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

As they continued walking, the air grew colder and their footsteps heavier. Qin Cang kept looking back and suddenly felt something was wrong—an inexplicable sense of oppression approaching from behind. He instinctively stopped and listened. There was no movement around him, yet the feeling grew stronger, as if a pair of eyes were watching him.

"Xiao Hu, stop." Qin Cang said in a low voice, his eyes alert and his tone a little hurried.

Xiaohu immediately noticed something was wrong and stopped short, his eyes fixed on the surrounding woods, his whole body on guard. The two of them stood there, hardly daring to make any sound, holding their breath, letting the night wind blow, gently rustling the leaves.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows without warning, appearing before the two of them like a ghost. Qin Cang's eyes widened instantly, and a violent beating of his heart made him realize that the arrival of this uninvited guest was far beyond his expectations.

"Liu San?!" Qin Cang almost blurted out. The familiar voice and the familiar figure appeared in front of him.

Liu San didn't respond immediately, simply standing there quietly, his eyes complex, a mixture of uncertainty and determination. He leaned forward slightly, his face etched with fatigue and vigilance, sending a wave of mixed emotions surging through Qin Cang's heart. Liu San's appearance disrupted all his plans and assumptions, instantly making Qin Cang realize that this situation was far from as simple as he'd anticipated.

"Why did you follow me?" Qin Cang's voice was low, and he felt uneasy. Liu San was supposed to go on the mission alone, but he had followed him without telling anyone. This behavior made Qin Cang feel an invisible threat.

Liu San sighed softly, as if struggling to escape some unspeakable predicament. His eyes held a hint of apology, yet without a trace of regret. "I was going as planned, but halfway through, I started to feel uneasy, like something was wrong. I'm... afraid something's wrong."

"Something happened?" Qin Cang frowned, a bad premonition suddenly flashed through his mind. "What did you find?"

A complex expression flashed across Liu San's face. He didn't answer immediately, but lowered his head and spoke slowly, "You're right, Captain. The enemy's movements are indeed faster than we imagined. I originally thought the letter could be delivered in a short time, but I didn't expect them to start keeping an eye on our whereabouts. I'm afraid..." He paused here, as if he wanted to say something, but hesitated, "I'm afraid you will be implicated."

Qin Cang's brow furrowed, his heart instantly calming. Liu San's words had instilled in him an indescribable sense of urgency. Although he had been secretly observing the enemy's movements, it was clear that their actions had exceeded their expectations. Every step before had made him feel a sense of unease. Now, Liu San's return was undoubtedly a warning that the next move might be even more difficult.

"You haven't been discovered?" Qin Cang's tone was a little harsh, and his eyes swept over Liu San sharply.

"No." Liu San shook his head, his expression solemn. "But I heard some of their conversations, and it seems that some people have begun to doubt our whereabouts. I originally planned to continue forward, but looking at your direction, I couldn't let it go. I'm afraid some things can't wait."

Qin Cang fell silent, his heart stirring. At that moment, he finally understood that Liu San's coming wasn't entirely out of personal sentiment, but rather out of a sense of responsibility to the entire team. Liu San knew that if he went out alone, while he could complete the mission, an emergency would put the team in a difficult position. He had returned precisely to ensure the team's safety.

"Xiao Hu, stay here first." Qin Cang said nothing more, turned around and ordered Xiao Hu, "Stay alert, don't let the enemy get close."

Xiaohu didn't say much, just nodded silently, leaning against a big tree, his figure instantly blending into the darkness, his eyes as alert as a cheetah, ready to deal with any emergency at any time.

Qin Cang turned his gaze back to Liu San and said in a steady tone, "Why didn't you continue moving forward? This wasn't an easy decision. You know, if we turn back, it might mean that our plan will be completely ruined."

Liu San pursed his lips, looking somewhat embarrassed. He did not respond immediately, but used his eyes to tell Qin Cang that he was uneasy and anxious. Qin Cang could feel that Liu San was not simply acting out of sympathy or obligation, but was truly feeling a strong sense of responsibility for the future of the team.

"Captain," Liu San finally spoke in a low voice, "This route is no longer our original plan. The letter was the key, but now, the situation has changed. I think we may need to readjust our strategy. The enemy's actions have become faster. If we continue to act blindly, we may get into trouble."

Qin Cang looked at Liu San deeply. Although he felt a little dissatisfied, he also felt an undeniable respect for him. He knew that Liu San was not someone who made decisions casually. Behind this decision, there must be traces of his own independent thinking.

"Okay." Qin Cang finally nodded. "Since you say so, let's change the plan. Now, we have to find a way to break out and try to avoid the enemy's search."

A flicker of relief flashed across Liu San's eyes, but he still didn't completely relax. "Captain, what should we do? Should we break out directly, or should we find an ambush and wait for the enemy to pass?"

Qin Cang's gaze lingered on Liu San's face for a moment, the complex emotions within him intensifying. As night fell, the air felt heavy and almost suffocating, and he suddenly felt the weight of his responsibility grow heavier. Every decision felt like pushing the team into an unpredictable abyss, and every choice was a matter of life and death. Now, Liu San's appearance made everything even more confusing. The enemy's movements were faster than expected, and their whereabouts had been exposed. The only option for a breakout was to quickly distance themselves from the enemy. Falling into another ambush would mean the end of all their efforts.

"We can't hesitate any longer." Qin Cang whispered, his voice without a trace of hesitation, only calmness and determination. "We have to set off immediately. First find a safe place, and then decide on the next step."

Liu San looked at Qin Cang, a hint of confusion flashed in his eyes, and then he regained his determination: "I understand, Captain."

"Xiaohu, are you ready?" Qin Cang turned and asked the team members who were still standing in the distance. His tone was calm, but his eyes revealed an unconcealable nervousness.

Xiao Hu had already sensed the tension. Seeing Qin Cang looking at him, he immediately emerged from the shadows of the trees, a chilling presence emanating from his presence. He said nothing, his eyes determined as he quickly checked his equipment. His fingers traced the hilt of his sword, as if making final preparations.

"We're all ready," Xiaohu replied, his voice devoid of any unnecessary emotion, as if he were accustomed to this situation. As the team moved, the atmosphere grew tense, as if a restless energy was accumulating in the air, poised to erupt at any moment.

Qin Cang walked forward wordlessly, Liu San and Xiao Hu following behind him. The three of them walked silently through the darkness. Every step seemed to tread on uncertain ground. The surrounding trees were swept by the breeze, making a low sound, and the faint roar of unknown beasts could be heard. Qin Cang's heartbeat was unusually steady. On the surface, he seemed calm, but deep down, an uneasy premonition kept surging in his heart.

Not far away, he suddenly stopped, his eyes narrowed slightly, and his whole aura changed instantly - an indescribable sense of danger came over him.

Liu San and Xiao Hu also stopped, and the three of them quickly distanced themselves, forming a triangle and looking around vigilantly. Qin Cang didn't speak immediately, but took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and felt the movement around him.

Suddenly, a faint sound of footsteps came from a distance. It was light and subtle, but it was enough to make Qin Cang's heart beat faster. He instinctively whispered, "The enemy is coming."

Liu San's expression changed slightly, but he remained calm. He quickly raised his spear and scanned the surroundings. Xiaohu, like a cheetah, sank into the shadows, crouching low, ready to strike at any moment.

Qin Cang's heart moved, and he gripped the hilt of the knife tightly. The feeling of oppression became stronger and stronger. He knew that the enemy was not here to simply track them, but to find their traces, or even to launch a comprehensive encirclement and suppression.

"Get ready for battle." Qin Cang said softly. There was no panic in his tone, but instead a solemn determination.

Suddenly, a few rustling footsteps echoed through the trees ahead, and then a figure leaped out from the bushes. Qin Cang's eyes instantly locked onto the figure's location, and a sudden clarity of thought swept through his mind. The figure, clad in a black cloak, moved nimbly, clearly trained. Qin Cang was startled, then immediately realized that the enemy he encountered this time wasn't just a pursuer, but had come prepared, clearly dispatching elite warriors skilled in tracking.

"Hide well." Qin Cang ordered in a low voice.

Xiaohu and Liu San quickly dispersed, hiding in the shadows, their tacit cooperation completed silently. Qin Cang knew that if they confronted the enemy head-on, they would not have the upper hand. The enemy's number was unknown, and they were very familiar with the surrounding environment, making it more likely to deliver a fatal blow.

The enemy slowly approached, their breathing becoming clearer, their footsteps drawing closer. Qin Cang held his breath, sensing every movement. The man in black was clearly unaware of the traps surrounding him, moving forward step by step, as if unaware. As his footsteps approached Qin Cang's hiding place, Qin Cang suddenly pounced, his figure like lightning, on the man.