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

Qin Cang stood quietly in a dense bush, his gaze piercing the branches, locked firmly on the figure before him. As the enemy gradually disappeared into the dense undergrowth, his brows furrowed unconsciously, his inner anxiety growing. But at the same time, a long-lost sense of composure began to take root in his heart.

He pulled a cloth bag from his backpack and gently opened it, revealing several dried vegetables and some compressed biscuits. All this seemed to be preparation for the next move. However, Qin Cang's fingers inadvertently stopped on a few dried green vegetables. These greens were not high-end goods, but they held a unique meaning. In this dangerous jungle, greens represented a sense of peace, and also represented some insignificant yet indispensable things in life. They might not taste fancy, but they provided a familiar feeling that could slightly ease the tension in one's heart.

"Xiao Hu, Liu San, wait a moment." Qin Cang ordered in a low voice.

Although Xiaohu was a little anxious, he stood firm and waited patiently for Qin Cang's next instruction. Liu San was silent. He seemed to have long been accustomed to Qin Cang's decisions and had no complaints.

"We don't have the conditions to pursue the enemy right now." Qin Cang gently rubbed his brow, a hint of fatigue in his eyes. "Besides, we have to prepare for a long operation. Green vegetables can be part of the supply and provide some necessary nutrients." He paused and turned to Liu San. "Give me some fire source. Green vegetables can perform better in this environment."

Although Liu San didn't express his opinion directly, a glint of understanding flashed in his eyes. He didn't understand why Qin Cang would stop to get some vegetables at such a tense moment, but he knew that Qin Cang always made the right choice at the critical moment. Although this choice seemed insignificant, he was already accustomed to this kind of meticulous planning in adversity.

"Xiao Hu, go over there and find some branches and fire." Qin Cang continued.

"Understood." Xiaohu responded and disappeared silently into the woods.

At this moment, Qin Cang stood still, his gaze fixed on the enemy's direction, his mind reeling from past memories. He remembered those simpler days, days without the smoke of war, when the fragrance of green vegetables always brought a sense of comfort. Although those times were gone, Qin Cang still believed that even in the most brutal environment, the human heart still needs this small, even negligible, peace of mind.

He sat down and began carefully removing the greens from their dried vegetable packages, gently wiping them to remove any tiny impurities. Although the vegetables weren't exactly fresh, at that moment, they gave him a strange sense of security. Just like these warriors, even in the midst of danger, they always managed to find their own rhythm in the smallest details.

The fire gradually burned, and the aroma of vegetables began to spread in the air. Although the enemy in the distance still posed an uncertain threat, Qin Cang felt a little more relaxed. Even in such a tense environment, he was still able to maintain a sense of inner peace through these small daily habits.

Xiao Hu returned soon, carrying a few dry branches and some kindling. Seeing the fire had been lit, he nodded and quickly began preparing food. Qin Cang had already taken out some dried vegetables and began to stew them in a small pot. The air was filled with the fragrance of green vegetables. For the soldiers, this fragrance was almost precious, as it represented life and hope.

"Xiao Hu, Liu San, come and eat something." Qin Cang said softly, and he used a shovel to distribute a small portion of cooked vegetables to them.

Xiaohu hesitated slightly, his eyes still alert, as if waiting for a signal. He didn't rush to act, but instead cast a deep, puzzled glance at Qin Cang. "Captain Qin, isn't this the time to eat? The enemy could be nearby. Are we just going to sit there and wait for death?" The anxiety in his voice hadn't completely faded.

Qin Cang smiled calmly, seemingly unfazed by Xiaohu's anxiety. He slowly scooped up a spoonful of greens, blew on it gently, and then handed it to Xiaohu. "Precisely because the enemy is nearby, we need to remain calm. You know, although this green vegetable may be simple, it can help us stay alert. Only by staying calm can we find the enemy's weaknesses. Just like when you are on a mission, you should act strategically instead of blindly."

Liu San sat aside, eating his vegetables with his head down, seemingly unconcerned with Qin Cang's words. In his heart, he was already thinking about what to do next. Liu San was a man of few words, and he didn't express his emotions easily, but his trust in Qin Cang far exceeded that of anyone else.

"Xiao Hu, you have to understand one thing." Qin Cang's tone gradually became calm. "The enemy is not as simple as we imagined. Rushing to chase will only expose ourselves. What we need to do is find the enemy's flaws and weaknesses, rather than blindly charging in."

Xiao Hu took a deep breath, as if awakened by Qin Cang's words. He nodded and whispered, "I understand, Captain Qin. You're right. We can't just focus on the immediate danger. We must consider the long-term."

Qin Cang smiled faintly, a hint of relief in his eyes. He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, the tension in his heart easing slightly. He knew that this simple meal of vegetables was not only a food supply, but also a psychological adjustment. If a team wanted to survive in difficult situations, in addition to the advantages of manpower and weapons, it also needed everyone's mental balance and composure.

The aroma of green vegetables filled the air. Qin Cang looked at Xiao Hu and Liu San, his sense of responsibility growing stronger. He knew that everything that followed depended on the tacit understanding and trust between them. Although the outside world was still full of uncertain dangers, they were ready, waiting for that moment, looking for the enemy's weaknesses.

Qin Cang sat quietly beside the fire, his eyes fixed on the blazing flames, his heart awash with confusion. The flickering flames, illuminating his face, couldn't mask the sudden confusion and oppression. His heart felt as if shrouded in a thick haze, obscuring the path ahead and unable to discern the true threat. Every time he experienced the baptism of battle, he would briefly feel lost—not out of fear, but because there was always something unknown, something beyond his control, lingering in his mind, unable to shake it off.

"Xiao Hu, Liu San," he spoke slowly, his voice low and heavy, as if carrying a hint of subtle fatigue. "What do you think our next move should be?"