Under One Person: The Puppet Immortal in the Tang Sect

Page 212

"There is something I don't understand, Mr. Zuo."

Zuo Ruotong's tone was calm, yet it carried a scrutinizing quality.

"It is said that after Li Muxuan joined the Quanxing Sect, he caused quite a stir in the Xiangnan area."

"The last time we heard from him was when he led a conflict with the Divine Machine Alliance, after which he disappeared. Why is he now by Hall Master Cui's side? And what about his limbs..."

All the disciples in the hall turned their gazes toward Li Muxuan, especially Shuiyun, whose hostility remained undiminished.

Cui Ming remained expressionless and spoke slowly.

"What Sect Leader Zuo heard is true. Li Muxuan did indeed lead the Quanxing sect to harass the Shenji Alliance, causing me a lot of trouble."

Li Muxuan lowered his head and remained silent.

"But what happened later, the Left Sect Leader may not know."

Cui Ming continued.

"After that conflict, Li Muxuan was not better off. He was seriously injured and was tricked by the Quanxing demons. After being captured, he was handed over to the Japanese army."

Zuo Ruotong frowned slightly.

"The Japanese army was quite interested in his 'Reversal of Eight Directions' technique and wanted to find out how to cultivate it, so they handed him over to the Medicine Immortal Society for disposal."

The moment the words "Medicine Immortal Gathering" were uttered, the temperature inside the hall seemed to plummet.

The disciples of the Sanyi Sect were still unaware of what that place was.

However, a hint of coldness flashed in Zuo Ruotong's eyes, who was a seasoned veteran.

"The Medicine Immortal Society...that group of evil spirits who use humans to make medicine."

"Exactly."

Cui Ming's voice was low and deep.

"After being sent to the headquarters of the Medicine Immortal Society, Li Muxuan suffered all kinds of torture."

"They wanted to force him to reveal his cultivation technique, and then use him as a test subject for their medicine. When I discovered the Medicine Immortal Society's whereabouts and led people to wipe out that hideout, I found Li Muxuan..."

Cui Ming shook his head, as if he couldn't bear to recall it, and a look of sympathy appeared on his face.

"His limbs were all broken, his meridians were damaged, and most of his cultivation was ruined. If it weren't for the will in his heart that held him up, he would probably be dead by now."

The hall was silent.

The hostility on Shuiyun's face faded somewhat, replaced by a complex expression.

Chengzhen sighed softly, and Changqing turned his face away.

Zuo Ruotong remained silent for a long time before speaking.

"So his limbs..."

"I used mechanical puppetry to reconnect him."

"The skeleton is recast with an alloy, covered with a biomimetic cortex, and has an embedded energy circuit that connects to the nerves."

"Although it is not a body of flesh and blood, it can move, feel, and circulate qi."

"After he was rescued, he wanted to join the True Nature sect and wipe out those demons and devils of the Quanxing sect."

Li Muxuan kept his head down, but his hands were slightly clenched.

The metal knuckles made a very faint rubbing sound.

Zuo Ruotong looked at Li Muxuan, her expression changing several times before finally letting out a long sigh.

"Li Muxuan".

Li Muxuan slowly raised his head.

"If you hadn't insisted on leaving back then, and had stayed at Trinity Gate, perhaps..."

Zuo Ruo shook her head halfway through the fairy tale.

"Enough, the past is past. It's already a blessing that you survived from that hellhole of the Medicine Immortal Society. Now that you've been given a new life, you should cherish this opportunity."

Li Muxuan's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but he didn't speak in the end, only bowing deeply.

This bow was an expression of gratitude to Zuo Ruotong for the opportunity she gave him back then, and also a sign of remorse for his past actions.

Zuo Ruotong accepted his bow and said no more.

Chengzhen spoke up at the opportune moment.

"Master, since Hall Master Cui has come from afar, why don't we have a vegetarian meal first, and then discuss the details of the cooperation?"

Zuo Ruotong nodded: "Very well. Master Cui, please move to the dining hall."

……

The vegetarian meal was served in a side hall, consisting of six vegetarian dishes and a pot of tea.

During the meal, they stopped talking about serious matters and instead chatted about their experiences in the martial arts world and the local customs of various places.

Cui Ming talked about the recent research and development of the Divine Machine Alliance, the improvement of the Mysterious Machine Armor, and the new uses of the floating cannons.

Zuo Ruotong then talked about the recent situation of the Sanyi Sect in accepting disciples and his cultivation experience of the Reverse Rebirth Triple Level.

The atmosphere wasn't particularly lively, but it was peaceful.

Shuiyun sat opposite Li Muxuan, hesitating several times as if she wanted to say something.

Li Muxuan ate in silence, avoiding eye contact with anyone.

After the meal, Zuo Ruotong personally escorted Cui Ming back to his guesthouse.

The moon was high in the sky, and the mountain fog was even thicker.

The cobblestone path was slippery, with bamboo shadows swaying on both sides.

"Master Cui."

Zuo Ruotong suddenly spoke.

“Li Muxuan is still a child with an unsettled mind. Since you have kept him by your side, I hope you will keep him under control.”

"Don't worry, Master Zuo."

Cui Mingdao.

“He’s been through that ordeal and has seen through many things. Now he just wants a place to stay and to do what he can for me.”

Zuo Ruotong nodded and said no more.

When they arrived at the gate of the guesthouse, Zuo Ruotong stopped.

"Master Cui, please rest early. Tomorrow I will discuss the details of the reconnaissance with Chengzhen and the others."

"Thank you for your trouble, Master Zuo."

Zuo Ruotong turned and left, her white-robed figure gradually disappearing into the mist.

Cui Ming returned to the house, where Li Muxuan and Wuming were already inside.

The nameless figure stood silently by the window, like a sculpture. Li Muxuan sat in a chair, looking at his hands—his metal palms gleaming coldly under the light.

"Are you still thinking about what Zuo Ruotong said?" Cui Ming asked.

Li Muxuan shook his head: "It's just... a bit sentimental."

"What are you feeling sentimental about?"

"Back then, I was determined to join the Sanyi Sect, and I felt that Zuo Ruotong's refusal to teach me the Reverse Life Triple Technique was a sign of disrespect."

Li Muxuan's voice was low and hoarse.

"Later, he joined the Quanxing Sect, thinking he had gained freedom, but he ended up in such a state."

Looking back now, I finally understand what Zuo Ruotong meant by "being true to oneself".

Cui Ming didn't respond, waiting for him to continue.

"If I hadn't been hypocritical and put on an act, I might have actually been able to stay at the Trinity Gate."

Li Muxuan smiled bitterly.

"Or, if I could honestly tell Zuo Ruotong that I just want power and want to learn the Triple Rebirth Technique, he might... give me a chance."

There are no "what ifs" in life.

Cui Ming shook his head.

Instead of dwelling on "what ifs," it's better to look forward.

Li Muxuan remained silent for a moment, then looked up at Cui Ming.

"Sir, why did you save me? And why did you keep me by your side?"