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

He struggled to his feet, hearing rapid shouts and the sound of gunfire. Even though his body was like a broken puppet, Qin Cang did not stop. He knew that as long as he could stand, there was still hope.

Qin Cang's legs felt heavy as lead, each step straining with every ounce of strength. His wounds intensified, the pain in his shoulders and abdomen nearly unbearable, yet he gritted his teeth, refusing to stop. Blood oozed from his wounds, soaking his clothes and dripping onto the muddy ground, blending with the smoke and dust. Yet, he held a single thought in his mind: to survive. For himself, for those who had fought alongside him, and for all the hope that remained.

"Hurry, hurry! The enemy is right ahead!" A wounded soldier hurried over from the nearby bunker, his voice frantic and panting. He was clearly at his limit, but still wanted to help his teammates.

Qin Cang turned around and looked at the soldier's pale face, his heart throbbing. He forced himself to stand, took a deep breath, and slowly said, "You go cover their retreat. Leave the rest to me."

The soldier widened his eyes, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he said nothing. He just nodded, turned around and ran quickly to the back.

"He's gone, and we're the only ones left." Qin Cang muttered to himself, his words were almost inaudible, but he knew that the most important thing at the moment was to try his best to delay time and buy a glimmer of hope for the retreating team.

Smoke and flames filled the air, transforming the battlefield into a bloody inferno. Qin Cang once again watched his comrades disappear into the distance, trapped within the ruins, threatened by complete enemy occupation. A surge of powerlessness washed over him, as if his body and soul were being torn in two. Every drop of blood seemed to remind him of the fragility and impermanence of life. Every second seemed a gamble between life and death.

As his comrades retreated, Qin Cang faced the enemy's charge alone. No matter what, he would defend this land that once belonged to them. His gaze grew cold, like a sharp blade, scanning the approaching enemy. Although he knew the enemy had formed a siege, he still had no intention of retreating.

"Hold this area to the death!" Qin Cang growled, his tone filled with indifference to life and death. Every breath he took was forcing himself to continue, and every second that passed told him: Don't give up yet.

However, as the enemy gradually approached, Qin Cang began to feel an intense wave of fatigue. A wave of exhaustion washed over him, and every muscle felt like a crushed stone slab, unable to support the weight of his body. His vision blurred, and his thinking became dull, as if every movement required every ounce of his strength.

He endured the pain and raised the gun with difficulty, aiming at the enemy position in front of him. The gunshot roared, and bullets rained down on the enemy. The brief burst of energy made Qin Cang forget the pain in his body for a while. But he knew that this persistence could not last long.

At that moment, countless images surfaced in his mind—comrades who had fought shoulder to shoulder with him, companions who had struggled, laughed, and suffered together, one by one, falling and drifting away. Each familiar face was like a sharp blade, piercing his heart. They died, and he lived...

"What am I living for?" Qin Cang's inner doubts grew stronger and stronger. He looked down at his blood-stained hands. The beliefs that once guided him forward became blurred in this moment. A sense of unease surged in his heart, as if he were being weighed down by a heavy burden.

"What for?" he muttered, his voice hoarse. "Maybe just to prevent more people from dying."

Suddenly, a loud bang echoed in the distance, followed by the sound of approaching footsteps. The oppressive feeling sent Qin Cang shuddering. He jerked his head up to see an enemy commander in black armor, leading a group of soldiers, rapidly approaching with a cold, ruthless gaze. Qin Cang's heartbeat quickened. He knew he had little chance of holding on in this fight.

He struggled to twist his body and began to search for a possible escape route. However, as more and more enemies surrounded him, his options became increasingly limited and movement became increasingly difficult. His steps grew heavier and heavier, his body gradually lost control, and the pain and exhaustion intertwined, making it almost impossible for him to lift his gun.

"Damn it..." Qin Cang's lips trembled slightly, and a weak groan escaped from his throat. His consciousness began to blur, and the scene before him gradually became unreal, as if everything around him had become nothingness. Is it time to end it? Is it time to give up completely?

He took a deep breath, regaining consciousness. Even as his mind began to blur and every part of his body reminded him to give up, he still couldn't do it. No, he couldn't give up. At least... he couldn't let those fallen comrades die in vain.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in his sight. It was Old Liu. Qin Cang could hardly believe his eyes. His mind went blank. The next second, Old Liu had already rushed to his side and tightly grasped his arm.

"Brother Qin Cang!" Old Liu was panting heavily, obviously rushing over as well, his eyes full of anxiety and determination. "Why are you still standing there? Come on! We're here to pick you up!"

Qin Cang was stunned for a moment, his eyes fixed on Lao Liu's face, which was also exhausted, covered in dirt and blood. A complex emotion surged in his heart. This old comrade who had always fought side by side with him actually risked his life and went through numerous enemies to rescue him.

"Old Liu, you..." Qin Cang's throat trembled, his eyes flashing with disbelief, "Why are you..."

"Stop talking!" Old Liu growled, "We're not done yet. Everyone's still waiting for you. You can't die!"

Qin Cang's heart suddenly surged with an unprecedented strength, as if every word Lao Liu said had become his lifeline, saving his heart from collapse. Although his body was extremely weak and he could hardly stand up, with Lao Liu's help, he managed to stand up straight.

"Hurry up!" Lao Liu grabbed his arm and forced him to move. "The enemy is not far away. We have to leave as soon as possible!"

Qin Cang didn't argue. He knew full well he had no choice. Even though every nerve in his body told him he couldn't hold on any longer, Lao Liu's persistence and hope finally ignited a last spark of hope. He made up his mind—this battle was far from over.

With Lao Liu's help, they quickly passed through the enemy's blockade and retreated to a safer location. Qin Cang's legs felt heavy as if they were filled with iron, but he continued to follow Lao Liu with all his might, countless thoughts flashing through his mind. Those who had sacrificed, those comrades who had fought with all their might, their deaths should not be silent; they should become the driving force that drives him to continue living.

Just as they were about to escape the enemy's encirclement, Qin Cang suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest, as if a sharp thorn had pierced his heart. He looked down and saw that his clothes were stained with blood and the wound on his abdomen had split open again.

Qin Cang's vision began to blur as pain washed over him like a tide. He looked down at his wound, which was constantly bleeding. Blood flowed down the torn lapels of his clothes, staining his chest and abdomen red. Every breath was accompanied by a sharp pain, as if each breath was ripping the life out of his body. Despite this, he did not stop, still holding on to Lao Liu's arm, desperately following behind.

"Brother Qin Cang, there's no time!" Old Liu's voice was anxious and nervous, obviously realizing that Qin Cang's body could no longer support him.

"Let's go." Qin Cang uttered the word with difficulty. There was no fear in his tone, but rather a rare firmness, even with a hint of unquestionable determination, "We can't stop."

Old Liu didn't say anything else. He knew Qin Cang's character and knew that he would never give up easily, even if it meant death. He took a deep breath, used both hands to support Qin Cang to his feet, and continued to move forward with him.

The world around him was gradually crumbling, filled with smoke, and the flames of war were still fierce. The enemy's attack was relentless, the sound of artillery fire was incessant, and the aftermath of explosions continued to shake the earth. Every step was extremely difficult. Qin Cang's legs were almost numb, and his mind was gradually becoming chaotic in the torment of this excruciating pain. But his heart was clear - he knew that he could not die, not only for himself, but also for those comrades who were still holding on.

They passed through a ruined area ravaged by artillery fire. The wreckage of buildings piled up like mountains, and the land had long been blasted to pieces. Old Liu's eyes, like sharp blades, scanned the surroundings, vigilantly observing every possible threat. His pace became increasingly rapid, as if he had sensed the limits of Qin Cang's strength, but he still chose not to slow down. He knew he couldn't stop.

"Hurry, hurry up." Old Liu said in a hurried tone. Although the fear and anxiety in his heart were spreading rapidly, he tried his best to stay calm. Because only by staying calm could he and Qin Cang survive, and this group of people survive.

"You...you...go first." Qin Cang said in a low voice, struggling to hold himself up, "Old Liu, take the team away...I don't have...strength anymore."

Old Liu's heart sank. He stopped, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. "No, Brother Qin Cang, I can't leave you behind!" He gripped Qin Cang's shoulders tightly, his tone firm but slightly choked with emotion. "We are comrades, how could I leave you behind?"

Qin Cang's lips trembled slightly. He raised his head, trying to convey his determination with his eyes. Although his body was already on the verge of collapse, his eyes remained firm, still filled with unspeakable strength.

"If you don't leave, you will die. Do you know what this means?" Old Liu gritted his teeth, his tone almost a growl.

Qin Cang's heart skipped a beat. He endured the severe pain and used all his strength to slowly speak: "I'm not afraid of death... but I can't let all of you die." A complex look flashed in his eyes, which was a deep reverence for life and the ultimate sense of responsibility.

Old Liu's heart was shaken when he heard these words, and tears flashed in his eyes, but he still did not give up. "Brother Qin Cang, listen to me, everyone is waiting for you, we can't abandon you! You must survive!"

Qin Cang felt Lao Liu's irresistible resolve, and his heart trembled slightly. Although he knew he didn't have much time left, he still didn't want to disappoint his comrades. He took a deep breath, and his eyes suddenly became calm. At this moment, his heart was not filled with fear, but with the calmness that comes from staring death in the face.

"We can survive." Qin Cang spoke slowly, his voice hoarse but full of determination, "At least... survive until the last moment."

Old Liu didn't say anything else, but held Qin Cang tightly and walked forward step by step. He knew that he had no choice and could not choose.

At this moment, there was a sudden sound of hurried footsteps in front of them, and then several enemy soldiers appeared in their sight. Lao Liu quickly turned around, subconsciously blocking Qin Cang with his body, and pointed his gun at the enemy.

"The enemy is coming!" Old Liu growled, his eyes cold, and pulled the trigger without hesitation.

Gunfire rang out, and several enemies fell to the ground, but more rushed over, almost immediately surrounding them. Old Liu and Qin Cang seemed particularly isolated and helpless amidst the dense enemy siege. The air was filled with murderous intent and anxiety. Old Liu's heart began to beat violently, and a hint of uneasiness flickered in his eyes.

"Old Liu... go first..." Qin Cang said in a low voice, trying to keep himself calm.

"No!" Lao Liu's voice was as firm as iron, "You must survive!"

At this moment, a burst of rapid shouting came from not far away. Immediately afterwards, several of their own soldiers rushed over, desperately clearing the way for Qin Cang and Lao Liu. They threw themselves at the enemy with all their might, without hesitation, engaging in close combat with them.

"Hurry, hurry up!" A soldier shouted, grabbed Qin Cang's arm tightly and pulled him back.

Qin Cang lowered his head, looking at his comrades who were fighting to protect him, and a surge of passion and responsibility surged in his heart. He knew that he could no longer rest on the laurels of others, and could no longer become a burden to his comrades.

"Old Liu, I can go now." Qin Cang's voice was weak but firm, "Take them, take us to survive."

Old Liu was stunned. He looked down at Qin Cang, a trace of pity flashing in his eyes. "Brother Qin Cang, you..."

"Go ahead," Qin Cang's eyes gradually became calm, even with a hint of a smile, "I can't go this way anymore. You go, and you must survive."

The complex emotions in Lao Liu's eyes instantly turned into determination. He finally stopped hesitating, turned around and led his comrades to rush out of the enemy's encirclement.