Under One Person: The Puppet Immortal in the Tang Sect

After receiving the message, Cui Ming entered the hall and respectfully bowed to Tang Bingwen, who was sitting upright.

"Sect Master."

Tang Bingwen looked up at Cui Ming as he entered, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Young Cui Ming? Is there anything else? Is there anything we've forgotten about at the mine?"

"Reporting to the sect leader, the mine has been arranged as you instructed."

Cui Ming paused slightly, his tone becoming serious.

"The reason I have come here today is to revisit the idea I discussed with the sect leader before our last mission—to use mechanical arts to help our Tang Clan members who were injured during the mission to return to their daily lives."

Upon hearing this, Tang Bingwen leaned back slightly, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny.

“I do recall this matter. Your intentions are good, but the difficulties involved have already been explained last time.”

“Exquisite mechanical limbs require exceptionally precious materials and are time-consuming and laborious to forge. Even if they are completed, the combat power they can restore is often disproportionate to the cost, making them not cost-effective for the sect.”

His words were calm and realistic, carrying the considerations that a sect leader must weigh.

He pointed to his blind eye.

"Even with the most ingenious prosthetic eye, like mine, it is still not the original and its ability to improve strength is limited."

This is a concern of pragmatists, and also an inevitable conclusion given the technological bottlenecks of our time.

However, this was exactly what Cui Ming was waiting for.

He raised his head, his face showing no sign of disappointment at being rejected, but rather a confident smile.

"What the sect leader said is absolutely right. If we insist on tailoring a combat prosthetic limb that is comparable to or even stronger than the original for every injured fellow disciple, it would indeed require a huge investment and be unsustainable."

But Cui Ming abruptly changed his tone, like a sharp sword being drawn, pointing straight to the core issue.

"But, Sect Leader, why are we so fixated on high-end, sophisticated combat prosthetics? Why not turn our attention to the broader low-end market?"

"Low-end market?"

Tang Bingwen paused, a look of doubt in his eyes.

"Exactly!"

Cui Ming stepped forward, his voice not loud, but with great persuasive power.

"Sect Leader, consider this: how many people in this world are disabled? Not to mention those soldiers who retired due to injuries, civilians who were disabled in accidents, and even... those high-ranking officials who were pampered but were unfortunately injured."

"Don't they yearn for a limb that would allow them to move freely, or even regain some of their abilities?"

He meticulously analyzed the situation, presenting Tang Bingwen with a grand business blueprint.

"Our Tang Clan can start by launching the most basic, simple, and lowest-cost mechanical limbs. There's no need to add combat functions; we only need them to be sturdy, durable, and capable of performing basic daily actions such as walking and grasping."

"With the improved assembly line operation in my workshop, we can manufacture more mechanical arms, and the output will only continue to increase, and the cost can even be reduced to an extremely low level."

"First of all, this is a good deed that can greatly enhance the reputation of my Tang Clan in both the secular and supernatural worlds. When people hear about my Tang Clan, their first reaction will no longer be that of a fearsome assassin organization, but rather that it evokes a sense of compassion for the world."

Cui Ming's gaze was intense.

"Secondly, and most importantly, this market is huge! The mass market allows for high-volume, low-margin sales, which can accumulate a large amount of capital."

"Not only that, there's also the high-end market for the wealthy and powerful. They don't lack money, they lack dignity and convenience. Basic prosthetics are just a stepping stone; once they've experienced the wonders of mechanical engineering, they'll naturally pursue greater comfort, more dexterity, and even..."

"It's a high-end customized version with certain special functions, and you can imagine how profitable it is!"

"As for the military..."

Cui Ming's voice was deep and serious as he threw out his final trump card.

"The situation is turbulent now, and war is about to break out. How many brave soldiers are left destitute after being wounded? If my Tang Clan could provide them with mechanical prosthetics to help them return to the army, even if they could only be used for logistical work."

"How do you think the military will view us? The personal relationships, resources, and even future cooperation involved are far more than just material costs can measure."

Cui Ming's words struck Tang Bingwen like a thunderclap.

Limited by the times, he had never thought about the problem from this perspective.

The Tang Clan has always been a sect that inspires fear in its people.

All their skills and techniques are designed for assassination and combat, pursuing the ultimate in lethality and secrecy. This has earned them a reputation in the martial arts world for their relentless pursuit of victory.

However, Cui Ming led this skill down a completely new path that benefits the people, is inclusive, and can even bind various secular forces.

Could it be... that the Tang Sect has truly reached the point where it needs to change?

On one hand, there is the tradition that the sect has maintained since its founding.

On the other hand, with the tides of the times, even a superhuman who has trained for decades may not be able to withstand a single shot.

Tang Bingwen fell silent, his deep eyes flashing with a rapidly shifting expression as he quickly weighed the pros and cons.

Low cost, mass production, vast market demand, potential military connections, and the potential to enhance sect reputation...

These elements, one by one, intertwine to form a highly enticing prospect.

Finally, Tang Bingwen exhaled a breath of stale air.

"...What you say makes a lot of sense. Taking a different approach has great potential..."

Tang Bingwen spoke slowly, his tone revealing a hint of being persuaded.

"If it can truly be mass-produced quickly and at low cost, as you say, then this matter... has great potential."

Cui Ming was certain that the most crucial moment had arrived.

He timely raised the most crucial question.

"Sect Leader, you are wise. If this plan is to be implemented smoothly, especially in the future, to provide the military with a large number of basic prosthetics, and even to develop more advanced models, there is one core issue that must be resolved, and that is the energy issue."

He looked at Tang Bingwen with a calm and open gaze.

“Ingenious mechanisms can be designed slowly, and materials can be found slowly, but the energy that drives them to operate continuously is the key.”

"Especially stable, powerful and widely available energy sources are the key. Otherwise, our later high-end products will definitely lose their competitiveness and will be difficult to support large-scale applications if they rely solely on Qi to operate."

Cui Ming paused briefly before steer the conversation toward the lead box he had brought yesterday.

“I was also troubled by this matter before. But the ore containing evil energy that I brought back from this trip to the mine has shown me a possibility.”

"Ok?"

Tang Bingwen raised an eyebrow slightly.

"You mean... using that malevolent energy as an energy source?"

Chapter 36 Tang Clan Internal Discussion

In the council chamber, Cui Ming was like a bewitching little devil.

"Sect Master, fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Although the baleful aura emanating from that ore can corrode flesh and blood, the energy contained within it is immense and far beyond the ordinary."

Cui Ming explained.

"My physique is special, and I am not afraid of this evil energy. After preliminary research, I have been able to guide and utilize a portion of its energy, and this energy is truly astonishing!"

"As long as we can completely solve the problems of isolating evil energy and ensuring stable energy output, this type of ore will become the core of the Tang Clan's mechanical transformation! It will even be a great boon to our Eastern Kingdom!"

Finally, Cui Ming's true colors were revealed.

"This disciple humbly requests the sect leader to officially designate that mine as a top-secret stronghold of the Tang Sect."

"And the task was handed over to his disciples to oversee the operation while they devoted themselves to researching how to safely utilize this mineral energy."

"If successful, not only will the prosthetic limb project proceed smoothly, but the overall strength of the Tang Clan and its future development prospects will be limitless."

"We can even start with my Tang Clan and spread it throughout the entire Eastern Kingdom, so that those petty villains will never dare to covet our country again!"

At this moment, Tang Bingwen finally understood why Cui Ming always seemed so impatient, as if something was chasing after him.

So he had already left the Tang Sect and set his sights on this land beneath his feet...?

A long silence fell over the council chamber.

Tang Bingwen's gaze was sharp as a knife, as if trying to pierce through Cui Ming's body to see whether his words were just for show or his deepest thoughts.

Cui Ming, on the other hand, faced him calmly, his eyes clear and firm.

Energy is always the lifeblood of an era.

What Cui Ming is proposing now is not just a way to help his fellow disciples or a more profitable business, but also a way that could potentially change the fate of the Tang Clan.

Even in the future, it could influence the global landscape and the lifeline of a nation's energy strategy.

Having figured all this out, Tang Bingwen was momentarily unsure of what to do.

For the first time, he felt that the young man in front of him had a dazzling soul.

"Go and prepare the necessary things first. We'll discuss it later and then... I'll tell you the answer."

Tang Bingwen waved his hand, signaling Cui Ming to step back.

After Cui Ming left, Tang Bingwen stared blankly in the direction Cui Ming had gone.

After a long while, he let out a sigh, and couldn't help but sigh.

"May God bless my Tang Clan..."

He then recovered and his eyes became firm.

This matter is of great importance and cannot be decided by him alone.

He summoned the gatekeeper in a deep voice and gave him instructions in a serious tone.

"Send word: all elders within the sect, come to the council hall immediately! There are important matters to discuss!"

The disciple who received the order flew away, and not long afterward...

Seven or eight Tang Clan elders of varying ages, exuding a solemn aura, gathered in the council hall.

They looked at Tang Bingwen, who sat solemnly in the main seat, and were filled with doubt, wondering what important matter required such an urgent summons.

Tang Bingwen didn't waste any words and directly revealed Cui Ming's plan, while concealing all information about the mine, except that Cui Ming had developed a new type of high-efficiency energy.

The rest, such as prosthetics for government agencies, the low-end market, the relationship between the military and high-ranking officials, and the enhancement of public prestige, were all clearly and concisely explained.

As soon as he finished speaking, a murmur of discussion arose in the council chamber.