Under One Person: The End of Technique, Company Building

Zhuge Gong listened to the other party's nonchalant words, which showed great composure, and couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.

His mood eased a little when he remembered that the other party was a member of the clan.

This is why the clan unanimously agreed and fully supported Zhuge Qi's decision to serve in the government; the world is no longer one where extraordinary families have the final say.

The reason why the Extraordinary Families can still exist is simply because the company needs to maintain stability.

If they continue to maintain the facade of a prestigious family and retain that arrogance, they will eventually be broken up and scattered by the company, and eventually disappear completely.

Zhuge Gong finished the last sip of tea in his cup, placed the empty cup on the table, and tapped it lightly with his fingers, as if he was hesitating about something.

"You didn't just come back for a work report and to visit relatives, did you?"

Zhuge Qi put down his teacup and sat up straight.

"Yes," he said. "There's something I'd like to discuss with my uncle."

"explain."

"Uncle should already know about the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony."

Zhuge Gong nodded.

The old Celestial Master is going to hold the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony at Longhu Mountain to select the next Celestial Master. This matter has been circulating in the world of supernatural beings for a long time, and an invitation has already been sent to the Zhuge family.

The clan was planning to send their two sons, Zhuge Qing and Zhuge Bai, to broaden their horizons.

Zhuge Qi paused, as if organizing his thoughts, before continuing, "The Luotian Grand Ceremony is the home ground of Longhu Mountain, where all sorts of extraordinary people gather. My uncle should know better than me what the Old Celestial Master's purpose is. He chose this time to hold the Luotian Grand Ceremony, ostensibly to select a Celestial Master, but in reality to pave the way for the one he has chosen."

This gathering of extraordinary individuals will naturally attract the attention of other forces, and the company will also get involved. However, due to the company's sensitive position, it's not convenient to deploy too many personnel at will.

Zhuge Gong picked up the teapot and poured himself another cup. The tea was a little lighter in color than before, but he didn't mind and took a sip.

"What do you want me to do?"

"I want to transfer some people from the clan," Zhuge Qi said. "I need manpower during the Luotian Grand Ritual."

Zhuge Gong paused, his hand holding the teacup still. "How many people?"

"Fifteen to twenty people," Zhuge Qi said. "They need to be good fighters, meticulous, and able to stay on Longhu Mountain. Ideally, they should have practical combat experience. We don't need the juniors in the clan who have just graduated."

Zhuge Gong remained silent for a moment, then placed the teacup back on the table, the bottom of the cup making a soft sound as it tapped against the surface.

"Do you know what it means that twenty elite members of the Zhuge family appeared on Mount Longhu?"

"I know," Zhuge Qi replied quickly. "It means outsiders will think that the Zhuge family has something to do with the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony, it means that the Old Celestial Master might be suspicious, and it means that other aristocratic families will start to speculate about the Zhuge family's true intentions. I have thought about all of these."

"If you've thought about it, why are you still transferring personnel?"

"Yes." Zhuge Qi's tone was unwavering. "This is a necessary measure."

Sending too many people from the company will only worsen the situation and exacerbate the conflict.

In comparison, although sending a team from the Zhuge family would inevitably attract criticism, the impact would naturally be much smaller.

Zhuge Gong did not answer immediately.

He leaned back in his chair, his hands resting on the armrests, his gaze fixed on the nearly empty teapot on the table, as if weighing something.

The silence in the room lasted for about ten seconds.

Then Zhuge Gong spoke.

His voice was a little lower than before, but every word was clear: "You could have told the elders about this directly without going through me; you have the authority to do so now."

Zhuge Qi lowered his head slightly: "The clan gave me this authority because they trust me, but to transfer people directly without your approval is to overstep one's authority."

You are the clan chief, and this matter cannot be explained in just a few words. It's better to clarify it with you face to face.

Zhuge Gong looked at him, his gaze no longer holding the scrutiny and admonishment of before, but instead something more complex and gentle, like the look of an elder watching their child, whom they had personally sent out, make a name for themselves in the outside world—a look of both satisfaction and emotion.

"Alright," Zhuge Gong said. "I'll arrange the personnel for you; you just need to keep that in mind."

Long ago, the true helmsman of the Zhuge family was Zhuge Qi, not himself, the clan leader.

Since the other party has made a request, we naturally need to fully cooperate.

Upon seeing that the other party had agreed, Zhuge Qi stood up and bowed slightly to Zhuge Gong. The bow was small, but very solemn: "Thank you, Uncle."

"Alright." Zhuge Gong waved his hand. "Go back and rest. You must be tired after a long day of travel. Tomorrow morning, I'll have A-Guan take you to the ancestral hall to offer incense. Your grandfather missed you the most when he was alive, so you should go and see him now that you're back."

"it is good."

Zhuge Qi did not linger any longer, opened the door and went out.

The wooden door closed behind him with a soft "click".

The corridor was quiet, and the night sky above the courtyard had turned a deep blue, with a few stars faintly visible on the horizon.

Zhuge Qi stood in the corridor and let out a long breath.

The wind outside rustled through the banana leaves in the courtyard, like someone turning the pages of a thick book.

He walked along the eaves towards his room.

He ran into Zhuge Meng on the street. The little girl was squatting on the doorstep, eating a bag of sunflower seeds. When she saw him, she raised her chin and asked, "How was it? Did your uncle scold you?"

"No." Zhuge Qi smiled and patted her head. "I'm so obedient, my uncle can't bear to scold me."

"Tch." Zhuge Meng rolled her eyes, threw the sunflower seed shells at his feet, and skipped away.

Zhuge Qi watched the red figure disappear around the corner, the smile on his lips slowly widening before fading.

He continued walking, and paused as he passed a long corridor.

A string of wind chimes hangs under the eaves; they are the old-fashioned brass chimes that tinkle and ring in the wind, their sound clear and melodious.

He stood there listening for a while, then started walking again.

The night breeze brushed against his shirt, bringing with it the fragrance of flowers and plants throughout the courtyard. The entire Zhuge Village stood silently behind him, like a large ship moored deep in the past, its bow slightly raised, facing the unseen distance.

That evening, the clan gathered together for a meal.

It was past nine o'clock at night when he returned to his room.

The room wasn't big; it was the one he lived in when he was a child. The bed had a newly changed quilt, and on the bedside table was a glass of warm water, a small lamp, and a plate of cut fruit.

It must have been prepared in advance by family members.

Zhuge Qi sat down on the edge of the bed, took off his coat and hung it on the hanger, then lay back on the bed.

The ceiling is an old-fashioned wooden beam structure, with tung oil still left on the beams from decades ago, giving it a dull sheen under the light.

Then he closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into that interface that only he could see.

Ding--

A soft sound.

The transparent screen in my mind unfolded silently and floated directly in front of my field of vision.

Zhuge Qi remained lying on his back, his hands behind his head, his gaze fixed on the semi-transparent interface, a hint of barely perceptible anticipation on his lips.

[Reputation value changes are being settled...]

[Source: In-depth conversation with Zhuge Gong (family leader level)]

[Impact Rating: A-level - Has a significant ideological impact on key decision-making levels and gains substantial resource support]

Reputation value change: +1842

[Source: A series of social interactions on the way home (core clan members such as Zhuge Guan, Zhuge Meng, Zhuge Sheng, and Zhuge Bai)]

[Impact Rating: B-level - Strengthens family cohesion and personal reputation]

Reputation value change: +576

[Current total reputation points: 50122/50000]

Current level: LV3 → LV4

[Upgrade conditions have been met; new terms can be drawn.]