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

His intuition told him that Liu San's change was not a momentary mood swing, but more like some hidden impulse and desire, and this desire, no matter what, must not be allowed to erupt easily.

Liu San's situation was beyond Qin Cang's control, and his every move made the commander feel deeply uneasy. Even though Xiao Hu had begun to monitor him, and even though Qin Cang had full confidence in Xiao Hu's abilities, Liu San's intuition always seemed to alert him, preventing him from falling completely into the trap.

"Will I really be dragged away by him?" Qin Cang asked himself, realizing the complexity of this situation far exceeded his expectations. He raised his head again, his gaze piercing the tent curtains and gazing directly at the distant, layered mountains. Beyond the mountains lay an unknown future. If he left Liu San alone at this moment, Qin Cang felt he would pay a heavy price.

This is not a simple battle, but more like a game about authority and freedom.

In Liu San's camp, the atmosphere was completely different. Although he maintained a calm and resolute appearance to his teammates, his inner anxiety was like a taut string, constantly pricking him. He knew that Qin Cang was watching his every decision, his every move silently recorded. In fact, every mistake he made only heightened his anxiety, for he knew Qin Cang wouldn't give him any more chances.

"I must prove myself." Liu San repeated this thought in his mind, his lips tightly pursed, his eyes filled with unwillingness and determination.

His thoughts were simple, even incredibly direct—he didn't want to be just a soldier following orders. He refused to be bound by any form of command. He longed to take control of his own destiny, to prove himself more than just an executor, but a leader. If he could break free from Qin Cang's orders, this "shackle," he could truly stand at the height of a commander and gain his own voice.

This impulse was the inner demon Liu San couldn't shake. Whenever he saw the soldiers being driven by orders, or Qin Cang commanding the battle calmly and steadily, the anger in his heart would quietly surface. Why did Qin Cang have so much trust and authority, while he could only watch from the shadows? He wanted more control, wanted to transcend these constraints, stand higher, and possess more power.

"Qin Cang, you will never understand." A cold light flashed in Liu San's eyes. "You think orders and discipline can determine everything, but you are wrong. The truly strong are those who can break these shackles."

Qin Cang stood at the window of the command post, gazing thoughtfully at the clearing outside the camp, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Even as the soldiers around him busied themselves with their usual activities, a tension permeated the atmosphere that he couldn't ignore. Liu San's emotions fluctuated wildly, and after every battle, he seemed to be brewing a change deep within. This time, Qin Cang felt an indescribable sense of oppression, as if the balance of power was quietly tilting.

He knew that within Liu San's heart lay a deep well of discontent and impulsiveness. However, Qin Cang also understood that this was more than simple rebellion. Liu San was no mere warrior possessed only rage and lacked reason. He harbored deeper thoughts, or more accurately, a greater goal. Qin Cang could not fully fathom Liu San's motives, but he knew that Liu San's determination, like a latent seed, had already taken root and sprouted deep within him.

Qin Cang, on the other hand, remained restless. His judgment of Liu San remained uncertain. Should he take more decisive action, or maintain the current situation and await Liu San's final decision? This was his greatest dilemma. Every time he spoke with Liu San, he could sense the resentment within him. That emotion stemmed not from personal hostility toward Qin Cang, but rather from a deep resentment and resistance to the orders that constrained his freedom, the discipline that demanded his unconditional obedience.

"Xiao Hu." Qin Cang called out in a low voice, his words as sharp as a knife, with a hint of fatigue that could not be concealed.

Xiaohu walked into the command post from outside, his eyes showing a subtle alertness, but it quickly transformed into calmness, and he still maintained the composure expected of an officer. Xiaohu has always been intelligent and perceptive, especially when dealing with complex interpersonal relationships, and he can often detect subtle changes in the situation.

"Commander, what do you want me to do?" Xiaohu stood in front of Qin Cang, his voice clear and his tone full of respect for Qin Cang.

Qin Cang turned to look at Xiao Hu, gazing at him deeply. At this moment, Qin Cang's eyes were not as sharp and cold as usual, but instead carried a hint of hidden fatigue, as if he was under some immense pressure.

"Xiao Hu, I know that there is some kind of deep friendship between you and Liu San." Qin Cang's words were steady and low, but contained a scrutiny that could not be ignored.

Xiaohu's eyes flickered briefly, then calmed down. He knew Qin Cang hadn't brought this up for no reason; he must have noticed something. After all, as Liu San's old comrade, his relationship with him was truly special. In previous battles, Liu San and Xiaohu's tacit cooperation was nearly unmatched. Whether it was emergency response during combat or meticulous strategic planning, the two always complemented and supported each other at crucial moments. Yet, behind this tacit understanding lay a deep friendship.

"Commander, you mean..." Xiaohu's voice was a little hesitant, but soon calmed down. There was no trace of panic on his face, but instead he seemed a little relieved.

Qin Cang's eyes were still sharp, but without any malice. "I know that you and Liu San have a special relationship. Perhaps it is because of this friendship that you have hidden concerns about him. But you must know that the situation on the battlefield cannot tolerate any interference from personal feelings. Liu San's behavior has gradually exceeded my expectations. If he continues like this, the safety of all of us will be threatened."

Xiaohu was silent for a moment, knowing full well that Qin Cang's anger wasn't simply due to Liu San's disobedience. Qin Cang was pondering a larger issue: Liu San's potential, his ambition, and even his inner pride in not admitting defeat. For someone constantly growing on the battlefield, excessive restraint would not only make him irritable and restless, but could even lead to a desire for self-transcendence. Xiaohu knew that Liu San's current behavior might be a manifestation of his deep-seated resistance to the word "obedience."