From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

As soon as Yan Ruyu finished speaking, the lively atmosphere in the inn froze instantly, and everyone's face was filled with shock.

They seemed to have been frozen in place, their mouths agape and their eyes nearly bulging out, like a group of frightened rabbits.

Some people even held their wine glasses, still in the posture of drinking, but the wine dripped down their lips without them noticing.

Boss Ma's originally ruddy face instantly darkened, his thick eyebrows furrowing like two caterpillars entangled together.

He kept rubbing the wine glass in his hand, his eyes darting around, as if he was thinking about something important.

Liu Er, meanwhile, hid behind the crowd, a barely perceptible sneer playing on his lips, his eyes gleaming with cunning, like a cat that had just stolen some fish.

"Go back? Now?" Boss Ma asked in a deep voice, his tone tinged with displeasure. "We still have a lot of goods to sell. If we go back like this, wouldn't all our previous efforts be wasted?"

“But Young Master Xu…” Yan Ruyu was eager to explain, but was rudely interrupted by Boss Ma.

“I know you’re worried about him, but we’re a caravan, and we have to prioritize the bigger picture! How can personal feelings interfere with our important business of making money?” Boss Ma’s tone was firm and left no room for argument.

Yan Ruyu bit her lip tightly. She knew that what Boss Ma said made sense, but she couldn't bear to watch Young Master Xu fall into danger and do nothing about it!

The caravan members around them looked at each other, none of them daring to interrupt.

They knew that Boss Ma and Yan Ruyu were important figures in the caravan, and neither of them could afford to offend them.

This sudden conflict made them feel extremely tense and uneasy.

"My mind is made up. I'll set off for home tomorrow!" Yan Ruyu said firmly, her eyes fixed intently on Boss Ma. "But I won't let everyone's efforts go to waste..."

Yan Ruyu took a deep breath, her eyes resolute, and a confident smile curved her lips.

"I have a plan that can balance the interests of the caravan and the safety of Young Master Xu." She looked around at everyone, her tone calm, as if everything was under her control.

“We can split into two groups. One group can take the goods that have already been agreed upon and return to the Central Plains first, while the other group can come with me to rescue Young Master Xu.”

She paused, her gaze falling on Boss Ma's face. "Boss Ma, you are experienced enough to lead the first team and ensure the goods are delivered safely. As for me, I will lead those who are willing to follow me back to rescue Young Master Xu. In this way, we can both preserve the caravan's business and save lives from danger. Wouldn't that be a win-win situation?"

A hint of hesitation flashed across Boss Ma's originally gloomy face. He stroked his chin and paced back and forth like an ant on a hot pan.

Yan Ruyu's suggestion tempted him somewhat, as it was indeed a good plan.

He weighed the pros and cons, his gaze gradually deepening, as if he were calculating something.

The caravan members around her, who had been keeping their heads down and not daring to utter a sound, all raised their heads and looked at Yan Ruyu with a completely new gaze.

They initially thought she was just a pampered young lady, but they never expected her to be so courageous and responsible at such a crucial moment.

"Young Master Xu is not just an ordinary acquaintance to me." Yan Ruyu's voice softened, her eyes filled with love and worry, like a clear spring rippling with endless affection.

“He treated me like a precious jewel, he was mine…my…” She paused slightly, her lips trembling as if she couldn’t bring herself to say it, “He was my life!”

She took a deep breath, fighting back tears, and continued, "I can't just stand by and watch him be in danger. If anything happens to him, I..." She didn't finish her sentence, but the deep affection in her voice deeply touched everyone present.

Some of the more sentimental caravan members already had tears welling up in their eyes.

They were moved by Yan Ruyu's deep affection and began to understand her choice.

Boss Ma stopped and stared at Yan Ruyu with a complicated look in his eyes, as if he were re-evaluating the woman.

After a moment, he slowly spoke: "This matter..."

Liu Er suddenly stepped out from the crowd with a meaningful smile on his face. "I support Miss Yan's plan." His sudden action stunned everyone.

Liu Er rubbed his hands together, his face beaming with a smile, like a blooming chrysanthemum, but the smile looked utterly fake.

"Miss Yan's devotion is unwavering, heaven and earth can bear witness! I, Liu Er, admire her! Boss Ma, we're all江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world), loyalty is our top priority. How can we just stand by and watch the young couple be separated by death?" As he spoke, he secretly glanced at Boss Ma, his eyes full of calculation, like a mouse hiding in the shadows, ready to steal food at any moment.

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Liu Er had always been at odds with Yan Ruyu, so why had he changed his tune today?

Could it be that the sun has risen in the west?

Someone whispered among themselves, "What's Liu Er up to? Is he plotting something again?"

Yan Ruyu also found it strange. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her eyes were piercing, as if she could see through people's hearts.

She stared at Liu Er, feeling that something was off, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

After pondering for a moment, Boss Ma finally nodded in agreement to Yan Ruyu's plan.

“Alright, we’ll do it your way. I’ll take one team back to the Central Plains first, and you take the other team to rescue your… Young Master Xu.” He paused, seemingly somewhat reluctant, but ultimately compromised.

Yan Ruyu nodded gratefully to Boss Ma, a huge weight finally lifted from her heart.

She knew that as long as she could go back, she could rescue Young Master Xu!

The caravan sprang into action, dividing the goods and people into two groups.

Boss Ma left first with most of the goods and some veteran team members, while Yan Ruyu, with a few guards willing to follow her, embarked on the road back to the Western Regions.

On their return journey, they traversed the desolate Gobi Desert and passed through dense jungles, enduring wind and rain and traveling day and night.

However, they were unaware that a mysterious force was secretly following them, like a ghost, silently and stealthily.

Li, the bodyguard, suddenly reined in his horse and stopped, looking around warily.

"Something's not right. I have a feeling someone's following us," he said in a low voice, a hint of unease in his tone.

The swaying shadows of the surrounding trees seemed to be watching them with countless eyes.

The wind rustled through the leaves, making a sound like ghostly whispers.

Yan Ruyu also sensed something was amiss. She gripped her sword tightly and scanned her surroundings warily.

"Everyone, be careful!"

Suddenly, a sharp arrow pierced the air and headed straight for Yan Ruyu's face!

"Watch out!" Guard Li shouted, and tackled Yan Ruyu to the ground.