Quick Transmigration: The Villain is Destiny, the Protagonist Takes a Backseat

003 browsed through the system store.

There is a one-time full-body checkup package available for all species, requiring 10 points.

Ji Qiuzhe replied without hesitation: 【Change.】

Okay, it's been used.

003 was used on Li Yu without any prompting.

Everything produced by the system is of the highest quality. Even the body of the zombie king can be thoroughly examined. The entire package took less than five minutes.

[That's strange, host. No abnormalities were found in the villain's body.] 003 was puzzled.

No abnormalities.

Ji Qiuzhe pondered, what could be the reason?

If there is nothing wrong with his body, then could it be that his pain is just a hallucination?

Isn't there such a thing as phantom limb pain?

It just so happens that Li Yu is missing a heart, so this situation is... well, very abnormal!

Ji Qiuzhe couldn't put his mind at ease until he figured out the reason.

However, before he could find out the reason, the peach grove came to an end.

Before them stood a tall, vermilion city gate, with a gilded plaque hanging at the top center of the gate bearing the two large characters: Yucheng.

"Yucheng?"

Tang Xiu asked in confusion, "What dynasty is this city from? I've never heard of it before, and it's even in an underground tomb..." She covered her mouth in surprise, "Could it be a ghost town?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Tang Lian smacked her on the forehead without any politeness.

“Yu…Cheng…”

Li Yu clutched his chest, staring blankly at the magnificent gilded characters on the plaque.

"Father, I have never left the palace. I long to go out and see the prosperous city of Yu, right under the emperor's nose!"

The little girl was held in the arms of a handsome man in a yellow robe, her eyes filled with longing for freedom outside the palace.

"Okay."

The dignified yet kind emperor scooped a spoonful of medicine and fed it to the young child, coaxing, "Then Yu'er must drink his medicine obediently. Once you're well, you can go wherever you want to play."

"Okay, Yu'er will definitely drink her medicine obediently!"

Medicine that used to taste bitter becomes palatable when infused with anticipation.

Looking back now, I realize that the bitter taste seems to have never gone away; it still lingers in my mouth...

"A-Yu—"

"master--"

"master--"

Li Yu snapped out of her daze and looked at the three enlarged versions of Ji Qiuzhe, Yu Jia, and Yu Lou's anxious faces.

Only when he realized that Ji Qiuzhe was holding him did he realize that he had fallen to the ground without knowing when.

"What's wrong with me?"

Li Yu rubbed his throbbing temples. For some reason, ever since he entered this tomb, his body had been frequently experiencing symptoms that were completely impossible for a zombie.

"You suddenly collapsed just now, and you were standing there blankly. I almost thought that the monster had also stolen your soul!"

As Ji Qiuzhe spoke, he pulled the person even tighter into his arms, still feeling a lingering fear.

If he couldn't understand the reason before, he suddenly understood after seeing the words 'Yucheng'.

correct!

Li Yu suddenly looked at the huge characters on the plaque, and when she confirmed that she hadn't misread it, she became excited.

"I want to go in."

"it is good."

Ji Qiuzhe helped the man up, pried open his tightly clenched hand, and stroked his palm, which bore several nail marks, before bidding farewell to Tang Lian and the other three who were waiting there.

"Everyone, I'm really sorry, we have some personal matters to attend to, so we'll have to take our leave now."

Seeing his resolute attitude, Tang Lian knew there was no way to persuade him to stay.

"Okay, then see you again sometime."

Feng Yichen was still somewhat reluctant to part: "Sister Jia..."

Unable to withstand his intense gaze, Yu Jia could only promise, "I'll go out and sign your autograph."

"okay!"

Feng Yichen left happily, as he was easily satisfied.

After everyone had gone far away, Ji Qiuzhe picked up the dazed man and carried him around the waist.

"what--"

Caught off guard, Li Yu bumped into the man's firm chest. Startled, she asked, "What are you doing?"

"Sweetie, where do you want to go? I'll carry you." Ji Qiuzhe coaxed.

Thinking of her limp body, Li Yu resignedly reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck.

However, since Yu Jia and Yu Lou were still present, being hugged like that made her feel incredibly ashamed.

Compared to his embarrassment, Yu Jia and Yu Lou were much calmer.

They understand; young couples are bound to be affectionate, it's normal for them to be a little clingy.

Yu Jia even thoughtfully reminded Ji Qiuzhe, "Your Highness, please hold on tight and don't drop your master."

What a shame!

Li Yu buried her face in Ji Qiuzhe's chest like a burying her head in the sand, refusing to come out, trying to treat herself as a soulless shell.

They're absolutely adorable!

Ji Qiuzhe raised the corners of his lips. "Let's go, lead the way."

He didn't ask Li Yu where he wanted to go.

If this is indeed the ancient capital of the Yu Dynasty, then there should be an imperial palace. Naturally, what Li Yu most wants to visit is his own palace.

Yu Jia and Yu Lou took the lead and set off.

They were different from Li Yu. Li Yu had never left the palace before the age of eighteen, and after the age of eighteen, he fell into a deep sleep until he woke up this year. Yucheng was completely unfamiliar to him.

But for them, every street in Yucheng was very familiar.

Therefore, when they were walking on the street, they were both a little dazed.

Like, so similar.

Everything before my eyes is almost exactly the same as the vibrant Yucheng of two thousand years ago!

The old wonton stall at the city gate, the affordable steamed bun shop on East Street—everything seemed to have been directly copied from that distant dynasty.

The same thought popped into their minds at the same time: Could this be the real ancient capital of the Yu Dynasty?

Whether it's true or false, time will tell.

They walked through the desolate streets and arrived at the palace gate.

But the palace gates were wide open, the empty palace streets were spotless, and the high walls created a world of their own.

Although the sun is not visible, it is brighter than daytime.

Yu Jia and Yu Lou stopped in unison, staring blankly at the long and narrow palace street, as distant memories flooded back.

In the past, as guards, they only regarded this place as a safe haven. After leaving, they returned here many years later and were surprised to find that this palace was also their hometown.

"Let's go."

Ji Qiuzhe held Li Yu steadily, and seeing him clutching the hem of his clothes tightly, he felt a pang of pity.

But what must be faced will eventually have to be faced.

He also wanted to know why this high-ranking official's tomb contained the imperial palace of the Yu Dynasty from two thousand years ago, and why the old man Feng, whose body was half buried in the yellow earth, would go to such lengths to lure them here with the news of Li Yu's heart.

"Yes, princess."

Yu Lou responded and patted Yu Jia's shoulder reassuringly.

As a colleague, Yu Jia was the one who could empathize with him the most, as they shared the same feelings of loneliness.

"I'm fine, it's just..." Yu Jia didn't finish her sentence, but subtly glanced at Li Yu.

Yu Lou understood immediately.

Yes, the one who is most heartbroken right now must be the prince.

Actually, Li Yu isn't exactly heartbroken right now; he's more confused. Is he really back? Is everything here exactly the same as the home he remembers?

He was both hopeful and afraid.

If this place is fake, he'll be disappointed.

If this is real, he fears he won't see familiar people in familiar places, and he fears that the place he sees will still be the same as the last thing he saw before he collapsed.

Severed limbs and remains, smoke and fire everywhere.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here with you."

As Ji Qiuzhe'an spoke, he followed Yu Jia and Yu Lou into the palace path without hesitation.