Chapter 40: The Auction: Part 4

Dear readers,

I would like to ask you a question about the recent chapters, specifically the part of the auction. Did it seem heavy or long to you, or do you think it's fine as it is? Your opinions are very important to me and will help me improve the story.

Additionally, I want to share something that happened to me. I got stuck or blocked, however you want to call it. I had the ideas in mind, but I didn't know how to write them. That's why the chapter that should have around 1500 words only has 1000.

Next time this happens, what do you think I should do? Should I try to fill the chapter as I did now, or would it be better to notify you that there won't be a chapter that day and take an extra day to think about how to write it?

I greatly appreciate your understanding and continuous support. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Thank you for reading!

P.S.: Remember that my schedule for uploading chapters will be from Monday to Friday at 4:30 p.m. Spanish time. And from now on, I won't be uploading chapters on Saturdays or Sundays.

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The room was filled with tension as several men seated in black chairs began to bid with eyes full of excitement and some with lecherous looks. The voices echoed in the air, growing louder and more urgent.

"41,000!"

"42,000!"

"45,000!"

The bids rose quickly, creating an electrifying atmosphere. The murmurs of the audience increased with each new bid, and the excitement was palpable. Suddenly, an elegant woman stepped out onto Ning Fengzhi's balcony. With a clear and authoritative voice, she declared:"60,000 gold coins!"

The room fell silent for a moment, surprised by the unexpected bid. The woman re-entered without further ado, leaving the audience in a brief state of astonishment.

The auctioneer, with a satisfied smile, announced:"Number 8 offers 60,000 gold coins. Anyone else?"

Xue Sha, observing the scene with interest, reflected: "So that's what they're for. I wondered why it was necessary to step out onto the balcony to shout the number each time. It's much more practical to use those women to announce the bids."

As Xue Sha's words echoed in his mind, the room filled with murmurs again. The guests evaluated the new bid, some with looks of frustration and others with renewed interest. The competition for the girl had become even more intense.

The auctioneer, noticing the growing tension, decided to stoke the excitement even more:"60,000 gold coins going once...!" His voice resonated with authority, capturing everyone's attention.

"60,000 gold coins going twice...!" The anticipation in the room was palpable, and all eyes were fixed on the auctioneer.

Just as the auctioneer was about to continue, a boy of about six years old appeared on balcony number 3. He had hair and eyes of a brownish-orange color and was hugging the waist of a woman with a carefree attitude. With a confident smile and an air of superiority, the boy declared:"70,000 gold coins! Let's see who dares to keep competing with this prince."

The room fell silent, surprised by the boy's audacity. A man in the audience shook his head and murmured, "The fourth prince is becoming more and more like a playboy," he sighed.

The man next to him nodded and replied in a low voice, "After all, no one can bear the blow of losing two brothers in a row."

Although the auctioneer had a grim look, he quickly composed himself and announced, "Number 3 offers 70,000 gold coins. Anyone else?"

Xue Sha, with a calculating look, leaned towards his bodyguard and whispered, "Bao Qiang, go out and say 100,000."

Bao Qiang nodded and walked to the balcony with a firm step. The room watched expectantly as he positioned himself and, with a clear and determined voice, declared:

"100,000 gold coins!"

The auctioneer smiled broadly, enjoying the unexpected turn of events.

"Number 9 offers 100,000 gold coins. Anyone else?" he asked, his voice resonating with enthusiasm.

The audience murmured among themselves, surprised by the new bid. Eyes turned towards balcony number 3, waiting for a response from the young prince. The tension in the room was palpable, and each passing second increased the anticipation.

The auctioneer, noticing the growing excitement, decided to stoke the competition even more:

"100,000 gold coins going once...!" His voice resonated with authority, capturing everyone's attention.

"100,000 gold coins going twice...!" The anticipation in the room was palpable, and all eyes were fixed on the auctioneer.

Just as the auctioneer was about to continue counting, Xue Beng looked at Bao Qing with murderous intent and snorted, "I hope you understand the consequences of continuing to bid on something I like."

He began to enter his room, but Xue Sha, with a loud voice that echoed throughout the room, said, "Tell Xue Beng to either keep raising the price or admit he can't afford it."

Upon hearing this, Xue Beng, instead of getting angrier, calmed down and replied coldly, "Only an idiot would spend 100,000 gold coins on a slave."

He entered his room, but his words made many present look at him with disdain and resentment, as several had spent more than that amount on some slaves.

The auctioneer, noticing the tension in the room, continued, "100,000 gold coins going once...!"

The anticipation in the room was palpable, and all eyes were fixed on the auctioneer.

"100,000 gold coins going twice...!"

The tension increased with each passing second.

"And three!" he finally exclaimed, raising his gavel in a dramatic gesture. "Congratulations to number 9 for winning the last item of the auction."

Applause echoed in the room as Bao Qing slightly bowed, satisfied with the victory.

The auctioneer coughed lightly to get attention and said, "Thank you all for joining us today."

As he spoke, the back doors opened, and the woman began to take away the cage with the girl. The audience watched in silence, some with looks of regret and others with disdain.

"Besides the thanks, I wanted to mention that if you are new, remember to ask the attendant to take you to a room where you can pay and collect the items you have purchased."

"Now, I bid you farewell and hope to see you at the next auction," concluded the auctioneer, greeting everyone with a nod.

With a professional smile, the auctioneer headed towards the doors, which closed behind him with a soft thud. The audience began to disperse, some commenting among themselves about the items acquired and others simply enjoying the end of an exciting auction.