Under One Person: The Puppet Immortal in the Tang Sect

Under One Person: The Puppet Immortal in the Tang Sect

Author: Musisha

Summary:

Cui Ming was reborn into the Tang Sect in the world of "Under One Person".

An accidental poisoning incident unexpectedly activated the "Negative Effect Reversal System" within his body.

From then on, Cui Ming's painting style changed drastically:

While others faced near-death experiences while practicing alchemy, he mastered it with ease, treating it as if it were candy.

While others practice to calm their minds and soothe their spirits, he relies on qi deviation to rapidly improve his skills.

In the Battle of Mianshan, he single-handedly manipulated a sea of ​​puppets to sweep across the battlefield, wielding all sorts of knives!

A demonic sword, is it? I can tell you're not human at first glance! Quickly help me cultivate!

The Tang Clan is treacherous? I'll show you today.

What does it mean for technology to crush metaphysics and for technology to change destiny?

Cui Ming pushed up his glasses, and behind him, countless mechanisms hummed:

"I, the King of Hell, summon you all to your deaths today!"

Chapter 1: Now that everyone's reborn, who's going to play melee combat?

1935 spring.

In the workshop of the Tang Clan in Sichuan, at the Litang Hall.

Cui Ming looked at the workbench in front of him, on which lay a crossbow that had been completely modified.

His fingers brushed across the cold metal surface of the crossbow arm, the traditional wooden crossbow body cut to its bare minimum.

The key parts were reinforced with carefully forged thin steel sheets, which reduced the weight by nearly one-third and the volume by a size, making it easier to hide under clothing.

Most importantly, he cleverly readjusted the power-charging mechanism of the crossbow arm to ensure that even with a smaller size, its lethality and range were not reduced in the slightest.

He picked up a crossbow bolt that had also been modified.

The arrowheads were not of the usual design; they were hollow inside and filled with his specially made mixture of poison powder, while tiny stabilizing fins were embedded at the end of the shaft to ensure flight stability.

Upon impact, the arrow shatters, releasing the poison powder inside and creating a deadly cloud of toxic mist.

Another type of arrow is filled with a substance that reacts violently upon impact, causing a small-scale explosion.

Although not powerful enough to be fatal, the loud noise and shrapnel produced are enough to disrupt vision, create panic, or detonate the poisonous fog created by the previous poisoned arrows.

Under Cui Ming's mediation, the substances in these two types of crossbow bolts would trigger a violent explosion upon contact, and the flames produced by the explosion were even an eerie green.

After completing the final check, he skillfully attached the small crossbow to the leather sheath on the inside of his forearm, easily concealing it with his wide sleeve.

This is what he wanted.

It has a long range, is controllable, and is highly safe.

Close combat? Cui Ming isn't a reckless fool.

Besides... he's already died once. It's been sixteen years since he transmigrated into the Tang Sect of Under One Person.

He understood the fragility and preciousness of life better than anyone else.

In this life, all he wants is to quietly retreat to a corner and study these ingenious mechanical creations, just like he was obsessed with assembling model figurines in his previous life.

If I could become a weapon refiner, stay in the Tang Sect forever, and spend my days slacking off, refining magical artifacts and puppets in exchange for a peaceful life, that would be perfect.

Cui Ming couldn't help but daydream...

"Are you fiddling with your little gadgets again?"

A voice suddenly came from the doorway, carrying a hint of laughter. It wasn't loud, but it made Cui Ming's heart tighten.

He quickly turned around and saw that Master Tang Jiaren was already standing there, with a warm smile on his face.

Tang Jiaren was not tall, and even somewhat plump, but everyone in the Tang Clan respectfully called him Master, and no one dared to show the slightest disrespect because of his smile.

After all, the title of "Laughing King of Hell" was earned through real killing.

"Master."

Cui Ming immediately bowed respectfully, his heart beating slightly faster.

He had no idea when the other party had arrived; the master's illusion technique was truly unfathomable.

Tang Jiaren strolled over, his gaze sweeping over the disassembled parts and blueprints on the workbench before finally settling on Cui Ming's arm.

"Is what you've been working on these past few months hidden in your sleeve? I heard you modified the Divine Arm Crossbow so much that even its own mother wouldn't recognize it."

"Your Excellency, we've only made some minor improvements to make it easier to carry and conceal."

Cui Ming answered in a low voice, carefully controlling his tone.

"Just being easy to hide isn't enough."

Tang Jiaren was still smiling, but there was a hint of scrutiny in his eyes.

"Where's the power? Don't let it be too weak to even scare a sparrow."

"The power and range have not been reduced; you can verify it, sir."

As Cui Ming spoke, he gently revealed the crossbow hidden in his sleeve.

"Students are also provided with two special types of arrows."

He picked up the poison fog arrows and explosive arrows and briefly explained their principles.

After listening, Tang Jiaren nodded in agreement, then turned his gaze to the other corner of the workbench.

"And what is that? A puppet?"

In the shadows of the room, a palm-sized, spider-like puppet made of steel and wood lay sprawled.

It has an ingenious structure, with eight segments that move flexibly, and the core of the body even has space reserved for placing something.

"This is a small gadget that the students tried to make."

Cui Ming explained, quickly weighing the options in his mind.

He knew this was an opportunity, and he had to demonstrate enough value to gain access to more resources and... a safer environment.

"The students call it the Shadow Spider, and it can be used to control it."

He picked up a glove-like device next to him, with almost invisible, fine, resilient threads connecting his fingertips.

"Oh?"

Tang Jiaren seemed to have taken a liking to it.

Cui Ming put on the control gloves, concentrated, and moved his fingertips slightly.

Suddenly, the puppet spider on the table came alive, its eight legs moving rhythmically as it silently crawled down the edge of the table at an astonishing speed.

Moreover, its trajectory is unpredictable, sometimes rushing forward in a straight line, and sometimes suddenly changing direction.

It can even use silk threads to swing short distances, nimbly moving between tables and chairs.

Finally, it silently crept into a dark corner of the room, remaining motionless, almost blending into the shadows.

"That's interesting."

Tang Jiaren narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched the spider puppet move.

"What can this thing do?"

"Your Excellency, it can be used for reconnaissance, to silently infiltrate target areas, gather intelligence, and carry out assassinations."

It can carry poison or explosives in its abdomen; it is inexpensive and can be mass-produced.

As Cui Ming spoke, he manipulated the spider puppet to quickly rush out of the shadows, demonstrating the puppet's explosive power.

"At crucial moments, it can also achieve unexpected victories, or disrupt the enemy and draw their attention."

Tang Jiaren didn't speak, but just watched as Cui Ming retrieved the spider puppet and placed it on the table.

The room was quiet for a while, with only the slight crackling of the burning oil lamp.

"Cui Ming..."

Tang Jiaren finally spoke again, his voice still gentle.

"Many of the elders in the sect say, 'You're too clever for your own good. You don't practice properly; you're always thinking about these unorthodox methods. You're terrified of dying...'"

Cui Ming's heart sank, and he lowered his head.

"The student is dull-witted..."

"Being afraid of death is not a bad thing."

Tang Jiaren interrupted him, his tone unchanged.

"You can only do things if you're alive. Your crossbow is a good improvement, more insidious... and more practical. This spider puppet is even more ingenious."

Although it may seem a bit frivolous now, it might actually work wonders in certain situations.

The old man walked to the table, picked up the puppet spider, and weighed it in his hand.

"Our Tang Clan has always been best at assassination. But times have changed. We can't abandon the old ways, but we also need someone to come up with new ideas."

Since you have a talent for this, then keep exploring it. If possible..."

Cui Ming felt a sense of relief.

"If you need any materials in the future, just go to the warehouse and get them. Just say it was my idea."

Tang Jiaren put down the puppet and looked at Cui Ming.

"From now on, submit a progress report to me every month. Let me see what tricks these 'cowardly' little things of yours can come up with."

"Thank you, sir!"

Cui Ming suppressed his excitement and bowed respectfully.

He knew this meant he had gained recognition and could focus more on his own inventions and creations.