For a moment after I spoke, no one moved.
Then Wu Lian stepped forward, her expression tense as she raised her voice.
"Don't listen to her," she said. "She has always caused trouble. You all know what kind of person she is."
Her words came quickly, as if she was afraid of losing control.
But this time—
No one agreed with her.
Han Li stepped forward first, her face still pale from everything that had happened, but her voice was firm.
"That's enough," she said. "If not for her, we wouldn't even be thinking of going back right now."
Liu Ruyan crossed her arms and spoke coldly.
"You've said enough already. Just stand aside."
The crowd began to shift.
This time, they were not looking at Wu Lian.
They were looking at me.
A man stepped forward, his voice filled with frustration.
"Your advice almost cost us our lives," he said, looking at Wu Lian. "If we had stayed there any longer, more people would have died."
Others nodded.
"You told us it was safe…"
"And then you ran first…"
"You should stop talking now…"
The trust they once had in her was gone.
Wu Lian stood still, her face tightening, but no one paid her any more attention.
Instead, they turned to me.
"What should we do now?" someone asked.
"We'll follow you," another added.
"Just tell us what to do."
Their voices were no longer filled with doubt.
This time—
They were ready to listen.
I looked at them for a moment.
Then I nodded slightly.
"Good."
A faint smile appeared on my lips.
"If you want to save them, then you will do exactly as I say."
No one objected.
I turned to Liu Muyan.
"We don't have much time," I said. "We need a plan before we move."
She nodded immediately. "I'm listening."
I then looked at Zhang Lei and the others.
"You four will take the front," I said. "Your job is to clear the path and keep everyone moving in one direction. No one runs ahead on their own."
Zhang Lei nodded firmly. "Understood."
I continued without pause.
"Chen Guo, you stay with the children and the elderly. Make sure no one falls behind."
He placed a hand on his chest. "Leave it to me."
"Wang Bao, Li Shan, you two stay at the back. Watch for danger and keep the group together."
They both nodded.
I then turned to the villagers.
"When we reach the river, no one moves without my order," I said clearly. "The moment you panic, you will put others in danger."
They listened carefully.
I pointed ahead.
"The bees will be our first problem," I said. "We will use smoke to drive them away."
I looked at Han Jun.
"Prepare dry leaves and anything that can produce thick smoke."
He nodded quickly.
"We will light them near the hive and create a barrier," I continued. "No one goes close until the swarm clears."
Some people exchanged looks, but they understood.
I then added, "As for the river, we stay away from the edges. We move along the side, not through the water."
"And the snakes?" someone asked nervously.
I answered calmly, "Watch the ground, move in groups, and don't step into tall grass without checking first."
The instructions were simple.
Clear and easy to follow.
I looked at them one last time.
"Most importantly, no one acts on their own," I said. "If you panic, you die. If you stay calm, you survive."
Silence followed.
Then—
One by one, they nodded.
"We understand."
"We'll follow your lead."
"No one will act carelessly."
I gave a small nod.
"Good."
Then I turned.
"Move."
....
Everyone moved the way I instructed.
No one ran ahead or argued.
They stayed in groups and followed the path carefully, watching their steps and keeping close to one another.
We moved through the forest steadily, and just as I expected, no one was attacked. The bees did not reach us, and no one stepped into danger.
By the time we arrived at the river bank, the situation there was still chaotic, but our group remained steady.
The moment the people at the river saw us, they froze.
Shock spread quickly.
"She came back…"
"It's Liu Yanyu…"
"How is she here…?"
Their voices were filled with disbelief.
Among them, Yan Mo also looked over.
His gaze stayed on me for a moment, and under his breath, he whispered,
"She came back…?"
I did not look at him.
There was no time for that.
I stepped forward immediately.
"Stop running," I said. "Move away from the water and stay together."
My voice carried clearly.
Some people hesitated, but others quickly followed.
"Those near the river, move back slowly," I continued. "Do not rush and do not push."
Zhang Lei and the others moved into position at once, helping guide people away.
"Smoke, now," I said.
Han Jun and a few others quickly brought forward the dry leaves they had gathered. They lit them, and thick smoke began to rise, spreading toward the direction of the bees.
"Keep it steady," I added. "Do not scatter."
Little by little, the buzzing began to fade as the smoke pushed the bees away.
The crowd slowly calmed.
"Stay together," I repeated. "Watch your steps and avoid the grass."
People began helping each other.
Some supported the injured.
Others carried children.
The panic began to reduce.
Yan Mo also moved through the crowd, helping people just like before, but this time, he followed the instructions being given.
He guided people away from danger.
He kept them steady.
He did not act alone.
After a while, he paused for a moment and looked toward me.
There was a slight change in his expression.
Because he could see it clearly.
The plan was working.
Better than anything he had tried before.
I did not stand still either.
I moved through the crowd, helping where needed, pulling people back, supporting those who could not walk properly, and making sure no one was left behind.
I did not just give orders.
I worked with them.
Step by step, the chaos began to settle.
People were no longer running blindly.
They were moving with direction.
And one by one.. they were getting out alive.