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

Qin Cang said nothing more, merely nodded. He knew that at this moment, there was no need for unnecessary words; action was the most crucial thing. Xiao Hu still leaned weakly on his shoulder, seemingly unable to do anything. Qin Cang didn't dare let him relax, and took every step with extreme caution, trying to make as little noise as possible.

Every time they passed through a bush or a stream, Qin Cang's nerves would become more tense. He knew that the closer they were to the enemy, the more they couldn't afford to make any mistakes. If the enemy discovered their tracks, this breakout would become an irreversible disaster.

He couldn't help but recall the moment just now, the flash of loss and confusion in Xiaohu's eyes, as if telling him that he might never again be able to face this darkness with the same devotion he once had. That feeling of powerlessness filled Qin Cang with anger and pain. He knew that Xiaohu had an unyielding heart, but at this moment, he still needed protection.

"Xiao Hu, tell me, how long can you hold on?" Qin Cang's voice was so low that it was almost inaudible, but still full of urgency.

Xiaohu raised his eyes with difficulty, as if trying to support himself from being swallowed by this weakness, "I'm fine, Brother Qin, I can walk." His voice became weaker and weaker, and the light in his eyes gradually dimmed.

Qin Cang gritted his teeth and suddenly stopped. He lowered his head and looked at Xiaohu's strong expression, feeling an inexplicable guilt and pain in his heart. Xiaohu didn't have the strength to say more, but his eyes revealed reluctance and stubbornness. That look made Qin Cang a little overwhelmed. He finally took a deep breath and whispered, "If you can't hold on, remember, we will not abandon you, never abandon you."

At that moment, a trace of surprise and emotion flashed in Xiaohu's eyes, as if he couldn't believe that Qin Cang would say this so firmly. His lips moved slightly, but he didn't say anything else.

"Keep going, go around behind them." Liu San's voice came again, interrupting Qin Cang's thoughts. He was already walking ahead, his eyes deep, obviously having confirmed the enemy situation ahead.

Qin Cang nodded, adjusted his breathing, and followed Liu San's steps without hesitation. With every step, he could feel his heartbeat quickening, as if he were about to face a life-or-death battle. But he knew that only by staying alive could he protect every promise he made and prevent Xiaohu's future from being swallowed by this bloody fog.

Qin Cang's thoughts raced, the clatter of footsteps and horse hooves blending into a low symphony under the night. His eyes were fixed on the front, a layer of sweat on his forehead, but even so, he could not let his guard down. The air was filled with a suffocating tension, as if everything was controlled by the gaze of an enemy lurking in the shadows. Every step was a profound test of his will, but this was not what disturbed him most. What truly made him palpitate was the increasingly clear thought in his heart: there was no turning back.

"Xiao Hu's injuries are far more serious than I thought," Qin Cang reflected silently, gripping the reins tightly as if that could give him some strength. He tried not to overthink things, simply wanting to lead Xiao Hu out of his predicament step by step. However, knowing his own predicament well, every decision and every action Qin Cang made felt increasingly burdensome.

He took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping through the surrounding darkness. He knew full well that the success or failure of all this was almost entirely determined at this moment. No matter how carefully they tried to evade the enemy's gaze, every sign indicated they were already surrounded. The outside world was becoming increasingly unfamiliar to them, leaving them with almost no escape route.

He knew that every decision he and Liu San made, even every step they took, would be profoundly impacted. If they didn't escape this place in time tonight, the entire situation could change in an instant, even spiral out of control. Every time he looked back, seeing Xiaohu's exhausted yet unyielding expression, he felt a strong sense of responsibility weighing heavily on his heart.

"Xiao Hu..." Qin Cang called out softly, a hint of hesitation in his voice, but it quickly faded into the night wind. His heart kept beating, each beat heavy, like a hammer hitting an iron wall. He knew Xiao Hu was still struggling, but if he continued like this, he might not be able to hold on until the end.

"Don't talk, try to stay calm." Qin Cang patted Xiaohu's shoulder gently, trying to comfort him, but the uneasiness and anxiety in his eyes were evident.

Xiaohu nodded slightly. Though his face remained pale, his eyes still gleamed with a stubborn glint. Qin Cang knew this young man was far more resilient than he had imagined. Despite the increasingly dire situation, Xiaohu never gave up. He knew this persistence wasn't just for himself, but also for the shared goal of the three of them.

"No matter what happens, I can't let him get hurt again." Qin Cang silently made a resolution to himself. He clenched his fists, and a glimmer of determination flashed in his eyes.

Liu San maintained his calm pace, as if he had anticipated everything. Qin Cang followed him through the jungle, his steps light and steady, not daring to let up even a little. Liu San would occasionally glance back at Qin Cang, their eyes filled with an unspoken understanding. Although the two didn't say much, Qin Cang knew that Liu San had a clearer understanding of the current situation.

"It's impossible for them to be so successful all the time." Qin Cang said in a low voice, as if talking to himself, or as if asking Liu San.

Liu San was silent for a moment, then finally spoke, "We must remain silent and try to avoid exposing our whereabouts." His voice was calm and low, as if nothing outside could affect him. His eyes swept around, as if carefully analyzing every detail, his mind still tense.

Qin Cang frowned slightly, realizing that Liu San wasn't completely oblivious to their surroundings, but rather had a very clear understanding of the enemy before them. Qin Cang knew that if they continued along their original route, their concealment would be greatly reduced. Moreover, if the enemy even noticed, their escape route would be completely cut off.

"Go around." Qin Cang gritted his teeth, his eyes determined, "Let's change direction and go around their flank."

Liu San glanced at him, as if assessing whether Qin Cang's words were worth adopting. After a moment, he nodded. "Okay," he agreed calmly, his voice still without a trace of fluctuation.

So they began to change direction, silently skirting the enemy's flank. Every step had to be taken with care, every footstep as quiet as possible, even their breathing dared not make a loud noise. The dark woods seemed to be their only refuge.