Counterfeit Hero

The Fleet Commander stared blankly at the virtual screen on the control console, murmuring, ”Who are they, whose fleet is this?”

No answer.

The mottled and tattered hull had only a few large patches of blue and white, blurry and indistinct, making it impossible to identify any markings that could indicate its identity.

Even after being assaulted by Energy Cannons and torpedoes, the scrapped-looking vessels remained in a near-derelict state. After ramming into one sturdy Armed Merchant Ship and three Escort Ships, it still looked the same; even the rust on the hull seemed intact.

What could be more terrifying than this?

The Fleet Commander slumped dejectedly in his command chair. He knew that for the remaining two Transport Ships, a worse fate awaited—they had managed to turn around but had no time to accelerate and escape.

The attacking fleet had crashed in too close, and the main propulsion of the two Transport Ships was now fully exposed to the energy cannons of these wolves.

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”General Tian!” Geoffrey was unaware that Tian Xingjian had already been demoted to Colonel. His knowledge of this Fatty was limited to the previously disclosed rank in Gazalin. Moreover, there was a persistent aura of mystery around this Leray Federation Hero, filled with so many incredible and unbelievable rumors that people had to believe despite their skepticism.

Having witnessed the mecha unit led by such a figure, Geoffrey could hardly question its prowess. However, after spending two days anxiously at the Tai Sect Branch, Geoffrey decided to ask his concern directly: ”Are we going to just stay here forever?”

”Yes!” Fatty, who was browsing the Free Port trading network, looked up in surprise, ”Does Fourth Elder have a problem with that?”

A problem?

Geoffrey didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Since the skirmish in Puluo Town, the past two days had seen an all-out effort by the mercenary groups and black organizations under the Three Major Schools, driving mecha and disciples in a bid for control over major port cities, transportation routes, industrial zones, and Space Ports.

In Central City’s central commercial zone, the Fierce Bear Association of the Tai Sect and the Gray Wolf Gang of the Absolute Kill Stream engaged in combat over the death of one of the Gray Wolf Gang leader’s relatives. The fight escalated from knives to firearms, leading to a day-long bloodbath on Waltz Avenue.

The conflict intensified further with the joining of the Tai Sect Tusks Society and the Absolute Kill Stream Golden Palm Mercenary Corps, involving fifteen retrofitted mechas equipped with old-style machine guns. Multiple buildings were set ablaze, shops along the streets were looted, all residents fled, and even a nearby Space City was abandoned and turned into a Tusk Society stronghold.

As the skirmishes expanded, the Mountain Breaker Sect couldn’t remain a bystander. Several unmarked mecha teams simultaneously attacked Mountain Breaker Sect outposts across Central City, looting a major shipment warehouse and an engine manufacturing factory for mechas.

The attackers were evidently well-prepared, taking away anything they could and destroying the rest.

All signs pointed to the Absolute Kill Stream as the aggressors. Following this, their guard teams clashed, and skirmishes broke out in the Northern Industrial Zone. With the intervention of the Bullfighter Mercenary Group from Tai Sect, the Northern Industrial Zone of Central City replaced Waltz Avenue as the primary battleground for control.

The conflict quickly spread to the port cities surrounding Central City. The Absolute Kill Army from the Absolute Kill Stream waged war with the Broken Army Seventh Camp from Mountain Breaker Sect at Xianlong Port. Tai Sect and Absolute Kill Stream contested Infantry Port, while Mountain Breaker Sect clashed with Tai Sect over Osman Port. Each major school began establishing strongholds based on their traditional areas of influence.

Some powerful commerce groups and mercenary armadas also joined this power-realignment war. At present, the Free World was engulfed in flames.

In Central City, under the looming threat, the various schools, commerce groups, and mercenaries deployed their guard teams to delineate their spheres of influence. The city map now resembled a chaotic puzzle of disjointed territories.

One school controlled a few square kilometers, another a few streets, while some minor forces occupied a single Space City, living in constant fear.

The intersections and roadside edges were fortified with sandbags, barricades, and trenches, with mechas stationed on guard, staring each other down.

Intrigue and conspiracy ran rampant. The ubiquitous clamor of guns and artillery proved one thing: Free Port was in complete chaos.

In this scenario, the sight of this Fatty calmly sitting at the headquarters unnerved Geoffrey.

A day earlier, the Puluo Branch had issued a statement: the Three Elders and the Branch Director collectively announced their disassociation from Kubo and the formation of the New Tai Sect, summoning Tai Sect disciples.

This declaration meant the traditional Tai Sect not only broke with Kubo but also signaled to other schools: Come, we’re an easy target!

Geoffrey had thought the Fatty would immediately organize an evacuation to a Fei Alliance stronghold. Unexpectedly, Fatty showed no intention of leaving.

Watching the open-air training grounds where dozens of mechas trained fervently and the puzzled, innocent bright eyes of the Fatty before him, Geoffrey’s voice trembled: ”The situation is out of control. What’s the point of staying here? If Kubo or other schools attack us...”

Fatty shook his head, sighed deeply, and looked grim: ”Knowing the mountain is full of tigers, I still venture into the tiger’s lair. It pains me to see the age-old traditions being abandoned and destroyed. Upholding justice and tradition is our unshirkable responsibility. Even if this place were a fiery hell, I would still root myself here and hoist the banner of our school high! I will rebuild the Sect Federation!”

Geoffrey stood agape, his mind reeling.

Such words, from anyone in the Free World, wouldn’t be surprising.

But coming from the Fatty who single-handedly toppled the traditional order and ignited this turmoil—it was simply outrageous, a blasphemy against all human values of justice!

Rebuild the Sect Federation? What was this Fatty really plotting?

”Report!” Markovich, responsible for the perimeter, knocked on Fatty’s office door.

”A hundred unidentified mechas are fortifying positions on Greenland Avenue, Lakefront Avenue, and Xiangjing Street in Puluo Town. Reports indicate over a thousand armed soldiers progressively entering Puluo Town. We’ve tightened our defensive perimeter. As planned, we’re fortifying positions three streets away.”

”Oh?” Fatty mumbled, ”They really came!”

”Who?” Geoffrey asked.

”Who else?” Fatty smirked coldly, ”Those who know my identity and are our sworn enemies!”

”Additionally...” Markovich reported to Tian Xingjian: ”Commander, an old man requests to see you.”

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.(To be continued; for more chapters, please visit www.qidian.com. Support the author and read the official version!)