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

He had never felt such a strong threat before. This threat was different from any enemy and different from any familiar battlefield situation. It was a more hidden and powerful force that seemed to be controlling their destiny.

Liu San moved her feet lightly, and suddenly, her voice rang out in the silent night sky: "We already know what to do."

The air still held the chill of last night, and the morning mist slowly rose from the ground, obscuring something that shouldn't be seen. Qin Cang packed his backpack, his longsword strapped securely to his back, the hilt scraping against the backpack. His gaze scanned the area around the camp, sharp as a blade, as if searching for something specific. Liu San was already standing beside him, his bag packed, his eyes as cold as ever, as if he'd been prepared for any change.

She didn't ask any questions. Qin Cang knew she was used to this silence. This silent understanding had lasted for so long between them, so long that they no longer needed to use words to confirm each other's thoughts. The secrets and burdens in each other's hearts no longer needed to be answered, but only endured silently.

However, today seems a little different.

Qin Cang felt a surge of unease in his heart. This unease didn't stem from the stranger before him, but rather from a premonition that grew from a deeper level. He paused slightly and glanced at Liu San. At that moment, he could almost feel the chill in her eyes, something she was trying to hide.

"Let's leave here today." Qin Cang said softly. Although his tone was calm, the determination in his words could not be ignored.

Liu San didn't answer, but just lowered her head slightly, as if thinking about something. After a moment, she nodded slightly, reached out to brush a loose strand of hair over her ear, and readjusted her bag.

Qin Cang's heartbeat quickened slightly, and the uneasiness in his heart was aggravated once again. He knew that Liu San's determination had long been firm, but her silence was never due to confusion, but because she did not want to create more burdens for herself or others.

"Let's go." Qin Cang gritted his teeth, whispered these two words, then turned and walked out of the camp.

He walked without hesitation, yet his heart was filled with surging waves. He knew that everything that followed would be controlled by them, or rather, by fate. In this world ravaged by war, any choice would become an immense burden.

A few days ago, Qin Cang and Liu San stumbled upon a long-lost friend in an abandoned village. It was Zhao Liang, a comrade Qin Cang had met in the military camp. Zhao Liang had fought alongside Qin Cang, and the two had forged a deep friendship during that fateful battle. Zhao Liang had once been a straightforward young man with a bright smile, but since that battle, he seemed to have changed dramatically. Qin Cang didn't ask much, but he knew that Zhao Liang's eyes had lost their former innocence and enthusiasm, replaced by a deep sense of confusion and fatigue.

When Zhao Liang found Qin Cang, he still wore that familiar smile, but a subtle anxiety lingered in his eyes. He told Qin Cang that he had recently received some unfavorable news: it seemed a more powerful force was approaching. The name of that force wasn't important; what mattered was the oppressive feeling it brought, as if it were approaching the edge of the world.

"Brother Cang, I know you don't want to get involved in any disputes now, but you really can't stand idly by and watch this matter anymore." There was a hint of urgency in Zhao Liang's voice, and his eyes were fixed on Qin Cang, as if he wanted to see an expression of confirmation from Qin Cang's face.

Qin Cang didn't answer immediately. His heart was still shrouded in the shadow of war. He had searched countless times for answers amidst the ruins, but each time, he came up empty-handed. He was no longer the passionate young man ready to sacrifice his life for his country. He had become colder and more rational. Now, he wanted more than anything else to survive, to find a place, even a temporary refuge, a deserted corner.

However, the appearance of Zhao Liang changed all this.

"Zhao Liang, I know what you want to say," Qin Cang finally spoke, his voice low and heavy, "but you know I'm no longer the same person I used to be. War has never brought us true peace, but has only made everything more complicated."

Zhao Liang was silent for a while, and finally sighed, "I know you are tired, Brother Cang. But if we don't take action now, the darkness will devour everything, even ourselves."

These words sent a shock through Qin Cang's heart. The oppressive silence and confusion seemed to be instantly shattered by an inexplicable force. He suddenly realized that perhaps he no longer had any choice.

"We no longer have any choice." Qin Cang said this in a low voice, with a hint of determination and a hint of unnoticed pain in his eyes.

"Let's go." There was a hint of relief in Zhao Liang's words, as if he had finally found some kind of belonging.

So, several people quietly made a decision in this ruin: to leave this place, to find a farther place, to face the approaching darkness.

Today, Qin Cang and Liu San set out on this journey again. Zhao Liang had told them that the road ahead might be filled with danger, but if they didn't face it, they would eventually fall into deeper darkness. Qin Cang didn't fully accept Zhao Liang's advice, but deep down, a force kept calling him to face it, to challenge fate.

He remembered Zhao Liang once telling him: "We have all shouldered too much, and we can no longer turn back. Moving forward is the only way out."

In this way, the three people gradually found their way back to the ruins. And this journey, despite too much confusion and pain, was also filled with a kind of indescribable persistence and determination.

Qin Cang walked quickly, his steps steady and powerful. He knew Liu San was following closely behind him, and Zhao Liang, though sometimes silent, never fell behind at crucial moments. They didn't communicate verbally, but this familiar understanding gave Qin Cang an inexplicable sense of peace.

As he walked, his steps and state of mind shifted quietly. Qin Cang would often pause and look up at the vast mountain range in the distance. Between the deep blue sky and the earth, the peaks stood like swords, and jagged rocks and trees formed a world of deathly silence. In this almost lifeless place, only the sound of the wind and the occasional bird song lingered, like a hidden warning, leaving one feeling an indescribable oppression.

He knew this mountain range was no simple matter. Ahead lay a hidden hilltop, an ideal ambush site. He and Zhao Liang had long ago agreed to wait for possible enemies here, or rather, for a fate they could control. However, the closer they got to that spot, the more uneasiness Qin Cang felt, as if an invisible force was pulling him, telling him this was no safe haven.

"Liu San, we have to stop here for a while." Qin Cang finally broke the silence. He stopped and turned to look at her.

Liu San's gaze was somewhat vacant, as if she hadn't fully noticed Qin Cang's change. She simply nodded, silently putting down her backpack and sitting quietly on a rock, her hands folded in her lap. Her demeanor remained as cold as ice, as if the world's clamor had nothing to do with her.

"Do you think there is danger ahead?" Qin Cang asked, his tone calm, but with a hint of nervousness.

Liu San's eyes paused for a moment, then she slowly raised her head. She glanced around, her expression unchanged. After a moment's silence, she replied coldly, "Danger is everywhere." Her words were like a long-honed ice blade, sharp yet devoid of emotion.

Qin Cang sighed softly. He knew Liu San would never offer him much comfort. Her heart had long since lost the fire that could warm others. Her indifference wasn't because she didn't care, but because the things she once cared about had been completely severed in an instant, and she herself had been divided into an unknown empty shell.

He stopped talking, picked up his sword, and turned to walk towards the top of the mountain. Although he didn't say much, he knew that Liu San would follow him. She wouldn't go far, even without words, they were still one.

As he climbed the mountain, Qin Cang's mind became increasingly calm. Every step he took seemed to tap into his innermost being, and the rhythm of his steps became more even and steady. At this point, his mind was free of unnecessary thoughts, only a calm anticipation of the upcoming battle.

Finally, they reached the top of the mountain. Standing there, Qin Cang took a deep breath and gazed at the distant valley and rolling mountains. The trees on the top of the mountain were sparse, the rocks were exposed, and the surrounding area was shrouded in thick clouds and mist, making it almost impossible to see the scenery at the foot of the mountain. The environment here was extremely suitable for an ambush, with a wide field of vision, making it difficult for the enemy to detect even if they approached.

"Let's stay here for a while." Qin Cang said in a low voice, then sat down, leaned his back against the rock, and slowly adjusted his breathing.

Liu San also found a place to sit down, her eyes fixed on the surroundings, as if ready to face any possible changes. She said no more, her mind immersed in a silent world.

Time seemed to freeze in this silence. The air around him was so cold that it was almost unbearable, but Qin Cang's heart gradually calmed down in this silence. He knew that only at this moment could he put aside all distractions and truly concentrate.

However, this silence didn't last long. Suddenly, Qin Cang's brows furrowed slightly, and his body tensed up. At this moment, he heard a very light sound of footsteps, seemingly coming from far away, so fast that there was almost no warning.