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

The sight penetrated the dense undergrowth. The air was filled with a faint dampness, carrying the fishy smell of the mountains. It seemed peaceful here, but Qin Cang could sense that something was hiding in the depths of the distant forest—perhaps a human, a beast, or even something even more unpredictable. Even without any trace of the enemy, this place was full of unpredictable dangers.

"If you don't come, I will make you appear." Qin Cang said in his heart.

He quickly pulled a piece of hay and a little tinder from his backpack, quickly lit the tinder, and used it to ignite the hay. The flames quickly engulfed the surface of the hay, making a harsh crackling sound. Qin Cang threw the burning hay toward the distant woods. As the fire flickered, thick smoke instantly rose. The hot smoke began to fill the air, seemingly rapidly changing the silent atmosphere.

"That'll attract attention," Qin Cang muttered to himself, his gaze fixed on the burning hay. He knew the rising smoke would be enough to alert distant enemies. For those in the mountains and forests, fire and smoke were no small matter; they meant possible prey, or even a threat.

He had no time to worry about whether the fire would attract wild animals or the reaction of the enemies. His heart was completely focused on how to help Liu San survive the current crisis. As long as the enemy appeared, he could take the opportunity to explore the enemy's strengths and weaknesses and find a way to survive.

Time seemed to slow to an unusually slow pace at this moment. Qin Cang remained behind the rock for a long time, his eyes fixed on the gradually rising smoke. Nothing was more anxious than waiting, especially in a situation with such an unpredictable outcome. His heart beat incessantly, as if something was weighing him down and suffocating him. Thoughts kept flooding his mind, and sometimes he couldn't even distinguish between reality and fantasy.

He gripped the hilt of the knife tightly, every nerve in his body tense like a bowstring. He knew that no matter what he faced next, he had to make a decision in the shortest possible time.

Suddenly, there was a rustling sound, as if something were moving in the grass. Qin Cang's body tensed instantly, and he quickly lowered himself, gently approaching the smoke-filled forest. His ears caught the subtle sound of footsteps, and with a flicker of his mind, he instantly determined that this was not the sound of an animal, but of a human.

Qin Cang's heartbeat roared in his ears. He caught the rustling sound approaching, and the sound of footsteps pounding the wet earth, each step a hammering on his heart. He held his breath, shutting out all the chaotic thoughts in his mind. He concentrated and calmed himself, immersing himself in the deep night, like an arrow lurking in the darkness, ready to be released at any moment. He knew that at this moment, any negligence would have fatal consequences.

The smoke continued to rise, filling the cold air. As the rustling footsteps drew closer, Qin Cang remained remarkably calm—he had long since entered a battle state. At this moment, all his fear and anxiety were suppressed, leaving only a dim, unfamiliar, and unknown world before him.

"Don't make a sound." Qin Cang silently warned himself. He gripped the hilt of the knife tightly, pressed his back against the rock, and tried to remain motionless. Although every muscle was trembling slightly, he did not make a sound.

Finally, the footsteps stopped, only about ten steps away from him. Qin Cang stared fixedly ahead, his breath strained as if held deep in his throat. A figure slowly emerged from the thick smoke. The figure was dressed in simple clothing, his face coated in a layer of forest and earth dust. His lips were chapped, but his eyes held a wolfish ferocity.

He didn't make any sound immediately, but quietly observed his surroundings, as if checking for any danger. Qin Cang knew he had been exposed. No matter how he hid, the smoke and fire could no longer completely conceal his position. Now, he had to decide whether to continue lying in ambush and wait for the opportunity, or to take the initiative and attack.

"If we don't attract their attention, all the dangers will probably be concentrated on us." Qin Cang analyzed calmly in his mind.

The enemy's figure was getting closer and closer. The man finally stopped in an area with thick smoke. He didn't seem to notice Qin Cang's existence. He still looked around vigilantly and whispered something in a low voice with a hint of uncertainty.

"Someone else must have discovered the fire." Qin Cang's heart moved, and he thought to himself, "Whether it's the enemy or someone else, we must react now."

He adjusted his position slightly and approached silently, using the darkness and smoke to conceal his movements as much as possible. The air was filled with the smell of charcoal and earth, making his breathing more rapid, but the anxiety in his heart did not lessen in the slightest.

“The enemy, that’s right.”

Qin Cang suddenly raised his head, his eyes fixed on the woods behind the man. He was certain that he wasn't alone, that at least one of his teammates was hiding nearby. And now, the deeper the night, the better it was for him to execute his plan. Qin Cang let out a low breath and decided to initiate the attack. Whether it was an enemy or an unknown savage, he had to make everything more controllable.

"I have no choice but to strike first." Qin Cang made a decisive decision in his heart. He moved forward quietly with light steps, approaching the lonely enemy.

Suddenly, Liu San's voice came from behind: "Captain, where are you going?"

Qin Cang's heart was shaken, and he almost burst into anger, but he quickly controlled himself. He turned around and saw Liu San dragging his feet, standing weakly, looking at him with complicated eyes.

"Why are you here?" Qin Cang asked in a low voice, his eyes cold, but with a hint of helplessness and anger. Liu San's figure was very conspicuous, even though he was weak, he could not be ignored.

"I'm worried about you, Captain. You can't go alone." Liu San forced himself to raise the corners of his mouth. His voice was weak, but the determination in his eyes was clearly visible. "It's dangerous for you to do this."

Qin Cang was stunned for a moment, a warm feeling welling up in his heart, but then it was overwhelmed by countless worries and anxieties. He knew that Liu San's condition was far worse than he had imagined. His injuries were still worsening, and his physical strength was seriously overdrawn. And yet he insisted on following him at this moment, simply because he cared about him and was reluctant to leave.

"You should stay in the cave." Qin Cang said with a somewhat cold tone, "I can handle it."

"I can help you, Captain." Liu San's voice was still clear, with an undeniable persistence. "I can handle it."