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

"Shadow..." Qin Cang repeated softly, his heart stirring. The word didn't have any special meaning, but at this moment, it seemed to be the key to unlocking the whole mystery.

He carefully rolled up the note and placed it in his arms. Without stopping, he turned and left the room, his steps still steady and resolute. Liu San's injustice could no longer be delayed, and the so-called "shadow" must be the only clue he could rely on now.

Along the way, he didn't go directly to the cell, but to the place he had never had time to investigate in depth. This place, a corner that no one would notice, was precisely the place that could reveal the truth - those forgotten clues were often the most valuable clues.

He stepped into the deserted market. Dust obscured the texture of every stone slab. The surrounding stalls had long been abandoned, leaving only empty shelves and a few rotting old items. Qin Cang carefully walked through the chaotic ruins, his steps light and silent. Every time he stopped, he would carefully examine every corner. It was as if an invisible force in his heart guided him, leading him to the deepest place.

Finally, he discovered some faint traces behind a dilapidated brick wall. They were inconspicuous, even a little blurry. Qin Cang squatted down and examined them carefully. It was a trace of friction, as if something had been dragged through it, leaving a subtle impression. Qin Cang's heartbeat quickened, and he instinctively felt that this clue was extremely important.

He looked up. No one was around. Even in this deserted market, he could sense a tense atmosphere. The presence of this trace proved that someone had been here, and it wasn't just a coincidence.

He reached out and pushed aside the stone bricks on the wall, revealing a narrow crack. The air within was chilly and biting, as if hiding some unspeakable secret. Qin Cang didn't hesitate. He reached into the crack and felt a hard object. With a firm pull, the object came out. It turned out to be an ancient iron box. The surface of the box had been rusted by the years, but it still retained its original weight.

With a throbbing heart, Qin Cang quickly opened the box. What was inside caught his eye—a sealed envelope with no markings. Qin Cang tore open the envelope and found several pages of paper with seemingly ordinary words written on them. However, when he read carefully, he discovered that it contained a complex logic and profound meaning.

"If you see this letter, it means you have reached the last stop. Liu San is not an assassin. His existence means the beginning of a secret."

Qin Cang's heart sank. He clutched the letter in his hand, unable to react for a long time. The meaning of that paragraph was crystal clear: Liu San was not an assassin, but his presence was the beginning of a larger conspiracy. And in all this, Qin Cang was no longer a bystander; he was personally involved.

The night was still dark, the moonlight obscured by dark clouds, its dim light casting a shadow on the ground, as if shrouded in a thick veil. Qin Cang stood in the dilapidated market, clutching the note tightly in his hand, his brow furrowed, his heart surging with emotion. The words on the note weighed on his chest like a heavy stone, making it difficult to breathe. "Liu San is not an assassin; his presence marks the beginning of a secret." These words echoed in Qin Cang's ears again and again, as if reminding him that things were far more complicated than he had imagined.

"What on earth is going on?" Qin Cang muttered to himself, his eyes wandering over the pages of handwriting. His mind began to piece together a vague picture, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not connect the fragments. What unknown truth was hidden behind Liu San's unjust accusation?

He gently tucked the note into his arms, his gaze no longer lingering on the ruins. Tonight, he was no longer a lone seeker. He had found a clear direction and must find the "shadow" hiding behind it. Only by uncovering this mystery could he clear Liu San's name.

However, he understood that he might not be able to handle the upcoming dangers alone. The forces hidden behind the scenes were far more powerful than he had imagined. If he wanted to truly solve this problem from the root, he needed more help. Qin Cang's gaze gradually became firm, and suddenly, his mind moved, and he thought of someone - Xiaohu.

Xiaohu, Qin Cang's former comrade and one of his most trusted companions. Although Xiaohu wasn't particularly adept at planning, his courage and loyalty on the battlefield made Qin Cang never doubt him. On that bloody battlefield, he faced countless life-or-death trials, and Xiaohu always bravely stepped forward, even knowing the swords and spears lay ahead. This man was the only companion he could currently rely on.

He took a deep breath, his eyes becoming more resolute. He then turned and quickly walked out of the market, heading towards Xiaohu's residence. Qin Cang hurried, his mind reeling from memories of fighting alongside Xiaohu. Those laughter and memories of fighting side by side seemed to bring him a long-lost warmth. Perhaps, in the upcoming situation, only this person could give him more confidence.

Xiaohu's residence wasn't far, just a few blocks from the abandoned market. Along the way, Qin Cang's mood gradually calmed down. Although his steps were hurried, his mind was free of distractions. He knew that he had to put aside his personal feelings and face the truth that was approaching.

Soon, he stood in front of the shabby little house. The lights inside were dim, and it was obvious that Xiaohu was at home. Qin Cang took a deep breath and knocked gently on the door. A dull sound of footsteps came from inside, and then the door was opened, revealing Xiaohu's honest face.

"Xiao Hu." Qin Cang said briefly.

Xiao Hu was stunned for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. He looked at Qin Cang and nodded slightly: "Brother, why are you so late? Come in and sit down."

Qin Cang walked straight into the house without hesitation. The layout was simple and plain, with some old weapons and armor piled in the corner and some unfinished drafts on the table. Xiaohu had always been straightforward and casual, so the house had no fancy decorations; everything was arranged in the most simple manner.

After Qin Cang sat down, he looked at Xiaohu, his eyes as sharp as ever: "Xiaohu, I need your help with something."

Xiaohu poured a glass of wine and handed it to Qin Cang: "Tell me, what's the matter?"

Qin Cang took the wine glass and took a sip, feeling the spicy taste of the strong wine quickly hit his taste buds. He put down the wine glass and said with a firm look in his eyes, "Liu San, he was wronged."