Under One Person: The Puppet Immortal in the Tang Sect

Chapter 29 An Encounter with Quanxing

After making the arrangements, Cui Ming first went back to the warehouse inside the mine, took the smallest piece of uranium ore, put it in the prepared lead box, and then sealed it.

They decided to take this as evidence and bring it back to the Tang Clan to report.

Then, under the watchful eyes of Yong-eun and Xuan-su, they left the mine.

The return journey was much smoother than the way there. After further adaptation to the radiation environment, the Xuanji Armor seemed to be even more powerful.

The true qi within his body, infused with radiation properties, surged ceaselessly, making the power of the Xuanji Armor even more powerful and enduring.

Now, after such a long journey, he felt no fatigue at all, and could even spare some of his attention to immerse himself in the insights gained from the previous battles and maneuvers.

Especially the moment when the illusion array affecting Yone was used to control Yone using hidden threads.

By using the pull of threads and combining it with his own unique radiating true qi, he was able to so smoothly invade and briefly control a powerful superhuman, making him act like his puppet.

That feeling was completely different from controlling a cold, mechanical puppet.

No matter how exquisite a puppet is, it is ultimately an inanimate object, lacking the energy feedback and... plasticity unique to living organisms.

A rather dangerous thought quietly crept into Cui Ming's mind.

If we take the manipulation of the "pulling threads" and the control of true qi to their ultimate extreme...

Is it possible to completely transform a living person into a living puppet that retains their fighting instincts from their previous life, and even possesses some memories, yet is absolutely obedient?

The thought sent a chill down his spine.

This is undoubtedly a heretical path, a forbidden realm that plays with life and tramples on the soul.

Although the Tang Clan's techniques are unpredictable and ruthless, they also have their bottom line. The creation of puppets made from living people is unheard of and is certainly not permitted.

But with chaos looming, what if there were an army of living puppets—absolutely loyal, fearless of death, and even capable of using their skills from their lifetimes...?

Two conflicting thoughts clashed fiercely in his mind.

On the one hand, there is an instinctive vigilance and moral constraint against the unknown and taboos; on the other hand, there is an urgency to achieve the goal at all costs and a desire to explore the power itself.

He kept recalling the feeling of controlling Yone as if she were his own arm, and the wonderful resonance between her true qi and his own.

It makes me wonder, what if the target wasn't Yone, but some other Inhuman created through forced means...

What kind of scenario will it be? Will they be able to maintain their fighting skills? What will their energy expenditure be? Is there a risk of backlash? ...

These problems, like venomous snakes, were gnawing at his reason.

He knew this idea was extremely dangerous; once he took the first step, there might be no turning back.

But the thought of these possibilities, like the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, constantly exuded an irresistible fragrance for Cui Ming.

"This matter requires further consideration."

Cui Ming suppressed his turbulent thoughts and focused his attention on the road in front of him.

"The most urgent task is to return to the Tang Clan and selectively report information that is favorable to us in exchange for their support."

"If we really want to experiment with the puppet system... perhaps we can start with the Quanxing sect, since everyone in the Quanxing sect has the right to kill them."

His eyes flashed as he sped toward the Tang Clan, his figure flashing through the trees.

However, as he was passing through a relatively remote forest road, he heard the sounds of clashing swords, screams, and unrestrained laughter ahead.

Robbery?

Cui Ming raised an eyebrow, immediately concealed his presence, and quietly approached using the shadows in the forest.

The official road was a scene of utter devastation.

Most of the guards of the small caravan had fallen into pools of blood, leaving only three or four survivors leaning against the overturned wagons, weapons in hand, trembling as they faced three menacing-looking men.

However, these three were clearly not after money. Their faces held a mocking and cruel expression, like cats catching mice. Judging from the gruesome deaths of the others on the ground, it was clear that these three were thoroughly enjoying themselves.

"Quanxing?"

Cui Ming's eyes turned cold.

The behavior of these three men embodies the lawless and arrogant style of the Quanxing sect, which treats human life as worthless.

At a time when the nation's survival is at stake, these people are still fighting amongst themselves and wasting their manpower.

Since that's the case...

The dangerous thought about the living puppet resurfaced in Cui Ming's mind, and became even clearer.

Just when he was worried about not having suitable experimental materials, someone delivered them to his doorstep—the Quanxing demon, whom everyone wanted to kill. This was simply a godsend opportunity tailor-made for him.

but...

The Tang Clan has strict rules, prohibiting its disciples from acting without cause, especially from killing people indiscriminately when they have not accepted a mission.

But as long as we don't give up, there are always more solutions than problems.

Looking at the remaining members of the caravan, Cui Ming had a plan.

Although a large number of Shadow Spider puppets were damaged in the previous attempt to stop Yone, leaving only five, they were still sufficient for cover.

Cui Ming silently released the remaining Shadow Spider puppets.

Four of them, in pairs, quickly set up their crossbows in the shadows of the forest, and the cold bolts were aimed at the three Quanxing members on the official road.

The last one clung to Cui Ming's left arm, transforming into the shape of an assassination crossbow.

Cui Ming didn't even aim; he simply raised his hand and fired.

The two groups of puppets worked together, firing two rounds of arrows in succession, creating a small volley of arrows.

They sped off towards the three Quanxing demons who were about to kill them.

Whoosh whoosh!

Six crossbow bolts forced the two men back. There was also a bald, burly man who was clearly focused on physical training. His protective qi was incredibly hard. When two crossbow bolts were fired at him, they produced a metallic clang.

The power of those two crossbow bolts only forced him back a few steps, leaving him completely unharmed.

But it achieved its goal, preventing them from continuing their attack.

At this moment, Cui Ming used his true qi to force the sound into a single line, which clearly reached the ears of the surviving caravan members.

"Do you have any money left?"

The survivors, who had been in despair, were taken aback when they saw someone offering help. Then, as if grasping at a straw, they showed expressions of joy and delight.

One of the middle-aged men, who seemed to be in charge, tremblingly pulled a small cloth bag from his pocket.

"Hero...hero, all our money is here! Please, hero, save us!"

Cui Ming manipulated a hidden thread, precisely rolled up a silver dollar from the bag, and quickly retrieved it.

"I've received the commission. I'll take this case."

Before the words were even finished, a whooshing sound suddenly rang out!

It turned out that among the three members of Quanxing, a short and wielding man controlled three throwing knives and sent them flying towards the shadows of the woods.

This guy was skilled in manipulating objects, so he naturally deduced Cui Ming's approximate location from the trajectory of the crossbow bolt.

Although a general direction was found, no significant progress was made.

Because these three throwing knives were locked in place by Cui Ming using hidden wires shortly after they flew into the woods.

Since the opponent launched the first attack, Cui Ming didn't hold back either, unleashing a combo of poison mist arrows and explosive arrows from two crossbows made of shadow spiders.

A series of explosions rang out instantly, followed by a burst of eerie green flames that blocked the path between the three Quanxing members and the four surviving members of the caravan.

"What are you standing there for? Run!"

Chapter 30 Cat and Mouse

After Cui Ming's reminder, the surviving members of the caravan finally realized what was happening and helped each other escape into the distance.

"Trying to escape? Dream on!"

At the other end of the flames, the short man wielding throwing knives stretched out his hands and launched four more knives, heading straight for the four fleeing men.

Whoosh whoosh!

Another barrage of arrows flew out, striking the throwing knives with a clanging sound, knocking the four knives down.

To the surprise of the man throwing the knives, the crossbow bolts were flying from very different directions and had all changed positions.

This is tricky! I was originally planning to take advantage of their lack of combat experience and catch them off guard.

After all, when Cui Ming fired the first volley of arrows, the arrows came from a fairly uniform direction, like a group of greenhorns.

That's why he was able to throw several throwing knives based on the direction of the arrows to harass the enemy.

But to my surprise, they learned their lesson in such a short time.

A series of heavy footsteps sounded, and then the bald, burly man activated his protective qi, his body engulfed in green flames, and charged straight into the forest from which the crossbow bolts were flying.

"Tsk! Idiot!"

The short man who wielded the throwing knives spat, and with a flick of his wrist, the four throwing knives that had been knocked down flew back shakily.

"I wonder where this brat came from!"

A flicker of heartache crossed his eyes; Quanxing was no match for those major sects.

We have to rely on ourselves for these weapons and equipment; if we want help from others, we have to pay a high price.

The throwing knives that Cui Ming shot down now have several cracks, which naturally makes him very distressed.

"Don't worry about your crappy throwing knife. This kid's weapons and equipment look pretty good."

"Once we take it! And with the caravan's supplies, we won't have to worry about money!"

The last of the three in the shadows also revealed himself.

The man was wearing a gray overcoat, was thin, had a mustache, and looked cunning with a pointed mouth and monkey-like cheeks.

"What a crappy throwing knife!! If it weren't for this crappy throwing knife of mine, you would have died countless times over!"

The short man was somewhat exasperated.