Under One Person: The End of Technique, Company Building

Zhuge Qi took a white porcelain gaiwan from the tea cabinet, poured some tea leaves into it, and said unhurriedly, "Didn't your uncle tell you?"

"I've said some things and made some guesses, but I think it's easier to be open and honest than to keep guessing."

Hot water was poured into the gaiwan, and the aroma of tea gradually filled the office.

Zhuge Qi carried over the brewed tea, sat down on the single sofa opposite Zhuge Qing, pushed one cup in front of his cousin, then picked up the other cup for himself, smelled it first, and then took a small sip.

The entire movement was fluid and graceful, exuding a composure honed through countless hours of practice.

Zhuge Qing looked at this scene and suddenly felt a little dazed.

In his memory, this cousin was only two years older than him, and the scene of them running wild together in Wuhou Village when they were children was still vivid in his mind.

Back then, Zhuge Qi would take him to raid bird nests and fish in the river. If they were caught by the elders of the clan, they would be scolded together. After being scolded, the two would look at each other and laugh.

Later, for some reason, he decided to join the government.

As a renowned family of extraordinary individuals, the Zhuge family held a position in the world of extraordinary individuals comparable to the Wang, Lü, Gao, and Lu families, making their every word and action extremely important.

One of the reasons the company was established was to restrain the families of extraordinary individuals.

Back then, the Gao family, one of the four, naturally sided with the company due to their special circumstances, and members of the Gao family even became the heads of Nadutong in the Northeast region.

Later, the company promoted the establishment of the "Ten Elders" Association, which provided a window for dialogue with the extraordinary people in the martial arts world, and the relationship between the two sides was eased slightly.

However, the idea of ​​scions of prominent families joining the company remains a taboo subject in the eyes of others.

Back then, despite the opposition of the entire family, this cousin somehow managed to persuade the clan elders, and even gained immense influence, able to mobilize all the family's resources and connections at any time.

He eventually joined the company and rose through the ranks based on his abilities, reaching this position in just a few years.

Zhuge Qing didn't know much about the specifics, but judging from his parents' attitude, he could tell...

Brother Qi is not lacking in methods, and he is definitely not a person without shrewdness.

"Have some tea first." Zhuge Qi's voice pulled him back to reality.

Zhuge Qing picked up his teacup and took a sip. The tea was good; it was this year's new tea, with a sweet and refreshing taste and a lingering aftertaste.

Zhuge Qi held his teacup, looking at him calmly, and slowly said, "A month ago, the invitation from Longhu Mountain should have been sent to the clan. This Luotian Grand Ceremony is no ordinary event; it is to confirm the candidate for the Celestial Master."

The old Celestial Master is now a peerless expert, and the Zhuge family is a renowned family of extraordinary individuals. They must give you face; the clan has recommended you. What are you hesitating for?

"It's not like you have to win a place. Even if you really wanted to get first place, the clan would be the first to object."

"That's one of my questions," Zhuge Qing asked, squinting as he sipped his tea. "I don't like to engage in deception. Since the position of Celestial Master requires a competition to convince the public, I either won't go, or I will definitely go all out."

"I have heard that the Celestial Master has a young disciple named Lingyu Zhenren. It is said that he has outstanding cultivation and excellent aptitude, making him the perfect candidate for the position of Celestial Master."

"Given his talent, why does the Old Master need to go to such lengths to pave the way for him? Could it be that he's actually just a name-seeker who doesn't live up to his reputation?"

"Hehe, I know what you're thinking, but the Celestial Master's chosen candidate isn't that Lingyu Zhenren." Zhuge Qi smiled and poured the other person a cup of tea.

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Qing couldn't help but show a puzzled look.

However, Zhuge Qi only said so much about this question and did not give a complete answer. "His identity still needs to be kept secret for the time being, but you should be able to find out before you set off for Longhu Mountain."

"Alright, then I won't ask anymore." Zhuge Qing was indeed extremely curious, in his mind the position of Celestial Master should rightfully belong to Lingyu Zhenren.

Why are other people showing up?

Is there any other high-ranking master on Longhu Mountain who can threaten the position of Master Lingyu?

"However, I didn't ask you to cheat." Zhuge Qi changed the subject, his tone becoming slightly more lively. "Even if you give it your all, you won't get first place. If you don't believe me, just go ahead and try."

"Brother Qi, are you trying to provoke me?" Zhuge Qing dropped his previous nonchalant attitude, put the teacup back on the coffee table, and his expression became more serious.

"No need for that." Zhuge Qi took a sip of tea and chuckled. "I heard from my uncle that the clan did a divination for you, saying that your trip will be fraught with misfortune and you may face imprisonment. That's why he called me to ask for my opinion."

"..." Zhuge Qing fell silent.

This is indeed true, and it's the second thing he can't understand.

Why would I end up in jail for going to a place like Longhu Mountain? I'm not the kind of arrogant person who likes to break the law; I know my limits.

However, the divination results were accurate; it was the same every time I performed the divination.

Therefore, his father asked him to come and sit down with Brother Qi to discuss this matter. If imprisonment was unavoidable, only Brother Qi could help.

"So this is one of your concerns about not wanting to go to Longhu Mountain?"

"Sigh, I guess so." Zhuge Qing sighed helplessly and shifted to a more comfortable sitting position.

Zhuge Qi chuckled softly, and after a two-second silence, he slowly spoke, "It is said that we sorcerers should follow the trend, and that is not wrong. Following the trend and seeking good fortune while avoiding misfortune is human nature."

Zhuge Qing paused for a moment while drinking tea, then resumed his normal actions.

Then the other party continued:

"But do you know why my ancestor, Zhuge Liang, is considered the greatest extraordinary person?"

"As a highly skilled sorcerer, how could he not know about the decline of the Han Dynasty, and how could he not know the principle that the world, after a long period of unity, will inevitably divide, and after a long period of division, will inevitably unite?"

"It's nothing more than a single thought to save the common people."

"Leaving Longzhong to revive Shu Han, even if it goes against the general trend, we must throw ourselves into that chaotic world."

Zhuge Qi let out a long sigh and said, "Xiao Qing, it's good to seek good fortune and avoid misfortune, but if you only seek good fortune and avoid misfortune, you will become fragile."

Zhuge Qing was already sitting upright, and there was no trace of his usual laxity.

"Been taught a lesson."

"Hey, don't be so serious. There's no need to force yourself to go to Longhu Mountain. I won't try to persuade you to go."

Zhuge Qi interlaced his fingers on the table, raised his chin slightly, and looked at Zhuge Qing. "Tell me, what's your opinion?"

"I will go," Zhuge Qing shrugged. "I'm not that cowardly yet."

Zhuge Qi nodded, not surprised by his answer. "Don't worry about other things. If it really comes to that, I won't stand idly by."

"Thank you... Brother Qi, may I ask you another question?"

"speak."

"You went against the grain and convinced the clan elders to join the company despite opposition and public opinion. Was that also to go against the tide?" Zhuge Qing finally voiced his question.

"It's not going against the trend, but going with the trend. The chariot of the times is rolling in, and it's only a matter of time before extraordinary people are buried in the dust."

Zhuge Qi smiled and corrected the other person's words, then continued solemnly, "This is no longer the era of the extraordinary. It's just that the older generation can't let go of it. What the older generation can't do, we, the younger generation, can do, at least to create another way out for the family."

"After years of practicing Wuhou Qimen, I have finally realized something: the key to Wuhou Qimen is not in the 'Qimen' at all..."

"But it lies in 'Zhuge Liang'."