Free Web NovelChapter 135: Chapter 111: Hailiya Bathhouse
By the time they returned to Silver Stream City, it was already the afternoon of the next day.
The group, having been away for three days, was travel-worn and dusty. As Adventurers, they were all long used to it, but Feney, on her first trip out, was finding the feeling of being filthy and smelly unbearable.
So, the moment they got back to the city, she immediately bid everyone farewell and headed home.
The others temporarily stored their spoils at the Association and went back to their respective lodgings to drop off their gear and luggage.
Next up, of course, was a good, long bath.
Although they could bathe at the inn, it was only a simple rinse. For a time like this, a proper bathhouse was the only place to go for some real relaxation.
Back in Roland Town, the bathhouse there was actually quite small, and its facilities were rather old. After going twice, Lin Mo didn’t feel much like returning.
But Silver Stream City was clearly different.
Never mind anything else, just from the outside, it was in a completely different league.
The exquisitely decorated grand bathhouse looked positively luxurious. A line of staff stood at the entrance, each dressed in an identical short skirt. As Lin Mo and Ali approached, they all bowed in unison.
"Welcome to the Hailiya Bathhouse."
’This whole setup feels a bit like those high-end clubs you see in videos from my past life,’ he thought.
Naturally, a place of this caliber didn’t actually have that many customers.
Most commoners couldn’t possibly afford it, and even low-level Adventurers could only visit on rare occasions.
Come to think of it, Carson was the one who had found and recommended this place a while back.
The guy rarely spoke on a normal day, always putting on an aloof act. Who would’ve thought he was a closet degenerate, getting up to such antics in private.
"Yo, you made it!"
Entering the main hall, he saw Alton and the others were already there, waving him over.
It was only then that Ali realized something. Her cheeks suddenly puffed out. "Let’s just go back to the inn to wash up."
"Why?"
"This... is not a good place."
"Haha, it’s just a bath..."
Solan laughed as he walked over. "Don’t worry, we’re just here for a simple bath. I’ll keep an eye on him for you."
As he spoke, he shot Lin Mo a wink and slung an arm over his shoulders, leading him inside.
Ali stomped her foot, her cheeks still puffed, and had no choice but to enter the women’s section on the other side.
"By the way, what are the prices here?"
He hadn’t thought much of it at first, but seeing the lavish decor, Lin Mo started to worry. He still needed to save up for the Mithril Gloves.
"Relax, it’s not that expensive. The entry fee is just 1 Silver Coin. Massages and other services are extra. It’s a bit pricier than outside, but the service is much more thorough..."
’That’s not so bad.’
Lin Mo breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps because he had never experienced a truly bottom-tier life, his understanding of this world was still superficial.
In his past life, even those at the bottom could earn two or three thousand a month, enough to not worry about food or clothing. But in this world, the bottom was the true bottom—people couldn’t afford to eat or buy clothes...
Silver Stream City was already considered the safest and most comfortable place for the poor in the vicinity, but the income of an ordinary laborer was only about 2 Silver Coins a month. That’s 200 Copper Coins.
And what about the high-income earners?
The lowest-level Adventurers could generally make over 10 silver a month. Those with a bit of strength and a Skill or two could exceed 30 silver coins.
Those capable of joining a squad and taking on quests could see their income inflate to 1 gold coin, or even more than 2 gold coins, which was already ten to twenty thousand Copper Coins.
As for people like Rick and Carson from the Bull Run Squad, their monthly income was already over 10 gold coins, and that had multiplied several times over since Lin Mo joined!
The wealth gap in this place was far greater than he had imagined.
Silver Coin was nothing to them, but for an ordinary commoner, it was half a month’s wages.
Upon entering the bathing area, the first step was to wash oneself clean. Lin Mo took off his filthy Leather Armor and clothes, wrapped a towel around his waist, and stepped out of the changing room, handing the dirty laundry to a nearby staff member.
The 1 Silver Coin entry fee also included a cleaning service for clothes and equipment.
A timid young girl took the clothes from his hands, bowed, and then turned to leave, carrying his clothes and Leather Armor.
Alton and the others also came out of the changing room. Due to years of adventuring, their bodies all bore scars. This was especially true for Alton; you could spot a dozen wounds on him at a single glance.
Solan, being a Ranger, was in slightly better shape, but he still had his share of scars.
Most Adventurers had decent physiques. Lin Mo’s body, which had started out rather lean, had also changed significantly after nearly a month of adventuring.
He had visible muscle on his arms now, and his body had a perfectly toned and balanced look.
"Whoa, so handsome~"
Solan teased, "With that body, those looks, and that strength... if I were a woman, even I’d be smitten."
"You’d better be careful in a bit, or someone might just eat you up."
Now that Carson was on his home turf, he seemed to have become more talkative.
Rick, on the other hand, looked a bit stiff; he probably didn’t come here often.
As for Alton... he must have indulged quite a bit when he was younger, but he’d toned it down a lot after starting a family.
They took a quick rinse. As expected of a high-class establishment, the water temperature and pressure were just right, making for a very comfortable wash. There were even fragrant oils on the side. After washing, the sticky, grimy feeling was finally gone, replaced by a refreshing cleanness.
When Lin Mo entered the main pool, the others were already soaking inside.
Besides them, a few other squads were there, also looking like they had just returned from a mission and were here to unwind.
Several trays floated in the pool, laden with iced fruit juice and simple snacks.
Lin Mo took a sip of the cold, refreshing juice, leaned back contentedly against the side of the pool, and let out a long sigh.
’You have to hand it to these experienced Adventurers, they really know how to live... Life doesn’t get much more comfortable than this.’
After soaking for a while, Lin Mo glanced over at the adjacent lounge and noticed quite a few scantily-clad young women. Some were mature and alluring, others pure and shy. Their overall looks weren’t exactly top-tier—certainly no match for Lena or Feney—but they were exquisitely and boldly dressed.
Carson was clearly getting restless. He stood up from the pool, wrapped a towel around his waist, and waved to the others. "Well, I’m heading over."
"Go on, go on."
Alton waved his hand dismissively, clearly not interested.
He was older now and lacked the vigor of the younger men.
Of course, the main reason was that he had a family now. If Bena found out, he would definitely get an earful.
Rick hesitated for a moment, but ultimately followed in Carson’s footsteps.
"Brother Lin Mo, aren’t you going to check it out?"
Solan’s eyes darted around mischievously. "Don’t worry, we’ll all keep it a secret for you."
"That’s just the lounge over there, right?"
"Of course. They also offer massage services. If you have... deeper needs, you’ll have to go to one of the special private rooms."
"I’m tired from soaking. I think I’ll go get a massage."
"Of course, of course. ’Just a massage’..."
Solan wore an expression that said, "I get it." He stood up as he spoke and very naturally draped an arm over Lin Mo’s shoulder.
"Hold on."
Just as he had taken a few steps, Alton finally spoke up. "He can go. You can’t."
Solan turned back with an awkward laugh. "Captain, I’m just going for a massage..."
"If you dare go, I’ll break your legs!"
Solan immediately deflated and obediently sat back down in the pool.
Lin Mo couldn’t hold back a laugh and walked into the lounge under Solan’s resentful gaze.
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Less than half an hour later, Lin Mo hurried out. He changed into a fresh set of clothes he’d brought, collected his cleaned clothes and Leather Armor, and returned to the bathhouse’s main hall.
Carson strolled out leisurely. Seeing the look on Lin Mo’s face, he couldn’t help but laugh. "So, how was it? I told you to be careful."
Lin Mo’s lip twitched. He really had just wanted to lie down in the lounge for a bit and get a massage or something.
But the moment he walked in, he was immediately swarmed by a flock of chirping girls.
He’d managed to make it clear he wasn’t interested in that sort of thing and thought he was in the clear. He ordered a massage service, but then...
All he could say was, the technique and pressure were on point, and the girl was pretty, but in the middle of the massage, she would suddenly cop a feel, taking advantage of him.
’Sigh... being too handsome is its own kind of trouble sometimes...’
A short while later, the others also emerged one by one. From the other side, Ali, now changed into a dress, walked out of the women’s section, making Lin Mo’s eyes light up.
Because she was always out adventuring, Ali usually wore clothes that were practical for movement and combat. While her dashing, heroic look was also quite nice, it lacked a certain feminine touch.
Now, in a dress, she instantly looked much more gentle and graceful.
"Ali, when did you buy a dress?"
Solan asked in astonishment, only to have his mouth promptly covered by Carson.
Ali controlled her pace, taking small steps as she approached, her big eyes fixed on Lin Mo. "Is it pretty?"
"It’s beautiful."
"Hee hee~"
The Little Wolf Girl laughed happily, her tail wagging gently. All the unhappy thoughts from earlier were immediately forgotten.
"Let’s go. It’s getting late. Feney should be at the Association soon. We should hurry over."
With that, Alton led the way out of the bathhouse and toward the Association.
They needed to submit their quest report before the Association closed for the day.
It was evening. The orange-red glow of the sunset washed over the group. The air outside was no longer so stuffy, and with them all freshly bathed, the breeze on their faces felt wonderful.
Everyone was in their casual clothes, strolling through the city streets, and it felt like a walk with friends.
Lin Mo glanced at Ali, who was humming softly to herself, and the corners of his mouth lifted into a slight smile.
Pushing open the doors to the Association, they saw Feney was indeed already there waiting for them. However, next to her stood a white-bearded old man. He wore robes somewhat similar to Feney’s nun’s habit and held a silver Magic Staff in his hand. His expression was grave as he stared at the tiger pelt laid out before him.
"Just as I thought!"
"Miss Feney, did something happen?"
Alton, realizing something was wrong, hurried over and asked.
Then, he looked toward the old man with a respectful expression and asked, "And this is...?"
