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Only then did he realize that the entire courtyard was so quiet at this moment that even the sound of a pin dropping could be heard clearly!
Only then did he realize that the entire courtyard was so quiet at this moment that even the sound of a pin dropping could be heard clearly! When he looked up again, what he saw were faces of various expressions! Although everyone's expression was different, the only commonality was that their gazes towards him were filled with shock and even reverence!
First and foremost was Ren Ruyi, who, as she stared at Wei Tingyu, had eyes full of incomprehension. She naturally knew that Wei Tingyu's martial arts were much higher than hers, but it was the first time she had truly witnessed the effect of internal energy projection in actual combat! One must know that she had fought Ning Yuanzhou for a good while before gradually gaining the upper hand, and even after several exchanges of blows, she couldn't inflict any significant damage on him. But Wei Tingyu simply raised his hand and with one palm strike, took Ning Yuanzhou's life! The swirling vortex formed by the projection of that violent internal energy even disheveled Ren Ruyi's flowing long hair! No wonder Ning Yuanzhou couldn't withstand that palm strike; she would certainly have met the same fate if it were her!
At this moment, Ren Ruyi recalled the scene where she and Linglong had tried to hold Wei Tingyu hostage in the Marquis's backyard. It was clear that Wei Tingyu had been very lenient back then; otherwise, he could have easily taken the lives of both her and Linglong with a mere flick of his finger. But this guy deliberately didn't show it before, even holding back from me, who has already become his woman! Hmph! In her shock, Ren Ruyi couldn't help but give Wei Tingyu a big eye-roll to express her displeasure. Of course, this young woman was already thinking about how to make Wei Tingyu teach her the technique of internal energy projection. If she had known this move before, those few punches and kicks she delivered to Ning Yuanzhou would have surely made him wish he were dead; even if it couldn't kill him in one blow, it would at least injure his muscles and bones. In that case, the outcome of the battle would have been decided long ago, so why would she have had to fight so hard for so long?
Wei Tingyu saw the expression on Ren Ruyi's face and the look in her eyes and knew that this girl had instantly grasped the true essence of martial arts. Indeed, no matter how well a martial artist practiced external martial arts, they would always be vulnerable to an internal martial arts master with profound internal energy. If you exchanged a punch or a palm strike with someone, they could use their internal energy to sever your meridians, and then what good would your fighting be?
As for Yuan Lu and the other Six Paths Hall warriors, they were all dumbfounded at this moment, and they no longer even harbored the thought of escaping. In their eyes, Wei Tingyu was now like the King of Hell, completely in control of their life and death!
"Both the former and current Hall Masters of the Six Paths Hall have died unnatural deaths!" Yuan Lu, that young man, was extremely quick-witted. His eyes darted, and with a swift movement, he cupped his hands and knelt before Wei Tingyu. "Please, Marquis, take over the position of Master of the Six Paths Hall!" He then kowtowed three times fiercely to Wei Tingyu, not even bothering to wipe away the blood seeping from his forehead, and spoke again. As Yuan Lu's words fell, everyone present looked towards Wei Tingyu. Even Ren Ruyi was curious at this moment. She could well understand Yuan Lu's actions; after all, given the current situation where they had witnessed Wei Tingyu kill Ning Yuanzhou with one palm strike, it was impossible for them to pretend that nothing had happened. Yuan Lu and the Six Paths Hall warriors either had to become Wei Tingyu's people, or they could only end up completely dead like Ning Yuanzhou and Zhao Ji!
"You want me to take over as the Master of the Six Paths Hall?" However, Wei Tingyu merely smiled faintly and looked at Yuan Lu, asking, "Will you be loyal to me?" Wei Tingyu had naturally disdained Ning Yuanzhou's method of using threats and pressure to force people to submit to him, and he certainly wouldn't make the same mistake as the other party. Ning Yuanzhou had just died, his body still warm, and these Six Paths Hall warriors, including Yuan Lu, immediately turned against him and knelt before his killer. Wasn't this the best proof?
As soon as Wei Tingyu said this, all the Six Paths Hall warriors involuntarily shivered!
"Marquis, please be clear!" However, Yuan Lu was indeed very clever. His eyes darted, and he immediately cupped his hands and said, "This matter is not by the Marquis's coercion, but by our willingness to obey the Marquis!"
"Since Zhao Ji took charge of the Six Paths Hall, he has already caused widespread resentment, and people have been dissatisfied for a long time!"
"And Ning Yuanzhou had previously hidden from everyone's eyes; even the old Hall Master was deceived by his disguise."
"Today, we have seen Ning Yuanzhou's true face, so how can we willingly continue to serve him?"
"On the contrary, the Marquis killed Ning Yuanzhou in front of the old Hall Master's spirit! This is the will of Heaven, and furthermore, it is the old Hall Master's spirit protecting us!"
"Now that we see the Marquis's great righteousness, you are precisely the best candidate for the Six Paths Hall Master that the old Hall Master yearned for!"
"If we serve the Marquis as our master, it will fulfill the old Hall Master's dying wish!"
"Presumably, the old Hall Master's spirit in heaven will thank the Marquis!"
Yuan Lu rattled off a string of reasons, but they sounded somewhat reasonable. At least the eyes of the Six Paths Hall warriors brightened a little after hearing his words. Because for these people, they were loyal to whoever was the Hall Master! And when Ning Yuanzhou's master, the former old Hall Master, was alive, his lifelong ambition was to expand the Six Paths Hall and protect the peace of the common people! Wei Tingyu's demonstrated strength now definitely far surpassed Zhao Ji's or Ning Yuanzhou's! The Six Paths Hall would certainly have better development under his rule! So, the old Hall Master's spirit in heaven thanking Wei Tingyu was not entirely Yuan Lu's fabrication.
"We are willing to follow Captain Yuan! We honor the Marquis as the Master of the Six Paths Hall!"
The words had come to this point, and these Six Paths Hall warriors were not fools. They all rose and knelt before Wei Tingyu, kowtowing.
"Do you know that I am not a person of Wuguo?" However, Wei Tingyu narrowed his eyes, scanned the kneeling Six Paths Hall warriors around him, and then said, "If one day I clash with Wuguo in battle, what will you do?" This question struck straight to their souls, and all the Six Paths Hall warriors fell silent instantly.
"The world has been in turmoil for decades!" However, at this moment, Yuan Lu didn't hesitate at all and immediately spoke, "Central Plains! Great Wu! Great An... all belong to Huaxia!"
"From today onwards, the purpose of the Six Paths Hall will no longer be to defend the state of Great Wu, but for the common people of the world!"
"If the Marquis can truly sweep away this chaotic world in the future and bring peace to all the people under heaven! That is what the old Hall Master most wished to see!"
Yuan Lu's vision and perspective suddenly broadened, directly looking beyond Wuguo to the entire world! Even Ren Ruyi's eyes widened, feeling that this young man had a lot of potential! If he were truly killed tonight, it would indeed be a pity to let him die here!
Moreover, after Wei Tingyu had just displayed his superb martial arts, Ren Ruyi also gained a new understanding of his ambitions. With such skill, and with Golden Shadow Guards around him, each highly skilled in martial arts! The Marquis had also married so many wives and concubines who were good at business, accumulating almost inexhaustible family wealth! If he truly seized an opportunity in the future, then it was quite possible... Ren Ruyi's eyes lit up at the thought, and she felt her blood actually boiling. She had previously worried that the lives of ordinary people on the road would be destroyed by war, but if there truly was such a person who could emerge out of nowhere to sweep away this fragmented chaotic world and bring peace to all the people, then she would naturally be willing to give her full support. And this only person who could do it happened to be her own husband! Ren Ruyi sighed in her heart, feeling the favor of destiny! Indeed, following the right person makes all the difference!
"That's well said!" Wei Tingyu chuckled, then his gaze swept over the Six Paths Hall warriors kneeling neatly before him, and no one dared to meet his gaze wherever his eyes fell. Although they absolutely dared not harbor any other ill intentions at this moment, the Marquis of Jining's sharp gaze still sent shivers down their spines.
"But human hearts are unpredictable!" Wei Tingyu naturally wouldn't let them off just because of Yuan Lu's few words; instead, a meaningful smile hung on his lips.
"Marquis!" However, at this moment, Ren Ruyi walked gracefully forward, extending her jade hand to gently stroke Wei Tingyu's chest, as if comforting his potentially volatile emotions. Then, her beautiful eyes swept over the kneeling figures before her, and she smiled as she spoke, "If the Marquis's ambition is to govern the world, then a organization like the Six Paths Hall will be indispensable to serve you!"
"Your concubine believes they are trustworthy! Perhaps the Marquis could give them a few tasks to test their loyalty! And then make a decision, how about that?"
After Ren Ruyi said this, the Six Paths Hall warriors, including Yuan Lu, looked at her with eyes full of gratitude. At the same time, everyone understood a fact: Ren Ruyi was a very important woman in Wei Tingyu's heart! She was also someone they could never offend in the future!
"Good!" Wei Tingyu nodded directly upon hearing Ren Ruyi's words; after all, it was necessary to give this young woman some face. Moreover, what she said was indeed very reasonable. To conquer the world, simply relying on summoned Golden Shadow Guards and armies to fight would certainly not be enough; intelligence work was paramount! The Six Paths Hall, as an already very mature intelligence and surveillance organization, had considerable experience in intelligence gathering and counter-intelligence. The Six Paths Hall warriors present were all skilled in martial arts, and when it came to intelligence work, they were all seasoned veterans. Now, if they could truly be made to completely submit to him, it would indeed be a good thing! Of course, Wei Tingyu dared to make this decision because he was confident and simply not afraid of these guys betraying him! After all, he hadn't brought any family members or attendants on this trip. Ren Ruyi and the eight Golden Shadow Guards could accompany him out of Wudu at any time! At the very least, Wuguo definitely couldn't stop these ten lightly-equipped individuals!
"Thank you, Marquis!" Ren Ruyi's pretty face immediately smiled at him upon seeing Wei Tingyu agree. Then, turning to face the Six Paths Hall members, her expression became serious again.
"The Marquis now accepts your allegiance!" Ren Ruyi said to the crowd, "But I hope you understand! Our Marquis will never show mercy to traitors!"
"Yes!" The Six Paths Hall members breathed a sigh of relief at this moment, and at the same time, shouted in unison. Leaving aside everything else, just by looking at Ning Yuanzhou's half-headed corpse nearby, everyone could easily imagine what the consequence of betraying Wei Tingyu would be!
"Yuan Lu!" At this moment, Wei Tingyu looked at the most intelligent young man again and called out directly.
"Your subordinate is here!" Yuan Lu was startled, then immediately responded with cupped fists.
"You are the new Hall Master of the Six Paths Hall! All affairs within the Hall will be your responsibility from now on! Report directly to me if anything happens!" Wei Tingyu said directly and decisively to Yuan Lu. Yuan Lu was undoubtedly the smartest person present, and also the most loyal! This trait could be seen from the fact that he alone guarded the Ning residence earlier! Of course, at that time, he had not yet seen through Ning Yuanzhou's true nature. And now, being the first to disassociate himself from Ning Yuanzhou, it showed that he was clever and loyal but not rigid; he clearly understood what his own goals were!
"Yes!" Yuan Lu was startled at first, then nodded with a firm expression: "Your subordinate will do his utmost, even if it means dying ten thousand times!" Looking at his resolute expression and serious gaze, Wei Tingyu didn't detect any hidden agenda. However, as the saying goes, time reveals a person's heart; whether he was truly that loyal would always take time to prove!
"Congratulations, Hall Master!" The other Six Paths Hall warriors all cupped their fists and bowed to Yuan Lu at this moment!
"Master, do you have any instructions now? Please give your orders!" Yuan Lu also quickly got into character, as he was originally a captain in the Six Paths Hall, only leaving because he disdained Zhao Ji's actions. Now that he had ascended to the position of Hall Master of the Six Paths Hall with a heart full of ambition and passion, he naturally wanted to achieve something. Of course, his position as Hall Master now could only be as a figurehead in the shadows; he couldn't truly step into the public eye. After all, the Six Paths Hall was nominally still an intelligence and surveillance organization within the Wuguo court. For a period after Zhao Ji's "disappearance," Wuguo probably wouldn't arrange a new Hall Master to manage them. The affairs within the Six Paths Hall would likely still be managed by these original captains! Even if Zhao Ji's disappearance was confirmed after some time, the Hall Master sent by Wuguo would only be a figurehead with no real power!
"Clean up the mess here!" Wei Tingyu thought for a moment, then added, "Integrate all the Six Paths Hall members as quickly as possible!"
"Yes!" Yuan Lu naturally knew what to do; after all, he hadn't been the original Six Paths Hall captain for nothing! He had learned many skills from following the old Hall Master! Integrating the Six Paths Hall members didn't mean telling everyone what happened tonight. After all, the fewer people who knew such a huge secret, the better! It would be best if it was limited to the few people present tonight! And the large number of Six Paths Hall subordinates would not know that the upper echelon had collectively pledged allegiance to Wei Tingyu! When they performed their tasks, they would still believe they were working for the Wuguo court!
Soon, under Yuan Lu's command, Zhao Ji's and Ning Yuanzhou's bodies were stuffed into Ning Yuanzhou's large coffin. This coffin, which the fellow had originally made just for show, had now actually come in handy! Then, it was transported out of the city overnight for burial, which was not a difficult task for the Six Paths Hall. In the future, everyone would believe that Ning Yuanzhou's cenotaph only contained some of his clothes and daily necessities, and no one would ever think that the former Six Paths Hall Master Ning Yuanzhou, who was publicly reported to have died on the battlefield hundreds of miles away, was actually buried alongside Zhao Ji in a grave on the outskirts of Wudu!
Wei Tingyu had just led Ren Ruyi back to his courtyard in the guesthouse when he saw the young woman's legs suddenly buckle, and she collapsed onto him. This startled him. He thought, Oh no, could she have been injured during her fight with Ning Yuanzhou? He instinctively put his arm around Ren Ruyi's fragrant shoulder and looked down, only to see her head resting on his shoulder, as if she had fainted. But her long eyelashes were subtly trembling, clearly indicating that this girl was just pretending! However, Wei Tingyu was not surprised by Ren Ruyi's behavior at all; after all, wasn't this young woman's personality just like that? Cold on the outside but alluring on the inside, ruthless as an assassin! Yet, as a woman, she was exceptionally good at seduction!
"Ruyi?" Thinking this, Wei Tingyu chuckled, then gently called her name twice in her ear.
"Mmm..." However, Ren Ruyi's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she let out a soft, almost coquettish sound from her nose. But she showed no signs of waking up.
"Oh dear!" Wei Tingyu knew this young woman was playing games with him, so he simply bent down, scooped her up in his arms, and then said, "It seems you were injured during your fight with Ning Yuanzhou?"
"But there are no external wounds, so it must be internal injuries!"
"Well, well! This Marquis will take you inside, undress you, and thoroughly examine you..."
"We absolutely must wake this little beauty up!"