Chapter 38: The Auction: Part 2

Xue Sha settled into his chair, his gaze sliding over the table before him, pausing at the bowls filled with fresh fruits that piqued his interest. One in particular, brimming with vibrant and enticing grapes, seemed to call out to him.

With a calm gesture, Xue Sha brought the bowl of grapes closer. He selected one, brought it to his mouth, and with a soft pop, the skin broke, releasing a sweet and refreshing flavor. The grapes, at their perfect ripeness, were a small pleasure one after another.

He continued enjoying the grapes, one after another, until the bowl was empty. Satisfied, he set it aside and leaned forward to take a glass of water. He opened a crystal bottle and poured the water, listening to the comforting sound of the liquid filling the glass.

He brought the glass to his lips and took a long drink, feeling the cool water quench his thirst. After drinking, Xue Sha exhaled a sigh of satisfaction, a sigh that resonated with his contentment. He placed the glass on the table with a delicate clink, and reclined in his chair, relaxed and happy.

While the echo of the clink still floated in the air, Xue Sha's attention shifted to the podium. The figure of the auctioneer emerged with a magnetic presence that captured all eyes. He wore a meticulously tailored suit, black as the darkest night, with silver threads weaving intricate patterns along his jacket, capturing the light with every subtle movement. His hat, wide-brimmed and tall-crowned, added an air of mystery, partially hiding his face, but not enough to conceal the shrewd gleam in his eyes behind thin-framed, tinted glasses.

With a gloved hand, he adjusted the glasses on his nose, while the other rested on the handle of a polished ebony cane, topped with a silver ornament that seemed to capture and distill the essence of elegance. The auctioneer advanced with measured steps, the sound of his cane striking the marble floor resonating with authority, clack, clack, clack.

Upon reaching the podium, his smile unfolded, a welcome and a promise of the emotions to come. With a voice that filled the room, clear and resonant, he began the anticipated ritual:

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this evening of wonders and unique opportunities. May the excitement of the competition be as exquisite as the treasures we present to you today. Without further ado, let us raise the curtain on this auction with our first lot of the day..."

With a resounding applause, the auctioneer gestured towards the doors that opened wide. A woman in a silver suit entered, pushing a cart on which rested a majestically presented map, mounted and protected as if it were an invaluable work of art.

The auctioneer and the woman, in perfect synchronization, took the map, one on each side, and with a grace that required only one hand, lifted it so the entire audience could admire the relic. With theatrical movements, they placed it back on the cart, ensuring that every pair of eyes had the opportunity to glimpse the treasure.

"Esteemed collectors and lovers of historical mysteries," began the auctioneer with a voice full of enthusiasm, "what you have before you is a map of ancient ruins, whose secrets and authenticity have been the subject of debate among the most erudite. Is it perhaps a lost fragment of history or a skillful modern creation? That is for you to decide and discover."

He paused dramatically, allowing the anticipation to build in the room before continuing.

"The bidding for this priceless piece will start at 100 gold coins. Remember, ladies and gentlemen, that each bid increment must be no less than 10 gold coins. Who will start this dance of fortune and adventure?"

With an elegant movement of his cane, the auctioneer invited those present to immerse themselves in the excitement of the bidding. From the front row, a gentleman seated in a black velvet chair raised his paddle and firmly said, "150 gold coins!"

The auctioneer, his voice amplified throughout the room, announced, "Number 34 offers 150 gold coins! Is there anyone who will surpass that offer?"

It didn't take long before the room was filled with bidding voices. "160!" exclaimed a man from his purple seat. "180!" shouted another, dressed in immaculate white. The tension increased until a voice, from a shadowy corner, cut through the air with a decisive "250 gold coins!"

The auctioneer scanned the room with keen eyes, looking for another challenge, but silence had taken over the place. "250 gold coins going once... going twice... and sold to number 59," he declared, as applause resonated in the room.

The woman in the silver suit, with a satisfied smile, pushed the cart back towards the doors that had opened for her. With the same grace with which she had entered, she slipped through them, and with a soft click, the doors closed behind her, taking the map and leaving an echo of mystery and anticipation.

After the successful auction of the map, the auctioneer, with a dramatic gesture of his cane, proclaimed, "Now, ladies and gentlemen, let us proceed with the second treasure of this auction that we are about to reveal."

Elegant in his posture, Xue Sha held a cup of tea, its aroma blending with the charged atmosphere of the room. He watched the auction with a reflective gaze, while the steam from the tea rose in subtle spirals.

He slowly turned his ring, watching how the embedded gems sparkled with a faint light. "Should I auction the soul bone or would it be better to keep it?" Xue Sha pondered. The decision troubled him, as present as the warmth of the tea that comforted his palate.

Meanwhile, the auctioneer, immersed in his role, continued with his monologue, preparing the audience for the next piece, promising to be as fascinating as the previous one, unaware of the dilemma occupying Xue Sha's mind.