Counterfeit Hero

The Suss people’s probing of this Star Domain; the establishment of Mars’ governing system; the superficial harmony between Chuckna people and Feiyang people; the collective disappearance of faction forces allied with the bandit army in Puluo Town. Announcements of faction certifications issued by the Fei Alliance Mars Front Army and the organization of factional Mecha tournaments. Moreover, Tai Sect and Absolute Kill Stream, which people thought could never rise again, have once more emerged grandly... all of these became the daily discussion topics for Mars people.

From these topics, one can catch a glimpse of Mars’s current, bewilderingly complex situation.

Light rain mistily veiled the sky. Grayish clouds formed an indistinguishable expanse of haze.

On Brown Street in Mars Central City, simple stalls stretched across the entire block. Rain tarps or wooden boards were used to create rain shelters over the shelves, and a few stalls even used scavenged lightweight bulletproof walls for rain cover. The stalls displayed a variety of items. These included newly-imported daily items to Mars, as well as a small part consisting of miscellaneous goods like Mecha parts and antiques — all left behind by Mars civilians when exchanging them for food here.

The market was bustling with people, seemingly unaffected by the rainfall. The relatively better-off stall owners stood reservedly behind their stalls, haggling over prices with hesitant customers. Raindrops dripped from the ruins’ decrepit walls, pattering into the puddles by the street edges. In the center of the street, the crowd surged, and the pooled water on the ground splashed incessantly underfoot. Occasionally, someone hugged an item, approached to ask a couple of questions, and then left dejectedly.

Most buildings flanking Brown Street were already incomplete. Flowing rainwater seemed to coat the crumbling structures with a shimmering film. Even the brick heaps within the block were cleansed to a shine. At the intersection of the street, the only relatively intact gray eight-story building, formerly a bank, now bore the sign of the Mars Free Exchange. This was the busiest spot in this temporary market.

The former Mars Free Trading Center had long ceased to exist. However, as one of the symbols of Mars Free World, the exchange reopened immediately after the Sect War ended. Despite its simplicity, the commodities and myriad information scrolling on the exchange’s screens now surpassed those of the previous trading center.

At its entrance, a few thinly clad men bared their steaming chests as they cooperatively unloaded the last mini container from the heavy truck onto the portico before the exchange’s main door.

Having finished their work, the men slumped down in disarray. A middle-aged man, panting, carefully retrieved a waterproof package containing cigarettes and offered them around. As they lit up, everyone inhaled deeply, savoring a moment of relaxation after their labor.

”Did you hear?” The middle-aged man glanced at the stall owner checking goods with buyers and said to his companions: ”Dozens of factions have already signed up for the tournament starting tomorrow!”

”What difference does it make?” A short, sturdy, black-haired man leaned against a column, cigarette in mouth, legs stretched out: ”We can’t afford tickets. Besides, without those factions from the Sect Mutual Aid Alliance, what exciting matches can these few small factions produce?”

The middle-aged man grabbed a towel from his shoulder and roughly wiped his damp hair, muttering, ”You’re muddle-headed; you really are dumb. Do you think I’m talking about wanting to watch the tournament?”

”Then what are you getting at?” The short sturdy man was somewhat puzzled.

”This tournament is for selecting candidates for the governing alliance...” The middle-aged man cautiously looked around, whispering mysteriously: ”If this keeps up, the bandit army will be in danger! Clearly, Feiyang people want to make a move here...”

”You don’t say?” Before the middle-aged man could finish, the short sturdy man scoffed, ”Not just now, but for decades, where hasn’t the Feiyang Republic meddled?! This time, seeing the Leray people take over Mars, it’d be strange for them not to come pick up the spoils. But in my opinion, even with their tactics, it’ll be hard for them to do much against the bandit army...

Before the short sturdy man could finish his sentence, a companion beside him suddenly nudged him hard. Scowling in pain, he turned to rebuke but saw a Feiyang Officer leading a group of armed soldiers walking by.

The short sturdy man shrank his neck and hastily retracted his feet. The cold gaze from the Feiyang Officer made his back turn cold.

Inside the exchange, it was noisy. Countless traders hurried around in the hall, with phone calls, price quotes, and system alerts constantly heard.

As usual, Old Klaus sat at his trading seat, sipping tea and watching the transaction information on the computer in front of him.

Though called a trading seat, it’s really just a simple corner in the hall. Two tables and a computer.

Old Klaus used to be the agent for the Redbeard Pirates, but now, he was the agent for the entire bandit army. However, few knew about this identity. Old Klaus was a sly old fox; after mixing in the Free World’s trading scene for so many years, he certainly knew how to maximize benefits.