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

He had been observing Liu San for some time, and every day, Liu San's behavior never let him relax. Whether it was his words and actions or his subtle mood swings, they all revealed a certain dangerous aura.

"Xiao Hu's behavior is becoming more and more outrageous." Qin Cang suddenly whispered to himself, sighing inwardly.

Xiaohu has always been one of Qin Cang's most trusted men. His exceptional skills and wisdom have always provided a reassuring presence in crucial moments. However, in recent days, Qin Cang has gradually sensed that Xiaohu's feelings for Liu San have transcended ordinary comradeship, even embracing an inseparable sympathy and concern. Especially when he sees Liu San feeling down or making impulsive decisions, Xiaohu's eyes often flicker with a hidden worry and uneasiness.

"Xiaohu, it's time to make a change." Qin Cang made a secret decision in his heart, his eyes still cold. He knew that his decision would make Xiaohu unhappy, but he had to do it.

The moment he returned to the tent, Xiaohu opened the door and walked in with a hint of silence and fatigue. His military uniform was a little disheveled, and his face looked heavier than usual.

"Sir." Xiaohu walked to the table and called softly.

Qin Cang did not respond immediately. Instead, he looked at Xiaohu quietly, without a trace of emotion in his eyes. He just raised his eyebrows slightly and said coldly, "Xiaohu, I have something to tell you."

Xiao Hu was stunned for a moment, a sense of unease welling up in his heart. He could hear a certain seriousness and repression in Qin Cang's tone, which made him a little alert. He lowered his head slightly, waiting for Qin Cang's next words.

"I've decided," Qin Cang paused and took a deep breath, "you will no longer follow Liu San."

Xiao Hu's heart suddenly shook, as if he had been hit hard in the chest. He was stunned, his eyes staring straight at Qin Cang, his mind blank, as if he couldn't believe what he heard. After a long while, he whispered, "Why?"

Qin Cang's eyes remained calm, but the sense of oppression hidden within them grew stronger. "You know Liu San's recent behavior hasn't been right. His inner conflicts and struggles are beyond my tolerance. If you continue to stay with him, it will only make him more lost. You know, what he needs most right now is calmness, not your unlimited tolerance for him."

As Xiaohu listened to Qin Cang's words, his heart was shaken even more. He stood there in silence for a long moment, as if locked in an irreconcilable struggle with his own thoughts. He knew Liu San hadn't been in good form lately, especially during missions, when he seemed absent-minded and hesitant. But no matter what, Liu San was still his best friend, the one who had stood by him through any adversity.

"Sir," Xiaohu finally spoke, his voice a little hoarse. "But... Liu San..." He knew he couldn't bring himself to say it, but he was even more aware of the deep conflict within him. Liu San wasn't someone to be easily abandoned. His stubbornness and passion had already taken deep root in Xiaohu's heart.

"I know you're reluctant." Qin Cang looked at him calmly, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. "I'm well aware of the friendship between you two, but now's not the time to discuss it. If Liu San continues like this, he'll drag everyone down with him sooner or later. Staying with him won't help him wake up, but will only make him sink deeper into the quagmire, unable to extricate himself."

Xiaohu's heart grew heavier, and everything before him seemed to become blurry. He tried to convince himself to accept Qin Cang's decision. After all, he knew that Qin Cang had always been decisive and resolute in the army and would never make a rash decision. But the uneasiness in his heart continued to torment him.

"But...if I'm not by his side, can he really find his way?" Xiaohu finally spoke, his tone filled with anxiety and doubt. "What he needs right now isn't just calmness; he needs a friend. Just like the support I gave him during his most difficult times."

Qin Cang's eyes flickered slightly, as if touched by Xiao Hu's words, but he still showed no sign of wavering. He lowered his head, pondered for a moment, and then slowly spoke: "You are right, Liu San does need friends. But what he needs most right now is to recognize his mistakes. You have done everything you can."

"But..." Xiaohu seemed about to say something else, but suddenly lost his voice. Indeed, Liu San was no longer the man he could rely on. His confusion and impulsiveness had gradually affected the stability of the entire team. From the commander's perspective, Qin Cang's decision was undoubtedly correct, and despite all his words, he could not change this fact.

Qin Cang stood up and walked over to Xiao Hu, staring into his eyes. He said in an unquestionable tone, "You don't have to worry about it anymore. You used to be Liu San's friend, but you must understand that at this time, you should be a commander, not a friend. What you can do is enough."

Xiaohu felt an invisible pressure. He knew that continuing to persist would only complicate matters. He clenched his fists slightly, his fingertips digging into his palms, as if trying to suppress the resentment and helplessness in his heart. After a moment, he finally nodded slowly.

"I understand, sir." Xiaohu's voice became low. The confusion and pain in his heart made him somewhat unable to control himself, but he still managed to calm down and managed to utter these words.

Qin Cang looked at him, his eyes revealing a hint of helplessness and fatigue. He gently patted Xiaohu's shoulder and said, "You are a smart kid and you know what to do. I will arrange for others to monitor Liu San and make sure he doesn't make any more serious mistakes."

At night, the camp was still shrouded in a deep darkness. The starlight was dim, and the moon was obscured by clouds, like a closed eye, quietly watching everything on the ground. In this seemingly endless silence, Qin Cang once again felt an inexplicable anxiety.

He had always believed that Liu San was someone he could rely on. Even in the most difficult moments, his courage and decisiveness were enough to make every member of the team feel trusted. However, in recent days, Qin Cang found Liu San's behavior increasingly disturbing.

Liu San seemed to have changed—not just in his mentality, but even his behavior had become more unpredictable. He often lacked the unwavering decisiveness he once had in executing orders, and his attention to every detail within the team seemed absent-minded. Qin Cang had thought he could maintain control of Liu San through Xiao Hu, but unexpectedly, at this crucial moment, Liu San repeatedly circumvented him.