Life in ancient times was truly unbearable. If given the choice, he would much rather be a couch potato in the modern era than travel back to this age.
Roy found it strange how the time-traveling predecessors managed to survive here. Forget the written language—even the spoken dialects were nearly incomprehensible. For instance, Kuaiji, where Roy currently resided, belonged to the Yue Kingdom during the pre-Qin era. The local dialect was utterly unintelligible. If not for Roy being a Campione, capable of mastering a language in just a couple of days, an ordinary person here would essentially be mute.
Beyond the basic language barriers, even trivial matters like using the restroom would be unbearable for a modern person. Fortunately, Roy no longer needed to relieve himself. The thought of scraping with bamboo strips was something he had no desire to experience.
"Day in and day out, there's not even a shred of entertainment."
Roy shook his head. Even being an emperor in this era wouldn't bring much joy. The only thing that might inflate one's ego was the rigid social hierarchy of ancient times—the thrill of holding absolute power and controlling life and death. But Roy had long grown tired of such games back in the world of Campiones.
Of course, only a select few truly wielded such power. If one accidentally time-traveled to this era, chances were they'd be the unlucky ones whose lives were controlled by others.
After a long journey, Roy and Xiang Liang returned to Wuzhong, temporarily residing in Wu County of Kuaiji—modern-day Suzhou, Jiangsu. This land of Suzhou and Hangzhou would later become the prosperous Jiangnan region, but during the late Qin Dynasty, it was merely a remote frontier.
As a descendant of Chu nobility, Xiang Liang held considerable prestige here, ensuring that Roy was treated with utmost deference.
"My lord, Lord Xiang requests an audience."
A maidservant stood at the door, bowing her head as she addressed Roy.
By the late Qin Dynasty, with the development of the textile industry, most people wore long robes tied at the waist, except for soldiers who still dressed in the separated tops and pants of the Warring States period.
The maidservant was petite and fairly attractive. In this era, most people were short, making Roy's towering height of over six feet seem exceptionally imposing. Xiang Liang's choice of this maidservant to attend to Roy carried clear implications. Unfortunately, while Roy might have been interested in such a girl before his transmigration, he now felt not the slightest bit of attraction.
"Understood."
Roy nodded gently at the maidservant. Though domineering, he was never cruel.
As the girl—likely no older than twelve or thirteen—blushed furiously, Roy strode out of the room and into the main hall, where Xiang Liang was indeed waiting.
Spotting Roy, Xiang Liang's eyes lit up. The man in his thirties quickened his steps with a smile, clasping his hands in greeting. "…Sir, I hope your stay here has been comfortable?"
"Clothes handed to me, meals served to me, and pretty maids attending to me—of course it's been comfortable."
Roy joked lightly.
"Ahaha, you'll get used to it, sir... I've been away from Wuzhong for too long, and there's been quite a backlog of matters. I truly apologize for the neglect."
Xiang Liang first offered an apology, then hesitated before cautiously asking, "...Might I ask if you still have parents living?"
Although both he and Fan Zeng suspected that Roy was likely a descendant of the immortal folk found by the First Emperor from Kunlun or Penglai—otherwise, his extraordinary martial prowess and supernatural abilities would be hard to explain—he still felt the need to ask this question.
"To be honest with you, Lord Xiang, I have no memory of my past. My mind holds only this name and some basic knowledge of life. When I first became aware, I found myself in that underground palace. Not long after, I met you there, and then left Xianyang with you for Wuzhong. It seems I have no family or friends. Even if I did, they're probably gone now."
Roy wore a melancholic expression, delivering an Oscar-worthy performance with a look of bewilderment about the future. However, the overly formal speech felt rather awkward to him.
Hearing this, Xiang Liang was inwardly overjoyed. The fact that Roy knew nothing was perfect—wouldn't that make it easier for him to see the Xiang family as his own?
With a sorrowful expression, Xiang Liang said to Roy, "...I grieve deeply for your misfortune, sir. Since you first became aware in my presence, this must be fate. If you would not disdain it, why not join the Xiang family? This way, you may experience the joy of kinship. As you know, I had an elder brother who passed away early, leaving no heirs. You could be adopted into his lineage, and from then on, we would address each other as uncle and nephew. I would treat you as my own kin."
Having spoken, Xiang Liang watched Roy nervously.
"This..."
Roy hesitated briefly before responding with apparent gratitude, "...I am deeply moved by your offer, Lord Xiang. How could I possibly disdain it? Uncle, I accept!"
Roy had long mastered control over every muscle in his body, and his acting skills were unparalleled. It wasn't as if he was being asked to kneel and call someone 'Father'—bowing and addressing Xiang Liang as 'Uncle' was no great sacrifice. Since this world lacked a Xiang Yu, Roy suspected his arrival here was meant to resolve that very issue. For the sake of human order, he had no choice but to step up.
Though Xiang Liang had his own motives, there was genuine sincerity in his words. It seemed he had truly taken Fan Zeng's advice to heart and intended to treat Roy with honesty.
"Excellent, excellent, excellent!!"
Xiang Liang was beside himself with joy, repeating the word three times before grasping Roy's hand and saying, "...Now that you've joined the Xiang family, you should take a new name. Before my elder brother passed away, he said that if he ever had a son, he would name him Xiang Ji, with the courtesy name Yu... But with the world in chaos now, I cannot invite friends from Wuzhong to witness Ji'er's formal adoption into the Xiang family."
Xiang Liang expressed some regret.
This guy really knew how to push his luck—already calling him 'Ji'er' so familiarly.
Roy silently grumbled to himself.
In ancient times, only close relatives—such as parents or spouses—would address someone by their given name. Ordinary friends would use the courtesy name instead.
But now he had truly become 'Xiang Yu.' For a moment, Roy felt a mix of emotions. Perhaps this so-called 'human order' was indeed tied to the identity of 'Xiang Yu'?
Yet, something about it still felt slightly off to him.
"I have no interest in such formalities. There's no need to trouble yourself, Uncle."
Roy replied with an air of indifference.
Seeing that Roy genuinely seemed uninterested in empty fame, Xiang Liang sighed inwardly but also trusted him more. He pulled out a bamboo scroll from his robe, spreading it on the table as he said, "...Ji'er, come take a look. Your uncle has had people locate the underground palace these past few days. Tomorrow, we'll take some troops to investigate."
Xiang Liang was somewhat apprehensive about this mysterious underground palace built by the First Emperor in Kuaiji. He feared there might be something within that could threaten their stronghold—the very place where the Xiang clan had settled and planned their uprising. Yet, recalling Roy's superhuman combat prowess, he gradually felt reassured.
Ji'er, Ji'er—it sounds like you're calling him "chick." Can't you use a different nickname?
Roy's lips twitched slightly before he turned his attention to the contents of the bamboo scroll, intrigued by what might lie within the Kuaiji underground palace. He wondered what preparations the First Emperor of this world had made.
As he studied the scroll, Roy's mind began to wander. Now that I've become Xiang Yu, where's my Yu Ji? Where's that legendary beauty of mine?