From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

After pondering for a moment, Boss Ma finally decided to go to the oasis to find out what was going on.

“We must go and see; the oasis is our only hope.” His tone was firm and left no room for doubt.

Although the caravan members were apprehensive, they obeyed Boss Ma's orders and cautiously approached the oasis.

As they drew closer, the flames and smoke became clearer, and a burnt smell filled the air, as if foreshadowing some ominous sign.

The caravan members gripped their weapons tightly, vigilantly observing their surroundings, fearing that some danger might suddenly befall them.

Boss Ma's expression grew increasingly serious, his brows furrowed, as if he were deep in thought.

He would occasionally turn back to look at Yan Ruyu, as if seeking her opinion.

Yan Ruyu, mounted on his horse, scanned the surroundings with piercing eyes.

She keenly noticed that the vegetation at the edge of the oasis seemed to have been deliberately damaged, with some fresh footprints scattered on the ground.

A sense of foreboding washed over her, and she instinctively gripped the dagger at her waist.

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out in the caravan.

"What's going on?" Boss Ma shouted sternly.

Liu Er was seen directing several of his trusted men to furtively load the caravan's supplies onto several camels, preparing to sneak away.

"Liu Er, what are you doing?!" Boss Ma's roar echoed throughout the entire oasis.

The caravan members around them were also stunned by this sudden turn of events. They looked at Liu Er in horror, not understanding why he had done this.

Seeing this, Liu Er decided to drop the pretense and said with a sneer, "Boss Ma, a wise man submits to circumstances. This oasis looks dangerous. Our brothers have risked their lives for you, and you're pushing us into a fire pit..."

Yan Ruyu watched all of this with a cold eye, a sneer curling at the corner of her lips.

She had long sensed that something was wrong with Liu Er, but she never expected him to be so bold as to steal supplies in full view of everyone.

Seeing Yan Ruyu looking at him with a half-smile, Liu Er felt a chill run down his spine.

He forced himself to remain calm and continued, "Miss Yan, you'd better not meddle in other people's business, otherwise..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yan Ruyu interrupted him, saying in an icy tone, "Otherwise what?"

Yan Ruyu chuckled softly, her laughter clear yet carrying a hint of chill.

"Otherwise what? Liu Er, do you think you can fool everyone with your little tricks?" Her eyes were like knives as she stared directly at Liu Er. "The vegetation on the edge of the oasis has been deliberately destroyed, and those fresh footprints are not left by wild animals, but are artificial illusions created to create a dangerous atmosphere in the oasis, so that you can take advantage of the chaos, seize the opportunity to plunder supplies, and find another way out, right?"

Liu Er's expression changed drastically, his eyes flickered, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He hadn't expected Yan Ruyu to see through his scheme so clearly, exposing it immediately.

The other members of the caravan around them suddenly realized what was happening, and their gazes toward Liu Er were filled with anger and disdain.

"You...you're spouting nonsense!" Liu Er roared, his voice trembling with fear.

Yan Ruyu calmly pulled out a piece of cloth covered in mud from her bosom, which she had torn from Liu Er's confidant.

"What's your explanation for this piece of fabric?"

Liu Er was speechless and slumped to the ground in despair. He knew he was finished.

Boss Ma looked at Liu Er and said, "Liu Er, I've treated you well, yet you betray me like this!"

At Ma Laoda's command, the caravan members swarmed forward and bound Liu Er and his henchmen tightly.

Seeing Liu Er subdued, the caravan members all looked at Yan Ruyu with gratitude and admiration; she had once again saved the caravan.

After dealing with Liu Er's matter, Yan Ruyu went alone to the depths of the oasis to find a water source.

A clear spring comes into view, its water crystal clear, surrounded by green trees, birdsong, and fragrant flowers, like a paradise on earth.

As Yan Ruyu gazed at the beautiful scenery, she couldn't help but recall the landscapes she and Xu Nanzhu had once seen together.

"I wonder how he is now, whether he is alright?" She prayed silently, hoping that he was safe and sound.

Seeing Yan Ruyu's longing for the male lead, the caravan members were filled with understanding and blessings.

Just then, a gentle breeze swept by, carrying a faint smell of blood...

Yan Ruyu suddenly looked up and gazed into the distance.

"It seems...something is coming..."

Yan Ruyu frowned slightly. The smell of blood grew stronger, mixed with the sound of horses' hooves approaching from afar.

She leaped up the tree, where her view became even wider.

In the distance, yellow sand filled the sky, and a group of people, numbering at least a hundred, were rushing toward the oasis. They were all clad in armor and wielding sharp blades, and were clearly not to be trifled with.

"Oh no, it's the bandits from Black Wind Stronghold!" Guard Li exclaimed, his face turning deathly pale.

Black Wind Stronghold, a notorious bandit stronghold, is entrenched on the edge of the Western Desert, committing all sorts of atrocities, including arson, murder, and robbery. The caravan members were terrified when they heard it was them.

"It's over, it's all over!" "We're doomed!"

The caravan members were in complete chaos, with cries and curses rising and falling like ants on a hot plate.

Boss Ma tried to remain calm, but his trembling hands and pale face betrayed his inner turmoil.

He gripped the long knife tightly in his hand, his eyes glazed over, as if he could already see death approaching.

"System notification: The bandits have set up traps on the east side of the oasis. The west side is their escape route. The caravan can detour from the south and set up an ambush along the escape route."

Yan Ruyu's heart stirred, and the system's voice, like heavenly music, guided her in the right direction.

She leaped down from the tree and said to Boss Ma, "Boss Ma, I have a plan!"

Under Yan Ruyu's command, the caravan members quietly bypassed the east side of the oasis and arrived at the bandits' retreat route.

Yan Ruyu ordered his men to dig a huge trap on the road and cover it with branches and sand, waiting for the robbers to walk right into it.

Sure enough, the bandits found nothing on the east side of the oasis. They discovered the caravan had vanished and assumed they had escaped, so they returned along their retreat route.

The bandits at the front, caught off guard, stepped into the trap and were immediately thrown into chaos, their screams echoing through the night.

"An ambush!" The remaining bandits were terrified and drew their weapons, preparing to fight.

The caravan members rushed out of their hiding place and engaged in a fierce battle with the bandits.

Under Yan Ruyu's leadership, the caravan members moved like tigers descending a mountain, unstoppable.

The bandits were caught off guard and suffered a series of defeats.

Seeing their companions trapped in the trap, the bandits were terrified and lost all will to fight.

The caravan members were in high spirits and fought with increasing ferocity, quickly subduing all the bandits.

Boss Ma looked at Yan Ruyu. If it weren't for her, the caravan would probably have been wiped out long ago.

"Miss Yan, you are truly our savior!" The caravan members expressed their gratitude to Yan Ruyu.

Yan Ruyu smiled faintly, but her heart was filled with worry about the future.

The caravan continued on its journey, and in the distance, a magnificent city could be vaguely seen—Tianshui City, the largest market in the Western Regions.

However, the road leading to Tianshui City was shrouded in mist, making it impossible to see the path ahead.

Boss Ma's expression turned serious again. Tianshui City was controlled by a powerful force and was not friendly to unfamiliar caravans.

“Ahead… there are probably even greater challenges waiting for us…” he murmured to himself, his voice filled with worry.

Liu Er, hiding in the corner, had a sinister look in his eyes and a cold smile on his lips.

"Tianshui City...hehe..." he murmured, seemingly plotting something.