Under One Person: The Puppet Immortal in the Tang Sect

In the afternoon, Chengzhen and his group of five set off down the mountain.

Cui Ming stood at the mountain gate, watching them leave.

Before the fog dissipated, the five figures quickly disappeared into the white mist.

"gentlemen."

The nameless voice transmitted through consciousness.

"Our people are on their way and will meet them at the designated location."

"Ah."

Cui Ming responded telepathically and turned back to the inn.

For the next three days, Cui Ming stayed at Sanyi Gate, ostensibly to discuss defense details with Zuo Ruotong, but in reality, he secretly observed the situation inside Sanyi Gate.

During this time, Changqing acted as a guide, leading Cui Ming and the others to various parts of Sanyi Gate.

Training grounds, library, alchemy room, disciples' residences...

Wherever they went, Cui Ming would ask seemingly casual questions, and Chang Qing would answer them without suspicion.

Through this information, Cui Ming gained a clearer understanding of the strength of the San Yi Sect.

The sect has a total of 137 disciples, of whom 81 have mastered the first level of the Reverse Life Triad, and only 9 have mastered the second level, including direct disciples such as Zuo Ruotong, Sichong, and Chengzhen.

As for the legendary third level, which is said to grant immortality upon completion.

No one in the entire Sanyi Sect has mastered it. Even Zuo Ruotong is stuck at the second level of perfection and has not made any progress for decades.

The books on the Threefold Reversal of Life in the library are stored on three levels.

The first level is the basic mental cultivation method that all disciples can read. The second level requires passing an examination to borrow. The third level is only accessible to Zuo Ruotong and a few close disciples.

Cui Ming's target was naturally the secret manual on the third floor.

However, entering the third level is as difficult as ascending to heaven.

The Sanyi Sect is heavily guarded here, with not only dedicated personnel on guard, but also Zuo Ruotong's junior brother, Si Chong, who has been in seclusion inside since failing to break through to the second level.

There's no way to force our way in; we have to outsmart them.

The opportunity to outsmart them lies in the cooperation that follows.

……

On the evening of the third day, a reply came from Fuzhou.

The letter was sent by the Fuzhou garrison command and was brief.

They expressed their willingness to cooperate with the Sanyi Sect, and the first batch of equipment sent from the Shenji Alliance would arrive in five days. They requested that the Sanyi Sect send someone to Fuzhou City to receive them.

After reading the letter, Zuo Ruotong immediately arranged for Changqing to lead a team of twenty disciples to go down the mountain to Fuzhou the next day.

Cui Mingze suggested that they go together.

"I still need to personally coordinate with the garrison in Fuzhou."

Cui Ming explained.

"The setup of the Xuanji Armor and the installation of communication equipment both require professional guidance. My trip there will save a lot of trouble."

Zuo Ruotong pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement.

"Very well. Then I'll trouble you, Hall Master Cui."

"It's just my job. Oh! By the way!"

Cui Ming looked embarrassed.

"In addition, I would like to have Li Muxuan accompany us. He is familiar with the Fuzhou area and may be able to help."

Zuo Ruotong looked at Li Muxuan, remained silent for a few breaths, and finally relented.

"can."

……

On the morning of the fourth day, both groups descended the mountain simultaneously.

Changqing led twenty disciples straight to Fuzhou City.

Cui Ming, Li Muxuan, and Wuming took a different route, seemingly heading to Fuzhou as well, but in reality, they changed course midway to meet up with the Shenji Alliance members at a pre-arranged location.

The mountain path was rugged, but the three of them walked at a brisk pace and arrived at a secluded valley in the afternoon.

There were already more than ten people waiting in the valley. The leader was a lean man who immediately stepped forward and bowed when he saw Cui Ming arrive.

"Master."

Cui Ming waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for formalities.

"No need for formalities, how is the situation?"

"Chengzhen and his group arrived in Fuzhou yesterday, and our people have made contact with them."

The man gave a detailed report.

"As planned, tonight we will lead them to 'discover' the first clues—several boxes of 'Japanese abandoned' medical supplies with unit numbers on them."

"Have you chosen a location?"

"We've chosen a beach near Lianjiang. It's secluded, but not too hard to find."

Cui Ming nodded.

"Make it as clean as possible, don't leave any flaws."

"Don't worry, Master."

After the man left, Cui Ming inquired about the other arrangements.

The Shenji Alliance's personnel in Fuzhou have been dispersed to various locations, and they have begun to "create" more traces of Japanese military activities.

A large number of items and traces that originally belonged to the Japanese will continue to be discovered in places where they could easily find them with a little effort...

In the next few days, someone will secretly guide these disciples of the Sanyi Sect to "accidentally" discover these traces.

Everything is proceeding according to plan.

……

While Cui Ming was making arrangements in the valley, a piece of intelligence was sent to the Japanese North China Command in Beiping, thousands of miles away.

The intelligence report contained a detailed account of Cui Ming's recent whereabouts.

Departing from the Divine Machine Alliance, they headed to Sanyi Gate to meet with Zuo Ruotong and discuss the defense of Fuzhou...

This intelligence was quickly marked as "urgent" and continuously sent to higher levels.

On the same day, in a secret hideout in Shanghai, several figures were having a private conversation under dim lighting.

"Cui Ming has gotten involved with the Sanyi Sect."

A hoarse voice said.

"That stubborn old man Zuo Ruotong has always stayed out of worldly affairs, but this time he's actually willing to cooperate with the Divine Machine Alliance."

Another person said.

"I heard it's because the Japanese army is going to attack Fuzhou."

"Hmph, Fuzhou? We can't even get to southern Hunan right now, where would we find the strength to open a new front? This intelligence is probably wrong."

"But it's a fact that Cui Ming went to the Sanyi Gate."

"The Divine Machine Alliance is currently gaining momentum in the world of supernatural beings in the Eastern Kingdom. The Xuanji Armor has caused our people a lot of losses."

"If they join forces with the Trinity Sect again, we'll be in big trouble."

The group fell silent.

A moment later, the hoarse voice rang out again.

"Inform the sect leader. This matter is for him to decide."

……

Two days later, Cui Ming received a secret report.

The secret report came from the Shenji Alliance's intelligence network within the Japanese army, and its contents were concise.

The Japanese army has taken note of Cui Ming's movements at Sanyi Gate and is considering adjusting its deployment, possibly sending additional troops to Fuzhou.

After reading it, Cui Ming lit the secret report on the lamp.

The firelight illuminated his face, which appeared calm.

"Master Cui."

Li Muxuan still had some questions.

"If the Japanese really send troops over, our plan..."

"Isn't that perfect?"

Cui Ming watched the ashes of the paper fall.

"When the Japanese came, our fabricated intelligence became true."

"The Sanyimen Society became even more convinced that the Japanese army was going to attack Fuzhou, and thus committed more resources to it."

"And we now have even more reasons to stay in Fuzhou."

"But if a fight really breaks out..."

Li Muxuan was still somewhat uneasy.

"They won't fight."

Cui Ming shook his head.

"The Japanese have stretched their battle lines too thin, and their logistics can't keep up. They're already in dire straits in southern Hunan, so it's impossible for them to open a new battlefield in Fuzhou."

"At most, we'll send some troops to surround them. The main thing is to rely on the Japanese soldiers, Yi Ren, and Quanxing to distract us."

"And that's exactly what we want."