Mechanical Alchemist

Norton Street was about a seven or eight-minute motorcycle ride from Green Street, and that area was also the liveliest "Bathhouse Row" in the southern part of the city.

Old Lington City's outskirts had a large number of factories, which burned through inexhaustible amounts of coal with their massive steam boilers daily. As a result, the city's air quality was very poor, with the sky always filled with a huge amount of particulate matter and dust.

Often, after walking on the streets for a few hours, people's bodies and hair would be coated with a thick layer of grime.

Therefore, the residents of Old Lington City had a very strong bathhouse culture. Regardless of their wealth, they would choose to soak in the baths daily, to cleanse their bodies of dirt.

Although Old Lington City's groundwater was not potable, it was perfect for bathing and soaking. Factories produced a large amount of boiler water every day, and there were bathhouses for everyone, from cheap public baths that cost just a few cents to high-end establishments offering a variety of services.

And Norton Street had thousands of bathhouses, big and small.

This was the territory of the gang boss.

.....

There were places for soaking on Green Street too, but they were red-light establishments, which were typically referred to as bathhouses.

Su Lun didn't understand why the boss had suddenly invited them for a soak.

But seeing Kai's eagerness to slip away, he felt that the situation might not be so simple.

After leaving the gambling den, the three of them went to get their bikes on the street. Kai had his own Harley motorcycle, and Su Lun was considering borrowing one, but the boss seemed to think it would be a hassle and instead invited him to ride together.

"Kai, kid, meet at 'Akun's Bathhouse'," the boss said.

"Oh, okay, Boss," Kai replied.

Kai gave Su Lun a sly smile, then started his motorcycle and quickly disappeared around the corner.

Su Lun was a bit confused but had no choice but to firmly take a seat on the back of the boss's motorcycle.

It must be said, the motorcycles of gang leaders were several notches above ordinary bikes.

The boss's ride was a black panther-type motorcycle, with body lines that suited a woman's softness yet carried a hint of a wild beast's ferocity. Su Lun's current mechanical knowledge allowed him to appreciate that the customizations on the bike were high-end and its performance was definitely not lacking.

However... the back seat was very small and seemed more suitable for riding solo.

The boss got on the bike and, feeling constrained, tore off one sleeve to reveal her signature tattooed arm. She started the motorcycle, giving off the impression she was prepared to speed off, and reminded Su Lun behind her, "Hang on tight!"

In the gangs, racing was also one of the favorite activities of the most prominent members. Those guys took racing to life-threatening levels, speeding through the streets even faster than professional racers on a racetrack in my past life...

Su Lun, afraid of being thrown off, got on the bike and naturally rested his hands on the waist of this gambling-addict lady.

The two were quite familiar with each other, often having frequent physical contact, so there was no awkwardness.

"Vroom~"

"Vroom~"

"Vroom~"

The motorcycle boiler roared like a beast, and with a screeching sound of tires on pavement, the motorcycle zoomed away.

The sudden acceleration made Su Lun feel as if his whole body was jolted back, but fortunately, he reacted in time, wrapping his arms around the boss's waist, thus avoiding the embarrassment of falling off.

The wind roared in his ears, and the scenery on the sides of the streets whizzed by.

Su Lun adapted to the speed, and his perception gradually became clearer.

It must be said that close-combat professionals usually had good figures, and this gambling-addict lady's figure was also excellent. Her waist was firm and supple, free of excess fat, warm to the touch.

Because of the riding position, the boss was practically lying on the engine, and Su Lun, with his arms around her waist, felt as if something heavy was pressing on his hands, immobilizing them.

The wind whisked through her blue hair, the strands tickling Su Lun's face.

Su Lun felt that their current position was perhaps too intimate, especially since he was with a gang leader, bordering on presumptuous. But considering the boss didn't mind, he didn't say much.

...

Before long, the motorcycle gradually slowed down and parked by the roadside.

This was a Japanese style bathhouse, a low-roofed tiled house with lattice windows, and a sign reading "Akun's Bathhouse" hanging at the door.

Kai's motorcycle had long since been turned off, and he was squatting on the roadside chatting and joking with a bunch of acquaintances.

When Su Lun and Qian Tiao got off the motorcycle, the group of people also stood up straight and bowed, shouting in unison.

"Sister Qian Tiao!"

"Sister Qian Tiao!"

"..."

The style of the street gang members' attire was greatly influenced by their boss, and the members of the Ten Cross Society on Norton Street all emulated Qian Tiao, sporting big floral tattoos on their arms, various colored punk hairstyles, knives at their waists, and all had a fierce look, much like the yakuza of the past world.

Qian Tiao nodded to the crowd and waved her hand broadly, "There's nothing to do today, everyone disperse."

After a pause, she added, "By the way, arrange it, San Quan Chi, I want to take a bath."

"Yes, Sister Qian Tiao."

The small gang members greeted each other and dispersed.

Upon hearing "San Quan Chi," Kai's face twitched slightly. His gaze towards Su Lun suddenly became somewhat peculiar, as if holding back a smirk.

Qian Tiao glanced at Su Lun beside her, familiarly looping her arm over his shoulder, warmly saying, "Kid Su Lun, you probably haven't been to our Norton Street yet, right? Come on, I'll take you to try the special services of sister's territory today..."

"Oh..."

Su Lun felt something was off.

But looking at the modest front of the low house without scantily clad ladies to welcome guests, it seemed to be a regular bathhouse just for scrubbing backs and taking baths.

He thought that a female gang officer like Qian Tiao wouldn't do something ridiculous like bringing her subordinates to a pleasure house, so he didn't put too much thought into it and followed her in.

As soon as he entered, Su Lun discovered that although the bathhouse had a modest façade, the interior was lavishly decorated, clearly high-end.

Qian Tiao led the way, and guessing that Su Lun would be curious, casually explained, "This is a bathhouse specially for receiving high-level VIPs from the gang, not open to the public. All the pools here are supplied with natural hot spring water from underground, which is hugely beneficial for professionals."

As she spoke, she seemed to remember something and added, "The Boss and officers often come by, oh... and Lady Philo, whom you have met before, she also occasionally comes all the way from the inner city to soak."

Listening, Su Lun wondered - Sister Qian Tiao really did seem to be in a whimsical mood, inviting them to take a bath?

...

After entering, there was a dedicated female attendant for one-on-one reception.

Qian Tiao went to the women's changing room, while Su Lun and Kai went to another side.

After splitting up, Su Lun finally had the chance to ask Kai, "Captain, is there anything special about taking a bath here?"

He had naturally noticed Kai's peculiar expression and guessed that there might be some special rules.

"Hehe... nothing much, just enjoy it," Kai smirked slyly, not spelling it out directly. "The service here is based on the standards of the inner city, which ordinary people can't usually enjoy. Last time, I came with Boss Yan Gui..."

Before they could talk more, the attendant led Su Lun and Kai to separate areas.

The services of the high-end bathhouse were very considerate; Su Lun didn't need to know what to do throughout the process.

The tall female attendant led Su Lun to a private changing room and then attentively helped him clean his body, changed into a bathrobe, providing thoughtful service. Even though it was his first visit, he didn't feel the slightest discomfort—it truly made one feel at home.

Su Lun didn't find it strange, changed his clothes, and followed the attendant into the backyard corridor.

"Sir, please follow me."

The backyard was larger than it looked, with Japanese-style garden corridors that took into account both the environment and the privacy of the guests.

Vapor was visible, sounds of water were audible, but the bath was cleverly hidden by rockeries and vegetation, no human figures in sight.

White steam rose everywhere, it seemed to be an open-air bath.

Su Lun followed the attendant through several corridors to a separate courtyard called "San Quan Chi."

The female attendant stopped at the entrance, seemingly with no intention of going in, "Sir, it's all clear inside, please call me if you need anything."

"Hmm."

Su Lun didn't say much more and walked in.

After passing through a small area of greenery, the view suddenly cleared up.

Seeing the open-air bathhouse of seventy to eighty square meters in front of him, Su Lun's face also froze: "Eh... Did I go to the wrong place? Did I end up in the women's bathhouse?"

As soon as Su Lun arrived, seven or eight women with tattooed arms, sitting in the bath, turned their gazes toward him.

The sight was not at all glamorous.

Wherever he looked, there were several heavyweight contestants, each weighing three to four hundred pounds, with full-back tattoos like sumo wrestlers, and a fierce gaze that almost made Su Lun instinctively reach for a gun.

Judging from their composed demeanor, it was as if he was seeing a few mighty tigers soaking in the bath.

Suddenly, Su Lun thought of something and said to himself, "Could these be the legendary fierce generals beside Sister Qian?"

There was a tale circulating in the Cross Society that Sister Qian had a bunch of strong and powerful henchmen with terrifying combat abilities. Could it be these women in front of him?

He felt that he must have gone to the wrong place, but just as he was about to turn back, he saw Sister Qian wrapped in a towel walking in through another entrance.

She called out to Su Lun, "Hey... what are you standing there for? Come join the bath..."

"..."

Su Lun's face twitched, suddenly realizing what Kai's teasing gaze had meant earlier.

However, he was only shocked for a moment before his expression returned to normal.

Because he suddenly understood why the gambling-addicted lady had asked him to join her in the bath.

....

Sister Qian took off her towel and stepped into the hot spring.

She wasn't completely naked, as she wore a specially designed thin gray linen dress and shorts for going in the water.

But once the paper-thin clothes got wet, they became nearly transparent, barely different from wearing nothing at all. Su Lun saw right through them.

Well... this big shot's figure was indeed quite nice, very curvaceous indeed.

It wasn't that he was "casting down his eyes" to only look at Sister Qian alone, but rather that the other few generals in the pool were quite harsh on the eyes.

Hearing that it was a mixed bath, Su Lun didn't act coy and entered the water with ease.

At that moment, Sister Qian lazily lay by the edge of the pool and called out, "Can a few people come and scrub my back?"

At her call, several servants dressed just as lightly entered the scene, and the atmosphere finally became less "solemn."

Having waited for half an eternity without seeing Kai, Su Lun knew that guy probably already knew what would happen here.

But he was enjoying himself nonetheless.

Since he was there, he might as well enjoy it.

The hot springs water, though slightly black, was still clear. Soaking in the water, the pleasant feeling of all his pores opening up was indeed nice. Moreover, as he breathed, he could clearly feel that faint Spiritual Power coursing through his meridians.

With several gang elders nearby, Su Lun didn't have to worry about his safety. This was the first time he had enjoyed such a comfortable moment since crossing over.

....

The clothes of the female attendants beside him were completely soaked, clinging to their bodies as if they weren't wearing anything at all, even adding a bit of a misty, enticing intrigue. Two attendants helped with the scrubbing, their occasional teasing touches were temptingly tactile, a mere stretch away from touching softness that could melt bones.

"Although there's not much danger in this mission, you should be more vigilant. Those noble young masters and misses are not easy to serve. Do your job as a guide well and try not to chat with people."

"Hmm."

"The communication signals are poor in the depths of the cavern, so be extra cautious and adapt as necessary."

"Hmm... "

It was just some unimportant small talk.

Even without opening his eyes, Su Lun could feel certain sneaky gazes roaming over his body. In such a scene, how could he not guess Qian Tiao's "premeditation."

At last, he remained silent, but the other couldn't help but speak up.

"Phew... Even though the Three Springs Pool is for mixed bathing, it's been a long time since any man dared to come here."

"..."

"Hey, Su Lun, do you know why I invited you to take a dip?"

"To see if I'm really not interested in women."

"Eh... you guessed it?"

"A test, huh... Probably because Lady Philo is afraid my inclinations aren't normal and I'd startle those noble young masters within the inner city? And you, Qian Tiao, are probably curious if I really do like men..."

"Heh, you're quite clever. So... you're really not interested in women?"

"..."

Su Lun felt that this boss was good in many ways, but her EQ seemed a bit low in certain areas.

He looked at Qian Tiao's unabashedly curious gaze with a slight sense of helplessness.

"No. My preferences are quite normal."

"Then how come you have no reaction? The last time, the kid Kai came and made a fool of himself, and sure enough, he didn't dare to come again..."

"..."

Even though the two of them were quite familiar with each other, Su Lun never expected Qian Tiao to be so blunt.

And as the boss asked her question, a teasing smile appeared on the faces of the capable old dames surrounding her.

Hearing these fierce words, Su Lun could probably imagine what Kai must have gone through before.

In this world, gender norms are very open, especially for mafia members who walk the line between life and death; pleasure is commonplace, with the nightlife scene being like a second home. The bathing culture of Old Lington is quite ancient, much like Su Lun's previous life in Ancient Rome; mixed bathing couldn't be more normal.

And Qian Tiao seemed completely unfazed by exposing herself in front of Su Lun; in her eyes, there were no men, only brothers and blades.

Su Lun didn't explain his ability to control his emotions but gave a look to the few capable executives, implying very clearly: You're not going to make me perform in public, are you?

Qian Tiao probably guessed something, waved her hand extravagantly, and the capable executives wrapped in towels left the pool, causing the water level to drop noticeably.

The maidservant probably knew what Qian Tiao wanted them to do, as her face broke into a seductive smile, and she pressed her tender body even closer.

Su Lun, looking at the gambling-addict wife with insatiable curiosity in her eyes, stood up from the water resignedly.

Seeing something, Qian Tiao's eyes brightened, and she let out a meaningful and light "huh."

"Aiyo, not bad..."

She didn't hide her gaze at all, seemingly not thinking there was anything improper about it.

Now having seen with her own eyes, she knew this guy's inclinations were indeed no issue.

"..."

Su Lun rubbed his brow, annoyed, and retaliatively stared at Qian Tiao's almost unabashed bust.

However, the carefree smile that had been on Qian Tiao's face all along wasn't a pretense, but a reflection of a genuinely pure heart. After a few seconds, Su Lun felt as if his gaze had become somewhat desecrating.

Qian Tiao seemed to notice Su Lun's unrestrained stare and realized something.

But instead of covering up, she narrowed her eyes and coldly warned in a chilly tone, "Hey, hey, hey... you're quite bold, aren't you..."

Within the gang, there were no such presumptuous fellows. And if there were, they'd be nothing but souls under the blade now.

Su Lun couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile, not bothering to argue, decisively diverting his gaze.

Having never felt a hint of killing intent from start to finish, he knew the boss didn't truly mind.