A brief silence was followed by an uproar in the hall!
"Is this guy crazy? Mo Shiyao is the pride of the Mo family, and he wants to cling to her without knowing his own worth!"
"This kid looks like a country bumpkin. He claims the Mo family's eldest daughter is engaged to him. I wouldn't believe it even if you beat me to death!"
"If he's engaged to Mo Shiyao, then I dare say I'm engaged to Nalan Mingyue too!"
"You're asking for death, you dare to joke about Miss Nalan..."
Several people beside him quickly moved away, afraid of getting into trouble.
On the stage, a flicker of panic crossed Mo Shiyao's eyes, for she knew she did have an engagement.
But she didn't care; she only wanted to marry Xu Ziqiang beside her. A strong alliance between families to become a first-class family was what she desired!
Xu Ziqiang was also stunned. He turned to Mo Shiyao and questioned, "Shiyao, is he telling the truth?"
"How is that possible!" Mo Shiyao denied it vehemently, showing utter disgust towards Lu Pan. "Ziqiang, you're the only one in my heart, don't you believe me? Besides... how could I possibly fancy such a country bumpkin? If I were engaged to him, I'd rather marry a beggar!"
Xu Ziqiang breathed a sigh of relief, took Mo Shiyao's hand, and showed a pleased expression, "Of course, I believe you!"
"Security, get him out of here. After the engagement banquet, I'll deal with him properly!"
Xu Ziqiang was enraged. Lu Pan had disrupted his engagement banquet, and he had sentenced him to death.
Over a dozen security guards rushed in, surrounding Lu Pan.
With a few swift movements, the electric batons in the guards' hands aimed directly for Lu Pan's head. They intended to beat him to death!
Lu Pan's eyes turned cold, and a mocking smile curved his lips.
No one saw how he made his move, only hearing a few thuds as the dozen security guards fell to the ground, groaning in pain!
Xu Ziqiang's expression changed slightly, and the guests were startled, not expecting Lu Pan to be so formidable!
Mo Shiyao was secretly anxious, hoping Xu Ziqiang could quickly get rid of Lu Pan.
With a rustle—
Lu Pan took a letter from his pocket, gave it a slight shake, and coldly read, "In the year 2012 of the Huaxia calendar, my disciple Lu Pan and Mo Yunhai's granddaughter Mo Shiyao, at Tingfeng Tower, made an engagement. Upon presenting this marriage contract, I shall come to claim my bride!"
Below the marriage contract were two faded handprints.
The appearance of the marriage contract caused a stir in the venue.
It bore the handprint of Old Master Mo. Such a matter could be verified.
However, Old Master Mo had been bedridden for six months, spending most of his time in a coma or semi-conscious state.
Asking him to verify it on the spot would be difficult.
On the stage, Xu Ziqiang's face was grim, as if he had been slapped hard, his face burning. He stared at Mo Shiyao, his voice turning cold, "Shiyao, how do you explain this?"
"Ziqiang, I think this marriage contract must be a forgery. He's trying to blackmail the Mo family!"
Mo Shiyao quickly came up with a plan. As long as Lu Pan was dealt with, and there were no witnesses, the marriage contract would be invalid.
"Ziqiang, I've been by your side all these years. You can't possibly doubt my feelings for you just because of some bumpkin who appeared out of nowhere, can you?"
"Even if I truly have an engagement with him, I love you. Are you going to give me away so easily?"
Mo Shiyao's eyes suddenly turned red, and she appeared as if she were about to cry, looking pitiful and endearing.
Seeing her like this, Xu Ziqiang's evil thoughts surged, making him wish he could ravage her right then and there.
He quickly pulled Mo Shiyao into his arms, comforting her gently, "I believe you, and I know your heart belongs to me. Don't worry, I will make that kid regret being born into this world."
Lu Pan looked at Mo Shiyao, who was acting so shamelessly, with disgust.
She was a far cry from the innocent and pure little girl he remembered from his childhood.
If he had known she would change so much, Lu Pan would have torn up the marriage contract and never come here!
Xu Ziqiang slightly nodded at a gloomy-looking middle-aged man with a mustache sitting in the front row.
The middle-aged man stood up, looked at Lu Pan with cold eyes, and exuded a sharp, imposing aura.
Lu Pan glanced at him indifferently. His gaze was calm as he sternly asked Mo Shiyao on stage, "Mo Shiyao, I'll ask you one more time, do you acknowledge the marriage contract?"
"Shut up! If I, Mo Shiyao, were to marry a beggar, I would never marry you, you country bumpkin!" Mo Shiyao held onto Xu Ziqiang's arm, her face filled with disgust and hatred.
Lu Pan's appearance had cast a stain on her and Xu Ziqiang's engagement banquet. She wished Lu Pan would die.
"Very good!" A cold smile touched Lu Pan's lips. This kind of woman was not worthy of entering the Lu family's gate.
He scanned the crowd and said sternly, "Because Mo Shiyao of the Mo family is materialistic, covets wealth and glory, is promiscuous and unchaste, and lacks virtue, she is unworthy to enter my Lu family's gate, and unworthy to be my wife, Lu Pan.
Today, I issue this divorce letter. She is free to remarry. Regardless of life or death, poverty or status, Mo Shiyao and I are forever severed."
Lu Pan's voice was resonant and powerful, striking the ears of the audience with pain!
The hall fell into a deathly silence, so quiet one could hear a pin drop!
Mo Shiyao's eyes were bloodshot, her face pale, and her delicate body trembled.
From childhood, as the pride of heaven, when had she ever been so humiliated!
Each word Lu Pan spoke was like a sharp knife, piercing her heart with unerring accuracy, leaving her utterly devastated!
Even if the knife were pulled out, scars would remain.
The events of today would inevitably become gossip for the people of Qingcheng!
"Ziqiang, I want him dead! I want him dead!!"
Mo Shiyao could no longer hold back, roaring at Lu Pan, wishing she could chop him into pieces and feed him to the dogs.
Xu Ziqiang's forehead veins bulged. Lu Pan's humiliation of Mo Shiyao was equivalent to humiliating him!
Seeing the slightly unhinged Mo Shiyao, Xu Ziqiang gritted his teeth and said to the middle-aged man, "Mr. Su, kill him!"
"Kid, next life, keep your eyes open..."
Ching—
Before he could finish speaking, Lu Pan flicked his finger, and a fork from a nearby dining table turned into a silver streak, piercing the man's throat!
"Mmm... cough cough..."
Mr. Su's eyes widened in terror, and he coughed up large mouthfuls of blood.
He never imagined that he would be killed by Lu Pan in their first encounter, before he could even finish his sentence!
Thump—
Mr. Su fell straight to the ground, his eyes wide with unfulfilled resentment.
The scent of blood spread through the hall, and the guests scattered in fear.
Xu Ziqiang's pupils contracted. He never expected that Mr. Su, whom he had hired at great expense, would be killed by Lu Pan in a single encounter!
"I'll kill you!"
Xu Ziqiang snapped back to his senses, unhesitatingly drew a gun from his waist, aimed directly at Lu Pan, and pulled the trigger.
Bang—
The gunshot echoed through the hall.
Lu Pan appeared before Xu Ziqiang like a phantom, his large hands clamping onto the muzzle of the gun, then tightening their grip!
The black steel gun barrel seemed like cotton in Lu Pan's hands.
Xu Ziqiang stared into Lu Pan's indifferent eyes, feeling as if he were facing death, cold sweat trickling down his face.
Bang—
Lu Pan kicked out, shattering Xu Ziqiang's hip bone.
"Since you wish to marry a beggar, I shall fulfill your wish!"
Lu Pan's icy gaze fell upon Mo Shiyao, who was already terrified and pale-faced.