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

It has been a while since Xiaohu set out, but he still hasn't brought back any useful news.

Liu Sanrang's gaze drifted away, as if he wanted to put all his uneasiness aside. But the doubts in his heart, like an untied knot, grew tighter and tighter. What were the enemy's true intentions? Why had they remained so inactive? Had they noticed his deployment? Or were they planning something else?

At this moment, the sound of horse hooves broke the silence. Liu Sanrang turned his head suddenly and saw Qin Cang walking out of the tent. His eyes were as sharp as a blade. He swept his gaze around, as if looking for something.

"General." Liu Sanrang stepped forward subconsciously. His voice was somewhat subdued, the anxiety in his heart finally finding an outlet. "What's the news?"

Qin Cang didn't answer immediately. He simply walked slowly to Liu Sanrang's side, gently looking up into the distance, his eyes deep, as if they could penetrate layers of darkness. "There are some things I need to confirm in person." Qin Cang's voice was low and powerful, with a calm and unshakable strength.

Liu Sanrang was stunned and frowned, "General, what do you mean? Could it be that——"

"I found a small path." Qin Cang slowly turned his head and looked into Liu Sanrang's eyes, a barely perceptible smile on his lips. "A small path leading into the mountains."

Hearing this, Liu Sanrang's heart suddenly trembled. He knew that Qin Cang's eyesight and sharp intuition often allowed him to discover details that others overlooked. What did the discovery of this path mean?

"You mean, the enemy might approach us through this road?" Liu Sanrang couldn't help asking, with a hint of surprise that was hard to conceal in his eyes.

"Maybe." Qin Cang pondered for a moment and said in a low voice, "But the existence of this path can't be accidental. The enemy has been observing us, looking for a breakthrough, and this path may be their most hidden passage."

Liu Sanrang's heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and he unconsciously gripped the hilt of his sword even tighter. If this were true, then this passage was undoubtedly the enemy's greatest hidden advantage. They could enter silently through this path and directly approach their camp, posing a huge threat.

"Then what should we do now?" Liu Sanrang asked in a low voice, his eyes fixed on Qin Cang's face. The doubts in his heart almost made him breathless.

Qin Cang seemed to have made plans. His gaze remained calm, but his voice carried a resoluteness untouched by the outside world. "Go inform Xiaohu and the other scouts to take immediate action and confirm the enemy's movements. Don't act rashly, but don't let your guard down either."

Liu Sanrang nodded and turned around to make arrangements.

"Wait a moment." Qin Cang suddenly stopped him, his deep voice carrying a majesty that could not be ignored. "Do you think you can continue to command this battle now?"

These words struck Liu Sanrang like a hammer, hammering him in the heart. He was startled for a moment, then quickly recovered, a hint of confusion and bewilderment in his eyes. "General, what do you mean..."

Qin Cang's eyes were as sharp as a knife. He looked at Liu Sanrang deeply, and his tone did not soften at all, "You are not confident anymore."

Liu Sanrang's body stiffened slightly, the uneasiness deep within him returning at this moment. Ever since taking command, his heart had been as steadfast as a rock, unwavering, but at this moment, a vague fear and doubt wavered. He didn't want Qin Cang to see his inner turmoil, much less show any sign of weakness.

"I didn't." He suppressed his emotions and put on a determined smile. "I just wanted to make sure everything was safe."

Qin Cang looked at him, seemingly scrutinizing him, his eyes as deep as the ocean. "You can sense the change, right? It's not just the external pressure, but the turmoil deep within you," he said in a slow, powerful voice. "This is a phase every general goes through. You don't have to force yourself to deny it. Only by bravely facing your fear can you truly gain control of the situation."

Liu Sanrang took a deep breath and stood straighter. He understood Qin Cang's words, and things gradually became clearer in his mind. Yes, he had always tried to portray himself as an unwavering commander, but he knew that true strength wasn't about being fearless, but about being able to make calm decisions in the face of fear.

He nodded, determination rekindled in his eyes, "General, I understand."

"Go ahead." Qin Cang's eyes softened a little, "Do what you should do."

Without another word, Liu Sanrang turned and hurried away, a surge of strength welling up within him. He knew that only under this kind of pressure could he truly feel the strength within him. His steps grew steadier, his voice growing quieter as he walked, the strength from within gradually returning to every inch of his body.

The night, like a thick curtain, enveloped the silent world. Yet, within this darkness, everything seemed to become incredibly clear. Liu Sanrang's uneasiness gradually faded, and his long-lost peace quietly returned.

Qin Cang stood in the center of the tent, his arms folded across his chest, staring silently at the simple map. The night breeze blew into the tent with a chill, and the flickering light made everything inside hazy and unclear. But his gaze was as sharp as steel, piercing through the vague images and locking onto each route on the map.

He didn't immediately respond to Liu Sanrang's question, but instead lowered his head to ponder. The air around him seemed frozen, even the sound of the wind seemed distant. He could sense the oppressive feeling in the air, and he could clearly see the changes in Liu Sanrang's mind. However, Qin Cang never showed it outwardly. He knew that every word and every glance he made could be the key to changing the situation. And on this dangerous road, any uncertainty could lead to disaster.

"General, what are your plans?" Liu Sanrang stood aside, looking a little nervous. Although he tried his best to hide it, he still found it difficult to calm his inner turmoil in this sudden situation.

Qin Cang's eyes were calm and composed. He glanced at Liu Sanrang calmly, then lowered his head to continue analyzing the map, his fingertips moving lightly across it, as if sensing the pulse of each line. After a long moment, he slowly spoke, "We can't split up now."

Liu Sanrang was slightly taken aback, a hint of doubt rising in his heart. He knew that splitting up into teams was a common arrangement in battle. The closer to the enemy's heart, the more important it was to avoid concentrating too much force. Dispersing deployment could reduce some of the risk. But now, Qin Cang had clearly stated that he would not split up into teams, which clearly meant that they would face a more complicated situation.