Under One Person: The Puppet Immortal in the Tang Sect

He quickly straightened up, sat down properly, and explained.

"Akira Yamashita was the military advisor of the 37th Regiment, and was said to be a cousin of Tomoyuki Yamashita."

He returned from the Eastern battlefield and was hunted down by the Cursed Society, fleeing all the way to Osaka.

I've had several encounters with him, and I feel that this person..."

What do you think of this person?

Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi interrupted him in a deep voice.

Tsuchimikado Yasunaga thought for a moment and then said seriously.

"This man is unfathomable. But he is sincere to his friends, and he is especially open and honest with me."

"Master, if we can win him over, the Tsuchimikado family will obtain a priceless treasure."

Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi looked at him, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

This younger generation member was someone he had watched grow up; they were intelligent and persistent, but sometimes too naive.

"Tai Chang, do you know why the Curse-Binding Society is hunting him down?"

Tsuchimikado Yasutoshi paused for a moment, then shook his head with a somewhat unpleasant expression.

"He said it ruined some things at the Curse Binding Society, but he didn't go into details."

The old patriarch sighed.

"Don't you find it strange? How could an ordinary nobleman's son escape from the Curse Binding Society's pursuit?"

And after fleeing all the way to Osaka, he became someone everyone wanted to befriend?

"Can..."

Tai opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found himself speechless.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

A servant knelt outside the door and said urgently.

"Master, urgent news!"

Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi frowned.

"Come in."

A servant pushed open the door and entered, presenting a secret letter with both hands.

Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi took it, unfolded it, and his expression changed slightly.

"what happened?"

Seeing a change in the patriarch's expression, Tsuchimikado Yasunaga cautiously inquired.

Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi handed the letter directly to him.

Tsuchimikado Yasunaga took the letter with both hands, quickly glanced through it, and his expression changed.

The letter read: "The Yokai Alliance, Kyokotsu, infiltrated Osaka Castle last night; their target is unknown."

Investigations revealed that the Curse-Binding Society was behind this operation, with participants including "Thunder Beast," a veteran member of the society.

"A Thunder Beast?!"

Tsuchimikado Yasunaga exclaimed in disbelief.

"That legendary demon who was the first to join the Cursed Guild?"

Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi nodded.

"That's him. Thunder Beast holds an extremely high position in the Curse Binding Society. Although he has rarely made a move in recent years, his strength is unfathomable."

If he is also involved, it means the Curse Binding Society is determined to succeed on this trip.

Tsuchimikado Yasunaga said urgently.

“Master, what about Amin…”

Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi raised his hand to stop him.

"I know what you're trying to say. But the current situation is beyond our control."

With the Thunder Beast personally taking action, its target is likely not just Yamashita Akira.

Without knowing the full story, our Tsuchimikado family absolutely cannot rashly get involved.

Tsuchimikado Yasunaga was stunned, then knelt down on the ground.

"Master, I implore you to send someone to protect Yamashita Akira!"

"As long as we can protect him, our Tsuchimikado family can gain his trust, just with those jewels..."

"enough."

Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi interrupted him.

"Tai Chang, you're too young. You think those jewels were given away for free? What's free is often the most expensive!"

It is precisely because he gave you such a precious treasure for free that you have come to me in this way to beg for help. This is the brilliance of that Yamashita Akira.

The fact that he would give away such a valuable treasure so readily shows that he has much bigger ambitions.

Use your brain! If my Tsuchimikado family really gets involved, it might just reignite the great war between humans and yokai! Understand? You idiot!

Tsuchimikado Yasunaga looked up, his eyes filled with clear stupidity.

Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi calmed himself down and finally sighed.

She stood up, walked to the window, and turned her back to him.

"I've lived for decades and seen too many people and too many things."

That Akira Yamashita is no simple character.

Now that the Curse Binding Society wants to take action against him, our best option is to stay out of it and let them decide the outcome before making a choice.

Tsuchimikado Yasunaga remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly.

"Master, I understand."

He also stood up and faced Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi directly, speaking with great conviction.

"That thumb ring was a gift from Yamashita Akira; it was extremely valuable."

"It would be better to keep it within the family; perhaps... it would be more useful."

Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi turned around, looked at the ring, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

Tsuchimikado Yasunaga knelt down, kowtowed three times, and then got up and left.

He stopped abruptly at the doorway, his back to Tsuchimikado Taijun.

“Master, Taichang’s departure is uncertain; we do not know if he will return alive. But Yamashita Akira is my friend, and I cannot stand by and watch him die.”

After saying that, he left.

Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi watched his figure disappear into the night, remaining silent for a long time.

After a long while, he picked up the thumb ring and examined it carefully.

Pale blue light swirled slowly within it, beautiful and mysterious.

"Taichō... I hope you can understand the good intentions of the head of the family."

He muttered to himself.

"I also hope you can come back alive."

But as soon as he turned around, Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi summoned his servants and kicked Tsuchimikado Yasunaga out of the family register, on the grounds that he had no respect for his elders and had violated ancestral precepts.

He also ordered that the main gate of the family's Tsuchimikado Gate be sealed off from today onwards, that no outside visitors be received, and that security be increased.

Neither of the branch members of the Tsuchimikado family are allowed to assist Yamashita Akira.

......

Osaka Castle, fifth floor of the hotel.

Cui Ming sat by the window, flipping through the latest report sent by Bai Lian.

The report detailed the reactions of those who wore the jewelry—increased cultivation efficiency, improved mental state, and a continuous rise in their favorability towards Cui Ming.

Everything seemed to be going according to Cui Ming's plan.

But the unease in Cui Ming's heart never dissipated.

He put down the report, walked to the window, and looked out at the street in the distance.

As night fell, fewer and fewer pedestrians appeared, with only a few streetlights still on.

Occasionally, military police would patrol by, but they always walked in a hurry.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps approached, and then Yong En pushed the door open and entered, his face grave.

"My lord, I have just received a message from Thousand Faces. Kyokotsu of the Demon Alliance has infiltrated Osaka Castle."

Cui Ming raised an eyebrow.

"Kyokotsu? One of Hagoromo Gitsune's subordinates?"

"Yes. It is said that this person is extremely loyal and quite powerful."

According to the intelligence sent by Thousand Faces, Kyokotsu has arrived in Osaka, and his target is very likely us.

Cui Ming smiled, somewhat surprised.

"That's interesting. People from the Demon Alliance are here to kill me? Who gave them the information?"

Yongen shook his head.

"It's unclear at the moment. But based on the combined intelligence from both Thousand Faces and Crow Chaser, this whole affair is orchestrated by the Curse Binding Society. And..."

"And what?"

"Moreover, the elder of the Curse Binding Society, Thunder Beast, was also involved in this matter."

A glint of light flashed in Cui Ming's eyes.