—Kuaiji Zero-Type
The bamboo scroll recorded the name of this mechanical being before him—the very same name Roy and Xiang Liang had discovered in the underground palace of Xianyang.
While Xiang Liang was still carefully examining the scrolls, Roy, with his abilities, had already memorized their contents in the shortest time possible, fully comprehending everything that had transpired.
During his expedition to Kunlun in search of the immortal realm, the First Emperor had uncovered remnants of Taiyi Zhenren's blueprint for creating Nezha. Using this as a foundation and combining it with other immortal techniques he had discovered, he forged this artificial immortal being—Kuaiji Zero-Type.
The scroll not only detailed the origins of Kuaiji Zero-Type but also meticulously recorded the method to activate it, as well as the purpose behind its creation—peace under heaven!
That's right. The First Emperor had built this machine for the sake of bringing stability to the world, to pacify all under heaven.
And given Kuaiji Zero-Type's combat prowess, coupled with the fact that mystery had already faded from the lands of anticent China, it could indeed effortlessly achieve such a feat.
Roy's thoughts quickly diverged, swiftly piecing together the true history of this lunar world.
If Roy hadn't come here, Xiang Liang would still have discovered this mysterious underground palace beneath the Kuaiji temporary palace. He would have found the Kuaiji Zero-Type and activated it using the method recorded in the bamboo slips.
This immortal construct named Kuaiji Zero-Type had a fundamental flaw in its initial consciousness design—it wasn't programmed to "protect the Qin dynasty" but rather to "pacify the world." This reveals just how vast the First Emperor's vision truly was.
It was precisely because this "programming" purpose was too vague that it gave Xiang Liang the opportunity to claim it for himself. In the correct lunar world history, Xiang Liang should have activated this construct, then disguised it as his nephew "Xiang Yu," thus initiating the historical Chu-Han contention.
As for why "Xiang Yu" ultimately failed, Roy didn't yet know, as he hadn't activated the construct himself and couldn't discern its true intentions.
'No wonder historical accounts say Xiang Yu could lift cauldrons and was invincible in battle—this thing's literally an immortal robot! Lifting cauldrons would be child's play. On the current Chinese mainland where mysticism is fading, it could probably single-handedly destroy an entire army.'
Roy silently grumbled to himself, thinking this historical interpretation made perfect sense. Otherwise, someone like "Xiang Yu" shouldn't have appeared in official history at all—the construct explanation finally made logical sense.
But now that Roy had become Xiang Yu, he naturally wouldn't return this identity. Still, Roy felt something was fundamentally wrong. If this world actually had a Xiang Yu, then the Human Order's issue wasn't "the absence of Xiang Yu"—so where exactly did the problem lie?
Until he found where the Human Order had gone wrong, Roy could only proceed step by step according to history.
Meanwhile, although Xiang Liang found the immortal arts recorded in the bamboo slips confusing, he grasped enough to appear both shocked and furious. "The First Emperor actually left behind such a terrifying monster," he exclaimed angrily. "If this creature were unleashed, the tyrannical Qin's rule would become even more inhuman."
With a look of belated fear, he patted his chest and continued, "Fortunately, the First Emperor is already dead, and Hu Hai doesn't know about this war weapon hidden here. It's also lucky I followed that alchemist's advice to explore the underground palace, finding this weapon before Hu Hai could."
Roy's interest was piqued by Xiang Liang's mention of an alchemist—apparently his encounter in the underground palace wasn't coincidence, but orchestrated by someone.
Regaining his composure, Xiang Liang ordered the soldiers: "Fetch some torches. Today we'll burn this underground palace to the ground."
After meeting Roy, Xiang Liang had lost all interest in the First Emperor's constructed weapon. Compared to a living person like Roy, the Kuaiji Zero-Type construct seemed far less trustworthy.
"Yes, sir!" The soldiers responded, preparing to find fire sources for a proper Chu-style conflagration.
"Wait!" Roy suddenly spoke up to stop them.
"Nephew Ji, do you have something to say?" Xiang Liang showed no anger at Roy interrupting his orders, instead asking gently.
"I can understand the immortal techniques recorded in these bamboo slips. It would be a waste to destroy such a weapon. Why not let me modify it? In the coming war, it could add to our Xiang clan's advantage."
Roy's words made Xiang Liang nod inwardly, confirming his and Fan Zeng's earlier speculation. This outsider found in the underground palace must indeed be a descendant of the immortals brought back by the First Emperor from the celestial realm. Otherwise, how could he comprehend these strange immortal arts?
When Roy said "our Xiang clan's advantage," Xiang Liang was overjoyed, taking it as proof that Roy truly considered the Xiang family his own.
"How confident are you, Ji'er?"
"Absolutely confident!"
"Good! Since you say so, it would indeed be wasteful to destroy this weapon. Then I entrust it to you!"
Hearing Roy's certainty, Xiang Liang stepped aside. Both he and the nearby soldiers watched curiously to see how Roy would proceed.
Roy smiled faintly and walked directly to the control panel in the palace. Placing his hand upon it, magical energy flowed from his palm. Amidst gasps of astonishment, the bronze pipes around the palace lit up with a pale green glow.
The First Emperor had used immortal techniques as the foundation for creating artificial humans, but the method resembled modern mechanical processes. As the green light shimmered, the various devices in the palace whirred to life like machines in a modern factory, countless mystical runes flashing along the walls.
Roy recalled his knowledge of esoteric arts and the immortal techniques he'd studied in the bamboo slips from both the Xianyang and Kuaiji underground palaces. First, he located the core of the Kuaiji Zero model and modified its "Universal Peace" directive to pledge loyalty to himself.
Then, with another thought, Roy increased his magical energy output, forcing the underground palace's immortal array to operate at maximum capacity. Under the stunned gazes of Xiang Liang and the others, the Kuaiji Zero and its armor began to melt, transforming from humanoid shape into molten metal. The liquid metal churned and boiled before reforming into a group of jet-black mechanical warhorses with a glossy sheen.
Once the horses appeared, the armor reassembled into equestrian barding, covering them completely. In the blink of an eye, a peerless warhorse stood before the crowd.
Roy then released his hand, pretending to exhale wearily—though the effort had cost him nothing.
"What a magnificent steed!! Such a divine creature would make the perfect mount for Ji'er. Have you thought of a name for it?"
Xiang Liang stared at the warhorse with burning eyes, certain that this creature alone could trample thousands of enemies. With such a divine artifact, the Xiang clan could surely pacify the world!
Roy glanced at the horse, black as satin except for four snow-white hooves, and laughed heartily: "...Let's call it 'Treading-Snow Black Steed'!"
Now that the invincible Conqueror of Western Chu had appeared, how could he lack the world's finest warhorse—the Black Steed!!
Roy vaulted onto the Black Steed's back and, with a thought, activated the artificial horse's core using esoteric arts. A clarion neigh rang out, shaking the underground palace several times.
'Now that I have the Black Steed, all I'm missing is a Yu Ji!'