[The way to help Him is to master artifact refining and brutally remake Him]

Remake...

Seriously?

Lin Hao felt the hint from the log was a bit too flattering to him.

He had to admit, his understanding of artifact refining was still at a basic level.

It’s like participating in an advanced math competition right after finishing elementary math, isn’t it?

This Red Thread of Fate, at least was an Immortal Magical Artifact he had heard of in his past life, but now...

There’s nothing he can do, nothing he can do.

As for the local specialties he already accepted, he could only hope to make up for it in the future.

The power of the Red Thread of Fate, after being slightly leaked and not responding, seemed extinguished with disappointment.

Apart from Lin Hao’s perception, no one else in the car noticed anything.

Soon, the vehicle arrived at the Mermaid Club.

After handing the car over to the valet, Xiyu led Lin Hao and the Captain to his exclusive VIP suite as if returning home.

"Let’s eat first, let’s eat first, just serve the dishes according to my earlier message."

At this, Xiyu looked at the Captain and Lin Hao:

"What does everyone want to drink tonight?"

Lin Hao waved his hand, indicating he wouldn’t drink.

Although his current constitution was unaffected by ordinary alcohol, he had never gotten used to the taste in his past and present lives.

When Lin Hao first arrived, he attended a few company drinking parties, but that was a life choice, unable to refuse it for survival.

Back then, being "financially free" —

The money was flying freely outside his pocket...

Now that he has his career and strength, forcing himself to drink is unnecessary; he only cares about his own intentions.

The Captain of the River Debris City Urban Management Team also shook his head, indicating he had to return to the unit with much work to do.

Although the milk tea powder made by Lin Hao’s superpower was effective for healing and useful for him, during discussions with the procurement manager, they learned that their City Management Team would have future commercial cooperation with Lin Hao’s group.

As long as Lin Hao wants to earn money in River Debris City, even if they don’t use strong measures, can’t the City Management Team buy enough milk tea powder from the market?

Now Lin Hao is connected to Xiyu, just let Xiyu maintain that relationship; even if he’s not around, having friends like Xiyu helps solidify his position as Captain.

After all, even the Extraordinary are people; everyone hopes for a little more chance of survival when carrying out missions...

Facing their refusal, Xiyu didn’t mind. He ordered the waiter to bring over his reserved wine, and then asked for a pot of warm water. He then dismissed the waiter.

Once the suite door was closed, the Captain stood up, the door tattoo on his hand flowing with dark gold hues as he held the door handle.

Lin Hao sensed a ripple in space, imperceptible to the naked eye.

Once the door opened, it seemed like a whole new world outside.

Is this the power of the Captain of the River Debris City Urban Management Team?

Spatial power!

Just as the Captain was leaving, Xiyu stopped him.

"Captain, Captain, even if you rush back now, you still have to eat at the cafeteria. Why go back and forth? Better to have a quick bite here. It’s fast!"

... Since you’re here.

With Xiyu’s persuasion, the Captain didn’t rush to leave.

After all, since he’s here.

Under Xiyu’s hasty urging, the table was quickly filled with dishes; the atmosphere remained harmonious under Xiyu’s invitation.

"This dish is good."

"Try this one too."

"This dish pairs well with wine, too bad you don’t drink."

..."

On the table, the conversations mostly revolved around work anecdotes. Although Lin Hao wasn’t from River Debris City, he belonged to the Extraordinary Circle. When Xiyu animatedly engaged the atmosphere, Lin Hao could chat with the Captain.

"... The Cleaner was recruited by me into our City Management Team."

Xiyu sipped his wine, flushed, and said:

"That guy used to mix with the underground, using his abilities to clean bloodstains. Initially, the local police hadn’t noticed, but after multiple brawls with no bloodstains found, it became very suspicious...

Every crime scene had no bloodstains, fingerprints, or hair, and surveillance footage couldn’t piece together the events. We even sent out Receptacles to track scents but couldn’t detect even a hint...

Do you know how I found the Cleaner?

Lin Hao watched as Xiyu, jubilant while recounting, clearly relished the tale.

It seems the process of finding the Cleaner was his favorite topic to talk about.

So... with no leads, how could Lin Hao find him?

He would need to disperse Divine Thought, monitoring the movements in River Debris City. Though the precision of Divine Thought is lacking, he could focus on areas with crime to bait the catch...

Everything falls into place.

Apparently, not much to discuss.

Of course, Lin Hao wasn’t one to dampen the mood. Even without Divine Thought, finding the Cleaner might prove challenging.

"How did you find him?"

"Hahaha."

Xiyu drank his wine, stood on the chair, laughing:

"I remember that day I was diligent and exhausted after work, went to a wellness club, and hired their most expensive technician to scrub me. Guess what...

I noticed the technician used superpower to clean the dead skin off me, completely spotless!

I apprehended him immediately!

I said going to clubs is useful. After work, visiting a club was still for work!"

With that, Xiyu grinned at the Captain.

The Captain sighed, nudging Lin Hao with a wry smile:

"This guy has been bragging about this coincidence for three to four years, initially even running to my office frequently for reimbursements, claiming even club expenses and playing cards were for work..."

Xiyu: "I go to the club after work for wellness, I’m happy, being happy helps me sleep better at night, and good sleep leads to better work during the day. Isn’t that working for work!"

Faced with Xiyu’s bold assertions, the Captain indicated he was used to it.

Let him talk, but he won’t get reimbursements.

Seeing the time had passed, the Captain raised his glass filled with warm water, addressing Lin Hao with a gesture:

"Lin Hao, sorry, I have lots of work to handle today, must head back. Using tea instead of wine, excusing myself."

"Likewise, using tea instead of wine, you’re busy with work." Lin Hao also stood up and raised his cup.

"You say you’re leaving because of work? But I’m still working now; I’m busy too, and I’m not leaving."

Facing the slightly intoxicated Xiyu, the two exchanged a knowing smile without words.

After clinking glasses, the Captain downed his drink, and Lin Hao, slightly stunned, followed suit.

[Facing the Red Thread of Fate’s (tangled state) request, Residual Pill Ancestor Lin Hao stated]

[Since you sincerely requested, I will generously respond]

[Residual Pill Ancestor Lin Hao used Basic Refining Technique on the Red Thread of Fate (tangled state)]

[Brutally beating and tempering it]

[Due to Residual Pill Ancestor Lin Hao’s low artifact refining level, the beating and tempering were ineffective]

[Residual Pill Ancestor Lin Hao stated he had further moves]

[Residual Pill Ancestor Lin Hao used a trace of virtue to temporarily enhance the artifact refining level]

[Basic Refining Technique - Intermediate Refining Technique (temporary) - Advanced Refining Technique (temporary)]

[Residual Pill Ancestor Lin Hao used Advanced Refining Technique (temporary) on the Red Thread of Fate (tangled state)]

This long string of log prompts all happened between Lin Hao and the Captain clinking their glasses.

Just clinking a glass counted as artifact refining?

After the Captain drank, he stood still, stunned.

On his hand, wisps of dark red aura hovered and blended into the air.

The process was quick; as the Captain refocused, he looked deeply at Lin Hao and then at Xiyu before sitting back:

"I suddenly feel what you said makes sense, eating here...

is also for work!"

Then he served himself another glass of water, raised it to Lin Hao.

Lin Hao clinked glasses.

The Captain drank.

The Captain paused.

The Captain continued pouring water, clinking, and drinking...

Soon, the water was gone.

The Captain rounded the table, grabbed Xiyu’s wine, and filled his cup.

"I’m drinking it, you—no, you’re free."

Xiyu: "Hey hey hey, that’s my reserved wine, if you want to drink, get yours..."