From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

The arrow grazed Yan Ruyu's cheek and embedded itself in the tree trunk behind her, buzzing loudly.

Yan Ruyu was still in shock, her heart pounding. Good heavens, if it weren't for Guard Li's quick reaction, she would probably be dead on the spot.

"Whoosh—" Another arrow!

Li, the bodyguard, quickly drew his sword and deflected the arrow.

"The other party's intentions are not good!" he said in a deep voice.

"Don't panic!" Yan Ruyu got up from the ground, dusted herself off, and tried to remain calm.

Although she was panicking inside, as a time-traveling heroine, she couldn't lose her composure.

"Guard Li, you protect everyone, I'll think of something."

In the following days, the mysterious force's tracking became increasingly obvious.

Every now and then, they would see a fleeting dark shadow at the edge of the woods or on the top of a hill.

Those figures, like ghosts, were elusive and carried a chilling aura.

Everyone was on edge, like frightened birds, even drinking water with extreme caution, afraid of making the slightest noise that might bring about their own demise.

The surrounding environment further exacerbated this panic.

On the desolate Gobi Desert, apart from the howling wind, only the sound of their heavy footsteps could be heard, making the place seem exceptionally empty and lonely.

As the atmosphere in the team grew increasingly tense, Liu Er began to get restless.

He sidled up to a few team members, lowered his voice, and said mysteriously, "Don't you guys think those people are after our valuables?"

"No way..." a young team member said, his face pale. "We didn't bring anything valuable with us on this trip..."

"Who knows?" Liu Er shook his head knowingly. "Maybe they think we're with Boss Ma and his gang, carrying valuable treasures? Think about it, if they really rob us, we'll get nothing..."

His words, like the forked tongue of a venomous snake, quietly burrowed into the hearts of the team members.

Some people began to waver, and unease appeared on their faces.

Yan Ruyu took in all of this.

She watched Liu Er fanning the flames with a cold eye, a sneer in her heart.

This guy really won't admit defeat until he's faced with the truth!

“Liu Er,” Yan Ruyu suddenly spoke, her tone icy, “you seem to know a lot about those who are following us?”

Liu Er's expression changed, and he quickly denied it: "No, no, no, how could I possibly know them? I just..."

"Just what?" Yan Ruyu pressed closer, her gaze piercing.

Liu Er stammered and couldn't give a coherent answer for a long time.

Just then, Guard Li pointed ahead and exclaimed, "Miss, look!"

Following his finger, everyone looked and saw a black flag fluttering in the wind on the sand dune ahead...

Yan Ruyu narrowed her eyes, staring at the black flag, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips.

"Heh, finally showing up." Although the pattern on the flag was somewhat blurred by the wind and sand, she recognized it at a glance—it was the symbol of Black Wind Stronghold!

It seems that these pursuers are not some mysterious force, but rather remnants of the Black Wind Stronghold, who have come for revenge.

Good grief, are they playing a Mission: Impossible game here?

"Guard Li, pass down the order to prepare for battle!" Yan Ruyu's tone was decisive, her eyes gleaming with confidence.

This rabble, they think they can launch a sneak attack?

They must be living in the last century!

Li, the bodyguard, accepted the order and quickly organized his team to prepare for battle.

Yan Ruyu, on the other hand, was confidently deploying tactics, as if everything was under her control.

She deliberately chose a canyon with complex terrain as the battlefield, intending to trap the remnants of Black Wind Stronghold like turtles in a jar.

Sure enough, the remnants of Black Wind Stronghold were blinded by the "fat sheep" in front of them and fell headlong into the trap set by Yan Ruyu.

They never expected that this seemingly weak caravan actually possessed such formidable fighting power.

"Charge! Kill them and take back our loot!" the bandit leader roared hoarsely, but it did nothing to boost morale.

"Kill—" Guard Li led the caravan members like tigers descending a mountain, unstoppable.

The swords in their hands gleamed with a cold light, and with each swing, they took a life.

The battle ended quickly. Some of the bandits were dead, some had fled, and the remaining few were bound hand and foot and made to kneel before Yan Ruyu, trembling with fear.

Seeing their panicked expressions, Yan Ruyu felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

That's it?

That's it?

"Miss, you are truly amazing!" Guard Li walked up to Yan Ruyu, his eyes full of admiration.

"Your subordinate admires you to the extreme!"

Yan Ruyu smiled slightly and patted Guard Li on the shoulder.

"You did very well too. We owe you a lot this time." Her gaze was sincere, and her tone was gentle, a stark contrast to the sharp and decisive manner she displayed when commanding the battle.

The other members of the caravan around them cast approving glances and whispered among themselves.

"Miss, you are truly a woman who is just as capable as any man!"

"Yes, with Miss here, we're not afraid of anything!"

Li, the bodyguard, looked at Yan Ruyu with a determined gaze.

"Miss, I am willing to follow you and protect you forever!"

Yan Ruyu felt a warmth in her heart, sensing Li Huwei's loyalty. "Thank you, Li Huwei."

“Miss,” Guard Li paused, as if he wanted to say something, but hesitated to speak.

Yan Ruyu noticed his unusual behavior and asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

Li, the bodyguard, took a deep breath and his gaze fell on Liu Er, who was hiding in the crowd not far away. Liu Er's eyes were darting around, as if he was plotting something...

Yan Ruyu's gaze was as sharp as a hawk's as she stared directly at Liu Er, a cold smile playing on her lips.

"Liu Er, do you really think you can fool everyone?" Her voice wasn't loud, but it pierced the quiet air like a sharp sword.

The caravan members immediately fell silent, and all eyes were on Liu Er.

Liu Er's expression instantly twisted, a mixture of panic and fear.

"I...I don't know what you're talking about, Miss," he stammered, trying to compose himself.

Yan Ruyu slowly raised her fingers, naming names one by one, "You spread rumors here, sowed discord, and pretended to follow, all to create chaos in the caravan so you could seize control when you returned. Tell me, was I right?" Her tone was firm and cold, like frost in winter, sending chills down one's spine.

Liu Er's face turned extremely pale, and large beads of sweat slid down his forehead. He continued to stammer, "This...this is all a misunderstanding. I absolutely did not have such thoughts!"

However, the caravan members no longer believed him.

Their bodyguard, Li, was furious, his fists clenched, and his eyes fixed on Liu Er like a ferocious beast.

"Enough!" Yan Ruyu shouted, her voice booming like thunder. She swept her gaze across the crowd. "Liu Er, from today onwards, you are no longer a member of the caravan. Leave here immediately and fend for yourself!" Her voice was filled with unquestionable authority, each word like a heavy hammer striking Liu Er's heart.

Liu Er's face was ashen, and he glared at Yan Ruyu through gritted teeth, but he dared not resist in the slightest.

He sheepishly picked up his baggage from the ground and hurriedly left, leaving behind a mess and the angry stares of the caravan members.

As Yan Ruyu watched Liu Er's departing figure, she turned around and saw the caravan members casting admiring and supportive glances at her. A warm feeling welled up in her heart.

Guard Li stepped forward and knelt on one knee. "Miss, I am willing to follow you and protect you forever!"

The caravan members followed suit, shouting in unison, "Long live Miss!" At that moment, Yan Ruyu felt an unprecedented sense of authority and accomplishment.

However, just as everyone was preparing to continue their journey, Yan Ruyu suddenly stopped and her gaze fell on a rushing river not far ahead.

The river roared and surged, making a deafening roar.

The caravan members all looked troubled, their hearts filled with worry as they gazed at the only means of crossing the river they had.

Yan Ruyu walked to the riverbank and looked up into the distance. At the end of the river, there was a mysterious mist, appearing and disappearing, as if it were hiding some unknown secret.

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