Legend of the Cyber Heroes
Chapter 187 - 187 107 Dealing with Remnants

187: Chapter 107: Dealing with Remnants 187: Chapter 107: Dealing with Remnants When the morning light was faint, Jader wrapped himself in a black robe and left the city pretending to be an ordinary passerby.

He felt that something about the city seemed different now.

Of course, this “different” did not mean a physical change—although there were indeed such changes.

Several blocks were directly razed to the ground amid the fighting between the gangs and the military.

Then, the three major gangs that had controlled the city seemed to have been uprooted overnight by the furious military, and all exposed members were targeted for assassination.

This operation would last for a long time.

However, new gangs would likely emerge to fill the ecological niches left by the previous ones.

Jader thought this way.

The world is like this.

Since people have material needs, forces will emerge to meet these needs—whether these forces represent “progress”, “conservatism”, or “reaction” is uncertain.

In this era, if the government does not meet infrastructure needs, someone will.

In such operations of resources, gray forces will always emerge.

Unless the entire world’s existing principles are overturned, normal organizations cannot emerge.

But, there is a slight difference between gangs.

For at least the next few years, those entering this field will remember the panic and fear when the vice captain of the Scientific Knight Order was pursued by the Hero.

They will weigh their own power against that of the great figure, considering the strengths of their respective defenses.

Especially on the day when the last generation’s three major gangs were wiped out simultaneously.

Before acting, they would think, “If I do this, would the Hero kill me in a terrifying manner?”

This certainly won’t turn them into good people.

But at least, it would make them think twice.

Whenever they want to commit heinous acts, they will remember the light of righteousness from the day before.

And within the entire city, the expressions of ordinary people were changing too.

They were powerfully reminded that those high and mighty lords were also human.

If human, they could be killed—and then they would die.

If human, they could be pursued and surpassed.

A bit of “hope”.

And the Hero’s declaration of “all for the people” would also be remembered along with yesterday’s scenes.

Perhaps, a minority of the population will seek a detailed explanation of this phrase online.

As long as one person starts thinking, the world will become a slightly better place.

If everyone starts thinking and creates a “culture”, the spark of rebellion will be ignited.

If one person becomes a Hero because of this, then it would be a remarkable victory.

Jader sighed.

Honestly, he quite wanted to stay here.

This city had undergone significant changes.

Such a dazzling “execution” was not something one encountered casually.

He wanted to spread the ideals of chivalry here.

However, reason held him back.

Reckless actions driven by impulse are disgraceful.

It’s not only gambling with one’s own life but also treating the lives of the masses as a game.

In an era where a single command from those in power could stop a whole army’s hearts and lungs, the conditions for “carrying out great plans” are much more stringent than in past eras.

“No matter how harsh the conditions…” he said, “we must persevere to create a more favorable environment with acts of chivalry…”

History has proven that this is not in vain.

Within the Solar System, chivalry has been defeated countless times, but no matter how often it’s defeated, Jianghu can always resurrect from the ashes.

“Martial Arts” has been designed in such a way.

At their peak, Heroes even formed a great army that once pushed the Protectors back to within Venus Orbit.

At their lowest point, however, an entire generation of Jianghu was nearly eradicated.

Just decades ago, under the call of the contemporary Martial God, Heroes once made a move and even killed a member of the “Kings.” The Martial God also organized a Decapitation Squad that almost succeeded in confronting Yawgmoth’s presence.

This should count as a moment very close to success.

However, that Martial God ultimately fell to despicable treachery.

But his efforts were not in vain.

To this day, areas beyond the Asteroid Belt are still dominated by Heroes.

Additionally, countless people have embarked on the path of chivalry because of that Martial God.

The Instant Explosion Solo-Kill King also joined Jianghu’s ranks after being inspired by him—their generation was all influenced by the Martial God.

Some say that if that Martial God had not been born in an era of declining chivalry—if he had more companions—perhaps he would have succeeded.

But that Martial God did indeed rescue Jianghu from its darkest era.

“But going back to the subject, it would have been great if my senior brother had been willing to join.

He really admired that Martial God initially,” Jader muttered.

“After yesterday’s incident, he’s definitely under suspicion, isn’t he?”

Yesterday, Hiroshi Matsushima had planned the surprise attack on the anti-aircraft artillery camp.

Because Internal Strength Masters drastically outnumber Heroes, many tactical and strategic weapons have been set to only activate through physical input commands.

At most, higher-ups can use their privileges to remotely disable them, but they cannot activate them remotely.

Thus, even if one’s internal strength reaches the skies, it still needs proximity to be effective.

Hiroshi Matsushima’s reason for doing this was to support the Great Hero who was targeting Bengal.

He was very clear about it.

It was precisely because those few intentionally misfired missiles jeopardized the building’s load-bearing frame that the military had no choice but to forego using weapons of mass destruction from a long range.

My senior brother must have arranged this with that Hero.

But this would undoubtedly bring disaster upon him.

Having external strength capable of swiftly dealing with a group of soldiers is rare in Pine Eagle City.

There are only a few well-known Martial Artists in the entire city.

And more fatally, around the time this incident occurred, Hiroshi Matsushima could not prove an alibi.

He told the apprentices at the Martial Arts School that he needed to rest, then sealed his office and left through a secret passage with Jader.

During this period, no one could vouch for his whereabouts.

This pretty much wrote the word ‘suspect’ on his forehead.

“Martial Arts School, Martial Arts School…

Yes, I know.

The old master has been good to us, but you have long surpassed his achievements,” So said Jader.

“The Lord is coming back soon, and the city will be under martial law.

What are you doing staying here?”

As Jader rambled on, he spoke.

After circumventing a group of soldiers using Heavenly Vision and Earthly Hearing, he departed from the city’s edge and officially entered the wilderness.

However, the boundary between ‘city’ and ‘wilderness’ in this era is not that distinct.

Strictly speaking, only those few superstructures qualify as ‘cities’.

Other areas are just ‘closer to the city wilderness,’ and those residents are hence ‘wild people who live close to the city’.

Jader walked a bit further and finally escaped surveillance.

At this time, he saw a person entirely cloaked in a black cape crouching at the edge of a large pit, apparently busy with something.

“Could it be planting mines?” Solo Kill King was somewhat cautious.

Those who would plant mines in this area were mostly up to no good.

This place was near a residential area and also close to a main road; occasionally, scavengers would come nearby to try their luck.

Planting mines here could potentially harm innocents.

He quickly walked over and asked, “What are you doing?”

The person in the black cloak was startled, briskly kicked the dust beneath his feet, and said, “Burying something.”

“What are you burying?

Is it a mine?” Jader asked.

“No, it’s an old Prosthetic Body.” The young-sounding voice of the person carried a hint of ‘reluctance’ and ‘perfunctory’.

“You can take old Prosthetic Bodies to the government for recycling, or you can dismantle them for parts; burying them is nonsensical,” Jader scoffed.

“I can tell at a glance you’re no good!”

The person got a bit frantic: “I’m dismantling it, yes.

I’ve removed the useful parts; the rest are just to be buried…”

“Bah!” Of course, Jader didn’t buy this explanation and was even more convinced that the man was planting mines.

He shouted, “If you won’t tell, then I’ll see for myself!”

With that, he threw a punch.

Fortunately, the Hero remembered he was escaping for his life and concealing his identity, so he only used the widely popular Martial Ancestor Fist.

Xiang Shan was quite helpless.

He had escaped from Meiyimei Building using the route map provided by a Demon Sect Research Knight, following the underground river out of the city.

He quickly found the spot where he had originally buried his “donkey” and other wheeled vehicles.

The vehicles had, of course, already left as per his arrangement.

Nevertheless, Xiang Shan dug up a pair of spare Prosthetic Legs along with batteries and lubricating oil in the vicinity.

The synthetic muscle fibers in the prosthetic legs he was currently using were no longer functioning.

In the battle at the Meiyimei Building, he had extensively driven these prosthetic legs.

By their nature, these devices require constant replacement of synthetic muscle fibers to maintain maximum output.

Since leaving Recycling Station Town, Xiang Shan had fought every battle using these legs, and the number of broken muscle fibers had already exceeded ten percent.

Moreover, last night’s battle had been particularly tolling.

He could only temporarily remove these legs, pull out the broken fibers, and see if he could rearrange them.

In addition, he also needed to recharge, replenish lubricants, and coolant.

But he hadn’t expected that, right after changing the prosthetic legs, a seemingly mad old man would suddenly appear behind him, accusing him of planting mines.

Everything Xiang Shan said was true, but the old man just wouldn’t believe him.

Fortunately, this old man seemed to be from the Martial Arts School and didn’t immediately report to the authorities but chose to communicate through punches instead.

“This way, we can still talk,” said Xiang Shan as he blocked the other’s punch.