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

At that moment, a familiar face emerged in Qin Cang's mind - Xiao Hu, the man who always had such a bright smile. He had fought side by side with him and supported each other on countless brinks of life and death. However, that night, the sudden betrayal made Qin Cang's world collapse.

"Do you still remember?" Liu San's voice sounded again, "Xiao Hu no longer belongs to you. Now, he is mine."

Qin Cang's eyes flashed with a haze, and the pain and anger in his heart intertwined like an unsolvable knot. He couldn't believe that the brother who once fought side by side with him would actually betray him and stand on the enemy's side.

"You're right." Qin Cang said coldly, his voice low and a little suppressed, "But no matter what he chooses, I will not let you go."

Liu San smiled slightly, put down his wine glass, his eyes flashing with a cold light, "Let me go? I'm afraid you can't even let yourself go."

Qin Cang said nothing more, taking a deep breath. His gaze grew firm and cold. No matter what Liu San said, he had made up his mind. No matter what Xiao Hu became, he would not let anyone, no force, stop him from finding his former brother, even if the process was filled with blood and tears.

At this moment, a burst of rapid horse hooves sounded in the distance, and the tension in the air instantly intensified. Qin Cang's eyes focused, and he instantly understood something. Without hesitation, he turned and walked away.

Qin Cang didn't look back. Behind him stood the man known as the "Iron-Blooded" commander—Liu San. His smile remained grim, as if he were confident everything was under control. But the anger and determination within Qin Cang's heart burned like a raging fire, already blazing through his chest. As they walked, the atmosphere grew increasingly hushed, even the air seemed oppressive, as if every step weighed heavily.

With every step, Qin Cang's heart grew heavier. He knew this battle was doomed to fail. The name Liu San had long been a shadow in his heart, a lingering, unending shadow. He still remembered the first time he met Liu San. It was a cold night, and in the firelight, Liu San's eyes were filled with cruelty and coldness, as if his entire being was etched with the aura of death.

Qin Cang had once believed Liu San to be nothing more than a cold-blooded killer, merciless and relentless. But he hadn't expected Liu San's ambition to run deeper than Qin Cang had imagined. His vision was profound and unwavering, perceiving everything in a person's heart. It was this man who had taken Xiao Hu from him, transporting him to a world he couldn't comprehend.

"Xiao Hu..." Qin Cang muttered softly, as if even he himself felt a little unfamiliar with the name. The man who had accompanied him through countless difficult times seemed to have drifted away from him, vanishing in the wind.

He hadn't cared about the betrayal that night. Perhaps it was because he'd relied too much on the other person that he'd lost even the most basic sense of caution. Xiaohu was his brother, a former comrade-in-arms. They'd fought side by side on countless battlefields, sharing every word amidst the bloody storms and winds, and weathering countless dark times together. But he hadn't imagined that the boy with the brightest smile would abandon him at the crucial moment, choosing to throw himself into Liu San's arms.

Why? Qin Cang had asked himself this question countless times. What had caused Xiao Hu to choose this path? Was it out of trust? Some emotional decision? Or was it simply because Liu San's power and resources were greater? Qin Cang didn't know, but regardless, his former partner was no longer the Xiao Hu he knew.

The road ahead stretched further and further away, the wind and sand rustling against his face, bringing bursts of coolness. Qin Cang's eyes grew deeper, and each step he took seemed steady and powerful, as if he were using his steps to dispel the anger and anxiety in his heart. Although he still didn't know Xiao Hu's whereabouts, he knew that sooner or later, there would be an answer to all this, and sooner or later, he would get the full truth from Liu San.

He wasn't one to give up easily. Whether it was a battle or the friendships he once held, he wouldn't let go easily. The past struggles of trust and betrayal coalesced into a powerful wave of emotion, swamping every cell in his body. He knew, no matter the cost, no matter the outcome, he had to uncover this mystery.

Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves approached in the distance, as if someone was chasing them. Qin Cang paused for a moment, but he didn't stop. Instead, he frowned slightly and glanced around warily. The sound grew clearer and clearer, and finally, several figures came into view. They were cavalrymen, all familiar faces, former subordinates, men who had fought alongside him.

Their horses came galloping, raising dust and carrying a rush of air in the wind. Qin Cang's pace did not pause for a moment, and only when they approached did he turn his head slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of calmness and vigilance.

"Captain, we've found some clues." One of the cavalrymen appeared nervous and breathless, having clearly rushed all the way here. His face was pale, clearly having experienced quite a bit of trouble.

"Speak." Qin Cang's voice remained calm, as if he was used to everything.

The cavalryman lowered his head, a thin layer of sweat seeping out of his forehead. "We found some clues about Xiaohu. He - he was captured by Liu San's men."

"Caught?" Qin Cang's heart sank, and his pupils tightened unconsciously. At that moment, a picture emerged in his mind: Xiao Hu was heavily imprisoned, his face haggard, his eyes empty, and Liu San stood beside him, looking at him with a sneer.

"He is now in Liu San's hands and seems to be...imprisoned in a place." The cavalry continued, his voice low, as if he didn't dare to say too much.

"Are you sure?" Qin Cang frowned. This news was undoubtedly a bombshell to him. He had thought Xiao Hu might be hiding somewhere, perhaps injured or escaping some danger, but he hadn't expected...he would be caught by Liu San.

"We have indeed received reliable information," the cavalry replied in a low voice, "but the enemy's defenses are very tight, making it difficult for us to approach."

Qin Cang took a deep breath, a glint of determination in his eyes. He turned and stared straight ahead. Liu San, that name no longer simply represented an enemy or a military confrontation. Instead, it carried with it the betrayal of the one he once trusted most, and the deepest pain and anger he felt.