"What?"
Hearing Gu Du Jian's words, Shen Lang finally remembered that he had indeed clashed with Qin Long the first time he went to the Martial Guard Department.
Even now, Shen Lang vividly recalled Qin Long's sword strike from that time.
That sword was as fast as lightning, piercing through the sky.
That sword made the air oppressive.
It was an extremely fearsome strike. If Qin Long hadn't been using a wooden sword back then, Shen Lang might not have been able to break it.
This was because Shen Lang had infused his wooden sword with immense internal energy and forcefully cut through Qin Long's wooden sword, disrupting Qin Long's sword momentum.
This wasn't a dishonorable tactic, but it was certainly a clever one.
At that moment, Shen Lang felt that that strike was by no means something Qin Long could have created. He hadn't expected it to come from Gu Du Jian.
"Qin Long learned one of my nine sword techniques, 'Po Jian Jue' (Sword Breaking Art). However, his talent is limited, and he can only unleash one or two tenths of its power. This does not mean that Po Jian Jue is mediocre."
Gu Du Jian looked at Shen Lang and smiled, "If there's an opportunity, I will challenge you with that sword strike."
"Haha, challenge, challenge, it's a spar, a spar."
Shen Lang knew Gu Du Jian was a person with immense pride. He would never allow his proud sword technique to be defeated by another; he had to prove his sword technique was the strongest.
However, Shen Lang also wanted to use Gu Du Jian to prove the power of his 'Ba Jian Zhan' (Drawing Sword Slash), so he readily agreed.
"Good—"
Seeing that Shen Lang didn't back down, Gu Du Jian's smile widened. He said, "Shen Lang, Shi Shi has told me about you before. She called you a scoundrel, but meeting you today, I find you quite an interesting fellow."
With that, Gu Du Jian stopped speaking, opened the car door, and let Ye Shi Shi and Shen Lang get in. Then, he drove them away.
At half-past ten in the morning, Gu Du Jian drove Shen Lang to the Naning Imperial Hotel, the largest and most luxurious hotel in Naning, where the engagement ceremony was to be held.
After entering the hotel, Ye Shi Shi and Shen Lang found it already decorated in a festive atmosphere. A large engagement poster of Gu Qing Han and Qi Tuo Jiang was displayed on the hotel's grand electronic screen. Gu Qing Han in a white wedding gown and Qi Tuo Jiang in a white suit, a perfect match for each other, drew many compliments from the guests.
Upon arriving, Shen Lang and Ye Shi Shi scanned the crowd, noting that there were many guests at the engagement ceremony, with hundreds of seats fully occupied. Everyone was toasting and chatting merrily.
Shen Lang looked at Ye Shi Shi and asked curiously, "Why are there so many people today?"
"The Gu family is the most influential family in Naning. The Gu family patriarch has disciples and old friends scattered throughout Naning. Coupled with the engagement to the eldest young master of the Qi family, naturally, many people would attend."
As she spoke, Ye Shi Shi pointed to a middle-aged couple standing in the distance, chatting and laughing with others. She said, "Those are Gu Qing Han's parents. Her father, Gu Chao Xi, is a timid and mediocre man, and her mother, Hou Hong Ye, is an ambitious woman. For someone like him to be married to her here, it's practically a legend in Naning."
Afterward, Ye Shi Shi led Shen Lang directly towards Gu Chao Xi and Hou Hong Ye. Upon reaching them, she smiled warmly and said, "Uncle, Aunt, congratulations."
"Shi Shi, you child, it's been a long time since I've seen you. I heard your Zhong Zhou Bank's market value has risen significantly. Congratulations to you as well."
Seeing Ye Shi Shi, Gu Chao Xi and Hou Hong Ye's initial reaction wasn't surprise but a flicker of shock and even panic. They quickly masked it, and then, they warmly greeted Ye Shi Shi.
Ye Shi Shi, being sharp, didn't miss their subtle reaction. This made her even more certain that this wedding wasn't as simple as it seemed. She smiled and said, "Uncle, Aunt, where is Qing Han? I want to see her."
"We've played together since we were toddlers. Although we're best friends, we're like sisters. It's her engagement today, and I must prepare something for her."
"Haha, Shi Shi, Uncle and Aunt know your intentions. However, it might not be convenient for you to see her right now."
Hearing Ye Shi Shi's desire to see Gu Qing Han, Gu Chao Xi and Hou Hong Ye's eyes showed even more pronounced panic. They said, "Qing Han is changing into her wedding dress now. You sisters can meet after she's done. There's no need to rush."
With that, Hou Hong Ye linked arms with Ye Shi Shi, acting intimately. She said, "My dear, Aunt hasn't seen you in so long. Come, tell Aunt, while you were developing your career, did you happen to fall in love?"
"I..."
Ye Shi Shi hadn't expected Hou Hong Ye to show such concern. It made her feel even more that something was amiss. However, she was momentarily at a loss for words regarding Hou Hong Ye's excessive inquiries.
At this moment, a pair of hosts walked onto the stage erected in the hotel. They were a handsome man and a graceful woman, the man tall and dashing, the woman elegant and poised, which immediately caught the eyes of the guests below.
"Distinguished guests, friends, good morning everyone. Welcome to the engagement celebration of Young Master Qi and Miss Gu. On behalf of both families, I would like to express our gratitude for your presence."
The male host's voice was resonant as he greeted everyone.
This voice immediately elicited cheers from the guests below, as it signaled the commencement of the engagement ceremony.
Indeed, after the male host finished speaking, the female host followed up, "Now, the engagement ceremony officially begins. Please welcome Young Master Qi and Miss Gu to the stage."
"Wow—"
As the female host's words fell, in the next second, Qi Tuo Jiang, dressed in a white suit and exuding handsome charm, and Gu Qing Han, in a white wedding gown, looking exquisitely beautiful, slowly descended from the second floor.
"So handsome."
"So beautiful."
"A perfect match, made in heaven."
Upon seeing Qi Tuo Jiang and Gu Qing Han appear, many guests widened their eyes and spoke from the heart.
They had only heard of Prince Charming and Snow White before, thinking it was a fairy tale. But seeing Qi Tuo Jiang and Gu Qing Han, they finally understood that there truly were couples like Prince Charming and Snow White.
"Sister..."
Today, Gu Qing Han was the most beautiful Shen Lang had ever seen her. The white wedding gown made her appear as heavenly as a celestial being. However, Shen Lang noticed that although Gu Qing Han wore a smile, he always felt a strange sense of unease.
As Shen Lang sensed something was wrong, Qi Tuo Jiang, holding Gu Qing Han's arm, walked onto the stage.
Looking at the pair of beauties before him, the male host appeared quite excited and addressed Qi Tuo Jiang, "Qi Tuo Jiang, today is your engagement ceremony with Miss Gu. I ask you, will you be willing to spend your life hand-in-hand with Gu Qing Han, regardless of poverty or wealth, illness or health?"
"I do."
As the male host finished speaking, Qi Tuo Jiang's voice was firm and resonant.
This response immediately received thunderous applause from the guests.
After the applause subsided, the female host turned to Gu Qing Han and asked, "Gu Qing Han, today is your engagement ceremony with Qi Tuo Jiang. I ask you, will you be willing to spend your life hand-in-hand with Qi Tuo Jiang, regardless of poverty or wealth, illness or health?"
"I..."
Upon hearing the female host's question, Gu Qing Han was about to speak when, at this moment, a loud voice boomed out, "She is unwilling."