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

Chapter 538: The Trap I Set

He knew that every moment he faced was full of danger, and any wrong judgment could lead them into an irreversible situation.

But Qin Cang maintained a composure bordering on indifference, as if everything around him had nothing to do with him. His eyes pierced the darkness, their gaze fixed on the distance. Every time he lifted a foot, it seemed as if he was heading towards another fork in his fate. Should he continue advancing deeper into the enemy's territory, or should he retreat? This question swirled endlessly in his mind, but he never came up with a clear answer.

"Xiao Hu, there's movement ahead." Qin Cang suddenly reminded in a low voice, his tone calm but with a hint of alertness.

Xiaohu's gaze swept forward, nervously observing his surroundings. He knew the captain's intuition was always right. The enemy's actions were becoming increasingly unusual. Where there had been no movement just a moment ago, there now seemed to be something unusual. Almost instantly, the tension in the air began to rise.

"Captain, have they discovered us?" Xiaohu asked in a low voice, with a hint of anxiety in his tone.

Qin Cang didn't answer immediately, but quietly observed the shadows ahead. As his eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, he gradually saw the surrounding situation clearly. The enemy's defenses hadn't completely relaxed, but rather had undergone some subtle changes. This meant that they might have noticed the team's movements.

"Let's change our route," Qin Cang's voice remained calm. "Let's go around their defenses and avoid this area."

Xiaohu frowned slightly, understanding the captain's meaning. The situation was grim. Continuing forward would likely lead to an enemy encirclement. However, according to the original plan, the team had already prepared for the battle. The sudden decision to change course left Xiaohu feeling even more complicated.

"Captain, are you sure?" Xiaohu couldn't help but ask, the doubts in his heart still could not be eliminated.

Qin Cang glanced back at Xiao Hu, his eyes still radiating a stoic calm. "We don't have many options. Continuing to attack head-on will only give the enemy more opportunities."

Before he finished speaking, he turned and headed towards another hidden path. Seeing this, Xiaohu took a deep breath and followed his lead. Although he still felt a little uneasy, he knew that at this moment, only by following the captain could he ensure the team's survival.

The two men advanced silently along the path, their footsteps almost silent. Moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows that cast a shadowy, enigmatic veil over the forest. Qin Cang's gaze flickered around, vigilantly observing any movement. Though his steps didn't falter, an indescribable heaviness filled his heart.

"Captain, what do you think, Liu San...does he know something?" Xiaohu suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.

Qin Cang's eyes flickered slightly, and he turned back to look at Xiao Hu. "Liu San?"

"Yes," Xiaohu's eyes flashed with hesitation, "I always feel that there seems to be something wrong with Liu San. Especially today, his eyes and reactions are completely different from before."

Qin Cang didn't answer immediately, but instead gave Xiaohu a deep look, his eyes revealing a subtle, complex emotion. He knew that Xiaohu's intuition was always sharp, and this uneasiness was not groundless.

"We don't need to worry about Liu San's problem for now," Qin Cang said calmly, "The most important thing now is to lead the team safely out of this predicament."

Xiaohu nodded. Although he was still a little confused, he didn't ask any more questions. The two continued to walk through the darkness, their pace gradually quickening.

As they approached the enemy lines, Qin Cang became increasingly aware that his decision might be the only option for his team's survival. However, whether this would truly go as he wished remained fraught with uncertainty. With his changing route, he seemed to have entered a more complex situation. And whether he could lead the team through this fog remained uncertain.

The moment Qin Cang stopped, a surge of unease welled up within him. He knew he was being pressed ever closer by the enemy. The surroundings were so quiet that it was almost breathless, as if even the wind had been suppressed to near-silence. Leaves drooped silently from the branches, and moonlight streamed down the ground, its mottled shadows like the erosion of time, a cold and oppressive presence.

His heartbeat was unusually clear in the silence, and every breath Qin Cang took was like a taut string, almost suffocating him. Xiao Hu stood beside him, staring at him intently, obviously sensing the captain's strangeness.

"Captain, what's wrong?" Xiaohu's voice was low and a little nervous.

Qin Cang didn't answer immediately, but instead quickly glanced around. Then, he crouched down, his fingers lightly brushing against a few branches on the ground. He knew that time was running out, the enemy's vigilance was growing, and the situation could change at any moment. If he continued with the original plan, his safety would obviously no longer be guaranteed. But he still had a chance: if he could exploit the terrain and lure the enemy into his trap.

"We have to take action." Qin Cang said in a low voice, with a determination that was difficult to conceal in his eyes, "Xiao Hu, follow me."

Xiaohu watched the captain's back, a wave of confusion rising in his heart. The captain had been so calm just now, why was he suddenly so anxious? He knew Qin Cang was a thoughtful person who didn't make hasty judgments. However, this time, Qin Cang's actions seemed even more urgent than usual, as if an inexplicable pressure was forcing him to make this decision.

"Xiao Hu, go find some branches." Qin Cang's voice was flat, but to Xiao Hu, it sounded firm in his command.

Xiaohu nodded and spread out. His fingers danced in the air, quickly picking up a few suitable branches. His seemingly casual movements concealed deep thought. The branches weren't long, but if used skillfully, they could buy them a glimmer of hope.

Qin Cang gathered his thoughts, mentally reviewing the situation once more. The enemy was getting closer and closer; he could almost hear their whispers. If they continued forward, they would surely expose their whereabouts and be surrounded by the enemy's pursuers. And running away? That was clearly not an option either. The enemy's forces were becoming increasingly concentrated. If they acted rashly, they would drag the entire team into a desperate situation.

He glanced at the branches in his hand, and suddenly an idea struck him. He bent down and quickly began to arrange the branches into small pieces, gently cross-joining them together. The whole process was quick and efficient, as if he had practiced it countless times.