Dividing the Guard Between Two Places

Early the next morning.

After breakfast, Lu Shaolin mounted his black-maned horse amid the farewells of the two women and headed for the Water Fortress.

In less than half an hour, Lu Shaolin arrived at the entrance of the Water Fortress.

Looking up, he saw Ma San already waiting at the entrance.

Lu Shaolin swung down from his horse and waved to Ma San. The two led their horses toward the Water Fortress together.

After crossing the wooden bridge, they arrived at the entrance to the External Affairs Hall.

At that moment, four men were gathered at the entrance, chatting and bragging.

Each had a fine horse beside him.

The four were strong and well-built, their gazes cold. They were clearly not men to be trifled with.

The four glanced at Lu Shaolin and Ma San without speaking, then resumed their conversation.

Lu Shaolin ignored them as well and led Ma San to one side to wait for the steward's arrival.

After waiting for about half an hour, a burly, bearded man with a square face came before them.

The four men immediately clasped their fists and called out, "Steward Zhao!"

Lu Shaolin and Ma San also cupped their fists in greeting.

Zhao Anguo swept his gaze over everyone before it settled on Lu Shaolin.

"You must be Brother Lu, then?"

Zhao Anguo asked with a smile.

"Yes, Steward Zhao."

Lu Shaolin nodded.

"You certainly have an imposing build."

Zhao Anguo praised.

"All right, no more delays. Listen carefully: Brother Lu will be the leader of your group. You are to follow his orders."

"Brother, come with me."

Zhao Anguo called loudly, then walked aside and motioned for Lu Shaolin to join him alone.

Lu Shaolin handed his reins to Ma San and walked to Zhao Anguo's side.

"Brother, manpower is tight right now. I can only assign you five subordinates for the time being. Once more men arrive, I'll make up the other five. I hope you won't take offense!"

Zhao Anguo said apologetically.

"You're too polite, Steward Zhao. It makes no difference if the men are assigned later."

Lu Shaolin said with a smile.

"It isn't that this old brother is stingy. We truly don't have enough men; the hall master has transferred them all away. Don't tell Old Yu about this, or he'll surely mock me for it."

Zhao Anguo said with a grin.

"I won't. Don't worry, Brother Zhao."

Lu Shaolin shook his head.

"Your patrol area consists of these two fishing villages. Stand watch at night and rest during the day. There isn't much danger; at worst, River Demons may attack. With your strength, they won't be difficult to handle."

Zhao Anguo pulled a map from his robes and pointed at the two black dots on it.

Lu Shaolin stepped forward to look and memorized the locations. One of the black dots was the fishing village where he had killed a River Demon last time.

"Understood!"

Lu Shaolin nodded.

"Then I won't say more. There are too many matters to handle these days. If you need anything, come directly to the External Affairs Hall and find me. Oh, and remember to collect your squad's equipment from the warehouse."

Zhao Anguo spoke quickly, then hurried into the External Affairs Hall.

Seeing Zhao Anguo leave, the four men on the other side exchanged glances, stepped forward, and cupped their fists. "Boss Lu!"

"Mm. Just call me Boss from now on. I'm not used to hearing Boss Lu."

Lu Shaolin said with a smile.

"Yes, Boss."

The four cupped their fists again.

"Ma San, take these four brothers to the warehouse and collect the equipment."

Lu Shaolin ordered.

"Yes!"

Ma San replied.

He immediately led the four men toward the warehouse.

Before long, the five returned.

They carried wire fishing nets, lamp oil, signal flares, and steel forks.

There were two fishing nets, several jars of lamp oil, six signal flares, and one steel fork for each man.

Lu Shaolin took a steel fork and examined it. It was nearly six feet long, with a steel pronged head and a wooden shaft. It was quite handy for dealing with River Demons and could keep them from getting close.

He tossed the steel fork to Ma San, waved his hand, and led the five men out of the Water Fortress. They mounted their horses and galloped toward the fishing villages they were assigned to guard.

They arrived at the first fishing village.

When the villagers saw the six of them, delight appeared on their faces.

Some villagers voluntarily went to notify the village head.

"Dismount!"

Lu Shaolin called in a low voice as he swung down from his horse.

The five men behind him dismounted as well.

"Are you four experienced hands?"

Lu Shaolin asked.

The four exchanged glances. One scarred man stepped forward and said, "Boss, the four of us were transferred from other squads. You could say we're experienced."

"Can the four of you handle River Demons on your own?"

Lu Shaolin continued.

"If it's only a single River Demon, then with the wire fishing nets, we can certainly take it down."

The man answered at once.

"Good! Since that's the case, the four of you will remain here. Ma San and I will guard the other fishing village. The two villages are close together, so if you encounter trouble you cannot handle, fire a signal flare for help!"

Lu Shaolin decided.

"Yes, Boss."

The man looked at the other three. Seeing that none of them objected, he nodded in agreement.

"By the way, what proof is needed to claim a reward after killing a River Demon?"

Lu Shaolin asked again.

"Boss, whether you kill a River Demon or another demon, you take its left ear to the External Affairs Hall as proof to claim the reward."

"If it has no ears, a hand or claw can be used instead."

The man was slightly taken aback before answering.

After hearing this, Lu Shaolin was filled with regret. He had missed out on a hundred taels of silver!

"Fine. You four stay here. Ma San, let's go!"

Lu Shaolin nodded, then called to Ma San. He mounted his horse, kicked its flank, and galloped toward the other fishing village.

Ma San followed close behind.

In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the two reached their destination.

At the village entrance, they happened to encounter the village head, Zhang Gu.

Zhang Gu studied Lu Shaolin carefully before confirming his identity.

"So you too are one of the Blackwater Gang's honored men, sir?"

Zhang Gu asked delightedly.

"Elder, I only joined the External Affairs Hall today. I didn't expect to be assigned to guard your fishing village so soon."

Lu Shaolin jumped down from his black-maned horse and smiled.

"This must be fate. It shows that you, sir, are destined to have an affinity with our village."

Zhang Gu said with a smile as well.

"Where did the previous gang members stay?"

Lu Shaolin asked.

"They stayed at the outpost by the village entrance. Are only the two of you here?"

Zhang Gu turned slightly to look behind them as he asked.

"The gang is short on manpower, but don't worry, Elder. With me here, River Demons are nothing to fear."

Lu Shaolin was brimming with confidence.

"Of course, of course!"

Zhang Gu said repeatedly.

He then led the two of them to the outpost at the village entrance.

The outpost was quite spacious, with five bedrooms, a large sitting room, and a kitchen.

Outside was a large courtyard, with a stable within it.

The two led their horses into the stable.

After bringing them to the outpost, Zhang Gu took his leave.

He was going to arrange for people to prepare meals for them.

Lu Shaolin looked over the bedrooms and chose a sunlit room to settle into.

Ma San chose a room beside his and settled in as well.

After waiting for roughly half an hour, Zhang Gu arrived at the outpost with two young men carrying food.

Lu Shaolin saw that the fare was quite good, with both fish and meat.

After setting the dishes on the stone table in the courtyard, Zhang Gu sent the two young men back and remained behind himself.

Lu Shaolin sat at the stone table and invited Zhang Gu to take a seat, but Zhang Gu waved his hand and said he had already eaten.

Lu Shaolin did not stand on ceremony and began eating heartily.

After finishing, he looked at Zhang Gu. "Elder, is there something you need?"

"Lord Lu, I only wished to ask whether you need the village to provide some men to assist you two with patrols at night?"

Zhang Gu said respectfully.

"No need. Just sleep peacefully. The two of us are enough to guard the fishing village."

"Very well. If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to instruct me."

"Certainly!"

Lu Shaolin cupped his fists.

The two chatted idly for a few more moments before Zhang Gu took his leave.