Counterfeit Hero

In the distance, the sound of artillery fire and explosions in Mars Central City echoed endlessly from dawn until late into the night.

The intensity of these sounds was irregular. Sometimes, it was as loud as thunder right beside your ear, and sometimes, it was a distant, faint rumble. Regardless, it was continuous and rarely ceased.

Whenever the artillery fire paused for more than two minutes, people would glance at each other in surprise, listening with perplexed expressions. But usually, at such moments, the sounds of artillery and explosions would return with a roar, and everyone would then continue with their business, reassured.

This was Puluo Town, the artillery fire was still several dozen kilometers away. This distance allowed the people hiding in the shadows to cautiously step out into the sunlight and live their lives. Though not completely stable, compared to the poor souls in Central City, Puluo Town was paradise.

The Three Major Schools and the Northern Alliance continued their relentless assaults, with conflicts flaring up between major powers. However, no matter how chaotic it became, the people of Puluo Town did not care.

No matter if the sky was falling, at least in Puluo Town, our bandit army had our backs!

Our bandit army! This was a phrase often on the lips of those living in Puluo Town. These five words embodied their recognition of this army and even carried a sense of pride. Because of the bandit’s presence, Puluo Town became the most peaceful place, despite Mars Free Port being engulfed in the flames of war from the outset.

No one dared to provoke the bandit army, not in the past, and certainly not now!

Just two days ago, a piece of news shocked the entire Free World.

Black Dragon Sect, Mingxin Sect, Thousand Army Sect, and Huaxing Sect suddenly announced their alliance with the Sect Mutual Aid Alliance. They mobilized their entire forces, advancing from their respective defensive zones through nearly fifty blocks in ten districts of West Central City, all headed towards Puluo Town.

At the same time, the elite forces of Puluo Town’s bandit army expanded their defense line to less than two kilometers from the West District perimeter of Central City. Led by 120 ”Heng Dao” and 400 modified Private Mechas, they patrolled over a 100-square-kilometer area, eyeing the West District’s splinter forces.

Adding fuel to the already chaotic Mars Free Port was like adding water to boiling oil! The cries of surprise filled the air as no one could unravel when the Four Great Schools had joined forces with the bandit army.

As the grand procession of mecha formations and convoys from the Four Great Schools progressed westward through Central City, they faced no obstruction!

This world respected only power. The previous long-distance raid by the bandit army that broke through eleven defense lines was still fresh in memory. The splintered forces, whose territories were seized and obliterated, served as a stark lesson. With the bandit army now assembling on the western edge, the message was clear as day.

Everyone better damn well mind their own business!

The big factions along the way, cleverly and flattering, dismantled their feeble defensive lines and welcomed the Four Great Schools with gongs and drums, escorting them through their territories.

When the Four Great Schools entered Puluo Town unscathed, the bandit army promptly withdrew to their original defense lines, several kilometers back. In an instant, everything seemed to settle down.

However, the impact of this significant event would undoubtedly stir some waves. What happened next ignited Mars Free Port once again.

The day after the Four Great Schools entered Puluo Town, Storm Dao in East Central City suddenly announced its alliance with the Sect Mutual Aid Alliance and immediately set out for Puluo Town. An hour later, Killing Armor Sect did the same. Forty minutes after that, Keru announced its alliance.

Hoff Mecha Hall, Carter Mecha Hall, Steel Warrior Mecha Hall, Qingshan Mecha Pavilion.... declarations poured in nonstop. Like a domino effect, six medium-sized sects and fourteen Mecha Halls made the same decision on that day.

In the blink of an eye, what was once a numerically smaller force, the bandit army transformed into a colossal power!

”No matter if it’s the Northern Commerce Alliance or the Three Major Schools, if they dare to come, our bandit army will beat their heads into their asses!”

These were the words of a guy standing on Puluo Town’s main street two days ago, cheering for the bandit army’s Mechanical Team and chatting animatedly with his companions.

Though vulgar, everyone who heard this nodded fervently! Just looking at the mecha teams from various sects and the fortified defenses around Puluo Town, people believed that no one would dare come and make trouble here.

No matter what the future holds, with the bandit army here, everyone could enjoy a few peaceful days!

West of Puluo Town’s Luoye Lake, the slightly elevated terrain provided a strategic vantage near the No.7 Resource Highway, which encircled Mars Port from east to west. A once small hill had been leveled to construct an airport capable of accommodating large transport ships. It was the biggest among Puluo Town’s ten ground airports, also the most well-equipped and advanced.

Sitting at the highest point in Puluo Town, this airport featured direct flight paths to five space ports, a large maintenance dock, a passenger and cargo transfer center, a large storage facility, a small industrial area, a transportation hub, and a living area that included high-end hotels, restaurants, and residential buildings. It could rightfully be called a micro-city.