[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-player-beyond-dimensions":3,"chapter-a-player-beyond-dimensions-a-player-beyond-dimensions-chapter-21":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","A Player Beyond Dimensions",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2254987,4399,"Chapter 21: Chapter Twenty: One Rider Breaks an Army","a-player-beyond-dimensions-chapter-21",21,"\u003Cp>Five-thousand-character bonus chapter. Celebrating our alliance leader, Little Fortune Lady Luo Li Qibailin!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Ken spurred his horse into a gallop; though none knew why, everyone followed without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thick stench of blood surged toward them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Deng Ken and his party arrived, nearly a hundred corpses littered the battlefield. The fugitives could not break the wagon formation, yet refused to retreat, instead surrounding the enemy in the center of the road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The private mercenary soldiers inside the wagon formation showed not the slightest fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One leader even had the leisure to order his men to prepare meat and wine. They had been trapped for hours; after fierce fighting, the soldiers needed food to restore strength. Besides, with the convoy pinned here, nearby towns and manors would surely respond—reinforcements would arrive soon. Just twenty or thirty cavalrymen would be enough to crush these rebel remnants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two or three hundred fugitive rebels watched helplessly as the mercenary soldiers devoured their meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starving fugitives nearby couldn’t help swallowing saliva; some crept closer, inching toward the edge of the wagon formation, near the piles of corpses, to scavenge scattered grain from the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Shhh!*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A barbarian mercenary archer drew his powerful bow, aimed at the fugitive, and fired—a shaft pierced his chest, blood frothed from his mouth, and he collapsed, barely breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These rebellious commoners!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barbarian soldiers inside the wagon formation laughed loudly, their morale visibly high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, the fugitive rebels showed many faces of pity; their morale was abysmal. Had they not been utterly without hope, they would have broken and fled long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their only advantage was their numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But last time they launched a full assault, that barbarian mercenary leader had dared to lead a dozen men out from the formation, slashing through thirty of them in one burst, then calmly retreating under cover of archers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His ferocious brutality made them feel like nothing at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fugitive rebels had three leaders. One was killed by elite forest archers, another was hacked to death while climbing the wagons. Now only one remained—a middle-aged man around thirty, his face sallow and gaunt, dressed like a fallen military household, bearing Gao Lu ethnic features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already decided to retreat—but if they did, many here would starve to death. Most wouldn’t survive until winter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they somehow survived until winter, without food or supplies, they’d still die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gather those with armor and follow me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kewito gritted his teeth and told his fellow villager: “One more charge! If we wait, the enemy reinforcements will arrive and we’ll lose our chance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was ready to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they couldn’t break the wagon formation, all of them would die eventually—even hiding deep in the wilderness wouldn’t save them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two of the three leaders were dead. His blood boiled—he wanted only one desperate gamble!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All for survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hooves thundered from afar. Kewito’s face paled with terror—he thought enemy cavalry reinforcements had arrived. These fugitive rebels were all serfs and slaves, lacking even decent weapons. Even a light cavalry unit would slaughter them like chickens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the wagon formation, the barbarian mercenaries also looked delighted—if cavalry arrived, they could charge out, slay the rebel leader, and end the rebellion instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five riders appeared at the nearby crossroad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barbarian mercenaries frowned in disappointment—clearly not reinforcements, just a passing group of travelers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five riders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two men, three women. One carried bow and sword, radiating fierce energy; another looked rugged, like a Gao Lu savage. The three women—two were strikingly beautiful; even from afar, they looked like goddesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby fugitive rebels stirred, but they couldn’t catch riders on horseback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kewito immediately ordered his men to hold their ground and sent a messenger to shout at the five riders, telling them to detour elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, one of them made him uneasy—even his old gladiator instructor, who had trained him in combat, had never inspired such dread. Gladiatorial combat had long been banned in the Empire, but some great nobles still secretly kept gladiators to fight for amusement. Most gladiators were lowborn slaves, occasionally used for gambling bets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gladiators were rare now—only a few remained, secretly kept by nobles. Any slave could be chosen, trained briefly, then forced to fight for entertainment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stay here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Ken gave a slight nod to the Crow Queen—Tlithis, then rode out alone toward the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was icy, like a heartless warrior—his aura was so overwhelming that the fugitive rebels dared not advance, instead scattering to either side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were nothing but starving serfs and slaves—how much combat power could they possibly have?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spartacus’s rebellion would have been crushed and slaughtered by imperial legions in moments without gladiators joining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nock an arrow!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forty-five-degree arc shot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Ken didn’t get too close to the fugitive rebels. He loosed one arrow—above the wagon formation, a barbarian mercenary groaned, clutching his throat as he collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hundreds present stared in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barbarian mercenary leader gasped, instantly raising a shield before him. Meanwhile, the fugitive rebels erupted in murmurs—Deng Ken’s action was unmistakably friendly. Even Kewito’s face lit up with disbelief as he watched the lone rider nock another arrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Parthian Shot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another barbarian mercenary inside the formation had his head exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only a wagon formation, not a wall—gaps existed between wagons, forming merely a defensive perimeter. A barbarian archer cautiously peeked out—before he could nock his arrow, a shaft screamed through the air and shattered his skull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A divine archer?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barbarian mercenaries’ morale plummeted from “high” to “shaken.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two arrows. Two heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the most elite Gao Lu forest archers couldn’t achieve this—only the legendary eagle-shooters of the Xiongnu might match such skill. (Each Xiongnu tribe had one or two eagle-shooters at most.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fugitive rebels erupted in awe. Some stirred, others stepped aside—none dared interfere as Deng Ken rode and shot across the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a god’s-eye view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All fugitive rebels had been marked yellow—neutral—then shifted to blue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Parthian Shot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One barbarian mercenary inside the formation still dared to peek through the wagon gaps—no sooner did he show his head than he was instantly killed. A shaft pierced his leather helmet at an impossible angle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly a divine archer!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now no one dared doubt it. The barbarian mercenaries refused to show themselves. The fugitive rebels’ morale surged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enemy stayed hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they stayed hidden, Deng Ken had a plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rode his horse to stand before a boy of fifteen or sixteen. The boy wore ragged clothes like a slave, his arms branded, his back exposed—crisscrossed with whip scars. He clutched a crude short spear, trembling as he stared at Deng Ken, who had halted his horse before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Give it to me.” Deng Ken’s tone brooked no refusal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blue-marked slave boy dared not resist—he immediately handed the spear to Deng Ken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Ken weighed it, then roared toward the front: “Clear out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spurred his horse forward, startling the fugitive rebels into scattering. Then he drew a deep breath and hurled the spear like a javelin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aaaah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scream erupted from within the wagon formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Ken’s javelin pierced through, killing a barbarian mercenary packed tightly inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four kills!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fugitive rebels had attacked the formation multiple times and killed few. Deng Ken, riding a single circle, killed four. His combat prowess terrified the barbarian mercenaries, shaking their morale. The nearby fugitive rebels stared in awe and fear, unable to meet his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Listen to my command!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Ken’s roar cracked like thunder—Kewito flinched in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no doubt: on this battlefield, this terrifying warrior could kill anyone he chose. His presence evoked legends of human heroes or divine-favored champions of the barbarians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One roar!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the god’s-eye view, nearly a third of the fugitive rebels turned green. The slave boy at Deng Ken’s side instinctively fell into step beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Fugitive Rebels (Undisciplined) (Low Morale) (Poor Equipment) [Peasant Mix]!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who the hell is this?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kewito’s mind reeled. This lone rider had entered the battlefield and immediately aided them—his strength was astonishing, his valor peerless. In an instant, he reversed the tide, lifted the rebels’ shattered morale, and left the barbarian mercenaries trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hooves thundered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fugitive rebels parted left and right. Deng Ken rode alone through the crowd, directly approaching Kewito—his companions tensed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you their leader?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deep, commanding male voice rang out, making Kewito feel as if he could barely breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who is this man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kewito gritted his teeth and looked up. When their eyes met, he saw a sea of severed heads, blood spreading across the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many men had this man killed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kewito held his gaze only a moment before being crushed by the man’s ruthless stare—he instinctively bowed his head: “Yes, my lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Ken’s voice was low: “Obey my command!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You and your men attack from the right. The rest split into two groups and assault front and rear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thunderous roar!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kewito shuddered and instinctively replied: “Yes, sir!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the god’s-eye view, all fugitive rebels turned green. Kewito’s men, seeing him obey, immediately grabbed weapons and shields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four riders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Severus stared, dumbfounded. The Witch—Anya’s eyes widened, her slender body trembling slightly, fixed on the lone rider Deng Ken. The Crow Queen—Tlithis, though already familiar with Deng Ken’s wonders, now stood frozen in surprise, her beautiful eyes gleaming with awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just a few minutes, the fugitive rebels had become Deng Ken’s subordinates, obeying his orders to attack the wagon formation from three sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encircle three sides, leave one open!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they did not understand why Deng Ken gave such an order, the disorganized, undisciplined fugitive rebels still followed, clumsily regrouping and launching a fierce assault on the wagon formation from three directions—except one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wagon formation collapsed almost instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kevito did not know what had happened—he simply led his men forward as before, storming the wagon formation, but this time the enemy resistance was weak, even avoiding direct blade-to-blade combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, some had already climbed over the wagon line and engaged in hand-to-hand combat with those inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who is that man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where am I? Why am I obeying his commands?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kevito slashed a barbarian mercenary to the ground, yet his mind still felt foggy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, the fugitive rebels erupted in cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kevito looked up and saw arrows piercing the air—a barbarian soldier wearing an iron helmet was shot dead; he was the enemy commander. The next second, the enemy troops broke, and several fierce barbarian mercenaries seized horses, attempting to flee through the unguarded direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they fled, the entire barbarian mercenary force fell into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three sides of the wagon formation had fallen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining enemies retreated toward the gap, and within moments, several were cut down by wild blades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are we about to win?” Kevito felt even more dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These barbarian mercenaries were well-equipped, their weapons and armor nearly matching those of the Empire’s field army. In previous assaults, facing enemies outnumbering them several times over, they had slaughtered the fugitive rebels, leaving piles of corpses without inflicting serious damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, nearly half the enemy were cut down; the rest were demoralized, forming defensive formations, some trying to break through the wagons to escape—the first to seize horses were already hundreds of meters away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave no order to pursue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pursuit was impossible—the fugitive rebels had not a single rider.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued calmly shooting arrows from the battlefield’s edge, one arrow, one enemy. Each time he nocked an arrow, the fugitive rebels erupted in cheers; their morale soared higher and higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before anyone realized it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Ken now held a long spear, and he spurred his horse forward, charging straight into the enemy ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——Spear Thrust!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightning and fire! Single rider breaks the formation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Ken’s spear pierced straight through an enemy’s body!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he lifted the barbarian soldier—weighing nearly one hundred and fifty jin—with one hand, pinning the spear shaft under his armpit, veins bulging on his arm, roaring like thunder, hoisting the corpse above his horse’s head!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warhorse neighed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire battlefield fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spear clamped under Deng Ken’s armpit cracked under strain; when he hurled the corpse to the ground, the shaft had bent, the hardwood splintered—the spear was nearly useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, a roar like mountains collapsing and oceans surging erupted!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barbarian-born rebels among the fugitives howled to the sky, some even pounding their chests wildly, charging forward to hack down enemies who stared in horror, utterly devoid of fighting spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barbarian rebels on either side shielded Deng Ken like ancient Roman chieftain guards; he drew the Oathkeeper and slashed through an enemy’s shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood gushed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enemy’s defensive formation shattered instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Kevito had chased for a long while, stopped to catch his breath, and surveyed the battlefield, fugitives behind him were already hauling grain, lighting fires, and cooking meals—feeding the starving rebel mob.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where am I? Who am I?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kevito’s head throbbed—he’d been struck hard on the skull by an enemy’s shield while cutting down a barbarian mercenary. Though it had blocked many blows, he still felt dizzy and disoriented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Ken, expressionless, ordered the fugitives to clear the battlefield, then had fires lit and meals prepared—first, to feed this starving band of rebels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had taken barely ten minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crow Queen-Tris and her party watched as Deng Ken broke the enemy army single-handedly, terrified the enemy commander, commanded his troops, encircled three sides and left one open, and shattered the barbarian private army in one assault—then the battle ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Severus’s eyes bulged like bronze bells; the witch-Anya’s face flushed crimson, her thighs trembling slightly atop her horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crow Queen-Tris too trembled slightly, gazing at Deng Ken from afar, silent for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have I been deposed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kevito’s mind finally cleared a little—every fugitive rebel now looked at that man with awe and reverence; even his own men unconsciously clustered around him, as if serving as his personal guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been deposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kevito cut off an enemy’s head—his old habit—then realized it was unnecessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd slowly parted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the fugitive rebels’ escort, the man rode up and halted before Kevito.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instinctively, Kevito snapped to attention, standing as if being inspected by his commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man nodded slightly and said in a low voice: “Go eat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Afterward, lead your men to haul the supplies back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kevito replied with full voice: “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after the man rode away did Kevito finally exhale deeply—he had no thought of resistance at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor did he dare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who is this man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In ten minutes, he seized Kevito’s command, directed the fugitive rebels to crush the enemy, and the way the fugitives looked at him—like they were gazing upon a “divine being.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet Kevito himself felt a little afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too terrifying!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fugitive rebels, over three hundred strong, had killed only a dozen—the rest were slain by that man alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the crossroads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Ken, not even winded, rode calmly toward the Crow Queen-Tris, nodded slightly, and said softly: “The town isn’t safe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We won’t enter any town on this journey—we’ll reach Britain by another route.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he glanced at the fugitives: “These men know the terrain. They can help us contact a fleet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crow Queen-Tris, far too astute, understood Deng Ken’s meaning at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She scanned the fugitives and said softly: “You decide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Ken intended to win them over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Severus looked thoughtful; the witch-Anya’s beautiful eyes locked onto him—but Deng Ken didn’t spare her a second glance. Aside from his initial gaze falling on the Crow Queen-Tris, he soon turned to directing the fugitives in hauling supplies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crow Queen-Tris glanced at Anya, her expression unchanged, but her eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they didn’t know who the man was, he was now the leader of these fugitives!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a time of chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strong rule!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>………………\u003C\u002Fp>",2667,"2026-06-19T13:13:01.402Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","73b27da55566460c070652848a0cd32628a4a07b74058b690f9ea938624a704d","a-player-beyond-dimensions-chapter-22","a-player-beyond-dimensions-chapter-20",195,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-player-beyond-dimensions-cover.jpg"]