Chapter 68 79. Gangzi's Bathhouse Adventure (Part 2)
Inside the changing room, the other bathhouse "brothers" gathered to hear their rules.
Scarface barked orders at his men. "Rules are rules. But remember this—if any of you drop your soap before me, don't blame me for turning on you once we're out of here!"
His underlings lowered their heads meekly like scolded quails.
Eyepatch added, "Scar's word is my word. Got it?"
Chicken Head likewise warned his gang, "Don't any of you drop your soap before me or the other three bosses. Keep that in your thick skulls!"
The bathhouse doors opened. Dozens of muscular brutes, bare‑chested with towels around their waists, grabbed their sulfur soap and headed in.
Before stepping through, Scarface pinched Yu Xiao Gang's cheek between his rough fingers. "The more I look at you, the smoother that skin gets. Almost makes a man jealous. Looks like I'm in for a treat today. See you in three minutes."
He strode into the steam with his crew.
Eyepatch paused next, flicking a finger along Yu Xiao Gang's nose. "All soft and pampered, eh? Wait inside, pretty boy—I'll show you a new world."
Then Chicken Head smirked and purred, "Chicken Ge's gonna open your eyes, kid."
Yu Xiao Gang shivered. He didn't understand their intentions, but deep down he felt nothing good awaited.
Jie Ge, the bald man in glasses, patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Relax, Gangzi. It'll be fine. In a bit, Jie Ge will take you on a real adventure."
And then he too entered the bathhouse.
The doors shut, leaving Yu Xiao Gang alone in growing dread. Every passing second seemed heavier.
He had no idea what awaited him on the other side, but he knew one thing: he would never allow the trial to strip away even a fraction of his hard‑earned twenty‑nine levels of soul power.
After three minutes, the door opened again. Trembling but determined, he walked inside.
Steam curled through the air. Water splashed from dozens of showers. Huge men scrubbed themselves with soap, towels knotted about their waists, muscles bulging under running water.
The instant Yu Xiao Gang entered, all eyes locked on him. Then, as if by silent agreement, all except four men turned away to continue their washing.
Scarface, Jie Ge, Eyepatch, and Chicken Head exchanged sharp glances. The air thickened with rivalry as each man gripped his bar of soap tightly.
Swoosh!
A bar soared through the steam and hit the tiles with a smack.
"Ah, my bad," Jie Ge said mildly, raising a hand. "Dropped my soap."
The other three scowled—by the rules, no one else could drop anything until this "scene" ended and Jie Ge left.
He beckoned to Yu Xiao Gang with a friendly smile. "Gangzi, my soap fell. Be a pal and pick it up for me."
Why can't he pick up his own soap? Yu Xiao Gang grumbled inwardly. But he remembered the rule—if it stayed on the floor for twenty seconds, he'd lose soul power. A chill ran through him.
Quickly, he hurried forward and bent down to grab it—only for his towel to slip loose.
Jie Ge's grin widened ever so slightly. The other men turned to watch.
Then Jie Ge pressed forward—
Ding! Gangzi has triggered Jie Ge's exclusive side story.
An hour and a half later…
Yu Xiao Gang collapsed to the ground, trembling from exhaustion and humiliation. Pure, utter shame. I was born noble… how could I be degraded like this!
Meanwhile, Jie Ge dried off leisurely, slipped on his black shirt and glasses, and licked his lips in satisfaction. "Not bad… really not bad. Gangzi, I almost don't want to leave you behind, but I'll be generous. The others deserve a taste too. I'll see you in the real world."
He strolled toward the exit, leaving behind envious murmurs from the rest.
Scarface snorted. "So Jie Ge got first crack, huh? Everyone knows ginseng fruit gets better with each bite. The second goes to me." He clenched his soap.
"Not if I get there first," growled Eyepatch.
"Let's settle it fair and square," Chicken Head chuckled darkly, gripping his own. "Whoever's falls faster wins."
Swoosh!
Scarface's soap hit the ground.
He laughed proudly. "Looks like it's mine."
"Damn, lucky bastard," Eyepatch muttered.
Scarface pointed at Yu Xiao Gang. "Gangzi! Get over here and pick up my soap! Or do you want to lose five levels of power?"
Yu Xiao Gang tried to play dead, but the words "five levels" jolted him. He crawled to Scarface and squatted, trembling, to retrieve the bar.
Scarface smiled—then pressed a heavy hand down on his head.
Ding! Gangzi has triggered Scarface's exclusive side story.
Another hour and a half passed.
Yu Xiao Gang lay quivering, eyes glazed, throat dry.
"Excellent," Scarface said contentedly. "I'll remember you, Gangzi. Hope we meet again soon." Dressing, he departed the hall.
Swoosh! Eyepatch's soap dropped next.
"Gangzi!" he shouted. "Get over here and pick mine up—unless you want your soul power drained."
Yu Xiao Gang scrambled to obey, triggering yet another grueling hour‑and‑a‑half ordeal.
Then came Chicken Head's turn.
Swoosh!
"Gangzi, stop playing dead! Want your soul power or not? Pick it up!"
He did—initiating another torturous event lasting one hour and twenty minutes.
At last, the four "bosses" were gone. Yu Xiao Gang lay limp, finally thinking it over. It's done. It's over.
But slowly, he felt dozens of greedy eyes turning toward him.
The tigers had feasted and moved on—now the wolves gathered.
Dozens of burly hands tightened their grip on freshly soaped bars.
Swoosh!
Another bar hit the wet tiles.
(END CHAPTER)
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