Bright Sword: Conquer the monk at the beginning and take down Zhou Weiguo

"We must unite and keep working hard to prevent the tragedy from happening again." Qin Cang swore secretly in his heart. He knew that the responsibility of protecting his homeland was still on his shoulders.

"Brother Cang, you're amazing!" Xiao Gang exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with admiration. Qin Cang felt warm in his heart, knowing that this unity and trust was their greatest weapon to overcome difficulties.

As time passed, the village gradually returned to its former tranquility. Although the shadow of war still loomed over everyone's hearts, they learned to unite and support each other in the face of hardship. Qin Cang stood at the entrance of the village, looking at the people around him, his heart filled with pride and emotion.

"The road ahead is still long, but as long as we stand together, we will surely usher in a brighter tomorrow," he said silently, a resolute smile on his face. At this moment, he understood that true strength lies in the faith in one's heart, and only through continuous effort can one realize his ideals and hopes.

In the lush mountain village, Qin Cang's life seemed to have returned to its former tranquility, but deep within, turmoil swirled. He often gazed at the starry sky at night, reflecting on the past and the path ahead. In the stillness of the night, memories of past battles would flood back, filling his mind with familiar faces and countless sacrifices. He knew he was no longer a simple farmer, but shouldered the responsibility for the future of the village.

"I must protect everyone," he vowed silently, a resolute smile curling his lips. However, this conviction was often tested in the dead of night. He thought of the villagers wounded in battle, those once youthful faces now aged by the pressures of life. He thought of Xiaogang, that brave young man, his eyes always gleaming with determination. They had fought side by side, and now Xiaogang, too, was working for the future of the village.

"Brother Cang, are you really planning to seek support from the neighboring village?" Xiaogang's voice interrupted his thoughts. The young man in front of him was full of worry. Qin Cang looked at him, and a warm feeling came over him, knowing that Xiaogang felt the same way as he did.

"We must try. Only unity can resist external threats." Qin Cang replied, his tone revealing a hint of determination, but it could not hide his inner hesitation. He understood that this was not only for himself, but also for the future of everyone in the village.

Xiaogang nodded, a hint of anticipation and nervousness in his eyes. "But what if they refuse? What should we do?" His voice was low, as if he was suppressing some anxiety.

"We can only do our best." Qin Cang was equally nervous, but he understood that in the face of difficulties, running away was useless. He remembered a story from his childhood in the village: ancient trees bent in the storm but never broke, their roots deeply rooted in the earth. He hoped that he could be as steadfast and resilient as that ancient tree.

As time passed, Qin Cang and Xiao Gang packed their belongings for their departure. The village's daily routine was gradually disrupted as they prepared, and neighbors cast concerned glances at them. Qin Cang felt the heavy sense of responsibility on his shoulders, knowing that he might face unknown challenges on this journey.

"You must be careful." An old woman held Xiaogang's hand, her voice full of deep concern. Xiaogang smiled faintly and tried to comfort her: "We will be back as soon as possible, don't worry!" However, a trace of uneasiness flashed in his eyes, and the worry deep in his heart surged like an undercurrent.

The night before his departure, Qin Cang sat in his courtyard, moonlight casting a soft halo on the ground. His thoughts drifted away again, back to those peaceful days, working in the fields with his family, the laughter of children echoing in his ears. However, reality, like the silent wind, quietly changed their fate.

"Can I really protect them?" Qin Cang secretly questioned himself. The moonlight from the corner of his eyes reflected on his face, as if mocking his inner fragility. He thought of the injured villagers and wondered if he had enough ability to protect their homes.

"Brother Cang, let's go. Don't think about it anymore." Xiaogang's voice rang in his ears, interrupting his thoughts. Qin Cang turned his head and saw the determination in Xiaogang's eyes, and his heart was moved.

"You're right, let's go." He nodded heavily, a glimmer of hope rekindled in his heart. Although the unknown road was full of thorns, he understood that only by moving forward could he find the true answer.

The next day, sunlight filtered through the treetops, and Qin Cang and Xiao Gang set out on their journey to the neighboring village. Along the way, a gentle breeze blew, carrying the fragrance of the earth and the tranquility of the countryside. Yet, a sense of inner tension lingered, and Qin Cang's heart often raced.

"Do you think the people in the neighboring village would agree?" Xiao Gang asked, a hint of uneasiness in his voice. Qin Cang thought for a moment, looked up at the distant mountains, and silently prayed for hope in his heart.

"I believe they will understand our difficulties." He tried to make his voice sound more determined, but he was praying secretly in his heart.

Finally, they arrived at the neighboring village. The village bore some resemblance to his hometown, yet every detail seemed strangely unfamiliar. Qin Cang felt a surge of nervousness, knowing that every word and every action he took would affect this meeting.

"Are you ready?" Xiao Gang asked quietly beside him, clearly feeling the oppressive atmosphere. Qin Cang took a deep breath, nodded, and silently said to himself: "For the future of the village, I must be brave."

As they approached the entrance to the neighboring village, Qin Cang's heartbeat intensified. They encountered the village chief, a middle-aged man with a look of authority and scrutiny. He looked at Qin Cang with a look of doubt in his eyes.

"What do you want from me?" The village chief's voice was steady, with an unquestionable aura.

"We're hoping for your help. The village has been experiencing some instability lately..." Qin Cang tried to lower his voice, but he could still feel the tension and uneasiness in his heart. He recounted the events one by one, trying to make the village chief understand their difficulties.

The village chief frowned slightly, as if lost in thought. His silence made Qin Cang feel uneasy, imagining the worst possible outcome. At this moment, Xiao Gang added, "We don't expect you to attack us for free, but rather we hope to unite and jointly resist external threats."

"You must know that helping others comes at a price." The village chief finally spoke, with a hint of vigilance in his tone.