Chapter 82: Border Beacon Smoke: Khitan Ravages the Border

After parting with "Rongxiong", Chen Wen and his group of six continued forward along the southwest-bound official road.

The jade pendant in his bosom carried a hint of cool warmth.

It occasionally reminded him of the extraordinary-bearing "Rongxiong" and the possible opportunities in Chan Prefecture.

However.

The closer they got to the Chan Prefecture territory rumored to be controlled by Chai Rong, the scenery along the road not only failed to become peaceful,

but instead grew increasingly tense, as if a mountain storm were imminent.

Travelers on the official road looked hurried.

Most were families fleeing south, their faces showing fear and numbness.

Abandoned homesteads grew more frequent, occasionally revealing small bands of defeated Later Han soldiers or local militia.

They warily sized up passersby, their eyes mixing fatigue, greed, and unease.

The air was filled with an intangible oppression.

It seemed as if the land had just endured a storm, while another was brewing beyond the horizon.

"Boss, the situation doesn't feel right."

Zhao Dayan rode up close to Chen Wen and spoke in a low voice.

"According to the map and what we heard earlier, just ahead we should enter the area actually controlled by the Chan Prefecture army."

"But this atmosphere… is even more chaotic than the road we came on."

Chen Wen gave a slight nod; his perception was far sharper than ordinary people's.

Besides the visible desolation, he could faintly sense a deeper unease spreading.

"Speed up, reach the next possible resting point as soon as possible, while maintaining maximum alert."

After proceeding for about an hour, the sun slanted westward.

A fork appeared ahead; on the slanted wooden sign beside the road,

an arrow pointed southeast, with blurred characters spelling "Zhang Family Village".

According to the information provided by Qian Gui, Zhang Family Village is a sizable market town.

Perhaps more definite news could be obtained there.

However.

Just as they were preparing to turn onto the southeastern fork,

Chen Wen abruptly pulled the reins.

He raised his hand, signaling the group to stop.

Everyone instantly fell silent, hands on their weapons.

"There's movement."

Chen Wen focused his hearing, brows furrowed.

Faint cries and livestock panicked neighs came on the wind, and…

a familiar crackling of burning wood.

mixed in was some non-Han shout full of ferocious intent.

The sound came from the southeast—exactly where Zhang Family Village lay!

"It's the Khitan!"

Zhao Dayan's face changed; he had once dealt with these barbarian horsemen on the border.

He still remembered their language and mannerisms vividly.

Chen Wen's heart sank sharply.

Khitan Cavalry!

They had actually penetrated this far in?

This place is not far from the core region of Chan Prefecture; could the border defenses have failed badly?

"Mount up! Approach covertly, scout the situation!"

Chen Wen made a swift decision.

He could not stand by while the Khitan slaughtered civilians in Han lands!

Moreover, this sudden enemy situation!

also bears on his judgment of future actions.

The six quickly dismounted, leading their horses to the roadside woods and tying them securely.

Then, using the cover of brush and mounds, they moved silently toward Zhang Family Village.

The nearer they approached the village, the stronger the smell of scorched and blood grew.

The wails and wild laughter also grew clearer.

When they climbed a height overlooking Zhang Family Village, the sight before them made everyone's eyes blaze with fury.

Once fairly prosperous, Zhang Family Village now lay in a sea of fire and chaos.

Dozens of houses burned fiercely, thick smoke rolling straight to the sky.

On the open ground at the village center lay many corpses of civilians, sprawled haphazardly.

Men, women, old and young were among them, their deaths gruesome.

About thirty-plus riders wearing leather coats and sporting strange hairstyles were Khitan cavalry.

They galloped wildly across the village, brandishing sabers and chasing the fleeing survivors scattering in all directions.

As if rounding up livestock.

Occasionally a villager was knocked down by a horse or cut down by a saber, their anguished cries unceasing.

Some Khitan soldiers also dismounted, going door to door to kick in doors and break into houses.

They looted anything they fancied, and killed anyone who resisted with a single stroke.

At the edge of the market town, several Khitan soldiers were loading the seized grain and cloth onto horseback.

Worse still, they bound the wrists and ankles of several screaming, struggling young women, preparing to abduct them.

"These beasts!"

One sharp warrior gritted his teeth, eyes blood‑red, almost unable to hold back from charging out.

Chen Wen gripped his shoulder tightly, forcing himself to stay calm and observe.

This Khitan cavalry numbered about thirty horsemen, their equipment not particularly fine.

But they were skilled horsemen, fierce and ruthless, clearly veteran border raiders with rich experience.

They acted laxly, as if they thought this place held no threat, reveling in the pleasure of slaughter and plunder.

"Chief, should we attack?"

Zhao Dayan lowered his voice and asked, his eyes blazing with anger.

Although outnumbered, the five of them were all elite picks from the Sharp Warrior Battalion, one in a hundred.

Moreover, with the leader's unfathomable "Ability Granting," they were not without a fighting chance.

Chen Wen swept his icy gaze over that hell on earth.

To rescue them would be extremely risky; they had only six people.

The enemy were over thirty highly mobile horsemen; once entangled, the consequences would be unthinkable.

If they did not rescue them, would they simply watch these civilians be slaughtered to the last?

Would they let the Khitan swagger here and then march away unchallenged?

His fists clenched tight, his nails almost digging into his flesh.

What is the belief of Jiao Tu Zhen?

To establish order, to protect those we can protect!

If we retreat here, how are we any different from warlords who treat human lives as grass?

"Attack!"

Chen Wen forced a word from between his teeth, his voice sharp and decisive.

"But we can't meet them head‑on."

"They've scattered; this is our only chance."

"Our goal is to rescue people, create chaos, and strike the enemy when the moment is right!"

He quickly issued the order:

"Zhao Dayan, you take two men and go around to the west, use crossbow bolts to pick off those isolated infantry‑cavalry who are looting, and create as much panic as possible."

"The other two will follow me and enter from the east; our aim is to free those bound civilians and draw the enemy's main force."

"Remember, act fast—strike and withdraw, using the houses and ruins for cover; we must never let the cavalry rally and encircle us!"

"Yes!"

The five acknowledged the orders in low voices, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Chen Wen drew a deep breath, and the System Interface appeared in his sea of consciousness.

It was time to use this power again.

He fixed his mind on his six comrades, choosing a small‑scale, refined doubling of Ability Granting.

The effect focused on explosive strength, agility, and precise throwing/shooting.

A warm‑current‑like energy silently flowed into the six bodies.

Muscle fibers seemed instantly activated, nerve reaction speed increased.

Perception of the surrounding environment also became clearer.

"Move!"

At Chen Wen's command, six silhouettes moved like ghosts.

Under the cover of smoke and rubble, they silently lunged at the Khitan cavalry wreaking havoc.

What waves will the beacon fires of this border town stir up because of their intervention?

The answer lies in the life‑and‑death battle to come.