Legend of the Cyber Heroes
Chapter 188 - 188 108 The Old Man

188: Chapter 108 The Old Man 188: Chapter 108 The Old Man Xiang Shan had truly not expected to encounter someone akin to an “enthusiastic old man.”

Every person from Beiping knew just how troublesome this sort of “enthusiastic elder” could be.

They would warmly pry into others’ privacy, meddle in their lives, and disrupt their affairs—but you just couldn’t get mad because they really did mean well.

——Although judging by the time he was created, Xiang Shan should…

rather, it is undoubtedly true that he was older than most cybermen with the personality of an old man.

But well, without a doubt—at least Xiang Shan thought “without a doubt”—his current mindset was still that of an ambitious young man’s.

Even if he aged, he would have to be like Liu Zhenghui, who was “strong in his old age,” or Jing Hongtu, who was “esteemed and venerated.”

He could never be akin to an old man from the park.

Xiang Shan reached out to catch his opponent’s fist, testing the integration of his new legs and torso.

Finding it to his satisfaction, he took a deliberate step back and then, grabbing the old man’s hand, tried to drag it backward to disrupt the balance of the ‘Martial Arts School old man.’

The Solo Kill King instantly perceived Xiang Shan’s intention and stepped forward to counter each technique.

In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged seven or eight moves.

Xiang Shan quickly noticed three things.

First, it was the man’s prosthetic body.

The shape and structure of the prosthetic body’s arms, the span of its reach, and the length of the legs’ stride all seemed “familiar” to him.

His prosthetic eye could easily measure down to the millimeter.

He compared the data and then realized that the prosthetic body, due to its resemblance to those used in competitions, was familiar from his seeing many Martial Artists using it.

However, he had killed most of those Martial Artists.

The only exception was the “Mysterious Person” he had encountered in the alley that day—and combining the information he heard later, that man turned out to be Hiroshi Matsushima, wearing the “Little Brother” personality mask.

And now, the only mismatch with that time was the “height.”

This man was about three centimeters shorter than the “Mysterious Person.”

It must be the difference in the size of the head.

Secondly, there were the man’s Martial Arts.

Xiang Shan had only made a few moves, but his opponent was able to respond effectively.

However, he was slower when adapting to changes in the moves.

The man’s anticipation was subtle, and he had some insights into tactics, much like a well-trained veteran, but his pure neural reflexes could not keep up.

Some techniques seemed to require “memory” to be executed.

Such circumstances, Xiang Shan believed he had seen a few times before.

This man’s original Martial Arts skill was quite high, but due to a brain injury, his abilities had regressed.

Furthermore, the “strategy set” of his external strength overlapped significantly with Hiroshi Matsushima’s.

Excluding individual style and level differences, his choice in external strength strategy set was highly similar to Hiroshi Matsushima’s.

It was certain that their external strengths had a similar or identical source.

A man with brain damage, possibly related to Hiroshi Matsushima, wearing a prosthetic body that likely belonged to Hiroshi Matsushima, was walking out of the city…

Xiang Shan pondered for a moment and seemed to arrive at a thought.

It appeared the encounter was no coincidence.

He and this “park old man” likely both had the idea of “evading the Lord,” and chose to flee northwards.

The Old Hero from Beyond the Heavens had fallen to the south of Pine Eagle City.

And after he killed the Vice Captain of the Scientific Knight Order yesterday, it was very likely that the Lord would come back with a force of Martial Power from that direction.

At such a time, most people would not consider charging headlong.

After all, Martial Arts were essentially Assassination Techniques, relying on Mobile Combat to fight against numerous opponents.

Without cover, Martial Artists charging against an army on the open plains was suicide.

As far back as the 13th century, assassins proved with their lives what “Assassins should not confront armies head-on” meant.

If there were any remaining Heroes in the city, he would certainly choose to flee in the direction opposite to the Lord.

That is, going straight north.

And this place happened to be on the northern side of the city, not far from the main road.

This old man must have seen Xiang Shan crouching here from a distance.

Originally, Xiang Shan thought to himself that even if someone saw him squatting here, they would only assume he was scavenging.

However, the reason the enthusiastic old man’s first reaction was “burying mines” was because he was certain that in the following period, there was a high probability that a Hero or someone from the government would pass through this area.

Planting mines here might be a very profitable endeavor.

A Hero escaping to the north would pass by here.

If the Lord led his troops in pursuit, they would also pass by here.

But, this place was only a few kilometers away from the residential area.

If someone really were to set up landmines here, it could very likely harm innocent bystanders.

Realizing this, Xiang Shan changed his techniques again, grabbed the “old man’s” fist, then turned his body, leveraging the momentum to whip the other man’s body around.

He slid his foot, cutting to the “old man’s” back, and with a skillful twist, flipped the “old man” onto the ground.

“Little brother, you’re walking a narrow path,” Xiang Shan sighed, “What’s your relationship with Hiroshi Matsushima?”

“Ouch, I see you’re also using the Mech Armor Iron Fist,” Jader exclaimed, “And you’re quite good at it…”

“Little brother, I’m talking to you,” Xiang Shan said, “This prosthetic body of yours, was it originally Hiroshi Matsushima’s?

What’s your relationship with him, how should I address you?

Are you also a person of the Jianghu?”

“Oh?

You too?

Are you a friend of my senior brother from Jianghu?” Jader said, “Then this is truly a misunderstanding…

Hey, wait!

No, no, no!”

He shouted loudly, “Since you’re a person of the Jianghu, then you should know, you can’t set up mines within thirty kilometers of a residential area.

The Martial Ancestor spread his entire life blowing up countless high-rises, ships, and Satellite Cities, but never blindly buried mines in the wilderness!

If you still have any dignity as a Hero, you should carefully consider what means should be used where…

Even if it’s to block the officials’ army, you can’t threaten the safety of the common people!”

Xiang Shan released his hold on Jader, “Tch, little brother, you’re too impulsive.

Haven’t you thought that I might be oficially army, planting mines here to trap escaping Heroes?”

The Solo Kill King was indeed somewhat naïve and his brain was injured too, but he could still understand human speech.

He humphed, “I just can’t let you plant mines here!”

Xiang Shan stepped back a few paces and kicked the ground, uncovering the loose soil, “Since you’re also a person of the Jianghu, see for yourself, this is a prosthetic body.”

That was the prosthetic leg made of synthetic muscle fiber that Xiang Shan had just removed.

“Whoa, it really is a prosthetic body…

Whoa!

Synthetic muscle fibers?” Jader said, “This stuff is rare for people in Jianghu.

Although it has a strong bursting power, it’s expensive as hell, using it once and it breaks some fibers.”

“In yesterday’s battle, it really was pushed to the limit, breaking quite a few fibers,” Xiang Shan said, “I was dealing with it here, but then I was seen from afar.”

“Ah, that.

Little brother, that was a misunderstanding on my part.

But it’s no big deal, no fight, no friendship, right?” Jader generously dusted off the dirt from his black robe, smiling magnanimously.

Xiang Shan sighed.

“But since it was pushed to the limit yesterday…” Jader changed the subject, “Were you part of the action last night?”

Xiang Shan nodded, “If you’re referring to the incident at the Meiyimei Building, that was indeed my doing.”

“Incredible!” Jader exclaimed, grasping Xiang Shan’s hand, “May I ask, how many of you stormed in yesterday?

Do you have other associates?

If so, where are they?

I’d like to make their acquaintance…” He babbled on, “Right, do you remember?

Last night when you were on the platform, someone fired missiles at you from above, causing the load-bearing structure to be exposed!

I did that!

I feel I also deserve some credit, right?

Right!

Come on, introduce me to your other friends as well?”

Xiang Shan suddenly understood.

Striking the Meiyimei Building from the side with tactical weapons was his idea.

It could effectively destroy the aircraft on the platform while avoiding impact on him.

At the same time, the “arbitrary” anti-air batteries would force the higher-ups to forgo using larger caliber weapons.

This also provided the conditions for Xiang Shan’s last “assassination.”

He had in fact entrusted “Little Brother” to do it.

His original plan was to bomb the building into a dangerous structure, then force the army to give up on tactical weapons.

But “Little Brother” seemed to have created another plan based on his understanding of the leader of the Mona Knight Order, achieving the goal even better.

It seemed that “Little Brother” had gone to seek assistance from Hiroshi Matsushima back then.

And this guy was indeed in cahoots with Hiroshi Matsushima.

He nodded and said, “Indeed, there were associates…

but we split up.”

This wasn’t a lie.

Though he did set off alone, if it weren’t for “Little Brother” and the Demon Sect Research Knight, his assassination would not have been as successful.

In this sense, those two could genuinely be considered “associates.” And indeed they did not retreat together.

“At this time, heading north until you reach the next ‘Gene Bank Territory’ is the only chance to shake off the idiot who’s chasing back,” Jader said, shaking his head, “But splitting up is also a good way to spread the risk.

I hope there’s another chance to meet those heroes and warriors.”

Xiang Shan nodded, then asked, “Little brother, did you also get hurt last night?

Your martial arts skills are profound, but your reflexes seem a bit slow, I take it you hurt your head…”

“Eh, don’t mention it,” Jader shook his head, clearly pained, “It’s all internet scams…

We were victims of an internet scam.”

“What?” Xiang Shan jumped in shock, “Internet scams…

that ancient profession still exists?”