From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

The dark mass of cavalry resembled demons rushing from hell, stirring up clouds of yellow sand that blotted out the sun.

Fear spread like a plague through the caravan. Some people turned pale, their teeth chattering, and they trembled like leaves. Some people's legs were so weak that they couldn't stand up and collapsed to the ground, crying out for their parents. Some people even started to talk nonsense, as if the end of the world had come.

Boss Ma tried to remain calm, but his hands trembled uncontrollably.

He tried to maintain his authority as leader, shouting, "Don't panic! Form ranks and meet the enemy!" However, his feigned firmness betrayed a tremor in his voice, revealing his inner fear.

Yan Ruyu's expression was solemn, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, and her eyes sharp as she calmly observed the approaching enemy.

In stark contrast to the panicked crowd around her, she was like a small boat in a storm, swaying but not capsizing.

The bandits drew closer, their leader a burly man with a face full of scars and a fierce look in his eyes, like a ferocious beast ready to devour its prey.

He reined in his horse, and the black steed beneath him reared up and neighed.

This man was none other than Sandstorm, the notorious bandit leader of the desert.

"This road is mine, these trees are mine, if you want to pass, leave your toll!" The sandstorm's rough voice echoed across the desert, carrying an undeniable domineering tone.

His eyes swept greedily over the caravan's goods, as if he already considered them his own.

"Boss Ma, if you know what's good for you, hand over everything, or I'll turn you all into withered bones in this desert!" Sandstorm grinned maliciously, the scimitar in his hand gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

Boss Ma's face turned ashen; he was caught in a dilemma.

If they hand over the goods, the caravan will lose everything; if they don't, death may be their only fate.

Liu Er's eyes darted around, his gaze shifting uncertainly as he plotted how to protect himself.

He quietly took a few steps back, hiding behind the crowd, wishing he could become invisible.

Yan Ruyu coldly observed all of this, already having made up her mind.

She took a deep breath and stepped out...

"Sandstorm, I advise you..."

Yan Ruyu moved gracefully to stand in front of Boss Ma, a confident smile playing on her lips. Her voice was clear as a silver bell, yet carried an undeniable authority: "Sandstorm, I advise you to give up! You think you can take us all down with your small group? Aren't you afraid of breaking your teeth?"

The sandstorm was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter, as if it had heard the biggest joke in the world.

"Little brat, you've got quite the nerve! I've roamed the desert for years, and I've never seen anyone as arrogant as you!" He sized Yan Ruyu up and down, a lewd glint in his eyes. "You're not bad looking, though. Why don't you come with me, and I'll guarantee you a life of luxury!"

Yan Ruyu sneered, showing no fear whatsoever. "You? You think you're worthy?" She deliberately stalled for time, dealing with the sandstorm while signaling to Guard Li to proceed according to plan.

Li, the guard, understood immediately and secretly led a portion of the caravan members to set up defensive fortifications using the terrain.

Sandstorm grew impatient and rudely interrupted Yan Ruyu, "Enough nonsense! Hand over the stuff now, or else..."

"Otherwise what?" Yan Ruyu raised an eyebrow, her tone laced with provocation. "Do you intend to kill me to silence me? Don't you even know who I am!" She deliberately elevated her status, bluffing to instill fear in Sha Bao.

As expected, Sha Bao hesitated. He narrowed his eyes and carefully examined Yan Ruyu, secretly speculating about her identity.

Just then, Li Huwei had finished setting up the defensive fortifications and quietly made a hand gesture to Yan Ruyu.

Seeing this, Yan Ruyu was secretly delighted, knowing that the time had come.

She stopped arguing with the sandstorm and shouted, "Brothers, give it a good beating!"

The caravan members, who had been holding back their anger, were immediately energized upon hearing Yan Ruyu's order. They picked up their weapons and launched a counterattack against the bandits.

The bandits were caught off guard by the caravan's sudden attack.

They originally thought they could easily take down the caravan, but they encountered fierce resistance instead.

Based on the information provided by the system, Yan Ruyu accurately identified the bandits' weaknesses and directed the caravan members to launch a concentrated attack.

The bandits' formation was quickly disrupted, and they were routed.

Seeing the situation was dire, the sandstorm roared in a fit of rage, "Charge! Kill them!"

The bandits launched another fierce attack, but under Yan Ruyu's command, the caravan members used the terrain to their advantage and stubbornly resisted the bandits' attack.

"Attention everyone, attack their horses' legs!" Yan Ruyu calmly directed the battle, her voice standing out clearly in the chaotic battlefield.

The caravan members immediately understood Yan Ruyu's intention and turned their attacks on the bandits' horses.

In an instant, the battlefield was filled with chaos, with men and horses falling and screams echoing everywhere.

The bandits' offensive was completely thwarted, and they began to retreat in defeat.

Despite seeing the bandits in complete disarray, Yan Ruyu felt no relief whatsoever.

She knew this was just the first wave of attacks; the real battle was just beginning...

“Guard Li,” Yan Ruyu said in a low voice, “you…”

A hint of worry flashed in Yan Ruyu's beautiful eyes, and her slender hand unconsciously went to her chest, where the warmth of Young Master Xu still seemed to linger.

"Please be safe..." she prayed silently in her heart, her longing surging like a tide.

However, she quickly buried this tenderness deep in her heart. At this moment, she was the pillar of this caravan and could not tolerate the slightest weakness.

She stood tall with her back straight and her eyes blazing. A powerful energy emanated from her petite frame, infecting everyone around her.

As the caravan members gazed at her resolute figure, a spark of hope ignited in their eyes, as if with her by their side, all difficulties could be overcome.

Just then, a furtive figure caught Yan Ruyu's attention.

Taking advantage of the chaos of the battle between the crowd and the bandits, Liu Er stealthily approached the wagons piled with goods.

His face betrayed his greed, as if the goods were more important than his own life.

Upon seeing this, Yan Ruyu's delicate eyebrows furrowed, her almond-shaped eyes widened, and she was burning with rage.

"Liu Er! What are you doing?!" she shouted sharply, her voice like a thunderclap.

Liu Er was startled by the sudden sound and stopped what he was doing.

He turned around, a hint of panic flashing across his face, but he quickly regained his composure.

"I...I was protecting the goods!" he stammered, his eyes darting around, avoiding eye contact with Yan Ruyu.

"Protect the goods?" Yan Ruyu sneered, her tone full of mockery. "I think you're just trying to take advantage of the situation!" She approached Liu Er step by step, her powerful aura making it hard for him to breathe.

The caravan members nearby also noticed the commotion and glared angrily at them.

Liu Er felt his scalp tingle and cold sweat pour down his face as everyone stared at him.

"I...I didn't!" He was still trying to argue, but his voice grew softer and softer, and his confidence waned.

"No?" Yan Ruyu grabbed Liu Er by the collar and lifted him up, her tone icy cold. "You think you can fool me?" Her gaze was like a knife, piercing straight into Liu Er's heart.

Liu Er felt guilty under her gaze, his eyes darting away, unable to meet her eyes.

"I..." He wanted to say something more, but Yan Ruyu interrupted him.

"Now, get back to the fight right now!" Yan Ruyu shoved Liu Er to the ground. "Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite!" She coldly glanced at the surrounding caravan members, her tone chilling, "Anyone who dares to desert will not be spared!"

Liu Er scrambled to his feet in a sorry state and slunk back to the group.

Yan Ruyu's gaze returned to the battlefield. "Pass down the order," she said in a deep voice, "Prepare..."

Yan Ruyu gave the order: "Brothers, fire the rockets! Let them taste what it's like to roast bandits!" The caravan members had already prepared the rockets according to plan. Upon hearing the order, they lit the rockets and fired them at the bandits.

The rocket streaked across the sky, accompanied by a whistling sound, and pounced on the robbers like a fire dragon.

In an instant, flames soared into the sky, and screams and the neighing of horses mingled together, creating a chaotic symphony.

The bandits were caught off guard by the sudden barrage of rockets and were thrown into chaos.

Sandstorm watched helplessly as his men were hit by rockets and turned into burning figures, filled with shock and rage.

He never expected that this seemingly weak caravan would have such formidable fighting power.

"Retreat! Retreat quickly!" Seeing the situation was dire, the sandstorm immediately ordered a retreat.

He fled in a sorry state on his black steed, all traces of his previous arrogance gone.

At this moment, he was like a stray dog, wishing his parents could give him two more legs.

"Trying to run? Not so easy!" Yan Ruyu sneered and ordered the caravan members to give chase.

The bandits fled in disarray, abandoning their armor and weapons, leaving behind only corpses and burning cargo.

The caravan members cheered and celebrated their hard-won victory.

Their gazes toward Yan Ruyu were filled with admiration and gratitude, as if she were their savior.

"Miss Yan, you are truly amazing!"

"Yes, if it weren't for you, we would all be dead here today!"

"Miss Yan, you are simply our goddess!"

Yan Ruyu smiled calmly, but secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, it was a close call.

However, the joy of victory did not last long.

Although the caravan repelled the bandits, it also paid a considerable price.

Many caravan members were injured, and a significant amount of cargo was lost.

Looking at his injured brother, Yan Ruyu was filled with guilt.

"It's all my fault..." she whispered, blaming herself.

"Miss Yan, it's not your fault, those bandits were just too despicable!"

"Yes, if it weren't for your excellent command, we probably would have..."

Boss Ma looked into the distance, his brows furrowed, his expression grave.

"The quicksand area is just ahead, we need to be careful." In the distance, a golden sea of ​​sand shimmered eerily in the sunlight, like a giant monster with its jaws wide open, waiting for its prey.

A mysterious and dangerous aura filled the air, sending chills down one's spine.

“This…” a caravan member pointed into the distance, his voice trembling, “What is this?”

Li, the bodyguard, walked to Ma's side and whispered, "Boss, look..." He pointed to the depths of the desert, where something seemed to be moving.

"Let's go take a look," Boss Ma said in a deep voice, his tone tinged with unease.

The caravan slowly approached the quicksand area, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense, like the calm before a storm.