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

Chapter 513: Must Strike First

Liu San's gaze once again focused on Qin Cang. The depth in his eyes seemed to be able to see through all the hesitation and struggle in Qin Cang's heart. After a long while, he finally spoke: "What do you think we should do next?"

Qin Cang took a deep breath and leaned forward slightly, as if sensing the oppressive air around him. He turned his head and looked at the enemy gradually approaching in the distance, his inner fighting spirit ignited again: "We can't give the enemy any more chances. We must strike first."

"Do you have any solution?" Liu San asked.

"Yes." Qin Cang's eyes flashed with a coldness, and his tone was without hesitation, "But I have to rely on you, Liu San. You know what to do."

Liu San didn't respond immediately, but remained silent for a moment. After a few seconds, he suddenly nodded: "I understand."

Qin Cang closed his eyes briefly, his heartbeat quickening. Although this battle was fraught with uncertainty, despite the sheer number of enemies and their formidable formation, he knew that only calmness and determination could allow them to find a glimmer of hope in this dark and gloomy situation.

At the same time, Qin Cang couldn't help but worry about Xiaohu's situation. Xiaohu's impulsiveness, his passion, and his anger had once been their strength, but in this complex situation, perhaps that strength had become a burden. He didn't dare let Xiaohu interfere easily, and he didn't want him to get too close to the core of the situation.

"If Xiaohu rushes up..." Qin Cang kept repeating this thought in his mind, "I'm afraid I won't have time to stop him."

He turned his gaze to the side and whispered to himself, "We can't let him come over. We won't meet for the time being."

Every word Qin Cang spoke was like a sharp blade of determination, slicing through the anxiety within him. No matter what, he couldn't let Xiaohu's impulsiveness disrupt their plans. He knew Xiaohu might not understand, but at this moment, emotions and friendship seemed so fragile that only the calmest action could save the situation.

Even as he pondered these thoughts, Liu San had already begun silently preparing. He pulled out some hidden weapons and carefully inspected each piece of equipment. Qin Cang breathed a sigh of relief. Liu San's actions seemed like support for him. His calmness and decisiveness gradually eased his doubts. He knew that although Liu San had changed drastically, he was still his trusted comrade.

"Are you ready?" Qin Cang asked in a low voice.

"Anytime." Liu San's eyes were firm and his words were concise and powerful.

"Let's begin then." Qin Cang took a deep breath and turned to look ahead. The enemy was getting closer and closer. Every movement he made was tinged with urgency and determination. He had no time to look back, or even to worry about the various doubts arising from the complex situation. He had only one goal: to survive, and to keep everyone alive.

At this moment, Qin Cang could almost hear the sound of his own heartbeat, violent and rapid, yet with an unprecedented calmness and focus. His eyes narrowed slightly, his mind clear, as if the whole world had stopped at this moment, and all that remained was the life-and-death struggle between him and his enemy.

The enemy's formation tightened, and Qin Cang felt a sense of urgency. They had already begun their deployment, silently surrounding them. His heart tightened, and he waved his hand to signal Liu San to prepare for action. Suddenly, his eyes snapped back, and his heart felt like something was tugging at him.

"Xiao Hu!" Qin Cang's heart trembled and he turned around suddenly.

He could clearly see that Xiaohu had appeared in his sight and was walking towards him quickly with a nervous and anxious look on his face. He was obviously unaware that his whereabouts had been exposed.

"No!" An inexplicable panic surged in Qin Cang's heart. He knew that he could not hesitate at this moment and had to take measures immediately to prevent Xiaohu from being further exposed.

"Xiao Hu, come back!" Qin Cang almost blurted out, with uncontrollable anxiety in his voice.

Xiaohu did not hear Qin Cang's call, but instead walked faster. He was obviously driven by some impulse and completely ignored the danger around him.

"Xiao Hu's matter may not be that simple," he thought to himself, his tone tinged with uncertainty. After all, this matter involved too many people; it was no longer a matter of just one person.

Qin Cang had been standing outside the door, listening to Liu San's every move, his eyes fixed on his back. His deep eyes flickered with unspeakable emotions. At this moment, he didn't even need to express anything through words; he seemed to be able to sense Liu San's every heartbeat.

"Xiaohu, did you really do this?" Qin Cang murmured to himself in a low voice. His voice was weak, but full of determination that could not be ignored.

Liu San ignored Qin Cang's silence and said lightly: "Some things are beyond your and my control, Qin Cang." He paused and looked back at Qin Cang. At that moment, the two people's eyes met, as if they had traveled through countless years. Through the silence, they seemed to be able to see the intricate connections deep in each other's hearts.

"Xiao Hu has never been someone who would do such a thing." Qin Cang finally spoke, his voice filled with an unquestionable firmness, "He... can't be."

A complicated look flashed across Liu San's face, but he did not respond. He just lowered his head, as if he was lost in some deep thought.

A few months ago, Xiaohu was just another young soldier fighting alongside them. He was lively, sunny, and always smiling, as if nothing could bring him down. He always found a glimmer of hope in the most dangerous moments. Everyone knew that during those days filled with smoke and dust, Xiaohu was one of the most reliable people.

Yet, today, he has become the target of false accusations, burdened with a burden many cannot imagine. Some say he betrayed his unit, some say he colluded with the enemy, and some even accuse him of direct involvement in multiple assassination attempts. But which of these accusations is true?

Qin Cang couldn't believe it. Xiao Hu couldn't possibly have done such a thing. If he had done it, wouldn't everything he trusted have completely collapsed?

But the facts were stark. Xiao Hu had been apprehended and was being tortured, and all the evidence seemed to point to him. No one was willing to believe his innocence anymore, and even some of his former comrades had grown indifferent. Qin Cang felt a tangle of emotions, as if a sharp knife had pierced his heart.

"Xiao Hu... why are you like this?" he asked in a low voice, as if seeking answers from an invisible existence in the air.