Sa'an was the special envoy dispatched by the Kusta Empire to the Flin Republic. His mandate included securing several of the Flin Republic’s key industrial planets, including Dorun.

The Kusta Guardian deity, Kalagunis, foresaw that the Kusta people were on the verge of a massive conflict within Flin territory and against the Star Singer race, a battle whose outcome was being decided right here, right now.

Sa'an knew well that if this consignment of rare minerals—resources that might not be needed in high volume for general industrial production, but were absolutely essential and irreplaceable—were successfully returned to the Kusta Empire, they could fund the creation of two entire new fleets. His intent was set: he had to secure this cargo. However, just as the goods were ready for handover, the Teran Mercenary Group suddenly descended upon Dorun, blockading the entire planet and preventing him from shipping anything out. Now, the Flin Republic’s reinforcements had finally arrived, but the performance of that fleet was appallingly poor, offering absolutely no chance of victory.

Thus, he had hastily ordered all transport ships to commence departure, demanding that the supporting fleet stall for as long as possible. Yet, the Teran Mercenary Group reacted too quickly; before even a quarter of the transports could depart, a major contingent had returned to Dorun.

Sensing the five thousand Ghost Fighters materializing within his psychic field, Sa'an knew the transport convoy stood no chance against such a force. If given enough time, he could eliminate all five thousand Ghost Fighters, but time was the one commodity he lacked. Moreover, the immense pressure emanating from the seven Ghost Fighters currently encircling him clearly signaled that the pilots within those cockpits were all peak Level Three masters.

“Your subordinates were shot down precisely because they attempted to obstruct my fleet’s departure. Shooting them down was necessary to protect my convoy—an action that is correct anywhere in the galaxy. Conversely, attempting to impede a fleet moments before a spatial jump is an act of provocation. I haven't even demanded an explanation from you, and yet you seek to play the victim?!” Sa'an declared with unassailable righteousness.

Yang Ying scoffed, “Oh? And you justify plundering another nation’s resources?”

Sa'an argued sophistically, “What do you mean, plundering? I am obtaining these materials from the Flin Republic legally and legitimately. Tell Li Xuan to stand down his forces and let my fleet pass!”

Yang Ying retorted, “The Flin Pseudo-Republic lacks the legitimacy to transfer these materials. They are rebels; they do not represent the Flin people, nor can they control the resources within Flin territory!”

Sa'an spun the argument again, “The Flin Republic has been recognized by us Kusta people; they possess legal standing!”

Yang Ying countered, “But in the High Civilization Alliance Council of the Orion Arm, the Flin seat still belongs to the Flin Kingdom. A Pseudo-Republic having legitimate status? Preposterous!”

At this juncture, the five thousand Ghost Fighters had pinned the remaining seven hundred-plus transports in the sky. The transports couldn't flee, and the Ghost Fighters refrained from firing, leading to a tense stalemate.

“You may depart. You have already shipped out over two hundred vessel-loads of materials—that is more than enough. Leave now, abandon the rest of the transports, and I will let you go.”

The demise of a single Kusta peak Level Three master on Dorun would introduce significant volatility into the strategic situation. Yang Ying wished to avoid such unpredictability, nor did he wish to initiate open combat with the Kusta people here. Those two hundred-plus transports were already en route to Kusta territory; Yang Ying couldn't retrieve that cargo. But securing the materials aboard the remaining seven hundred vessels made the entire expedition worthwhile—more than worthwhile, it was an unparalleled profit.

“You have a massive appetite,” Sa'an’s voice betrayed no emotion, only those familiar with him knew he was trembling on the verge of an explosion of rage.

“It’s a simple matter. These goods were never yours to begin with; why cling to them so desperately? Look around you: escaping with your entire fleet is entirely impossible. While your cultivation is indeed peak Level Three, we have seven of us here. Facing seven to one, I trust you won't make such an unwise choice.”

Yang Ying remained unconcerned by Sa'an’s fury. His tone was even calmer, as if merely stating an undeniable fact.

Leaving without the fleet meant his own safety; trying to take the fleet guaranteed failure and likely his own death. Even a primary school student could solve that equation.

Sa'an paused for a moment before replying, “Allow me to take half of the remainder!”

Yang Ying instantly refused, “No. Not even one vessel.”

Sa'an pressed, “You must realize that engaging me in combat here benefits neither side. Even if you win, you will not escape unscathed. Since we both wish to avoid this confrontation, a mutually beneficial resolution is only fair. There’s no justification for you taking everything.”

“You already shipped out over two hundred vessel-loads of materials.”

“Yes, but since they are gone, you cannot retrieve them, so that is not what we need to consider now. What we must consider now are these seven hundred-plus ships below!”

“You claim what’s shipped out doesn't count, I claim it does count!”

“Hmph. You present your logic, and I present mine. In the end, doesn't that mean neither of us can convince the other?”

“No. Ultimately, one side will be correct. If neither can convince the other, then the one holding greater and superior power is the one who is right.”

Yang Ying and Sa'an’s telepathic exchange was incredibly swift—far faster than verbal speech. Within mere seconds, they had exchanged dozens of viewpoints. Yang Ying conceded that Sa'an had a point: he was indeed reluctant to initiate a fight. However, one crucial factor gave Yang Ying the final upper hand.

That factor was the overwhelming superiority in sheer force.

With seven Level Three peak masters on Yang Ying’s side, backed by five thousand fighters, negotiating with a single peak Level Three master like Sa'an meant the weight of their words was naturally unequal.

Bismarck once said, truth resides only within cannon range.

When backed by cannons, logic becomes persuasive. Those who refuse persuasion can be beaten into submission.

Sa'an, lacking military leverage, could not force Yang Ying and his six companions to yield with intellect alone. In the end, Yang Ying permitted him to symbolically take one more transport, and that specific vessel was first scanned exhaustively by observers to ensure Sa'an couldn't slip away with the most valuable cargo in the convoy.

As Sa'an departed, he sent one last thought message: “The humiliation you have inflicted upon me today, I shall repay a hundredfold in the days to come.”

Yang Ying dismissed the threat with indifference: “When that day comes, if you wish to collect your bento, I heartily welcome it.” “‘Bento’?”

“That is an idiomatic expression from Earth; you need not concern yourself with it. Safe travels, and I won't see you off.”

After Sa'an left, Yang Ying’s seven individuals, along with the five thousand Ghost Fighters, escorted the remaining seven hundred-plus transports back to Hawke’s base. In space, with Sa'an’s departure, the rebel fleet commander announced an unconditional surrender. By the time they yielded, the original two-thousand-ship fleet was reduced to only nine hundred, a loss of over half its strength.

Howard dispatched boarding parties to seize control of the remaining warships, securing the bridge, main control room, engine core, and armory. All rebel personnel, from officers to common soldiers, surrendered en masse, awaiting judgment.

After the battle concluded, over a million rebel soldiers were left adrift in space, many already dead, or soon to become so.

Howard granted the rebel fleet twenty-four hours to conduct their own rescue operations. After those twenty-four hours, regardless of how many they recovered, the rescue effort had to cease. The fleet was ordered to land on Dorun, and all rebel soldiers were to be processed as prisoners of war and interned in concentration camps. The robotic forces were to be reprogrammed to switch allegiance and join the Kingdom’s forces.

With administrative matters settled, the Behemoth returned to the Hawke Base. Yang Ying summoned several staff officers specializing in logistics and materials science from the Behemoth, along with the widely experienced former explorer, Warren Gas, to inspect the seven hundred-plus transports.

It was impossible to inspect every single vessel, so Yang Ying selected several representative ships. Later, Idney heard about this and insisted on joining the inspection team, so Yang Ying allowed her to become part of the inspection detail.

The group boarded the first transport and opened a storage bay. This bay occupied about six thousand square meters and stood twenty meters high, equivalent to a six-story building. The main access point was situated at the eighteen-meter mark, leading into a horizontal walkway. One side of this walkway was protected by a railing, allowing one to lean over and look down upon the cargo hold.

Standing on the walkway, they gazed down. The bay was filled to the brim with purplish-red ore, the height nearly reaching their feet, just a hand’s breadth below the walkway.

“Kunying Stone!” Warren Gas exclaimed first. He flipped himself over the railing and leaped down, his bulky frame moving with surprising agility.

He landed on the stone pile, picked up a piece of the purplish-red rock, weighed it, then picked up another, tapping the two pieces together to listen to the sound. He nodded, “Correct. Both are first-rate quality Kunying Stone. Powdered forms of this stone are an indispensable component in the coolant for superluminal engines. Without it, the engine failure rate increases by two hundred percent, and lifespan decreases by eighty percent.”

He quickly calculated, “Based on the reserves in this single bay, the total market value of this Kunying Stone is around two hundred and fifty million Star Singer Credits.”

A sharp intake of breath echoed in the quiet vastness of the hold.

Everyone turned toward the source of the sound. Idney was there, her hand covering her mouth, her rapidly beating heart evident in her wide eyes.

“I apologize, I’ll be careful.” Idney looked mortified.

The others turned back to Warren Gas as he detailed the various properties of the Kunying Stone. After he finished, they opened the second bay—more Kunying Stone. They proceeded to open five bays consecutively; all contained Kunying Stone.

Since the volumes of these bays were similar, the Kunying Stone in these five holds alone was valued at one billion two hundred fifty million Star Singer Credits. Yang Ying marveled at how truly profitable this haul was, even as he approached the door of the sixth bay.

I had intended to complete Chapter Three, but Diamond has caught a severe cold, feeling weak all over, and after taking medicine, my eyelids are barely staying open. I can only upload two chapters for now. I owe you one chapter, which Diamond will make up tomorrow, I apologize.