Under One Person: The Puppet Immortal in the Tang Sect

"Li Muxuan!"

Shuiyun's voice was cold and sharp.

"You still dare to set foot in the Trinity Gate!?"

Shuiyun's angry rebuke startled the disciples of the Sanyi Sect inside the mountain gate, who thought someone had come to cause trouble and jumped out of the mountain gate.

Among these disciples of the Sanyi Sect, there were both young and old, and their expressions all changed drastically upon seeing Li Muxuan.

Everyone secretly began to practice their martial arts techniques, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.

Li Muxuan remained silent, but took half a step forward towards Cui Ming.

This action made Shuiyun frown even more.

He looked at Cui Ming, his tone still restrained.

"Master Cui, have you been deceived by this person? This man is named Li Muxuan! He is a true demon of the Quanxing Sect and has an old grudge against my Sanyi Sect. I wonder why he is traveling with you?"

“Li Muxuan has now left Quanxing and joined Zhenxing, and is also a member of my Divine Machine Alliance.”

Cui Ming's voice was calm and composed.

"If the Trinity Sect wishes to understand the past, I can explain it on their behalf."

"But I am here today at the invitation of Sect Leader Zuo to discuss matters. I wonder if, in accordance with the San Yi Sect's way of treating guests, we should first hold a ceremony in front of the mountain gate?"

Shuiyun's eyes flickered.

He naturally knew that Cui Ming was a guest invited by his master, and he also knew the current status of the Divine Machine Alliance in the world of supernatural beings.

However, Li Muxuan's appearance truly touched a nerve with every disciple of the Sanyi Sect.

Someone who betrayed his sect and joined the Quanxing Sect while still in the trial period has now swaggered back, which is tantamount to provoking the Sanyi Sect.

Just as the stalemate was at hand, a gentle voice came from inside the mountain gate.

"Shuiyun, step back."

The sound wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

From the depths of the fog, a figure slowly walked towards them.

He was a young man who looked to be no more than twenty years old, with a handsome face and long, unbound hair that draped over his plain white robe.

But his eyes were as deep as an ancient well, revealing a sense of vicissitude that did not match his appearance.

The newcomer was none other than Zuo Ruotong, the leader of the Sanyi Sect.

Shuiyun immediately stopped her practice and stepped back, and all the disciples bowed in greeting.

Zuo Ruotong walked to the mountain gate and first bowed to Cui Ming.

"Master Cui has come from afar; I am sorry for not welcoming you properly."

"You're too kind, Master Zuo," Cui Ming returned the greeting.

Zuo Ruotong then looked at Li Muxuan.

His gaze lingered on Li Muxuan's face for a moment, then swept over his limbs.

With Zuo Ruotong's cultivation level, he could naturally tell that it was not a body of flesh and blood.

But he couldn't say much at the moment, he just sighed softly.

"Come in first."

Zuo Ruotong turned around and led the way.

"It's cold outside, but hot tea has been prepared inside."

……

The main hall of the Sanyi Gate is named "Guiyi Hall" and is furnished in a simple and ancient style.

The plaque with the words "Tao follows nature" hangs in the center, and incense smoke curls from the burner.

Zuo Ruotong sat in the main seat, with his direct disciples Chengzhen, Shuiyun, Changqing, and others standing on his left and right.

Cui Ming sat in the head seat of the guest section, with Li Muxuan and Wuming standing on either side of him behind him.

After the disciples served tea and refreshments, Zuo Ruotong dismissed the others, leaving only the core group in the hall.

"Master Cui."

Zuo Ruotong got straight to the point.

"I invited you here today because I have a favor to ask of you."

"Please speak, Master Zuo."

Cui Ming listened attentively.

"Recently, Sanyimen received a secret report that the Japanese army will launch a major offensive against Fuzhou by the end of this year at the latest, intending to open a new front and contain the National Army's forces."

Zuo Ruotong's expression was solemn.

"Fuzhou is the gateway to Fujian. If it falls, the southeastern half of the country will be in danger. The Sanyi Sect is located here, so we cannot sit idly by. However, the sect's strength is limited, and we need to cooperate with the military to deploy defenses."

He paused, then looked at Cui Ming.

"I have heard that the Divine Machine Alliance has close cooperation with the National Army, and that Master Cui has provided equipment support to the military on many occasions."

"Therefore, I would like to ask Master Cui to act as a go-between and facilitate cooperation between the Sanyi Gate and the Fuzhou garrison. If we can deploy defenses in advance, we may be able to keep the enemy out."

Cui Ming picked up the teacup and gently stirred the floating tea leaves.

This intelligence was actually leaked by him through channels in Harbin.

The Japanese army originally planned to attack Fuzhou in 1941, but it was only the end of 1939. The Japanese army's preparations probably hadn't even begun.

However, releasing the news in advance would allow the Sanyi Sect to take action sooner—which is exactly what Cui Ming wants.

"Is the source of this information from Sect Leader Zuo reliable?"

Cui Ming, pretending to be confused, asked in return.

Zuo Ruotong nodded seriously.

"That's right! I've already asked Jianghu Xiaozhan to verify the information, and it's highly reliable."

Upon hearing this, Cui Ming understood.

He himself released this intelligence, and Jianghu Xiaozhan's verification was also a step he deliberately arranged.

Everything is proceeding according to plan.

"Since Sect Leader Zuo has already verified it, then we must take it seriously."

Cui Ming put down his teacup, his expression turning solemn.

"If Fuzhou falls, the southeast will be shaken. The Shenji Alliance does have channels of cooperation with the National Army. I can make contact on your behalf and facilitate the coordinated defense of Sanyimen and the Fuzhou garrison."

Zuo Ruotong's expression softened slightly.

"I am grateful to Master Cui for his assistance."

"It's my duty."

Cui Ming paused.

"However, setting up defenses is not something that can be done in a day. The allocation of weapons, the construction of positions, and the deployment of personnel will take at least two months. If the Japanese army really attacks at the end of the year, time will be very tight."

"In your opinion, Master Cui, what should be done?"

"A two-pronged approach."

Cui Ming said in a deep voice.

"I immediately sent a message to Fuzhou, requesting the garrison to enter combat readiness ahead of schedule, and to allocate a batch of Xuanji armor and communication equipment for early transport."

"At the same time, the Sanyi Sect can select capable disciples to go to the coast with the Shenji Alliance to conduct reconnaissance and verify the movements of the Japanese army."

"If the enemy is indeed gathering, then we should prepare for war with all our might; if the intelligence is wrong, we can also make timely adjustments to avoid wasting manpower and resources."

Zuo Ruotong pondered for a moment and looked at the disciples below him.

Chengzhen stood up and clasped his hands in greeting.

“Master, your disciple is willing to go.”

Water and clouds also follow the Way.

"I will go with you."

Although Changqing did not speak, his eyes conveyed his attitude.

Zuo Ruotong pondered for a moment.

"Chengzhen and Shuiyun, you two will lead the team, and select three other quick-witted disciples to accompany you. Five people will be enough to look out for each other without making you too conspicuous."

"Yes."

The two responded in unison.

"Master Cui, is this arrangement appropriate?"

"Very good."

Cui Ming nodded.

"Three days later, my men were waiting at the Guiyun Inn, which was twenty miles outside Fuzhou City."

"They will provide disguises and route maps to escort your disciples along the coastline for reconnaissance. You must withdraw within ten days, regardless of whether you find anything."

Zuo Ruotong nodded.

"We will do as Master Cui says."

With the important matters settled, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed slightly.

Zuo Ruotong turned her gaze to Li Muxuan behind Cui Ming, paused for a few moments, and then slowly spoke.

"Master Cui, this... Li Muxuan, is he currently under your command?"

Knowing he would ask this question, Cui answered calmly.

"Exactly."