Under One Person: Feng Shui Master, I Will Protect the Mountains and Rivers with My Own Body

The top-floor conference room of the Nadutong headquarters building in Yanjing.

The heavy soundproof door completely shut out the noise from the outside world, and the air was filled with a suffocatingly low pressure.

On the huge projection screen, two videos are playing in a loop.

On the left is what Chen Duo looked like when she was first brought back to the bunker: like an exquisite but broken doll, with empty eyes, unresponsive to any external stimuli, and even needing instructions to eat.

On the right is yesterday's surveillance footage: a little girl in a beige training uniform, though her movements are still a bit clumsy, is practicing Bajiquan with perfect form. After finishing her routine, she turns to look off-camera, a faint but genuine smile playing on her lips.

"Liao Zhong, based on just these two videos and a few reports, you're saying that the Gu-body Saint Child of the Medicine Immortal Society was cured after all your fuss? That's a bit hasty."

The speaker was Huang Boren. This director, who was in charge of technology research and development, pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.

He and Zhao Fangxu have been partners for many years, one playing the good cop and the other the bad cop. At this moment, he was obviously trying to get the ball rolling on the table for Chairman Zhao, who had been smiling and silent all along.

At the end of the conference table, Liao Zhong sat with an air of nonchalance, one button of his shirt undone, making him appear somewhat unkempt. But his aura was anything but weak; in fact, it carried a hint of smugness.

"Yes, Chairman Huang, we have to thank our board of directors for their foresight and wisdom in insisting on seeking outside help from Longhu Mountain." Liao Zhong chuckled. "This young Yan is truly a capable person. Not only are his methods superb, but he also saw through the boy's problem at a glance. Most importantly, he is loyal to the company. If it weren't for the old master standing behind him, I would have directly sent him an offer letter and recruited him into my South China region."

The directors present exchanged glances, their expressions varied. Liao Zhong's words not only flattered Yan Sen but also whitewashed the company's controversial decision to "hire outside help," while also demonstrating his loyalty.

"Liao Zhong, we've all read the report you submitted."

A cold female voice shattered the brief harmony. It was Chairman Su, a well-known hawk in the company, in charge of external liaison and coordination with the supernatural sects. She was usually very particular about rules and procedures.

She flipped through the documents in her hand, her eyes sharp as knives: "After discussing it, we, the board members, have a few core questions that require your answers in person."

Liao Zhong's fake smile faded slightly, and he sat up straight: "Chairman Su, please ask."

"First, in principle, the board of directors certainly hopes that the Gu Child can return to a normal life. Ultimately, being kidnapped by the Medicine Immortal Society and forced to cultivate Gu body techniques to become a Gu Child was indeed an undeserved misfortune; she is a victim." Chairman Su's tone suddenly turned stern. "However, how can you guarantee that she can smoothly integrate into a normal life? The primal Gu within her hasn't been eliminated, only temporarily suppressed. If something goes wrong and the primal Gu erupts in the downtown area, it won't just be a matter of one or two deaths. Who will bear that responsibility?"

Before Liao Zhong could speak, Chairman Su immediately threw out a second, even more pointed question.

"Secondly, how can you guarantee that the outsider brought in by Longhu Mountain didn't tamper with the Gu Child? You're so confident in vouching for an outsider who isn't a company employee and has a complicated background, even hinting multiple times in your report that you should give him higher authority to participate in the Gu Child incident. Liao Zhong, your stance is now also a problem we need to consider."

The conference room fell into a deathly silence.

Chairman Su's words directly pushed Liao Zhong to the brink of being accused of "colluding with outsiders and disregarding safety."

Liao Zhong's expression gradually froze, then vanished completely. He slowly lowered his head, looking at his calloused hands, bearing the marks of years of frontline combat.

A few seconds later, he looked up.

Those bloodshot eyes no longer held the forced, playful smile they had just displayed; instead, they held the anger of being doubted.

"Chairman Su," Liao Zhong's voice was soft, yet harsh and grating, like sandpaper scraping across a table. "What use is my guarantee on this matter? Words are meaningless. The company can easily bring in people, experts, and lie detectors from other regions, or even drag Chen Duo onto a bench! The board of directors can judge for themselves what is true and what is false!"

He slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup in front of him vibrate loudly.

"She's no longer that tool called the 'Gu Child'! She's now an individual with a name, emotions, and the capacity to laugh and feel pain! Her name is Chen Duo! She's a person!"

Liao Zhong stood up, his tall figure casting a shadow on the conference table, exuding a powerful sense of oppression.

"I can adopt her! It won't cost the company a single penny! Although I, Liao Zhong, am not as wealthy as any of you directors, my salary and allowances accumulated over the years are enough to support her for life! I, Liao Zhong, will share all the consequences of her actions! If you want to kill or torture her, come at me first!"

He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing violently, his eyes fixed on Chairman Su, his gaze seeming to want to devour him.

"As for what Chairman Su said about my stance? Ha, don't make me laugh."

Liao Zhong pointed to his nose, his voice suddenly rising and booming in the conference room.

"I, Liao Zhong, started working at the age of twenty-three. From the day I joined Na Du Tong, I've always been on the front lines! Whether it's suppressing the Quanxing, quelling unrest, or managing the jurisdiction, every single time I've risked my life. The scars on my body are more than the documents you've signed in the office!"

"I didn't get to my current position as the head of the South China region by talking or writing reports; I earned it through real hard work and risking my life! You motherfucker... you're just a nobody who's responsible for liaising with the various sects of supernatural beings, someone who just sits in an air-conditioned room drinking tea. You dare question my stance? I'll fuck you up..."

Seeing that Liao Zhong was about to unleash a string of profanities and even showed signs of physical violence, Zhao Fangxu, who was sitting in the main seat, finally made his move.

"Alright, alright! Old Liao!"

Zhao Fangxu pushed up his reflective glasses and tapped his chubby hand on the table. The sound wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.

"No one questions your stance! Xiao Su is simply following procedure; it's the board's responsibility. Show some respect to the company's directors."

Although Zhao Fangxu was criticizing Liao Zhong, his words carried a hint of protectiveness. He then turned to look at Chairman Su, whose face was ashen.

"Xiao Su, you should watch your words. Lao Liao is a veteran in our company, and he's in charge of the bunker. His achievements over the years speak for themselves. If he really has a biased stance, it's questionable whether we can sit here peacefully in this meeting right now."

This is Zhao Fangxu's tactic. He assigns equal blame to both sides, but in reality, he's supporting Liao Zhong.

"Understood, Chairman Zhao." Chairman Su took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and shut his mouth.

"Understood, Chairman Zhao." Liao Zhong also took the opportunity to back down, glancing at Chairman Su before sitting back down in his chair, though his chest was still heaving violently.

Seeing that the situation was under control, Zhao Fangxu once again put on his signature amiable smile. He tidied the reports on the table and glanced at each of the directors present.

"Old Liao, we actually had a meeting before you came to discuss Chen Duo's placement."

Zhao Fangxu said slowly and deliberately, "The company agrees with your report in principle. That child named Chen Duo is indeed a victim, and the company has an obligation to provide her with humanitarian assistance."

Liao Zhong's eyes suddenly lit up.

"However!" Zhao Fangxu changed the subject, "The company also needs to consider the safety of ordinary people, after all, the threat of the Primal Gu is an objective fact. So, the board of directors will give you a compromise solution."

Zhao Fangxu held up one finger.

"First, you, Liao Zhong, are permitted to adopt the Gu-body Saint Child Chen Duo in your personal capacity. Her registered residence will be in your South China region; you can decide which city specifically."

Liao Zhong was so excited that his hands were trembling. This was exactly the idea that Yan Sen had given him!

"Secondly, before Chen Duo fully masters control of the primal Gu within her body, she must live and learn within the Dark Fortress. We will arrange for a dedicated teacher to go in. This will continue until she reaches the age to start primary school."

"During this period, if Chen Duo injures someone or is unable to suppress the primordial Gu within her body, our agreement will be null and void, and the company will continue to initiate enforcement measures."

Zhao Fangxu's expression turned serious.

"Third, if Chen Duo successfully completes the observation period and reaches school age, you are allowed to send her to a primary school specifically for people with supernatural abilities within the industry. During this period, the company will also send people to monitor her until she graduates from primary school."

"If no problems arise over the next few years, the company will lift its surveillance on Chen Duo and allow her to return to a normal life."

At this point, Zhao Fangxu paused, looking intently at Liao Zhong.

"Finally, and most importantly, after graduating from university, Chen Duo must join the company and take over the position of the 'temporary worker' under you who is about to retire."

Temporary worker.

Upon hearing these three words, the expressions of the directors present became somewhat subtle.

They were the company's sharpest knife, and also its most shadowy shadow. They did the dirtiest and hardest work, yet they had no official positions. If anything went wrong, they were the perfect scapegoats.

This is both a path to survival for Chen Duo and a shackle placed upon her.

"Liao Zhong, do you have any objections to the company's decision?" Zhao Fangxu asked.

Liao Zhong would never object!

Yan Sen is simply amazing! This plan is almost exactly the same as Yan Sen's previous predictions, and he even foresaw the "temporary worker" outcome.

Although being a "temporary worker" sounds cruel, this is the best outcome that can be achieved for Chen Duo at the moment—she is alive, has a home, and has a social status.

"No! Absolutely not!" Liao Zhong shook his head vigorously. "I'll follow Chairman Zhao's arrangements! I'll follow the company's arrangements!"

"Alright." Zhao Fangxu nodded in satisfaction. "Chairman Huang? Chairman Su? All directors, please vote by raising your hands."

Without any hesitation, Huang Boren was the first to raise his hand.

Chairman Su's eyes flickered with complex emotions, but he finally sighed and raised his hand as well.

Following that, the other directors also raised their hands one after another.

It passed unanimously!

At that moment, Liao Zhong felt his heart, which had been hanging in suspense for half a month, finally settle back into his stomach. He wanted to laugh, and he wanted to cry, but in the end, he could only sit there with a wide grin, looking silly.

"Okay, let's adjourn then." Zhao Fangxu closed his folder, glanced at the clock on the wall, and said, "You, as the regional head, are quite willful. The highest-ranking leader of the region is constantly running to headquarters every few days, so you can't blame Chairman Su for what he says about you."

"Yes, yes, the directors are right!" Liao Zhong stood up and bowed repeatedly to everyone. His humble attitude was a stark contrast to his earlier table-pounding and cursing. "I'm not resting anymore! I'm leaving now! I'll go back tonight!"

At this point, let alone verbally reprimanding him, even if Zhao Fangxu hit him with a hammer, he would gladly accept it!

He'll have a daughter soon! Chen Duo is married now!

After greeting the board members, Liao Zhong felt that even the elevator was too slow, so he rushed to the stairwell and ran down the stairs as fast as he could.

As Liao Zhong rushed out of the NaDuTong headquarters building, the cool night breeze of Yanjing brushed against his face, yet he felt unbearably hot. He took out his phone, intending to call Yan Sen to share the good news, but his finger hovered over the dial button before he stopped.

"Never mind, let's give them a surprise."

Liao Zhong put away his phone, got into a private car, and headed straight for the airport.

"Xiao Li! To the airport! Quickly! The faster the better! I need to get home to be a dad!"

Driver Xiao Li was startled by Liao Zhong's excited appearance, so he stepped on the gas pedal and the car shot off like an arrow.

Watching the neon lights flash by outside the window, Liao Zhong pulled a photograph from his pocket. It was a photo he had secretly taken before leaving. In the photo, Chen Duo was sitting cross-legged on the bed practicing her martial arts, while Yan Sen watched her with his chin propped up beside him. It was a picture of peaceful tranquility.

Liao Zhong gently stroked the photo with his rough fingertips, his eyes slightly moist.

"Damn, this is too difficult."