You said mechs were going to fight monsters, but instead you're destroying stars with your bare

Chapter 18 The first pot of gold?

Inside the bathhouse, the water murmured softly, and the air was filled with a misty haze.

A fine layer of sweat had already seeped onto the forehead of the top-notch bath attendant.

His breathing also began to become somewhat heavy.

Something is wrong!
Something is wrong!
In his 30 years in the business, this was the first time he had encountered such a difficult customer.

This is not just "tough", it's practically "indestructible"!

Just as the master craftsman was filled with doubt and began to question the meaning of life.

Li Zhe, who was lying on the bed, spoke lazily.

The sound is not loud, but the damage is extremely strong.

"Master, have you eaten? The pressure is a bit light, apply more pressure, it's okay."

boom! ! !
The old master, his teeth rotten from the smoke, gritted his teeth and his fist hardened.

it is good!
good good!
He has been a prominent figure in the bathhouse industry for thirty years, and his bathhouse scrubbing skills have reached a state of perfection, earning him the reputation of "the sweeping monk of the bathhouse world".

Many tough and strong men were brought to their knees and cried out in pain under his hands.

This seemingly ordinary young man actually dared to challenge his professional authority to his face!
Damn it, this is outrageous!
Even if you have perfectly defined muscles, I'll show you what a true bath scrub master looks like!

"Young man, you'd better lie down properly!"

The old man gave a low shout and flung the bath towel into the water with a crisp popping sound.

Sink into a horse stance and straighten your back.

His entire demeanor changed instantly!
"what!"

The master shouted and poured all his strength into his arms.

"Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!"

The commotion attracted the attention of other bathers who were enjoying the scrubbing service, as well as the scrubbing instructors who were slacking off.

They stared in disbelief at the scene before them, a spectacle that could only be described as "violent aesthetics"...

Twenty minutes passed...

The master craftsman's movements gradually slowed down.

That old face, etched with the marks of time, was now covered in large beads of sweat, and his complexion was as pale as a sheet of paper.

He... lost.

They suffered a complete and utter defeat.

The culprit who drove him to the brink of death never uttered a sound from beginning to end.

even……

I could also hear a steady breathing sound.

This kid...

He actually fell asleep?!

The old master's resolve was shattered, and he began to question the meaning of life.

The bathhouse attendants and customers around them all watched this scene with awe.

The way they looked at Li Zhe was no longer simply out of curiosity and amazement.

It was the kind of gaze one would give a god.

at this moment--

Under the dim lights and swirling steam of the bathhouse, this nameless young man became the god of scrubbing in this bathhouse...

After a short while, God slowly awoke from that extremely comfortable half-awake state.

He stretched comfortably, sat up, and smiled calmly.

He casually picked up a clean bath towel from the side and wrapped it around his waist.

Get up, stand up.

He walked up to his master, who was beginning to doubt his life, patted him on the shoulder, and spoke with a gentle and sincere smile.

"Your skills are great, I'll order from you again next time."

The oracle has been delivered.

The master trembled, and his proud head finally bowed at that moment.

After a long pause, he finally managed to squeeze out a sentence through gritted teeth.

"Next time... I'll scrub it for you with sandpaper."

[Nail care task completed! Overall rating: SSS!]

[Review Details: You utilized multiple maintenance techniques, including "alternating hot and cold heat treatment," "high-precision physical polishing," and "deep neuronal cache cleaning," and received sincere hospitality from others, achieving peak physical and mental well-being. The maintenance effect was outstanding!]

【Reward Distribution:】

[Mech combat power +0.4 (Current combat power: 2.0)]

Armor +4 (Current: 10/10)

Energy +4 (Current: 10/10)

An unprecedented surge of power instantly erupted within Li Zhe's body!

He could clearly feel that every muscle, every bone, and every cell in his body was undergoing tremendous changes under the impact of this force!
Performance has reached a whole new level!

Li Zhe was overjoyed.

It seems this bathhouse attendant is indeed very professional, with proper techniques and significant therapeutic effects.

Even the system gave it high recognition, confirming that it was a high-precision polishing and giving it the top-level SSS rating.

What a thoroughly enjoyable health treatment!

Why don't you skip sandpaper next time and try using a steel wool pad instead?

Li Zhe thought this to himself, but seeing the bathhouse attendant's expression of grief and despair, he wisely refrained from saying it aloud.

Be a man to stay on the line and meet each other in the future.

He nodded kindly to the attendant, then turned and went into the shower room. After rinsing himself off, he met up with Mr. Wang, who had just finished a sauna and was feeling refreshed, and they went upstairs to the rest area.

Lying on the soft, comfortable massage chair, I enjoy my final moments of relaxation.

A short while later, Mr. Wang's wife and daughter also came over, having changed their clothes.

The family of three sat with Li Zhe, drinking tea and chatting.

As they chatted, Mr. Wang's wife looked at Li Zhe and remarked:
"Xiao Zhe, to be honest, our family really owes you so much."

She brought up an old story from many years ago.

She was pregnant at the time and happened to be visiting Shanghai.

While walking on the street, I was almost hit by an out-of-control electric scooter that veered onto the sidewalk.

Li Zhe, who was still in elementary school at the time, reacted quickly and pulled her away, saving the mother and daughter.

"Yes!" Mr. Wang exclaimed with deep emotion after hearing this. "Such a young age and such a sophisticated and suave persona, he's simply a lucky star for the Wang family!"

He then changed the subject and sighed, "Our family was lucky to survive this time."

"But it's strange... The people from the law enforcement told us that they used the most advanced detection methods."

However, only the residual aura of the monster's death was detected at the scene, with no trace of the mech's energy activity whatsoever..."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhe paused slightly in the hand holding the teacup.

The probe found no trace of mech activity.

So, it seems I've encountered another bug!

As long as I don't expose myself, the United Government's detection methods will not be able to detect the existence of my "muscle armor"!

This also means...

In the face of a united government, one is a human being.

In the abyss of treacherous realms, I am a mecha!
This gives us more flexibility...

Li Zhe was thinking about the future, while Boss Wang continued to mutter to himself.

"Although the law enforcement agencies haven't detected any traces of mecha activity, I think..."

"It must have been a mysterious mech pilot who wished to remain anonymous who saved us."

"It must have been him! He pulled us out of that monster's belly! If we can find this hero, our family will repay him!"

Li Zhe chuckled, but didn't reply. He picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Just then, Mr. Wang's youngest daughter spoke up in her childish voice: "Daddy, I understand this principle! Taking the money won't harm our actions, but not taking the money means we won't be able to redeem the person... If we don't repay the kindness we receive, especially such a life-saving grace, then society is doomed! We must repay it properly!"

Li Zhe was drinking tea when he heard this and almost choked.

Goodness, are kids these days so fussy?
My child just graduated from kindergarten and is already learning the story of Zigong redeeming people from the "Lüshi Chunqiu"?
After hearing his daughter's words, Mr. Wang became somewhat agitated.

He glanced at his wife beside him.

Their eyes met, as if they were communicating silently...

After a moment, as if he had made a major decision, Mr. Wang suddenly fell into deep thought.

Soon, Boss Wang looked at Li Zhe and said, "Xiao Zhe... your sister-in-law and I have something to discuss."

Li Zhe nodded knowingly and didn't ask any further questions.

Boss Wang let his daughter follow Li Zhe.

then……

Li Zhe picked up the little cutie and led her to the children's play area to play on the slide.

Although he was curious about what the couple was talking about, he didn't use the detection module to pry into their privacy.

A short while later, the couple came over.

The two people's expressions were somewhat serious, yet also carried a hint of relief and reluctance.

“Xiao Zhe…” Boss Wang took a deep breath and said in a heavy tone.

"We're preparing to leave Shenhai and go back to our hometown..."

"This experience has been a huge blow to us."

Li Zhe was not surprised to hear what Boss Wang said.

First-tier cities are indeed not peaceful these days.

In addition, the appearance of pseudo-humanoid monsters has caused panic in densely populated large cities.

There have even been recent reports that a massive energy entity is lurking deep in the eastern waters of the Little Days... who knows when a giant beast might emerge!
The landfall in Kamakura heated up Tokyo, sent atomic breaths at Mount Fuji, and recreated the magnificent view of a giant mushroom cloud rising straight down and the setting sun over the long crater.

In short, more and more people are choosing to flee the dangerous coastal areas.

Densely populated metropolises like Shenhai City are indeed easy targets for attacks by abyssal monsters.

Returning to sparsely populated inland areas would offer a higher level of safety.

If Old Wang and his family just leave like this, it seems I won't have any acquaintances left in this huge city...

"Dong-ge, safety comes first." Li Zhe stopped thinking about it and said, "Take good care of yourselves."

"Ah."

Mr. Wang smiled, and the heaviness in his eyes lessened somewhat.

He looked at Li Zhe, his expression becoming increasingly complicated.

There is appreciation, gratitude, and a hint of expectation.

"You're different from us, kid."

Mr. Wang paused for a moment, his voice low and powerful.

"Your qualification to participate in the mecha pilot assessment is proof of your strength... Your sister-in-law and I believe that you will definitely become a great hero who protects everyone in the future!"

He took a deep breath, as if to concentrate all the determination in his heart into his next words.

"So...we've made a decision—"

"We're transferring our villa in Shenhai and the internet cafe storefront to you!"

(End of this chapter)