Counterfeit Hero

The atmosphere of Mars Free Port suddenly became tense with the full-scale attack of the Suss Empire.

The early winter sun brightly bathed the streets, unable to ward off the biting cold wind. The city, which had been bustling with activity, suddenly felt like a halted theater production, turning from a lively performance to a frozen scene.

The streets instantly fell silent. Sparse shops on both sides weakly kept their doors open, waiting for the few pedestrians passing by. The once-busy construction sites no longer resounded with noise; workers and engineering Mecha that swarmed like ants were gone, leaving only a few guards basking idly in the sun, staring into the distance at the half-cleared, abandoned ruins.

The ordinary citizens’ lives, just seeing a glimmer of hope, plunged back into hardship. The merchants traveling from north to south were not spared from worry and anxiety.

In the industrial area, only a few factories sporadically remained operational, commercial trading had come to a complete halt, and even the import and export at the port had fully stopped. Squads of soldiers surrounded every ground port of Mars Free Port, making it impenetrable. It was designated as a military control zone. Attempting to transport goods or conduct business at this time was a naive dream.

No matter whom you approached or how much you bribed, nothing worked. The Fei Alliance’s army had issued a proclamation: any vessels attempting to depart without permission would be destroyed. The once-bustling smuggling ships, merchant ships, blockade-runners, and corporate fleets that thronged the routes to Mars Free Port vanished, most waiting quietly at space stations or Freedom Docks for the navigation ban to lift.

The Fei Alliance’s army frequently mobilized. At street corners, sandbags were piled again, and barbed wire stretched. Vehicles and pedestrians entering or leaving the city must undergo identity checks. On the streets, transport Mecha and heavy trucks, loaded with soldiers or munitions, rumbled by, creating a tremendous roar. On the sidewalks, patrol soldiers armed to the teeth came and went, glaring at any pedestrian they deemed suspicious.

People watched all this with grave concern.

The incident during that arena contest, where a Fei Alliance senior officer almost got attacked by a Tai Sect Mecha, was well-known. Rumor had it, the Tai Sect Master Kubo didn’t even appear at the match. During the subsequent crackdown on Tai Sect, he disappeared without a trace. Only the clueless outer disciples of Tai Sect suffered in ignorance. The enraged Feiyang people disregarded reason, arresting anyone associated with Tai Sect. Mars descended into chaos, everyone in a panic.

Tai Sect had collapsed, and the Absolute Kill Stream disintegrated due to Kirburn and Hariman’s deaths. On this day, the original framework of Mars was completely buried, all orchestrated by the bandit army.

The classic duels of that arena contest became daily hot topics. While shocked by Kirburn’s death and others’, people also took pleasure in the mishap of the Feiyang people. There was inexplicable excitement for the bandit army’s strong comeback. Perhaps this was the best way to find joy in adversity.

For this world, the bandit army signified miracles.

The number of youths signing up for the Mars Front Army significantly decreased, but many flocked to Puluo Town, hoping to get lucky and join the bandit army’s headquarters.

This group, rising from Puluo Town, achieved legendary status in one battle. Whether in the Sect War or the arena contests, in this era where strength is revered, heroes are worshipped, and miracles are awaited, their exhilarating record was unearthed and widely celebrated, moving towards a mythical trend.

All sorts of rumors were rampant.

Klaus, that guy from the bandit army who was captured, had been released. Many swore they saw the old fellow escorted out of the base by a group of Chuckna and Feiyang senior officers and picked up by the bandit army War Gods. It was also heard that Cheng Zhixuan, who had been presiding over the establishment of the Mars government and meddling in various Mars industries, had been dismissed and sent away.

Whether this person colluded with the enemy, nobody knew, but for letting that Tai Sect Knight directly into the top sixteen, he couldn’t escape the charge of dereliction of duty.

To be honest, playing with that Fatty of the bandit army, he indeed lacked experience. The Northern Alliance was once so strong, yet weren’t they eventually wiped out?

A mere Colonel, a Chuckna person no less, why work so hard for Feiyang? After all these years on Mars, didn’t he realize the entire framework of Mars was turned upside down by that Fatty? Didn’t he see that provoking Fatty often led to disaster?!

People discussing the bandit army also talked about the current situation on Mars. To them, the bandit army and the situation were inherently linked. Now, everyone understood the Feiyang, post-arena contests, had lowered their stance... It’s easy to understand, if not for Cosmo’s crash, wouldn’t that female Major General of Feiyang and that group of officers have been smashed into pulp?

Not to mention this grace; speaking of reality, did they have any means to deal with the bandit army?