Under One Person: The Puppet Immortal in the Tang Sect

Cui Ming stopped ten miles from Misty Ridge and put the Fenrir wolf back into its pouch.

He donned the Earth Vein Mystic Armor and infiltrated underground, moving towards the direction of Woniu Peak.

While its underground movement speed is naturally slower than that of the Fenrir wolf, it excels in stealth.

Cui Ming used his spiritual senses to detect ground movements and discovered several hidden sentry positions.

These hidden sentries were concealed in tree canopies, rock crevices, and underground pits, forming a network that covered all the main roads leading into the mountains.

Cui Ming did not disturb them.

He bypassed the sentry post and floated to the ground from a thin spot in the rock strata. This spot was on the shady side of Woniu Peak, about three miles from the entrance to the main altar.

Release ten Shadow Spider golems and have them scout out from the crowd.

This reconnaissance, however, aroused Cui Ming's suspicions, based on the memories of the second and third elders of the Medicine Immortal Society.

There are twelve visible and hidden sentry posts around the main altar, but three of them are currently vacant, and two of them are guarded by only one person.

The other sentry posts also seemed lax, with patrol intervals much longer than expected.

But Cui Ming did not hesitate and quickly selected a hidden sentry post guarded by two people as a breakthrough point.

The hidden sentry post was located inside a hollow in a giant tree. The space inside was narrow, and two disciples of the Medicine Immortal Society were talking in hushed tones.

"The elders have all gone out, leaving us here to catch the wind."

"I've heard that dealing with people who are truly authentic is a tough nut to crack."

"No matter how tough he is, he can't be tougher than Mr. Ishikawa. He's a master hired by the Kwantung Army. He can make people stupid with just one look."

Before the two finished speaking, two dark blue silk threads silently descended from the tree hole and precisely pierced the back of their necks.

The power of the pill instantly sealed their meridians and vocal cords, causing the two to fall to the ground stiffly, their eyes filled with terror.

Cui Ming flashed into the tree hole and released Thousand Faces at the same time.

He checked the two men's belongings and found the internal route map and password change list of the headquarters.

The latest password was changed at noon today.

Q: How many horns does a bull have? A: Three horns pointing upwards.

After prying open and examining the two men's brains, Cui Ming confirmed that there were approximately thirty people currently remaining inside the main altar, including ten extraordinary individuals and the rest ordinary disciples.

The Grand Elder and four trusted confidants have gone out with Ishikawa Ken, taking with them many of the Medicine Immortal Society's elite troops, leaving the Medicine Immortal Society's headquarters vulnerable.

The Second Elder had gone to Black Wind Pass three days ago, while the Third Elder's whereabouts were unknown—they were still unaware that the two strongholds of Kari Town and Wolf Valley had been destroyed.

Cui Ming nodded and handed the two unconscious disciples over to Qianmian for treatment.

He changed into one of the people's clothes and, using disguise techniques, made slight adjustments to his appearance, making his face look seven or eight parts similar to one of them.

After a transformation, Qianmian became a completely different person.

The two walked out of the tree hole and headed along the path towards the entrance of the main altar.

We passed two checkpoints along the way, where the guards lazily checked our passwords and then let us through.

After entering the mountainside area, the fog gradually thickened, and the visibility was less than ten feet.

Ahead, a steep rock face appeared, with vines hanging down its sides. They seemed to grow naturally, but in reality, they concealed a trap.

Following the method he remembered, Cui Ming grabbed three specific vines and applied force in sequence.

The rock wall silently slid open a crack, just wide enough for one person to pass sideways.

Beyond the crevice are downward stone steps, with glowing fluorite embedded in the stone walls on both sides, casting a dim yellow light.

At the end of the stone steps was a heavy wooden door, with two guards standing beside it, swords at their sides.

"Password."

"It's a deep voice from the guard on the left," he said.

How many horns does a bull have?

Cui Ming replied.

"Triangle facing upwards".

The guard nodded and pushed open the wooden door.

"Go in, it's not time for your shift to change yet."

Cui Ming and Bai Lian bowed their heads and stepped in.

Behind the door was a wide passageway with several stone chambers on each side, from which the sounds of talking and objects colliding could be faintly heard.

The air was filled with the unique mixed scent of herbs and venomous insects.

According to the map, the main altar is divided into four major areas.

The front hall is the daily activity area, the left area is the Gu-refining room and medicine room, and the right area is the living area and warehouse.

The rear area is the core forbidden zone, including the residence of the Grand Elder, the library, and most importantly, the "Holy Child Nurturing Room".

Chapter 193 Stealing the House

After much deliberation, Cui Mingsi decided to explore the rear area first.

He and Qianmian walked briskly along the passageway, encountering two groups of patrolling disciples along the way. They both lowered their heads and gave way, thus not attracting any attention.

However, when passing through the front hall and entering the rear passage, a stone door blocks the way.

An old man in black robes stood in front of the gate, his face gloomy; he was none other than the Fourth Elder who was left behind.

"What are you two doing here instead of on duty?"

The Fourth Elder squinted and sized him up.

"Reporting to the Fourth Elder, suspicious traces have been discovered at the sentry post, and I have come to report this."

Cui Ming lowered his voice and imitated the disciple's accent.

"Suspicious traces?"

The Fourth Elder frowned.

"Explain in detail."

"There seem to be some strange traces near the No. 3 sentry post on the west side. However, after a thorough search, no one was found. Therefore, we are here to request permission to send more people to search."

The Fourth Elder pondered for a moment.

"The Grand Elder has taken most of the manpower with him, and we can't spare any more. Go back and strengthen the vigilance. If there is any unusual activity, send a signal immediately."

"Yes."

Cui Ming bowed, and he and Qianmian turned to leave.

"and many more."

The Fourth Elder suddenly called out to them, took two steps closer, and his gaze lingered on Cui Ming's face.

"What's your name? Which team are you on?"

Cui Ming felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that the other party had become suspicious.

But he still obediently lowered his head and responded meticulously based on Wang Wu's memory.

“Disciple Wang Wu, Third Squad of the West Outpost.”

"Wang Wu?"

The Fourth Elder reached out and pressed on Cui Ming's shoulder.

“Raise your head.”

Just as his hand was about to touch Cui Ming's shoulder, Qianmian moved.

A dark figure pounced from the side, a short blade in its hand aimed straight at the Fourth Elder's ribs.

The Fourth Elder reacted extremely quickly, dodging to the side and flicking out several crimson centipedes from his sleeve.

But Cui Ming was faster.

He raised his hand, his five fingers forming a loose fist, and the power of the pill-devouring energy condensed into an invisible cage, sealing off the space around the Fourth Elder.

The moment the crimson centipede collided with the power of the pill, it stiffened and fell.

The Fourth Elder's expression changed drastically. He tried to shout, but no sound came out.

At this moment, Qianmian was like a boneless python, coiling around the Fourth Elder's body. He immediately controlled all the major acupoints on his body, and his throat was tightly stuck by the mechanism that Qianmian had transformed into.

Cui Ming stepped forward, and the power of Dan Shi transformed into a dark blue thread that pierced into the fourth elder's brow.

Memories were quickly flipped through.

The Fourth Elder has always been in charge of guarding the Medicine Immortal Society, and knows more than the other elders.

Ken Ishikawa's true identity is an advisor to the "Kagebu" unit, a special agency of the Kwantung Army, specializing in mind control and memory extraction;

The cooperation between the Medicine Fairy Society and the Japanese had become deeply ingrained. They not only provided children and intelligence, but also assisted the Japanese in searching for "ancient relics of strange people" in the southwestern mountains.

The secret of Li Muxuan lies in the "Reversal of Eight Directions" technique he has learned. The Japanese have been coveting the martial arts of the extraordinary people of the East.

And there's the most crucial point.

Ishikawa Ken came here not only to interrogate Li Muxuan, but also to personally inspect the "Gu Body Saint Child" experimental subject cultivated by the Medicine Immortal Society.

The test subjects were locked in a secret chamber deep within the rear area.

After the soul search was completed, the Fourth Elder's eyes glazed over, and he collapsed.

Cui Ming put his body into the food pouch he carried with him and quickly changed into the Fourth Elder's black robe.

Cui Ming manipulated Thousand Faces to instantly transform into the appearance of the Fourth Elder. After Thousand Faces made a gurgling sound, even its voice became exactly the same.

Meanwhile, Cui Ming remained unchanged, following the Fourth Elder, who was disguised as a thousand faces, as they once again explored the interior.

The two pushed open the stone door and entered the core of the rear area.

At the end of the passageway stood a large bronze door, covered with twisted runes and exuding a chilling aura.

Two guards stood by the door and bowed respectfully upon seeing the Fourth Elder, who was incarnate with a thousand faces.