Hell Game: Starting from Metropolis

"Oh? Who is your master?"

Thirteen Orphans became interested.

“My master’s name is Chen Xuewu. His family has inherited Chen-style Bajiquan and Chen-style Tuina bone setting. His ancestors once ran a clinic called Baozilin.”

"Baozi Lin? Never heard of him. But the combination of medicine and martial arts is indeed a legitimate path. Let me see what kind of stuff your Chen-style massage and bone setting is."

Thirteen walked to the massage bed in the corner of the room and took off her shirt.

His upper body was covered with crisscrossing muscles, layer upon layer, block upon block, with a clear outline as if it were built from building blocks.

His V-lines on both sides of his navel were even more clearly visible, with brightly colored feathers growing on them that clung tightly to his skin, making him look even more beautiful.

With a body that combines strength and beauty like that, he would have a bright future even if he didn't do massage but became a male escort.

Of course, becoming a male escort who can give massages is an even brighter future.

No wonder Old Man Qing was swindled out of money by Thirteen Orphans when he was young. With that physique and a handsome young face, even a creature with an aesthetic preference for masculinity would find it irresistible.

"We do it while we talk. Practical skills are of course paramount, but theoretical knowledge is also essential for improving one's skills in massage."

After finishing speaking, Thirteen lay down on the massage bed.

The massage bed is about two meters long and one and a half meters wide, which is a relatively uncommon model.

In reality, to save space, massage beds are generally only about 75 centimeters wide.

If you happen to find a bed this wide when you're spending the night at a massage parlor, you're incredibly lucky.

"Then this junior will be embarrassed."

Liu Zheng walked over to Thirteen Orphans and said.

"Come on, let me see just how capable you are, my 'nephew'."

The character "十三幺" emphasizes the pronunciation of the word "侄子" (nephew).

"I'm sure I won't disappoint you, senior."

He replied casually.

But after he finished speaking, he didn't rush to start washing his hands. Instead, he went to the sink and carefully washed them.

After wiping his hands clean with the paper next to him, Liu Zheng went to the place where the massage equipment was placed, took a large white towel, and returned to the massage bed.

"What's wrong with you lately, senior?"

he asked casually.

"We've been short-staffed lately, and there are so many customers, and they all like to specifically ask me for help. My back and shoulders have been aching these past few days, and I'm really struggling to keep up."

Thirteen Orphans said frankly.

Different bathhouses have different regulations. For example, the supervisor of the bathing assistance area at Gaga Shuang Bathhouse usually doesn't have to do any work; he is only responsible for personnel management and technical training.

The head of the massage department at the Hyakki Gyo Bathhouse also has to do the work himself, whenever a customer requests it.

Of course, this is also related to their respective customer groups.

Most of the customers at the GaGaShuang Bathhouse are ordinary residents with a little money. Even if there are one or two wealthy people, Yuan Bao'er can still handle them.

The guests at the Hundred Ghosts Bathhouse are all sorts of strange and powerful individuals, including some who could single-handedly cause chaos. Therefore, the rules have to be biased towards the guests.

"Ok."

Liu Zheng placed the towel on Shisanyao's shoulder, rubbed his palms together to warm them, and then put them on.

"Yes, Not Bad."

Thirteen nodded in his heart.

These actions may seem insignificant, but they actually reflect a masseur's professionalism.

If this can be maintained in the long term, it can greatly improve the guest experience.

The customer might not notice anything at first, but the difference will immediately become apparent when it's a less attentive customer.

"The Chen-style massage I learned has eight techniques, namely pressing, rubbing, pushing, grasping, kneading, pinching, vibrating, and striking."

Liu Zheng spoke up.

"Use your fingertips to press, one stroke at a time."

As he spoke, he placed his two thumbs on Thirteen's shoulders and moved them in a certain rhythm.

"Generally speaking, pressing with one finger is sufficient. However, if the massage therapist lacks strength, or if pressing on areas with overly developed muscles, then applying pressure with one hand can be used."

He pressed his right thumb onto his left thumb and pressed down hard.

"At the same time, the pressing method is often combined with the kneading method to form the 'pressing and kneading' compound technique. That is, when the pressing force reaches a certain depth, a small and slow kneading motion is then performed, so that the technique is both firm and gentle, both powerful and gentle."

After saying that, Liu Zheng pressed his thumb down and didn't let go, but instead rotated it clockwise.

"The combination of massage and kneading can eliminate blood stasis and regulate blood circulation, which is most effective in relieving local pain points."

"The following is the deduction method."

He explained the theoretical knowledge of Chen's massage while carrying out the massage in an orderly manner, appearing very skilled.

He is able to achieve this level because he has some talent in massage, and also because his master taught him well.

The martial arts master surnamed Chen actually knew that his boxing skills were not good, but for the sake of face and making money, he certainly couldn't admit it directly.

Since Liu Zheng was willing to pay extra to learn massage, he naturally shared all his knowledge with him.

Anyway, he himself didn't want to earn this hard-earned money, and none of his children wanted to learn it either.

"Phew~ Alright, sir, your service is finished."

Liu Zheng raised his head, let out a long breath, and said softly.

It has to be said that Thirteen's muscles are definitely not just for show.

This relentless pressure left him drenched in sweat, more so than when he was fighting Dickins.

"Finished?"

Thirteen climbed off the massage bed and then stretched her muscles.

"Hmm, not bad, you've got some skills. Alright, I'll take you on. You'll be part of our massage department from now on."

Feeling the relief in his shoulders and waist, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Then I'll have to trouble Minister Thirteen to take good care of me from now on."

Liu Zheng took advantage of the situation.

“It’s definitely not possible to give them too much attention; I have to treat everyone equally. There are about a hundred people in the massage department. If I have to give them all special attention, I won’t be able to manage them all.”

Thirteen Orphans shook his head.

“I’m different from them. You’re my relative.”

He said, unwilling to give up.

"What kind of relative?"

Thirteen Orphans looked completely bewildered.

"Old Qing is my uncle. If you marry her, you'll become my uncle, and then I'll be your nephew."

Liu Zheng said with a grin.

"You're such a smooth talker, it's a pity you're in our massage department. You should be in the service department."

Thirteen Yao laughed and cursed.

"Going to the service department wouldn't be enough. Massage is my main job, chatting is a side job. I can tell the difference between what's important and what's not."

He shook his head.

"Hmm, not bad, not bad at all. You're much more sensible than your uncle. By the way, are you her nephew? How come there's such a big difference in personality between you two?"

Thirteen Orphans casually remarked.

“A nephew is not a son. It’s not uncommon for parents and children to have completely opposite personalities.”

Liu Zheng calmly retorted.

"Hmm, that makes sense. Okay, I'll get you a name, and after you change your clothes, you can start working with me."

As he spoke, Thirteen picked up the walkie-talkie.

"General Affairs Department? This is Thirteen Orphans. We've hired a new employee. Could you please send me an updated list of names?"

He shouted into the walkie-talkie.

"General Affairs Department received, please wait a moment."

The walkie-talkie rang.

After a while, there was a knock on the door outside the shoji screen.

"Go and open the door."

Thirteen gave the instructions.

"Ok."

Liu Zheng walked over and opened the paper door. Standing outside were the old man Qing and a woman in a kimono.

The woman's appearance was quite ordinary, and her kimono was not particularly elaborate.

However, there was a hint of apprehension in the old man's eyes as he looked at her.

The General Affairs Department is the core of power at the Hyakki Gyo Bathhouse, and it was also the place that Granny Yu first took control of.

Over the years, she has not only promoted many of her own people from the bathhouse to the general affairs department, but also hired many outstanding talents from various fields.

If the massage department weren't still under the old woman's control, and if the relationships in other departments weren't so complicated, the Hyakki Yagyō Bathhouse would have long since become Granny Yu's personal fiefdom.

Of course, this has nothing to do with Liu Zheng now.

"Hello, I'm here to deliver the list."

The woman spoke, her voice as mature and sophisticated as her figure.

"Oh, okay, thank you."

Liu Zheng reached out and took a booklet from her hand.

"The cities with un-underlined codes above are selectable, but once selected, they cannot be changed. Please choose carefully."

The woman reminded her.

"clear."

He nodded and started picking through the booklet.

"A peerless hero?"

The first name that caught Liu Zheng's eye was one that made him raise an eyebrow.

To be honest, he really wanted this name.

In reality, this phrase comes from the "Biography of Marquis of Huaiyin" in the Records of the Grand Historian: "Generals are easy to find, but as for someone like Xin, he is a peerless national hero."

But Liu Zheng preferred to use this word to describe Zhuge Liang rather than Han Xin.

Having been a die-hard fan of Zhuge Liang, calling him "Peerless Hero" would be a unique form of cosplay.

Of course, after thinking about it for a moment, he gave up on the idea.

Liu Zheng was, after all, there to act as a spy to rescue people; being too high-profile would be detrimental to future operations.

Similarly, Yakuman card names such as Nine Lotus Lantern, Grand Three Dragons, and Grand Four Joys are also excluded.

After much deliberation, he finally made a decision.

"That's it."

Liu Zheng pointed to a name and said.

"Renhe, are you sure you want to choose this name?"

The woman confirmed it again.

"determine."