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

Chapter 466 Eyes Full of Confidence

Liu Sanrang was slightly shocked upon hearing this, and his doubts slowly dissipated. Indeed, the enemy's trap seemed to be closing in, but in this seemingly hopeless situation, it was actually the best opportunity. Qin Cang's calmness and decisiveness, like a sharp sword, accurately pierced the enemy's illusory defenses.

"I understand. Keep following." Liu Sanrang took a deep breath, quickly calmed himself down, and followed closely.

They were not moving fast, their footsteps so light they were almost inaudible. The surrounding darkness gradually engulfed everything, even the sound of the wind vanishing without a trace, leaving only the occasional rustling of leaves. The pressure in the air made it difficult for everyone to breathe, as if even breathing had become a burden. But Qin Cang remained calm, his steps steady, as if he had full confidence in this darkness, knowing that every step would lead them out of their predicament.

They passed through the dense forest, bypassed a low-lying area, and finally came to an open area. The night here was slightly clearer, and the moonlight shone through the clouds, casting mottled light and shadows on the barren land.

"General, there seems to be an abandoned stronghold ahead." Liu Sanrang reminded in a low voice, pointing to a weed-covered hillside not far away.

Qin Cang's eyes lit up slightly, but he didn't stop, continuing to walk forward. "Very good, the enemy's trap is also our opportunity to break through." His voice was full of calmness and confidence. "This abandoned mountain stronghold was once used by the enemy to set an ambush. If we can successfully enter it, we can use the stronghold's terrain to counter the enemy."

"But, that stronghold... isn't there anyone guarding it?" Liu Sanrang frowned slightly, still wary. He wasn't sure if the enemy would redeploy the abandoned stronghold and set some traps.

"It's precisely because the enemy thinks we'll be cornered that they'll ignore this stronghold." Qin Cang smiled calmly, "They won't expect us to choose this path. Instead, they'll think we'll be forced to find a safer place. In this way, the enemy will focus all their attention on the direction we might escape and ignore this abandoned stronghold."

Liu Sanrang finally came to a sudden realization. He looked at Qin Cang's confident back, and felt a subtle surge of strength growing within him. In this seemingly hopeless battle, every step Qin Cang took seemed to tap into the enemy's weakest spot.

They quickly approached the stronghold, maintaining a cautious pace. The open space outside the stronghold was overgrown with weeds, with the faint glimpse of some broken walls and abandoned wooden fences. There was no sign of the enemy, nor any signs of surveillance. It was as if everything had been abandoned and eerily quiet.

"Go inside the stronghold and find cover." Qin Cang commanded in a low voice, his eyes still sharp, "Be careful."

Liu Sanrang nodded and followed closely. He knew that Qin Cang had already made the best plan for them, and now they only needed to follow his steps and wait for the enemy to make a fatal mistake.

After entering the stronghold, Qin Cang signaled everyone to disperse and hide. He leaned against a dilapidated wall, took a deep breath, and savored the long-lost tranquility. The enemy might think they were completely trapped, but Qin Cang knew that everything they did was just waiting for an opportunity—an opportunity that could turn the tide.

"General, are you sure this is okay?" Liu Sanrang asked in a low voice, standing not far away, with a hint of nervousness in his voice.

"Don't worry." Qin Cang's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness. "They don't just want our lives, but our reactions. As long as we let them continue to mistakenly believe that we are trapped in a dead end, they will relax their vigilance and expose more flaws."

Liu Sanrang nodded silently, his admiration for Qin Cang's strategy growing stronger. At this critical moment, Qin Cang's calmness and courage had long become their greatest reliance.

He tightened his cloak, his gaze tracing across the distant mountains to Liu San, who stood beside him. Liu San was Qin Cang's trusted subordinate, clad in military uniform, a dagger at his waist. His features were resolute, his eyes filled with wisdom and courage. Qin Cang had long recognized that Liu San was not only a loyal soldier, but also a shrewd strategist, one who, despite countless battles, never showed a trace of fatigue.

"Where do you think the enemy will show up?" Qin Cang asked in a low voice, his voice echoing in the valley, as if out of tune with the surrounding silence.

Liu San was silent for a moment, his eyes sweeping across the distant mountains and forests with a deep gaze. His lips moved slightly, "Their forces are quite numerous, but they're not as well-prepared as we imagined. The enemy is accustomed to hiding, and it's difficult to discern their true strength based solely on the information presented."

Qin Cang nodded slightly, understanding Liu San's intention. The enemy's movements were always mysterious and unpredictable, never revealing any obvious weaknesses. It seemed as if every step concealed a deep trap. If the enemy was truly confident, they would surely have already laid a hidden plan.

"How do we break it?" Qin Cang asked softly.

Liu San's eyes suddenly became sharp. He glanced at the woods beside him, his eyes flickering, and then turned to Qin Cang, "Hu'er can go and check it out."

"Hmm?" Qin Cang frowned slightly.

Liu San whispered, "Xiao Hu is naturally agile and well-suited to stealth. He can sneak into the enemy camp and figure out their distribution without leaving any trace. As long as nothing goes terribly wrong, he can bring back valuable intelligence."

Qin Cang was silent for a moment, his gaze turning towards the depths of the distant valley. That foggy area seemed to conceal all the conspiracies within. If there truly were an enemy hiding there, it would surely be a thrilling encounter. Despite this, he still didn't make a hasty decision.

"Let him go." Qin Cang finally made up his mind, "But be careful, the enemy is cunning and we can't make any mistakes."

Liu San smiled faintly, his eyes full of confidence. He knew that once Qin Cang's instructions were issued, there would be no turning back. All tactical arrangements would be based on this decision.

He turned around and called out to Xiaohu who was standing beside him.

Xiaohu was young, with bright eyes and a slender build. Clad in light gray armor, he seemed to blend in with his surroundings if one didn't look closely. Qin Cang's gaze shifted as he observed Xiaohu's silent expression, his heart trembling slightly. Xiaohu was Qin Cang's vanguard, and when it came to speed and agility, he was unmatched. Ever since he joined Qin Cang's army, he had been like a sharp blade, slashing through all enemies.

"You follow Liu San's arrangements and find out the enemy's situation." Qin Cang said in a low voice, but with an unquestionable authority.