Counterfeit Hero

This choice is both easy and difficult.

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The midday sun warmly shines on the early spring of Mars Central City. In the restaurant, people come and go for lunch without stop. On the roadside café, women who have spent the whole morning shopping are busy discussing prices and styles while checking out their big and small bags of spoils. Everything seems so peaceful, so normal.

Nine mechanical armor halls in Puluo Town have already closed their doors. The white seal lamps on them are like marks of shame.

At the port, many of the docked ships have left. Early in the morning, ships belonging to various major factions had already sailed out of the port, destinations unknown. However, the space navigation center didn’t become idle because of this. Since the morning, a stream of unknown origin ships started to pour into the Free Port airspace under various pretexts.

Mercenary Army bases across the city have increased their sentries. No matter what tactics reporters tried, they couldn’t get a glimpse inside. Even from nearby tall buildings, all they could see were empty training grounds and rows of dormitories.

Several notorious Black Society organizations did not have any qualms. In groups of three to five, their men gathered on their respective turfs with gloomy faces, glaring menacingly at everyone. Just looking at the bulges under their clothes, one could tell how dangerous they were at the moment.

Fraudsters and pickpockets that populated the streets have all disappeared. Now is not a good time to do business. A small slip could get you covered in blood.

In the industrial district, companies under major conglomerates have started giving holidays. Even those still in production had an atmosphere completely different from usual. The gates, usually guarded by a few security personnel, were now defended by the entire security battalion. Mechanical armors, from unknown origins, filled the entire factory area.

All these details were meticulously recorded by tense reporters. Everyone knew that, when a spark falls into this powder keg, they would be witnessing a new chapter in the history of Mars Free Port.

Where is the spark?

When will it fall?

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”This is a misunderstanding.”

In the Sect Federation’s meeting room, Kubo gently flicked the ash off his cigar and said blandly, ”It is also an accident. I did not expect Elder Guo to challenge the halls. Nor did I expect that, with his level, he would so easily close down your Puluo branch halls. Who can be blamed for that?”

”Misunderstanding?” The well-occupied meeting room immediately became restless.

This emergency meeting of the Sect Federation was intended as a final effort by the sects to resolve the conflict. The proposal was made by the smaller sects represented by the Mingxin Sect. And the Sect Masters of the Three Major Schools were all present without exception.

In everyone’s previous thoughts, the Tai Sect, wanting to make peace, would always provide an explanation. After all, the power of all the major sects wasn’t something that the Tai Sect alone could withstand. If conflict erupted, the structure of Free Port would be completely disrupted. The Tai Sect would be annihilated, and the smaller sects would also be affected.

This was something no one wanted to see. At least not now.

As for the Absolute Kill Stream and Mountain Breaker Stream, they couldn’t understand why the Tai Sect would provoke such a conflict so recklessly. They also didn’t know what the Tai Sect was relying on. Trying to figure out the opponent’s background and sitting down for talks might be a good idea.

But Kubo’s explanation was merely a misunderstanding.

”Misunderstanding...” Kirburn stared coldly at Kubo and said, ”If the Absolute Kill Stream were to challenge and close down all of the Tai Sect’s branch halls, and I explained it as a misunderstanding, would Curator Kubo accept it?”

”Accept!” Kubo grinned freely, ”I believe the masters of the Absolute Kill Stream have already been well-prepared, right? Whether they accept it or not, what difference does it make? The matter has happened, and the Tai Sect should give everyone an explanation.”

Kubo’s calm and collected demeanor left everyone present in a daze. If Kubo wasn’t already confident, then he must be a madman.

”Very well,” Kirburn laughed heartily and said, ”Just as your hall’s director has said, if we don’t challenge back, we would really be pigs.” Saying this, he looked straight at Kubo, and without turning his head, spoke to Hariman beside him, ”Let everyone make their move. I want to see how many branch halls the Tai Sect will have left open by the end of today!”

Though everyone knew this meeting was a powder keg, no one expected the conflict to break out so quickly and fiercely.

Kirburn’s words were nothing less than a declaration of war against the entire Tai Sect.

All eyes were on Kubo.

Kubo’s expression didn’t change at all. No one could understand that, by this point, he already had no other choices. The Fatty entrenched in the Puluo branch hall was the thorn in his eyes and flesh. He really wanted to know what would happen when the Absolute Kill Stream and Mountain Breaker Stream provoked Fatty and the Fei Alliance behind him.

Therefore, Kubo slowly smiled. In this struggle, the Tai Sect was not initially in the most dangerous position. All the necessary arrangements had been made. The core forces in hand had already gathered. As soon as the Absolute Kill Stream or Mountain Breaker Stream dared to go to the Puluo branch hall, whether they won or lost, Kubo was already prepared with his next move.