Counterfeit Hero

Palanka Lake is always so tranquil.

The tranquility here is not only because the oval-shaped lake is surrounded by rolling mountains that isolate it from all noise, but also because of a stone tablet at the entrance of the only accessible road.

The inscription on the stone tablet reads: Exclusive area of the Longxing Association, turn back when you see the tablet.

The granite tablet, over three meters high, stands there silently with clear inscriptions. Behind the stone tablet is a wrought iron gate and a guard post. Further along the roadside is a Mecha helipad, a small transport ship landing pad, and a row of barracks. Unless someone is bent on courting death, no one dares to step here.

As a result, Palanka freshwater lake at Bering Port is the only ecological zone on Mars Planet that remains in its most primitive state despite being located within a city.

Many people think this is the base of the Longxing Association, but actually, the association designated this six-square-kilometer freshwater lake as a forbidden zone simply because there is a villa by the lakeside. And Su Kezhou likes to live here.

The villa is located halfway up the western slope of Palanka freshwater lake. Built along the mountain’s contour, it has three levels, totaling 2,800 square meters. Its simple and crisp lines, gable-shaped blue roof, and white brick walls nestled amidst the greenery harmonize with the clear lake water and the undulating green mountains, creating a beautiful and captivating scene.

Following the garden stone steps of the small building downward, one can directly reach the lakeside. On the dock paved with anti-corrosion wood is a wooden structure fishing tackle storage warehouse. In the adjacent boat berth, a sleek professional fishing yacht gently rocks in the lake water. Occasionally, gray-white Mars red-beaked freshwater gulls perch on the yacht’s railing to rest.

Here, one usually hears only the sound of the wind, the rustling of the leaves, and the crisp calls of the red-beaked freshwater gulls. Apart from these, there are no other sounds because Su Kezhou likes tranquility.

Sunlight streams into the second-floor study through the floor-to-ceiling window.

Su Kezhou gazes at the lake view outside the window while gently rubbing the fist-sized Yixing purple clay teapot in his hand.

Due to years of handling, this antique teapot has developed a patina that is neither glazed nor unglazed, and neither porcelain-like nor porcelain-like, smooth and shiny. Much like Su Kezhou’s typical Chuckna elder’s calm and restrained demeanor.

After taking a sip of tea, the elder turned around, his pair of bright but restrained narrow eyes glanced at the Longxing Association’s various armed forces commanders on the sofa, and said in a deep voice: ”Let’s hear it...”

”This is our great opportunity!” As soon as Su Kezhou finished speaking, a middle-aged man who had long been unable to hold back immediately stood up and said loudly. His naturally loud voice made several people beside him involuntarily exchange wry smiles.

”The Alliance Commander has already given us a clear order, so does the Military Department, Mars Free Port must be controlled in our hands! Now, the Northern Commerce Alliance has launched a massive attack on Puluo Town, and their forces are being tied down. This is the best opportunity for our Longxing Association to strike!” The middle-aged man’s excitement had him flushed.

”Okay, okay.” Su Kezhou smiled slightly, waving his hand, he said: ”Cage, I know you’ve been seething with anger for a while. There are plenty of opportunities if you want to fight. What we’re discussing now are the tactical details of the bandit army and the Northern Alliance in this battle. To seize this opportunity, we must have an accurate judgment of the battle’s direction.”

Putting down the purple clay teapot in his hand, Su Kezhou clasped his hands behind his back and, watched by the commanders, paced a few steps to the giant electronic map screen on the wall. He frowned and said, ”From the intelligence we currently have, Puluo Town of the bandit army is facing a six-pronged siege from the Northern Alliance. Previously, they were able to annihilate a Suss Armored Group at Pingqi Ridge, which was beyond my expectation. But unexpectedly, we just received news that at Breslau Farm, they have completely wiped out the Northern Alliance’s 6th and 7th Armored Battalions of the Blood Shadow Mecha Group.”

Su Kezhou’s words provoked a burst of astonishment. When they received the order to come here for the meeting, the commanders were still focused on the battle, repeatedly analyzing both sides’ troop deployments and attack routes, and still digesting the news that a newly assembled armored group of the bandit army defeated a regular Suss armored troop and annihilated a regiment.

For the commanders, it seemed incredible that the bandit army could defeat the Suss Armored Group.

It’s like a rabbit fighting a dog, where the first news received was the dog got bitten by the rabbit, which was beyond everyone’s expectation. Therefore, everyone scrutinized the bandit army’s battle at Pingqi Ridge over and over, trying to find the factors leading to their victory.

But to no avail, the first battle had not yielded an accurate answer, and the bandit army had again completely annihilated the Northern Alliance’s absolute main force, the two battalions of the Blood Shadow Mecha Group!

In no time, the commanders all stood up, gathered behind Su Kezhou, and, amidst lively discussions, carefully examined the areas on the electronic map marked as the battle zones of both sides.

Impetuous by nature, Cage, yet with a meticulous mind, only glanced at the map once to grasp the critical point and immediately asked: ”President, which unit of the bandit army annihilated the Blood Shadow Armored Battalion?”

”The SM 3rd Group!” Su Kezhou said in a deep voice, ”The same one that defeated the Suss Armored Group!”

”The SM 3rd Group?!” The sound of gasping filled the room.

This answer was both expected and unexpected. From Longxing Association’s surveillance intelligence on Puluo Town, the armored combat group that the bandit army could assemble was originally only this one group!