be everyone else’s fault, that others forced him to do it, that he did no wrong."

Idni became alarmed. Ignoring Fausto beside her, she anxiously inquired, "Then what should be done?"

Yang Ying smiled and continued the mind-link, "Don't worry. Arrangements have already been made."

The readers' enthusiasm is truly immense! The 'Demand For More' votes have reached a significant count, warming Diamond's heart. A special thank you to reader 'Xiao Xiao Tuo You Ping' for the support ticket and reader 'Wu' for the 6 votes. However, I sincerely hope that when esteemed readers cast 'Demand For More' tickets next time, please make sure to select the 20,000-character option, as that is the only way I can receive them.