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

Qin Cang's heart trembled. He suddenly had a vague suspicion. If Liu San had left alone with Xiao Hu, his purpose wasn't simply to find a merchant to exchange equipment. Perhaps Liu San had already seen through the enemy's intentions and prepared a route to avoid direct confrontation. But why hadn't he told him in advance?

A sudden surge of anxiety washed over Qin Cang, and his thoughts became chaotic. He didn't know whether he should follow Liu San's instructions and remain calm, or take immediate action to find Liu San and Xiao Hu.

He glanced down at his equipment, his hand habitually resting on the dagger at his waist. A cold gleam flashed, the blade reflecting faintly in the night. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. There was no time to waste; he had to make a decision.

Suddenly, a slight sound of footsteps broke his meditation. Qin Cang raised his head suddenly, his eyes narrowed into a line, and quickly identified the source of the sound.

"Captain, is there something wrong?" It was Lao Wang.

Old Wang had clearly noticed Qin Cang's uneasiness and stood in front of him, asking in a low voice. Qin Cang was slightly startled, then realized that his emotions seemed to have been revealed. So, he nodded, suppressed his uneasiness, and said in a low voice, "Liu San took Xiao Hu away. I think there might be something wrong, and he didn't tell me in advance."

Lao Wang's eyes flickered, and after a brief silence, he spoke, "Captain, this might be Liu San's habit. He's always made decisions independently and decisively. You know, he doesn't like to drag things out and is straightforward. If there's really any important action, he'll explain it when he returns."

"You know I'm not worried about that." Qin Cang finished speaking, staring intently at Lao Wang. "I'm worried that Liu San didn't tell me because he has a deeper intention, or that he thinks I can't get involved."

"You know Liu San's character well enough." Lao Wang's tone suddenly grew heavy. "There are some things he never intended to let you know. You know, he's the kind of person who only trusts his intuition when making decisions. And these intuitions often carry some unspoken purpose."

Qin Cang remained silent, his gaze darkening slightly, a strange unease welling up within him. He understood what Old Wang meant. Liu San was indeed a man of immense personal charisma and commanding talent, but at the same time, he also possessed a decision-making style that he couldn't share with anyone else. In many crucial moments, Liu San always insisted on making the final call, refusing to consult with the team members. Especially when his intuition told him something needed to be concealed, he never hesitated.

"Go and rest." Qin Cang suddenly said in a calm tone, "We'll make a decision after Liu San comes back."

Old Wang hesitated for a moment, but ultimately said nothing. He turned and found a place to sit. Qin Cang remained standing, his gaze piercing the night, as if gazing at something in the distance he couldn't see. His doubts and uneasiness grew, and he knew that tonight's events wouldn't end so easily.

On the other side of the team, Liu San and Xiao Hu quietly set off, treading in the shadows, towards an unknown destination. Though neither of them spoke explicitly, Liu San's decision was already made. Qin Cang might not understand, but he had to carry out his plan. Whether the fate ahead lay, life or death, or even more challenges, he would choose to press on.

The darkness deepened, the surrounding woods seeming even darker beneath the faint starlight. The air was thick with moisture, as if not even a breath of wind could penetrate. The atmosphere within the team was unusually quiet; everyone remained at their post, awaiting the next order. Qin Cang's uneasiness remained lingering. He sensed a hidden force quietly brewing, as if a sudden storm was approaching, yet he still couldn't discern its true nature.

Qin Cang felt a sense of unease after Liu San and Xiao Hu's sudden departure. While he understood Liu San to be decisive and independent, often making decisions that the other team members couldn't predict, he hadn't shared his specific reasons or plans this time. Qin Cang knew it wasn't a sign of Liu San's distrust, but rather a deep-seated caution—he always reserved the most dangerous missions for himself and the team members he trusted most.

Even so, Qin Cang couldn't suppress his doubts. He knew that no battle could be absolutely perfect; there would always be unforeseen risks. Liu San's actions, no matter what, meant their team would face another challenge. This time, the challenge might be different from any previous one.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. Every member of the team had their own division of labor and responsibilities. As captain, his primary mission was to maintain the team's stability and efficiency, ensuring everyone remained alert and coordinated in the most dangerous moments. He couldn't let any distractions cloud his judgment.

Just as Qin Cang was still pondering these questions, suddenly, a slight sound of footsteps broke the silence around him. He turned quickly, a cold light flashed in his eyes, and he instantly determined who was coming.

"Xiao Hu?" he asked in a low voice.

Xiaohu walked very close, his face showing no sign of nervousness, but rather a relaxed smile. He looked the same as always, still young and energetic, but behind that smile, there seemed to be something indescribable hidden.

"Captain, are you still here?" Xiaohu's voice was low and gentle, and he didn't seem to be bothered by any fatigue.

Qin Cang nodded and looked at him with complicated eyes. "Well, what's wrong?"

Xiao Hu hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke, "Captain, Liu San asked me to tell you that he and I are going to do something, so it might take a while. Don't worry." He paused, then added, "You know, the captain doesn't like others to follow him."

Qin Cang's eyes narrowed slightly. Although Xiao Hu's tone was very relaxed, Qin Cang could still hear something unusual in his words. His heart moved, and he suddenly thought of something.

"How are your preparations?" Qin Cang asked in a deep voice, "What did you bring?"

Xiaohu's eyes flickered, and then he smiled. "Don't worry, Captain, I'm ready." He paused, his voice lowered a few degrees, "But Liu San specifically instructed you to remember to bring some dry food."

Qin Cang was stunned for a moment, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. "Dry food?" he repeated.

"Yes, Captain." Xiaohu's voice remained calm. "Liu San said that after we return, it may take some time for us to recover our strength. He said it would be best for everyone to replenish their energy."