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

He knew this wasn't just a physical drain; it was a mental breakdown. Every battle, every life-or-death decision, would make people increasingly numb. Yet, deep within everyone's heart, there remained that most primal longing: to return home.

"Xiao Hu, how are you?" Qin Cang turned his head again to look at the young soldier who had been lowering his head, his voice low and concerned.

Xiao Hu raised his head, his eyes still a little dazed. He tried to act calm, forcing a smile, but it seemed unnatural, even a little weak. Qin Cang's heart moved. He knew that Xiao Hu didn't really want to talk, but that too much was weighing him down, making him unable to breathe.

"Sir, I'm fine." Xiaohu's voice was so low that it was almost inaudible, as if he was forcing himself to ignore the painful emotions.

Qin Cang was silent for a moment, realizing that Xiaohu's current state wasn't simply due to the stress of battle. Every soldier had their own story, their own pain. Though they fought side by side on this battlefield, the loneliness and vulnerability within each of them were never fully healed. Every death, every loss only deepened their longing for home, their yearning for a land far from the flames of war.

"You know what?" Qin Cang suddenly spoke, his voice low but with a hint of barely perceptible warmth, "I miss home too."

Xiao Hu was stunned for a moment, as if he hadn't expected Qin Cang to say such a thing. He raised his head, a flicker of confusion in his eyes, but then he regained his composure. Yes, each of them missed home, but that home seemed to be getting further and further away from them.

"I remember when I was little, we had a big dog at home. Every time I came home, it was always the first one to rush to the door, wagging its tail and waiting for me." Qin Cang said softly, as if those long-lost memories were emerging in his eyes. His tone was calm, but there was an unknown tenderness in his eyes. "Back then, I felt that no matter what happened, home would always be the safest place. But now..." He paused, his eyes gradually becoming deep. "Now I can't find that feeling anymore."

Xiao Hu listened to Qin Cang's words, and his heart was deeply moved. Although he had always thought of Qin Cang as a fearless leader who never easily showed his emotions, he suddenly realized that Qin Cang, like him, also longed for home and missed ordinary life. Perhaps this was the pain of being a warrior—no matter how far they traveled, no matter where the battle ended, home would always be the softest place in their hearts.

"Sir, you're right." Xiaohu responded softly, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. "I often think, how nice it would be if I could go back home, do nothing, just sit with my family and say nothing."

Qin Cang didn't say anything else, just nodded silently. But he felt an indescribable heaviness in his heart. Yes, everyone carries their own past, the pain that has never been spoken. Every battle is a torture to their souls, and every victory seems to bring no real relief.

"Xiao Hu, remember, no matter what happens, we must survive." Qin Cang finally spoke, his tone becoming firm, "Survive, not only for ourselves, but also for those who are still waiting for us to return."

Xiaohu's eyes flickered slightly, as if touched by these words. He lowered his head and silently promised himself: no matter how difficult it was, he would survive. He knew that home was his ultimate destination.

The atmosphere on the battlefield remained heavy, the enemy's firepower gradually intensified, and the tense atmosphere around them became more and more obvious. Qin Cang's eyes became sharp again. He knew that the battle was about to begin and he had to go all out. However, deep down, the longing for home still lingered in his heart, like some kind of inexorable shadow.

"Xiao Hu, are you ready?" Qin Cang's voice was low and calm, with a hint of determination in his eyes.

Xiaohu took a deep breath, forced himself to suppress those chaotic emotions, and nodded: "Ready, sir."

Qin Cang looked at him, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes. Although their hearts were filled with confusion and exhaustion, at least these young warriors in front of them could still stand up and continue fighting at the most critical moment.

"Okay." Qin Cang patted Xiaohu's shoulder gently, "Let's survive and go home."

A glimmer of determination flashed in Xiaohu's eyes. Although this determination did not come entirely from his heart, at least at this moment, he knew that he was not alone. He had teammates, superiors, and the family that was always waiting for him in the distance.

Qin Cang's mood grew increasingly heavy. The night was as dark as ink. The sounds of battle and the roar of gunfire echoed from all around him, sometimes deafening like thunder, sometimes like distant whispers. It was like an endless echo, seeping into everyone's bones and straining the nerves of all the soldiers to the limit. The air was filled with tension and anxiety, and everyone's eyes revealed an unspoken pressure.

Yet, Qin Cang knew clearly that he had to make a decision. Xiaohu's mental state had clearly not recovered to its original state. Although he tried his best to disguise it, the emptiness and uneasiness in his emotions were something Qin Cang, as the captain, could not fail to notice. Although this battle was important, he could not let Xiaohu be complacent in his impatience, nor could he let this young warrior bear a heavier burden.

"Liu San." Qin Cang called softly, with a hint of solemnity in his voice.

Liu San approached him, his expression stern and his eyes sharp as knives, seemingly able to see through anything in an instant. He didn't ask anything, but simply stood quietly in front of Qin Cang, waiting for instructions. Qin Cang looked at him deeply, as if thinking about how to make arrangements.

"You are responsible for escorting Xiaohu and taking him to a safe area." Qin Cang finally spoke. Although his voice was calm, it was full of determination. "I will go to check the situation ahead and make sure we can find a breakthrough."

Liu San was stunned for a moment, his eyes piercing Qin Cang's face like a hawk. He didn't agree immediately, but remained silent for a moment, as if carefully considering Qin Cang's words. On the battlefield, every decision could affect the survival of the entire team, especially now that the enemy was gradually approaching. The pressure they faced was no less than any life-or-death battle.

"Sir, this isn't appropriate." Liu San finally whispered, his voice deep and powerful. "The place you're going to is too dangerous. The enemy has begun to strengthen the blockade of the front position. If you rush there like this, what if..."

"There's no time, Liu San." Qin Cang interrupted him, his eyes cold. "There's no turning back in this battle. We must find the enemy's weakness, otherwise all of us will be trapped here and die."

Liu San knew Qin Cang's character very well. This resolute tone meant that he had made a decision and it was unquestionable. Liu San's heart tightened, but he did not refute it. He just nodded, but there was a hint of forbearance in his eyes.

"I understand." Liu San's words were brief, powerful, and resolute. "Don't worry, Commander. I'll ensure Xiaohu's safety." He turned to look at Xiaohu, his eyes filled with concern and helplessness. Xiaohu's current state wasn't just physical exhaustion; it was also a state of emotional devastation. As a key member of the team, Liu San knew that at this critical moment, Xiaohu must be properly protected to prevent him from experiencing any further emotional shock.

"Xiao Hu, come with me." Liu San said to Xiao Hu, his tone soft but with an unquestionable sense of command.

Xiaohu looked up, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He glanced at Qin Cang, then at Liu San, and finally nodded silently. Although his inner struggle had not subsided, he knew that given the current situation, he could not cause any more trouble. Xiaohu lowered his head slightly and followed behind Liu San, his steps slow, but his eyes were still hazy, as if he could not see the road ahead clearly.

"Take care, sir." Liu San turned around and said to Qin Cang, with a hint of barely perceptible worry in his eyes, but more of determination and trust.

"You should be careful too." Qin Cang responded calmly, his eyes devoid of any extraneous emotion, as if all this had been anticipated. He knew he had made a difficult decision, but for the sake of the overall situation, he had to personally investigate the enemy's movements.

Qin Cang took a deep breath and watched Liu San and Xiao Hu walk away. His emotions at that moment were too complex to describe in simple words. Behind every soldier, there's a home, a place to look forward to, yet none of this can change their mission as a soldier—to march forward, to fight until the end.

He turned and walked into the darkness ahead. Every step felt like walking into an unknown abyss. But no matter what, Qin Cang knew he couldn't stop.

The night deepened, and in the distance, flames flickered, like the flames of hell devouring everything. Qin Cang quickly disappeared into the shadows of the jungle, his figure like a flash of cold light, nimble and swift. His ears were filled with the sound of explosions and gunfire from all directions, and he had only one goal in mind: find the enemy's weak point, break through the siege, and win a chance for his team's survival.

Yet, amidst the chaotic battlefield, Qin Cang couldn't shake an unspoken anxiety. He knew that while Liu San was a steady and reliable warrior, his mission with Xiao Hu was no easy task. Xiao Hu's current condition wasn't just physical fatigue; it was a deeper, mental breakdown. Though he tried his best to hide his emotions, Qin Cang saw too much anxiety and pain in Xiao Hu's eyes.

"Damn it..." Qin Cang cursed inwardly. He knew that if this battle continued, Xiaohu's mental burden would only grow heavier, potentially leading to even more serious consequences. He suddenly realized that he might have been too focused on the battle itself, ignoring the pain and depression these young warriors were feeling.