When Lin's jeep found itself cornered at the crossroads, Navey seated beside him wore a triumphant grin. "Well, this time you're trapped for good. The machine guns on those infantry armored vehicles will tear you to shreds. Ha ha ha..."
Lin glanced sideways at the smug Navey. "Heh, I'm sparing your life for now—not to kill you, but so you can witness how we break free."
"Hmph, there's no way you'll escape..." Navey said with unwavering certainty.
At that moment, the roar of an engine thundered through their ears. From the north-south street, a furious armored vehicle barreled toward the two jeeps lined side by side, crashing mercilessly into them.
The jeeps barely had time to react before the armored vehicle smashed into them, sending parts flying chaotically.
Behind the wheel of the armored vehicle was Xiaofeng, who sharply jerked the steering wheel, causing the vehicle to drift into the street where Lin was trapped.
Over the comms, Xiaofeng commanded, "Lin, clear the way..."
A sly smile curled Lin's lips as he slammed the jeep into reverse, swiftly backing to the left rear, creating a narrow gap through which the armored vehicle slipped.
Rush, seated beside Xiaofeng, expertly manipulated the vehicle's weapons system. The armored vehicle's machine guns opened a furious barrage on the opposing armored vehicle.
Simultaneously, two small missile launchers atop the armored vehicle swiveled and fired at the other vehicle.
Rush, a psychic evolver and Victoria Corporation operative, wielded control of the weaponry with effortless mastery.
The machine gun rounds struck the enemy vehicle, obliterating its weapon systems outright. The incoming missiles detonated, tearing apart the armored roof, while another vehicle was sent airborne by two small missiles.
The battlefield was ablaze with chaos.
Navey, seated in the jeep, stared in stunned disbelief, realizing why the vehicle felt off—it was missing Xiaofeng and the others.
The armored vehicle reversed, blocking the other two armored vehicles.
"Move, now!" Xiaofeng urged Lin.
Lin's jeep roared out from the alleyway. Puzzled, he asked, "Which gate are we heading for?"
"The west gate. Hurry, a large force is closing in..." Xiaofeng replied.
As Lin's jeep pulled away, two alliance soldiers in the jeep behind mounted a heavy machine gun and unleashed a hail of bullets toward Xiaofeng's armored vehicle.
The sharp ping of bullets rang out.
"Take out the jeep behind us!" Xiaofeng ordered Rush.
With a faint smile, Rush responded, "No need to tell me..." The machine guns swung to target the pursuing jeep, and soon both vehicles erupted in fiery explosions.
Two alliance soldiers leapt from the burning wreckage, rolling desperately on the ground in agony.
Lin had just emerged onto the main avenue when Xiaofeng's armored vehicle overtook from behind, pulling ahead. The street was becoming increasingly congested with vehicles—after all, Aidenway City was a military base housing nearly a whole legion. For the alliance troops, letting Xiaofeng and his group slip away now would be a grave disgrace.
Yet, despite the traffic, Xiaofeng's speed remained unyielding. A faint smile played on his lips as he told Rush, "Hold on tight!"
"What's the plan?" Rush inquired.
"Clear a path," Xiaofeng replied with a grin, then keyed the comms, "Lin, stay close..."
"Understood..." Lin responded.
Xiaofeng slammed the accelerator, charging headlong into two armored vehicles blocking the road some dozen meters ahead.
With a thunderous crash, Xiaofeng and Rush were jolted forward in their seats. Without hesitation, Xiaofeng pressed on, smashing the obstructing vehicles aside. Lin surged up behind him, both vehicles hurtling toward the west gate at unrelenting speed.
Though the front of Xiaofeng's armored vehicle bore significant damage, its combat capability remained unimpaired. Rush continued to command the weapon systems, relentlessly bombarding the opposing vehicles, which were pummeled with incessant gunfire. Despite their own return fire, Rush's potent psychic influence deflected most incoming rounds, like water flowing smoothly around stones.
Xiaofeng looked on in astonishment. "Rush, you can actually block bullets?"
"Hmph, nothing unusual. Don't forget, I'm an eighth-level psychic!"
"Heh, next time you're coming with me on these dangerous runs," Xiaofeng joked.
"Forget it. If we ever storm a city like this again, I'm not tagging along. Who knew this was a military base? We were asking for death! I can't dodge every bullet."
"No worries, I've got it under control. Just hold on a few more minutes—we'll be out soon."
One after another, Xiaofeng smashed through nearly a dozen armored vehicles, trucks, and jeeps—all futile attempts to impede them. Lin's jeep remained close behind, shadowing Xiaofeng's vehicle within mere meters as they forged a path westward.
Yet, as they neared the west gate, Rush's expression darkened. Hundreds of vehicles lay arrayed ahead, clogging the street. No matter Xiaofeng's strength, their escape here was all but impossible.
"What's the plan now?" Rush asked anxiously.
Xiaofeng slammed the brakes, swung the armored vehicle sideways across the road, and barked with grim resolve, "Everyone out!"
He flung open the driver's door and leapt down.
"Damn it, wait for me!" Rush cursed, scrambling out after him.
Then the sound of furious gunfire erupted from the enemy vehicles. The armored vehicle exploded in a fiery inferno. Had they delayed even seconds longer, Xiaofeng and Rush would have been consumed in the blast.