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

However, the current situation is not simple. The defense line set up by the enemy has already constrained their actions. Every step is fraught with danger, and every slight mistake will put the rescue plan in jeopardy. Qin Cang's brows were furrowed. He didn't want to have any rift between him and Liu San because of this operation. Although the relationship between the two had never been made clear, the tacit understanding and mutual understanding had long been deeply rooted in their hearts. Every time they fought side by side, they knew each other's thoughts, knew each other's bottom line, and knew that no matter what situation they were in, they would support each other.

This time, Qin Cang didn't want to create any rifts because of this incident. He didn't want to see Liu San doubt him, and even more so, he didn't want to see Liu San resent him. After all, in his heart, Liu San had always been a trustworthy partner, the one who always stood by him without hesitation in the face of danger.

"Boss, do we really have to be so careful?" Liu San's voice suddenly rang out from behind him, breaking Qin Cang's contemplation. There was a hint of helplessness in his voice, but more of a hint of anxiety. "The enemy might not be aware of us, right?"

Qin Cang didn't stop walking. He whispered back, "The enemy's defenses are tighter than we thought. The closer we get, the more exposed we become, and the easier it will be for the enemy to detect our movements."

Liu San didn't reply, simply following Qin Cang's steps closely, his heart still filled with doubts about the situation ahead. Although he trusted Qin Cang, the tense atmosphere made him somewhat uneasy. Even though he knew the enemy's defenses were impregnable, Liu San still felt a sense of pressure about the success or failure of the operation at hand.

"Boss, what if...what if we are really discovered?" Liu San couldn't help but ask in a low voice, with a hint of nervousness that was hard to conceal in his voice.

Qin Cang didn't answer immediately, but cast his gaze toward the dense forest in the distance. His eyes were deep, as if they could see through everything. He knew that if the enemy noticed their movements, it wouldn't just be a simple alarm; it could mean something more complex. He gripped the hilt of his knife tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white. An uneasy feeling seemed to ferment and spread within him.

"We can only take it one step at a time." Qin Cang's voice was low and decisive, "But no matter what, we must not let Xiaohu get hurt."

He paused, his gaze determined, as if piercing the darkness and danger, as he gazed at the target in the distance. Xiaohu, the boy who had always held a special place in his heart. A voice in Qin Cang's heart cried out, wanting to approach immediately, to rescue Xiaohu, but he knew that blind impulse would only make things worse.

Liu San seemed to sense Qin Cang's inner struggle. He lowered his head and remained silent. He understood that Qin Cang shouldered greater responsibility for this mission. Perhaps he shouldn't question it anymore. However, Liu San's heart remained restless. The fear of the unknown gradually spread within him. He couldn't help but wonder if he was truly prepared for what lay ahead.

But Qin Cang's anxiety didn't dissipate even with Liu San's silence. Every time he thought about it, Xiao Hu's innocent face would appear in his mind, as if he still trusted and expected him. That sense of responsibility made Qin Cang's every nerve tense. At this moment, he had no choice but to persevere and move forward.

"Boss, what should we do if the enemy discovers our whereabouts?" Liu San finally spoke, his tone already filled with a hint of helplessness. "We can't just rush in and fight them to the death, right?"

Qin Cang was slightly stunned, his heart seemingly deeply moved at this moment. Indeed, the enemy's discovery of them meant more than just a simple confrontation. With the complex situation behind them, who could guarantee that it wouldn't be a bloody battle to the bitter end? He pondered for a moment, sighed deeply, and whispered, "I don't want to make that kind of decision, especially when it concerns Xiaohu's fate. I can't let our actions become a meaningless gamble."

His tone remained steady, as if a warning to himself and Liu San. The resolve hidden deep within his heart eventually transformed into a resolute force, spurring him on.

"Boss, don't worry." Liu San's tone suddenly became firm, as if he had received some kind of revelation. "We have never retreated."

The incident unfolded during a supposedly peaceful martial arts competition. That day, Qin Cang arrived at the competition venue alone, as usual. The air around him was thick with a long-lost tension, the clamor and discussion muted by an unknown force. His opponent was Liu San, a renowned martial arts master. Though not young, he remained unparalleled in his skill, his swordsmanship unrivaled in the world.

"Liu San, I've long heard of your name." Qin Cang bowed, his eyes meeting the other person through the crowd, and there was a subtle fluctuation in his heart.

"Haha, young man, you have a sweet mouth." Liu San had a look of contempt in his eyes, and he casually raised the long sword in his hand, making a series of crisp sounds.

Qin Cang's mouth corners rose slightly, his steps were steady, and his sword intent was like a tiger ready to leap at any time, ready to go.

The match began. Qin Cang charged forward like lightning, his sword flashes cascading down like a waterfall, while Liu San appeared quite composed. His sword moves seemed understated, yet each one contained immense power. As their swords clashed, the gust of wind in the air made the onlookers feel the collision of two powerful auras.

However, just as Qin Cang was about to attack again, he suddenly heard a startled cry. The sound was unusually sharp, like the cry of someone in a panic. Liu San's face changed drastically, the tip of his sword shifted slightly, and a subtle flash of panic crossed his eyes. Qin Cang didn't realize the problem, and continued his attack rhythm, dancing with his sword even more fiercely.

"Stop!" A hurried voice rang out, breaking the silence of the competition venue.

Qin Cang looked up and saw a young man in black walking towards him in a hurry. He had an anxious look on his face and stared at Liu San with anger and questioning in his eyes.

"Liu San, how could you do such a despicable thing?" the young man shouted.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Liu San's face darkened instantly, and a trace of panic flashed in his eyes. "What did I do?"