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

"Xiao Hu, notify everyone to prepare for emergency response." Qin Cang's voice was chilling. "Have them all gather at the first line of defense. Everyone must be on high alert!"

"Understood!" Xiaohu responded immediately and turned around to execute it quickly.

Qin Cang stood still, his eyes fixed on Liu San again. He didn't know why he was so persistent. He knew that Liu San's approach was wrong, and that such reckless behavior would only plunge the team into the abyss. Yet, he still didn't give up.

Qin Cang's gaze remained fixed on Liu San, his heart swirling with emotion. Every second, he forced himself to calm down, weighing every possible option. But the feeling of powerlessness deep within him had already begun to erode his rationality. Liu San, that young and somewhat rebellious warrior, always made him struggle between impulse and reason. Although Qin Cang had made up his mind not to harbor too many illusions about Liu San, the pain in his heart still made him unable to let go when he saw Liu San's stubborn eyes.

"Xiao Hu," Qin Cang said in a low voice, his voice low and full of fatigue, "You know the relationship between Liu San and you. I hope you can make a choice at the critical moment."

Xiaohu stood beside Qin Cang, his lowered gaze shrouded in a complex mix of emotions. He had long known that Liu San was more than just a soldier; he was once his brother. Countless battles fought side by side, shared life and death, their fates tightly bound together. But now, Xiaohu had to assess the situation calmly and not let personal feelings sway him from making the wrong decision.

"Commander Qin, I understand." Xiaohu's voice was a little deep, carrying a long-suppressed emotion. "Liu San and I do have a lot of history. Those days when we fought side by side are perhaps only we ourselves remember best. But now, I can no longer let these emotions affect my judgment. My responsibility is not just to protect Liu San alone, but to ensure the safety of the entire team."

Qin Cang nodded, still feeling somewhat comforted, but then his gaze returned to Liu San, who was directing the troops' advance. Liu San seemed to be in another world, no longer caring about anything around him, his eyes focused only on the enemy position. Qin Cang knew that Liu San's resolve was already made, and he couldn't easily change it.

"I know," Qin Cang whispered, "but you also know Liu San's character. His pride and stubbornness have long made it impossible for him to turn back. You have to understand that this battle is no longer just a mission for him, but also an opportunity to prove himself and surpass himself."

Xiaohu was silent for a moment, a flash of pain in his eyes. "I know, Commander Qin," he said softly, a wave of emotion barely concealed in his voice. "I promised him that I would always stand by him. But now, standing against him, I know in my heart that if he continues like this, everything will be irreversibly difficult."

Xiaohu paused at this point, as if trying to sort out his turbulent emotions. "But if he really died here, would I still be able to bear it?"

Qin Cang looked at Xiaohu and suddenly felt a wave of inexplicable guilt. He understood Xiaohu's pain. After all, the relationship between him and Liu San was not simply that of a superior and a subordinate, but of brothers who had supported each other through the hail of bullets. They had experienced countless life-and-death trials, and that bond had long since transcended simple orders and duties.

"I understand," Qin Cang replied softly, "but now, Liu San can't turn back. As the commander, I can't compromise because of personal feelings." He paused, a hint of firm determination in his eyes, "You must remember that your mission is to ensure the survival of the team as a whole. Even if it means that you have to make difficult decisions."

Xiaohu pursed his lips, his brow furrowed, clearly experiencing an intense inner struggle. His gaze unconsciously swept forward, landing on Liu San's face, which held a hint of pride and determination. That look evoked the image of them fighting side by side on countless battlefields—young, passionate, and unyielding. But now, that former comrade, the impulsive and confident Liu San who had always marched at the forefront, had unknowingly lost himself on this battlefield.

"Xiao Hu, don't hesitate any longer." Qin Cang's voice rang out again, a hint of urgency. "You have to make a choice. There's no time to delay. If you continue to stand by Liu San, it could put him and the team in an even more fatal situation."

Xiao Hu slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Although he knew he faced a choice, his deep affection for Liu San made the pressure almost unbearable. He could see countless times he had fought alongside Liu San in the past. Back then, they had laughed at the ruthlessness of war, tasted the joy of victory, and endured the pain of defeat together. And now, this man, once as close as a brother, stood before him, a stranger and incomprehensible.

"Liu San..." Xiaohu murmured softly, his voice filled with helplessness and pain.

Suddenly, Liu San turned his head and glanced at Xiao Hu, his eyes still cold and determined. "Xiao Hu," he looked directly into Xiao Hu's eyes, his tone carrying a hint of provocation, "Are you trying to persuade me to stop? You know, there's no turning back for me in today's battle. You shouldn't have stopped me."

Xiaohu's heart skipped a beat, and a flicker of pain and struggle flashed in his eyes. He knew Liu San was no longer the passionate warrior who fought for victory. Now, he was fighting for an unspoken obsession, a desperation that had driven him to disregard everything, even his own life.

"Liu San..." Xiao Hu's voice became a little hoarse, "I understand whatever you want to do. But you can't let the entire team die with you."

Liu San didn't answer, but simply smiled, a smile tinged with fatigue and helplessness. "You know I've always wanted to prove myself, don't you?" he said softly, a glint of determination in his eyes. "Maybe what I did was wrong, but there's no turning back now."

Xiaohu's expression suddenly became complicated, and an inexplicable pain surged in his heart. Liu San had always been like this, never regretting anything he did. He had a strong belief in his heart that he would go all out in everything he did, even if it was a complete mistake, he would stick to it to the end.

Qin Cang stood aside, his eyes fixed on Liu San. The emotions surging in his heart made it almost impossible for him to remain calm. Although he still maintained the calm and decisiveness of a commander on the surface, his inner doubts about Liu San continued to grow deeper.