Chapter 85

The narrow alley instantly became a death trap.

Only after the Khitan cavalry charged in did they realize something was wrong.

Warhorses, panicked in the cluttered, hard-to-turn alley, collided with each other, violently throwing their riders from their backs.

Or they piled together, unable to move.

The mounts they had just relied on now became their greatest burden.

"Dismount! Form up for infantry combat!"

A Khitan officer who seemed to be a leader shouted in stiff Chinese, trying to steady the ranks.

The remaining dozen or so Khitan soldiers hurriedly dismounted, taking cover behind wall corners, broken carts, and other obstacles.

They drew their sabers, formed a loose circular formation, their eyes filled with the desperation and ferocity of cornered beasts.

They knew well that in such unfavorable terrain, only a fight to the death could offer a slim chance of survival.

"Rongxiong"'s infantry tasked with blocking the alley entrance had already pressed forward.

Shields and swords in front, spears behind, their steps steady, showing excellent training.

But they did not launch an immediate charge.

Because the alley was narrow, a forced assault would inevitably exact a cost.

Chen Wen and his five elite warriors were at the opposite end of the alley, facing the Khitan remnants head-on.

Though few in number, they were like a dagger pressed to the enemy's throat.

"Boss, these rabble have huddled up; a hard charge would likely cost us brothers."

Zhao Dayan said in a low voice, licking his somewhat chapped lips.

His fighting spirit undiminished, yet he remained clear-headed.

Chen Wen swept his icy gaze over the Khitan soldiers making a last stand.

The longer time dragged on, the more variables arose, possibly giving these cutthroats a chance for a desperate counterattack that could cause greater casualties.

We must fight quickly and decisively!

But our side is outnumbered; a strong assault would indeed be unwise.

In the flash of a thought, Chen Wen had already made his decision.

He needed to invoke Ability Granting again, but this time the situation was different.

In the cramped close-quarters of the alley, what was needed was instantaneous explosive power, precise lethal strikes, and extremely strong impact resistance.

By breaking the point to shatter the whole, he would destroy the enemy's resistance core in one fell swoop.

A twofold effect might suffice, but to ensure absolute safety, minimizing our own risk and combat time as much as possible……

He drew a deep breath, sinking his awareness into his sea of consciousness.

A pale gold system interface appeared.

【Ability Granting】 option shimmered with light.

He no longer chose a broad, low‑multiple buff; instead he locked his sights tightly on Zhao Dayan and the five elite warriors.

The effect focused on instantaneous explosive power, muscular strength, and neural reaction speed.

The multiple was raised directly to the limit of what he could finely control—4×!

At the same time, he kept himself under a 2× effect to provide support and respond to sudden developments.

A surge of heat far more tumultuous than before, like invisible magma, instantly poured into the five warriors' limbs and bones!

Their muscles bulged slightly, veins faintly visible, and the world in their eyes seemed to slow down in an instant.

Every minute movement of the enemy, every twitch of muscle, became clearly visible.

Within them lay, as if, a volcano about to erupt, brimming with destructive power.

This change was extremely subtle.

To an outsider, it might merely seem that these few men's aura had suddenly turned dangerous and compact.

But Rongxiong, who had been keeping part of his attention on Chen Wen's side, how sharp his eyes were!

He clearly felt that those five men, already quite valiant,

in an instant seemed to be reborn, emitting a restrained yet awe‑inspiring pressure capable of shocking even Stone Breaking Heaven!

It made his heart palpitate!

"This..." Rongxiong's pupils contracted slightly, his heart stirred by tumultuous waves.

This could not be explained by ordinary morale‑boosting!

Could it be… that this person truly possesses unfathomable supernatural power?

Can he temporarily bestow such terrifying combat power upon his subordinates?!

Before he could think it over, Chen Wen moved!

"Break the formation!"

A low shout, like a thunderclap exploding in the narrow alley!

Before his words faded, Zhao Dayan and the five shot out like five crossbows released!

Their speed exceeded ordinary comprehension, leaving faint afterimages in place as they lunged to the front of the Khitan formation!

"Bang!"

The first Khitan sword‑and‑shield bearer in the line of impact, man and shield together, was slammed into by Zhao Dayan's full body!

That thick leather shield, under the impact of 4× explosive power, shattered like paper.

The Khitan soldier behind had his breastbone shattered, spewing blood as he flew backward, knocking down two comrades!

Another warrior did not dodge or evade; facing the incoming saber slash, he actually struck first after the opponent's move.

His left hand shot out like lightning, precisely seizing the opponent's sword‑wielding wrist!

The Khitan soldier felt his wrist as if clamped by iron pliers, and a sharp pain shot through.

Immediately after, an irresistible huge force surged, lifting him up and slamming him hard against the nearby earthen wall!

The "crack" of breaking bones made one's teeth ache.

The third elite warrior was even more ferocious, his twin blades whirling like a windmill as he charged straight into the enemy formation.

Where the blade light passed, severed limbs flew sideways, and the Khitan soldiers' hastily formed formation was instantly torn open by a huge gap!

Every one of his movements was simple, efficient, and deadly, his strength unbelievably great!

Often a single stroke could cleave both man and weapon in half!

The fourth and fifth elite warriors were like ghosts, specifically tasked with plugging any gaps.

With their short blades, they stabbed or sliced, precisely harvesting the lives of enemies who were dazed from impact or terrified out of their wits.

This was no longer a battle, but a one-sided massacre!

Under the 4x Ability Granting, the elite of the Sharp Warrior Battalion already possessed individual combat power beyond the comprehension of ordinary troops.

The Khitan soldiers were fierce, but before absolute strength, speed, and precision, their resistance appeared utterly feeble.

Chen Wen himself stood firm in the rear, his gaze like torches, with a few pebbles pinched in his hand.

Whenever a cold arrow came or an enemy tried to sneak attack his men,

His pebbles would strike first despite being thrown later, either knocking down the arrows.

Or they would hit the enemy's vital points, clearing potential threats for the brothers fighting ahead.

The entire mop‑up operation was so swift it was breath‑taking.

In just a dozen breaths' time, the only ones still standing in the alley were Chen Wen's five men.

They were drenched in blood, like killing gods returned from hell.

Panting slightly, the fierce killing intent in their eyes had not yet fully faded.

On the ground lay more than ten Khitan corpses strewn haphazardly, not a single survivor.

Inside and outside the alley, utter silence reigned.

Rongxiong and his veteran guards, who had seen countless battles, all stared dumbstruck, not a sound to be heard.

They considered themselves battle‑hardened elites as well.

But who had ever witnessed such a violent, efficient, almost inhuman way of killing?

The strength those five just displayed was simply beyond belief!

Rongxiong's gaze slowly drifted away from those corpses.

Finally it settled on Chen Wen, whose calm expression made it seem as if he had merely done a trivial little thing.

His shock was beyond words, and his earlier guesses were almost confirmed.

This man is not only extraordinary himself, but also possesses a secret art that can, in an instant, transform his subordinates into invincible elite warriors on the battlefield!

This... this is how terrifying an ability!

If used in a military formation...

He dared not think further, but his gaze toward Chen Wen was no longer merely admiration and esteem.

Deeper down lay a hint of awe that words could not express.

And an intensely fervent determination to achieve his goal at any cost!

Such great talent will surely be mine to use!

No matter what price must be paid!