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

Qin Cang lowered his head slightly, took a deep breath, and seemed to be thinking about this question. In fact, he himself didn't know clearly. Every persistence and every decision seemed to come from an invisible force. This power was not because he was not afraid, but because he had to endure it all, not only for himself, but also for those who depended on him.

"I'm... afraid, but I can't retreat." Qin Cang's voice gradually became low, as if he was expressing the deepest fear in his heart.

A complex emotion flashed across Li Hu's eyes. He didn't dare ask further questions, nor did he want to break the silence. For Qin Cang, this battle seemed not just a fight of life and death, but an inescapable fate. The responsibility he bore far exceeded his capacity to bear.

"You don't need to be afraid." Li Hu suddenly said. Although his voice was still trembling, his eyes revealed an unprecedented determination. "If you can hold on, we can hold on too."

Qin Cang didn't respond, but nodded heavily, then stepped forward, the determination in his eyes not wavering in the slightest. He knew that he couldn't let others see his vulnerability, because it might make them lose confidence and the motivation to continue fighting.

The battle continued, the situation around them gradually becoming chaotic. The eastern defenses were finally breached by the enemy's fierce attack, filling the air with smoke and flames. The villagers' resistance continued. Although some could no longer stand, and some had even collapsed, many persisted, clinging to their weapons tightly. Even with their limited strength, they refused to give up easily.

"Hold on! Don't let them break through easily!" Qin Cang shouted, his voice sounding particularly clear and powerful amid the clamor of the battle.

He turned around and looked at Li Hu, with a hint of urgency in his eyes, "Let's go and provide support!"

Li Hu gritted his teeth, barely hesitating, and immediately followed Qin Cang's steps, charging towards the eastern battlefield. Every step made his heart beat wildly, and every breath felt like a knife cutting through his veins. Yet, he gritted his teeth and struggled to keep up. He knew there was no turning back; his fate was tied to Qin Cang's and the others', inseparable.

The two walked faster and faster, getting closer and closer. The roar in their ears became louder and louder, and the ground shook with it. The eastern defense line had almost completely collapsed. The villagers' positions were increasingly thinned by the enemy, and they were on the verge of being completely surrounded.

At this moment, Qin Cang suddenly stopped. His eyes were cold and determined, as if he had caught something in an instant. He looked up into the distance, and the tense atmosphere froze instantly, as if the air around him was oppressed and unable to flow.

"There's an ambush!" Qin Cang whispered, a hint of urgency in his tone. His intuition told him that the enemy wasn't just attacking head-on; they were hiding a larger trap behind them. His side was about to face an even more severe test.

Li Hu's heart sank, and he quickly turned around to look at his comrades. Everyone's expression grew increasingly tense. The battle situation was already grim, and now, the ambush had undoubtedly made it even more complicated.

"What should we do?" Li Hu asked in a low voice with obvious anxiety.

Qin Cang did not answer immediately. Instead, he took a deep breath and remained silent for a moment before speaking: "We must first stabilize the front line of defense, and then find a way to deal with the ambush."

"But the power behind the enemy cannot be underestimated." Li Hu frowned, obviously feeling the complexity of the situation.

"I know," Qin Cang knew full well that this battle was no longer just a contest of strength, but more of a test of wisdom and patience. Although he was filled with anxiety, he knew that the most important thing right now was to maintain the morale of the team. No matter how the situation changed, no one could lose confidence.

"Li Hu, give the order and let everyone get ready. We are going to face the most difficult battle." Qin Cang's eyes were firm. Although his words were calm, they were filled with unshakable determination.

Li Hu gritted his teeth, looked at Qin Cang deeply, and finally nodded. "I understand."

In the darkness, the air seemed frozen. After the explosion faded, only the lingering smell of gunpowder and blood lingered, as if the entire land had been dyed gray. Qin Cang stood in the ruins, his eyes piercing his surroundings. His body had become somewhat stiff, and exhaustion had left him breathless. Yet he didn't stop, his eyes still blazing, like a trapped animal, remaining alert.

Beside him, Li Hu couldn't help but gasp, his heavy breathing mingling with the din of the battlefield. Amidst the ruins, Li Hu felt as if he'd been thrown into a vast whirlpool. Every time he lifted his foot, he felt the force tearing everything apart, pulling him further and further away. Yet, he persevered, still following Qin Cang.

"Qin Cang," Li Hu's voice was a little hoarse, with a hint of helplessness and anxiety, "How long do you think this can last?"

Qin Cang didn't respond immediately, but continued to lower his head, adjusting his weapon. His fingertips rubbed the hilt a few times, as if calming his inner turmoil. He knew Li Hu felt the same way he did—confused, anxious, and terrified. But he had to appear fearless, even though his heart was wavering.

"How long can we hold on? We don't know." Qin Cang finally spoke in a low voice, "But we have no choice."

Li Hu's heart was stung by Qin Cang's words. He stood powerlessly, taking in the devastation around him. The exhaustion that had settled on him almost robbed him of his desire to fight. Seeing this once vibrant land now engulfed in flames of war, he felt a surge of despair. Li Hu felt a surge of helplessness at this seemingly endless battle.

"I'm scared... I'm really scared." Li Hu lowered his head, a glint of despair in his eyes. "Qin Cang, what should we do if one day we really can't hold on any longer?"

Qin Cang watched him quietly, as if instantly hearing the cry from deep within his heart. Li Hu was no weakling, but even the strongest warriors had moments of weakness. Qin Cang knew that in such moments, it wasn't words of encouragement that soothed the other person's heart, but rather the same persistence in silence that gave them strength.

He patted Li Hu's shoulder and whispered, "No matter what, we will persevere to the end. We are warriors, and warriors should fight to survive."

Li Hu raised his head and looked at Qin Cang with a complicated expression, as if questioning him, but also as if he was infected by Qin Cang's determination. He gritted his teeth, nodded heavily, and murmured, "To survive, never give up."

"Yes, live on." Qin Cang's voice was once again full of strength. "This battle is not for victory, but for us to live and become stronger than anyone else."

Before he could finish his words, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps from the front. The two men immediately became alert, quickly raising their weapons, ready to face any enemy attack. A young soldier, his face covered in sweat, ran towards them, panting.

"Report, there are massive enemy forces gathering ahead!" The young soldier's voice was filled with obvious panic. "If we don't retreat in time, I'm afraid we won't be able to resist."

Qin Cang frowned, and a tense atmosphere instantly enveloped the entire team. He knew that this battle was approaching its final moments, and the enemy's strength was growing stronger and stronger. Whether they could successfully break through had become a matter of life and death.

He was silent for a moment, then suddenly made up his mind: "Everyone listen! Get ready and strive for a breakthrough!"

"Breakthrough?" Li Hu looked at him in astonishment. "Qin Cang, are you... are we going to have a head-on confrontation?"

Qin Cang didn't answer, but slowly raised the knife in his hand, "What else can we do? Escape is not an option for us."

Li Hu fell silent. He knew Qin Cang's words were filled with determination, even an unquestionable firmness. Even though the situation was extremely dire, they still couldn't give up. Qin Cang chose to lead everyone forward. While this battle might not guarantee victory, they could at least fight for a chance of survival.

"Get ready, everyone!" Qin Cang shouted, "We can only move forward, there is no retreat!"

Following his command, the atmosphere in the team changed rapidly. Although the soldiers looked pale, their eyes were filled with renewed fighting spirit. Everyone was nervously packing their equipment, preparing for the upcoming life-or-death battle.

Li Hu took a deep breath and tried to remain calm. The fear in his heart had not completely disappeared, but he knew that now was not the time to dwell on it. All he had to do was to go all out and charge towards the seemingly insurmountable enemy formation with everyone else.

"Don't be afraid, stay calm," he whispered to his comrades. His voice trembled, but there was no wavering in their eyes. They were used to this kind of battle, used to struggling on the brink of life and death, used to persevering no matter what.

"Keep the formation and follow the command!" Qin Cang's order was decisive and clear. The soldiers responded one after another, got ready, and were ready to fight the enemy to the death.

"Go!" Qin Cang finally gave a loud order and took the lead to rush forward.

Guo Qilin stood in front of a mirror backstage at Deyun Club, staring at his slightly haggard face, a complex mix of emotions welling up within him. Over the past few years, the pressures of life seemed to have never let him off the hook. From an innocent youth to the current heir of Deyun Club, he had experienced countless spiritual encounters and growth. He couldn't help but smile wryly. All these years, driven by the expectations of his family and his master, he seemed to have never truly lived for himself.