Under One Person: The Puppet Immortal in the Tang Sect

"Good lad! Truly...the younger generation is to be feared!"

"I've been wandering the world for decades, and I consider my eyesight to be pretty good, yet you managed to fool me."

"Your mastery of mechanical puppets and the art of rune concealment is so seamless that you deserve the title of Grandmaster! No wonder Zhiwei speaks so highly of you!"

Zhang Jingqing's words came from the bottom of her heart.

To be able to disguise himself so perfectly in front of him and Zhang Zhiwei, using a puppet double.

Even the breath, the eyes, and the subtle fluctuations of Qi can be simulated with remarkable realism.

This level of skill is far beyond the reach of ordinary mechanical engineers.

Cui Ming quickly replied humbly.

"You flatter me, Master. These are just some petty tricks to save your life, not worthy of being called elegant."

“If it weren’t for Senior Brother Zhiwei’s keen insight, I wouldn’t have dared to show off my meager skills in front of the Celestial Master.”

Zhang Zhiwei laughed and waved his hand.

"Alright, I only remember this move of yours after our previous encounter. It was just a guess, but I didn't expect it to actually work."

Although Zhang Zhiwei spoke casually, he made it clear to Cui Ming that he had noticed something was amiss and that's why he pointed it out.

This can be considered a reminder to Cui Ming.

If someone knew about Cui Ming's methods, they could still tell the difference after taking precautions.

However, now that his disguise had been exposed, Cui Ming no longer bothered to hide it.

With a thought, the motionless substitute puppet immediately disintegrated into countless tiny parts, which clung to the main body like swallows returning to their nests.

They quickly combined and covered each other, forming a close-fitting, mysterious armor.

The wooden box on his back also shrank, becoming smaller and more exquisite, and was carried on Cui Ming's back again.

The whole process was smooth and quick, taking only a breath.

Chapter 74 Strategic Value

At this moment, Cui Ming's aura was different from when he was in his substitute puppet state.

It has lost some of the deliberately crafted gentleness and gained more of a restrained sharpness.

Zhang Jingqing looked at Cui Ming, who had finished changing clothes, and her admiration deepened.

"Excellent! Your true form has revealed its extraordinary nature. I am now even more eager for tomorrow's meeting."

He paused for a moment, then spoke to Zhang Zhiwei and the other two.

"You young people can chat some more, I won't disturb you any longer."

After saying that, Zhang Jingqing turned and left, leaving the rest of the time to them.

Zhang Zhiwei watched as Cui Ming took out the substitute puppet and equipped himself with it, and his face showed excitement.

"Is this the method you haven't even used yet?"

Looking at Cui Ming's new attitude, Zhang Zhiwei felt a little eager to try it out.

Seeing Zhang Zhiwei's eager and ready expression, Cui Ming was speechless.

He had personally experienced the future Celestial Master's desire for competition; it was absolutely all-out and without reservation.

"Senior Brother Zhiwei, you absolutely mustn't!"

Cui Ming quickly waved his hand, his tone carrying a hint of helpless laughter.

"The formal talks are tomorrow, and I would like to have a discussion with you here."

"I'm afraid I'll have to participate in bed tomorrow. I'm afraid the Celestial Master will blame me."

He paused, then lowered his voice.

"Moreover, tomorrow's talks are unlikely to be peaceful."

"Our Tang Clan's transformation during this trip will affect a significant number of interests."

"On the way here, some wandering immortals were bewitched and tried to plunder our goods."

"Tomorrow on Mount Longhu, those few families... might not sit idly by and watch my Tang Clan successfully transform. If Senior Brother wants to stretch his muscles, Junior Brother will certainly accompany you tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhiwei's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and his lazy expression became somewhat more composed as he stroked his chin.

"Oh? Is that so? I was wondering why your Tang Clan chose to transform itself at Longhu Mountain, and why you held such a grand meeting. So that's what you were thinking."

He glanced at Zhang Huaiyi and Tian Jinzhong beside him; both of them had knowing expressions on their faces.

Turbulent times and conflicts of interest in the martial arts world.

Although they were on the mountain, they were not entirely ignorant.

Tian Jinzhong said in a deep voice.

"It seems we really need to be more cautious tomorrow."

Zhang Huaiyi nodded, his big eyes gleaming.

"We need to be careful."

Although it was inconvenient to fight for the time being, Zhang Zhiwei was still very interested in Cui Ming's mechanical armor.

Seeing this, Cui Ming took the opportunity to make a suggestion.

"Since Senior Brother Zhiwei is interested, how about I demonstrate some of the ingenious uses of this mechanical puppet to the three of you? Although it is not a fighting technique, it has a whole other side to it."

At Cui Ming's invitation and Zhang Zhiwei's recommendation, the first person to experience it was Tian Jinzhong, whose personality was the most calm and resilient.

Cui Ming took out two simple mechanical artifacts from the mechanism box on his back.

A pair of leg puppet prosthetics and a pair of lightweight mechanical prosthetics covering the hands and shoulders.

What's even more remarkable is that they are all made from some common materials.

"Senior Brother Jinzhong, please relax and do not resist."

Cui Ming gestured for Tian Jinzhong to stand still, then manipulated the components to gently attach to Tian Jinzhong's legs and arms.

Click!

The sound of the mechanism snapping shut rang out, and all the components quickly adjusted their positions.

These creations fit Tian Jinzhong's body perfectly, making him feel no weight at all.

“Brother Jinzhong can move around and experience it for himself.”

Cui Ming pointed out.

Tian Jinzhong took a step forward with some skepticism, then a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He felt as if his legs were being supported by a force, making each step much easier, yet his feet landed with exceptional stability.

Tian Jinzhong tentatively swung his fists twice, the wind whistling through the air, but his arms felt incredibly sensitive, the entire prosthetic limb assisting him to exert more force.

He sensed it for a moment and found that, with the help of these two mechanical creations, he felt completely relaxed.

"this..."

Tian Jinzhong stopped what he was doing, feeling the changes in his body, his tone filled with disbelief.

"Junior Brother Cui, this item can reduce physical exertion by nearly half! It makes our actions twice as effective with half the effort!"

But he immediately frowned slightly and spoke frankly.

"However, for us extraordinary people, this thing, though peculiar, is somewhat of a gimmick."

"It mainly enhances endurance, but it does not increase Qi at all. In life-and-death battles between different people, its effect is probably limited. At most, it can only give you a slight advantage in close combat."

Upon hearing Tian Jinzhong's assessment, Zhang Zhiwei and Zhang Huaiyi nodded slightly, clearly agreeing with the view.

In the battles between extraordinary individuals, the core lies in the quantity and application of Qi, while physical strength is more of a foundation and auxiliary.

However, Cui Ming laughed, a genuine and frank smile.

“What Senior Brother Jinzhong said is absolutely right. But this thing was never designed for life-or-death battles between different people.”

Cui Ming looked around at the three of them, his gaze becoming deep and his voice becoming steady.

"I just want to make mechanical creations that can be used by ordinary people."

"Ordinary people?"

Zhang Zhiwei and the other two were stunned and subconsciously looked at the mysterious armor with flowing runes on Cui Ming's body.

Upon hearing Cui Ming say, "I only want to make it for ordinary people," a strange expression appeared on their faces.

Cui Ming, however, seemed oblivious to their expressions and continued speaking.

"In this world, we are beset by internal and external troubles, and war is raging everywhere."

"The three northeastern provinces have already fallen into the hands of the Japanese pirates in Dongyang, and their wolfish ambitions are obvious. War is only a matter of time."

Cui Ming's tone was heavy.

"The number of superhumans is small, and even if all of them were to intervene in the war, it would be a drop in the ocean for the overall war situation."

"In the end, it is the millions of ordinary soldiers who truly determine the fate of the nation and protect its land."

"However, my Eastern Kingdom is now weak, its military equipment is outdated, and it doesn't even have enough weapons."

"Our land can only rely on these millions of ordinary people, on their flesh and blood and their will, to fight against the enemy's powerful ships and cannons."

Cui Ming pointed to the mechanical contraption on Tian Jinzhong's body.

"Imagine what would happen if our frontline soldiers could be equipped on a large scale with these kinds of mechanical devices that aid in marching, carrying loads, and even enhance individual combat capabilities?"

"Our Eastern Kingdom has a vast territory and complex terrain, with many mountains and hills."

"The Japanese often rely on their superior equipment to dominate the plains. However, once they enter the mountains and forests, their heavy equipment becomes difficult to use."

"If our soldiers could rely on such mechanical devices, they could travel hundreds of miles a day and maintain their combat capability."

Carrying heavy ammunition and weapons, they can move through mountains and forests as easily as rabbits. They can also conduct forced marches, guerrilla warfare, and significantly enhance individual combat capabilities…

Cui Ming's voice carried an inspiring and infectious quality.