Chapter 230: Meals and Lodging Included

After circling around the topic for quite some time, Zhou Zhongtian finally returned to explaining what it meant to be a temporary External Agent for a single mission.

It was actually quite simple. The Golden Guard was not stationed in one fixed location. They would go wherever there was demonic activity or wherever there was a need to prevent such disturbances.

This time, their arrival in Four Corners Town was not due to any ongoing demonic threats but merely for a one-month patrol. Almost every year, the local county officials would submit a request for the Golden Guard to conduct patrols here.

Normally, such requests wouldn’t even be considered by the Golden Guard.

However, Four Corners Town had received imperial favor for two generations. Even though Great Wu was still in turmoil without a clear leader, it was only a matter of time before someone took the throne.

If the future emperor also happened to enjoy the river delicacies of this region, only to find the place overrun by demons—or worse, completely ruined—it would be disastrous.

If the Golden Guard had not received any request for assistance, it would be one thing. But having received a request and choosing to ignore it? That could very well cost them their heads.

That being said, there hadn’t been any major demonic disturbances here in recent years, making it a relatively easy assignment.

“Mr. Gu, think about it… You’re planning to stay in Four Corners Town for a while anyway, and the cost of lodging and food here isn’t cheap.”

“If you don’t have anything urgent to do, taking on this temporary role could actually be worth it. The only downside is that you might have to do some night patrols.”

From Zhou Zhongtian’s expression, Gu Ning’an could tell that he genuinely wanted to help him save on lodging and food expenses—while also taking the opportunity to take advantage of the Golden Guard.

Gu Ning’an chuckled. “Alright. Since Brother Zhou has laid out the pros and cons so clearly, I don’t mind serving as an External Agent for a month.”

“Great! Since it’s just a single-mission role, there’s no need for any formal contract.” Saying this, Zhou Zhongtian grabbed the documents from the table and continued, “I’ll go talk to that skinflint Yang. Mr. Gu, just wait here for a bit.”

“Much appreciated.”

“No need to be polite!”

Watching Zhou Zhongtian turn and head back into the relay station, Gu Ning’an murmured to himself,

“Even though Great Wu lacks a fully structured underworld judiciary to maintain balance between yin and yang…”

“This place, at least, has an openly recognized immortal sect.”

“And within that sect, someone has ties to the imperial family of Great Wu.”

“Looking at it this way… despite Great Wu being plagued by demons and chaos, the world hasn’t completely collapsed into disorder. Someone must be working to maintain the balance…”

…

Inside an elegantly decorated private room of a traditional tavern, a large round table was filled with exquisite dishes and fine wine.

Five young men wearing the gray robes of the Golden Guard were seated around the table. At the head sat Golden Guard Yang, the one who had conducted Gu Ning’an’s “interview” earlier that day.

Each of the Golden Guard members had a noticeable flush on their cheeks, a clear sign that they had already consumed a good amount of alcohol.

Standing at attention along both sides of the private room were ten External Agents, arranged in two groups of five.

Judging from their expressions, many of them were not pleased.

Nearly half an hour ago, Golden Guard Yang had ordered all External Agents to gather at this tavern for a meeting to discuss the patrol plans.

As a result, the External Agents had arrived punctually, without even eating dinner.

Meanwhile, the five Golden Guard members had simply sat down and started feasting, leaving the ten External Agents to wait!

Gu Ning’an stood among Zhou Zhongtian’s group. He had just been briefed on the basic regulations of an External Agent when they were suddenly summoned for this meeting.

Despite the long wait, he didn’t particularly mind.

After all, it brought back memories of his past life as an ordinary worker. Not pleasant memories, to be sure, but at the very least, it was a familiar sight—one that made this foreign world feel just a little bit more like home.

“Ahem.” Clearing his throat, Golden Guard Yang put down his chopsticks and smiled.

“Fellow External Agents, aside from our newcomer today—Agent Gu—the rest of you are veterans.”

“There’s no need for me to go over the rules again… Just remember one thing: The imperial court doesn’t pay you to sit around doing nothing.”

“For this month’s night patrols, you’ll take turns. The moment you detect anything unusual, report it immediately.”

“Keep your eyes sharp. Great Wu is in turmoil, and demonic activity has been rising sharply. Don’t let anything slip past you!”

“Understood?”

At the end of his sentence, Golden Guard Yang let out a drunken hiccup.

“Understood…”

A few scattered responses followed.

“Alright, it’s getting late. Go grab something to eat quickly and get ready for the night patrol.

“Tonight, Group A will patrol first.”

Hearing this, Zhou Zhongtian, the small leader of Group A’s External Agents, frowned and said, “Golden Guard Yang, External Agent Gu just arrived today. There are still many things he hasn’t had time to learn. How about letting Group B patrol first, and we take over tomorrow?”

Bang!

Golden Guard Yang slammed the table, causing the bottles, bowls, and chopsticks on it to jump, clattering loudly.

“Agent Zhou, do I need you to question my arrangements?”

“If you don’t want to do this job, get lost now! Don’t be an eyesore!”

Hearing this, Zhou Zhongtian lowered his head silently, then clenched his teeth and replied, “I spoke out of turn. Group A will patrol tonight.”

“Good that you know your place! Now get out and don’t disturb our rest.” Golden Guard Yang waved his hand impatiently, as if shooing away a bunch of annoying flies.

Soon, the ten External Agents left the private dining room one after another.

Before the last of Group A could close the door, they heard a burst of raucous laughter from inside.

“Brothet Yang! Your authority is just like your brother’s! That table slam almost made those External Agents piss themselves!”

“No kidding! Especially that Zhou guy—you saw his unwilling face, but in the end, he still had to bow his head and admit his mistake.”

“Exactly! Just some measly External Agents daring to talk back. With just one word from Brother Yang, he’d be left starving next month!”

“Alright, enough flattery. No need to waste time talking about a bunch of nobodies who don’t even qualify to have their names registered. Let’s drink! Rest up, and tomorrow, I’ll take you all to West Village for some fun with the ladies!”

“Brother Yang is mighty!”

Crack—crack!

Zhou Zhongtian’s face was dark, his knuckles cracking from his clenched fists.

Seeing this, Gu Ning’an patted him on the shoulder and said calmly, “Anger is fine, but don’t take it out on your own fingers.”

“Sigh…” Zhou Zhongtian sighed. “Mr. Gu, will you be able to last the whole night? If not, once we get back to the inn, just get some rest. Those guys won’t bother checking on us in the middle of the night anyway.”

Gu Ning’an smiled. “No worries, I’m used to traveling at night. Not sleeping is a habit of mine.”

“Alright, but if you do get too tired, just tell me directly.”

As they spoke, the group stepped out of the lavishly decorated restaurant and made their way toward the inn at the end of the alley…