Under One Person: The Puppet Immortal in the Tang Sect

This stands in stark contrast to the brilliant victories achieved by the exoskeleton armor on the battlefield between Inhumans.

Those mechanical prosthetics, which were created to help wounded soldiers and even improve their survival abilities, were firmly blocked from entering the homes of those incompetent Nationalist Army officers.

"They...they not only questioned the effectiveness of the prosthetics, but also made it clear that bribes were needed."

The Mo Sect disciple's voice was low and humiliating.

"The amount they demanded was enormous, supposedly for 'bribing' higher-ups and lower-ups to ensure smooth operations. In reality, it was extortion and blackmail!"

The expressions of the people in the room varied. Tie Rujin of Tiangong Hall frowned, Zhuge Yunhui and Tian Xiaodie of Wuhou Sect looked reluctant, and Tian Jinzhong of Tianshi Mansion shook his head.

Cui Ming sat in the Tang Clan's seat, looking at the indignant Mo Clan disciples below, and spoke in a gentle voice.

"It's alright, just tell the truth. Everyone here is reasonable and won't hold a grudge against the person who delivered the message."

However, Cui Ming already understood that Ren Pingsheng knew the extent of his Mo Sect's resources and felt guilty about the alliance's investment, which was why he chose to stay on the front lines.

The disciple took a deep breath before continuing.

"The sect leader made it clear at the time that our Mo Sect adheres to the principles of universal love and non-aggression. Our purpose in this trip is only to rescue the soldiers and strengthen national defense. We have no surplus funds to bribe officials."

"Moreover, our Mohist sect has always been poor in taking in refugees and treating the people, and we really cannot afford such money."

"But those officers... they scoffed at us for being out of touch with reality, and even threatened that if we didn't show sincerity, they wouldn't let their soldiers use these unorthodox methods."

The council chamber was completely silent.

The Mo Sect's integrity and perseverance are well-known throughout the martial arts world.

That is precisely why such acts of soliciting bribes are all the more appalling.

Cui Ming sighed silently.

He was not entirely unprepared for this situation.

Previously, the former sect leader, Tang Bingwen, had a special in-depth conversation with him.

The old sect leader mentioned a rule that has been passed down since the time of the Investiture of the Gods.

Those who are extraordinary must not actively intervene in dynastic changes and large-scale wars among ordinary people.

Unless the opposing side's superhumans break the rules first and directly intervene in the battles of ordinary people, our side can take action.

Currently, the actions of the Japanese aliens are mainly aimed at the aliens of the Eastern Kingdom, and they have not targeted the armies of ordinary people.

Therefore, this applies to both the Tang Sect and the entire Divine Machine Alliance.

Providing extraordinary technical support directly to ordinary troops, especially large-scale deployment of mechanical prosthetics that could change the lives of ordinary people, would be considered crossing that line.

This completely blocked the path that Cui Ming had originally envisioned: strengthening the Eastern Kingdom's army through technology.

After all, rules are rules, especially rules involving powerful figures, which Cui Ming dared not easily transgress.

"This matter is neither a fault of the war effort nor a fault of the Mohist school."

Cui Ming broke the silence, his voice clearly reaching the ears of everyone present.

"Some people hold positions without doing their jobs, and even when the country is in crisis, they still do not forget to line their own pockets. This is truly self-destructive."

"Since this path is blocked, we will find another way."

Cui Ming briefly explained to everyone the rules for extraordinary people that had been passed down since the time of the Investiture of the Gods, as mentioned by the old sect leader.

Although everyone was unwilling, they could only accept it in silence.

"Fortunately, the rules only restrict our involvement in the war with ordinary people, but do not restrict us from improving our own strength and cracking down on the Japanese invaders and other people who cross the border."

Cui Ming changed the subject, and his eyes gradually sharpened.

"The exoskeleton armor is highly effective in fighting against the Japanese aliens, which is enough to prove that we can further enhance the combat power of our Eastern aliens."

Cui Ming looked at the Mo Sect disciple and comforted him gently.

"Please convey to Sect Leader Ren that the Alliance will not have any complaints against the Mo Sect because of this matter."

"The Alliance will continue to provide all necessary supplies, including exoskeletons, for the front lines."

"As for mechanical prosthetics... since they don't want them, let's prioritize ensuring them for the ordinary disciples within our respective sects. That would be a great benefit for our alliance."

"These things will come in handy someday."

These words invigorated the Mo Sect disciple, who immediately bowed and agreed.

Cui Ming continued to make arrangements for future work.

"From now on, our alliance can slow down. But I need to clarify the focus of our research for everyone again."

"One is to continue optimizing the performance of the exoskeleton armor and reducing its cost."

"Second, we will develop more special agencies and weapons for combat against superhumans."

"In this regard, the members of the Tiangong Hall and the Wuhou School have already set an example, making numerous breakthroughs in energy conduction and rune innovation."

...

After some arrangements were made, everyone accepted the orders.

After the meeting ended, Cui Ming remained alone in the council chamber.

He rubbed his temples. Rather than arranging matters big and small for everyone, he preferred to face a few powerful enemies.

But there was some good news: in the battles between supernatural beings, the Eastern Kingdom still held a firm advantage.

Furthermore, as exoskeleton armor continues to be optimized, this advantage will be further amplified.

However... once these Nationalist troops are defeated on the front lines, the territory will be lost.

The disciples of the Mo Sect and the Celestial Master's Mansion are not going to have an easy time.

Fortunately, there is still a year left, and it is still possible to keep them firmly outside by using the Northeast as a boundary.

"Since we can't directly intervene in the war among ordinary people for the time being, let's first ensure an overwhelming victory at the level of superhumans."

Cui Ming muttered to himself.

He knew that for a long time to come, he would probably have to stay in Sichuan Province and focus on the management of the Divine Machine Alliance and the research and development of mechanical puppets.

Cui Ming, who was forced to stay in Sichuan Province, did not waste his time.

Because he clearly knew that in the coming period, if he could not directly intervene in the war between ordinary people...

The most important thing is to transform all the resources you already have into strength.

To make up for his regrets and helplessness, Cui Ming devoted all his energy to the development of key areas.

First, there are further adjustments to Qianmian.

The transformation ability that was so hard to obtain is a real treasure.

Cui Ming spent a lot of time meticulously adjusting and optimizing the human bionic structure, attempting to gradually stabilize the deformability of Qianmian's body.

He referenced all the data stored in his memory of Aoyama Yohei's disguise abilities during his lifetime, and then gradually improved the changes during the transformation process by combining them with the art of mechanical puppetry.

Although progress has been slow, the ability of the Thousand Faces to transform and disguise itself has been further improved so far.

Modern face-changing technology can now completely transform facial features and alter body contours.

Although it's only a short half-hour, if you prepare a realistic human skin disguise for Qianmian in advance, it can still have a remarkable effect.

This is only a partial adjustment, and Cui Ming estimates that it will take about 39 years to perfectly replicate this ability onto Qianmian.

Secondly, the blood samples taken from the quack doctor were studied.

The blood, containing both unique healing effects and manic emotions, greatly intrigued Cui Ming.

He used his privately built laboratory to try to analyze its components and the principles behind its triggering effects.

However, preliminary studies have found that this blood contains an unknown factor with extremely high activity.

It can stimulate rapid cell regeneration and, during the regeneration process, reshape some cells into a fixed form.

Although the amount each time is small, there is indeed a change; in other words...

This is actually a form of possession.

When you think you have gained a high level of self-regeneration ability, you feel invincible.

Little did you know, each of your rebirths was a change, an erosion, and a preparation for the final possession by some unknown entity.

Cui Ming had seen what the quack doctor originally looked like, but after his constant cycle of destruction and rebirth...

What appeared before Cui Ming was the appearance of another person.

Unfortunately, the research value of quack doctors is far too high.

Therefore, Cui Ming could only completely cover her with a large amount of Dan Shi power and strictly control the regeneration of Qi within her body.

That's right... the quack doctor has gone from convex to concave.

Furthermore, her regenerative abilities were also terrifyingly enhanced. Fortunately, Cui Ming received inspiration from Miao Jiang and continuously used the power of Dan Shi to expel the Qi generated in her body.

Otherwise, who knows when this unknown entity might wake up on the spot.

As for now... she has been perfectly sealed away by Cui Ming.

I'll start researching it when I have some free time or when there's new progress.

Chapter 114 Organizing the Gains

Finally, there was the complete transformation of the captured Chubei, who had been cut into one piece.

Modifying Chubei was a bit troublesome, since he had two souls inside him.

One was named Chubei, and the other was named Shobei.

In the laboratory, Chubei, who had been transformed from one into one, was firmly fixed to a specially made metal platform.

Standing in front of the control panel, Cui Ming used his powerful spiritual energy to forcefully break through Zhongbingwei's mental defenses and enter his sea of ​​consciousness.

This was a vast, pale space, devoid of any scenery, only endless silence.

In the center of this wasteland of consciousness, two figures lying on the ground stood out conspicuously.

One was Chubei, whose expression was gentle but whose eyes held weariness and helplessness.

The other one lying on top of Chubei, with a ferocious face and fierce eyes, is Shobei.