Chapter Thirty-Two: The Ten-Year Promise

“What are you doing here?” Du Gu Ling asked.

Shan Shan glanced up at him, her eyes filled with quiet grievance. She spoke softly, “I’m waiting for you.”

Du Gu Ling sighed deeply. He had intended to delay this conversation for a few days, but now it seemed unavoidable.

“Shan Shan, come with me. There’s something I need to say,” he said, turning and leading her back to his own room.

Inside, a table and several chairs awaited them. “Sit down, Shan Shan,” he gestured for her to take a seat.

He hesitated, searching for the right words. “Shan Shan, there’s something I’m unsure whether to tell you or not, but today I feel I must.”

“Alright... just say it,” Shan Shan replied with a soft sigh, her eyes reddening, as if she already sensed what he was about to say.

“Shan Shan, though I’m not much older than you, I am still your uncle, you know that?” Du Gu Ling asked.

“Yes, I know,” Yuan Shan Shan whispered, her voice barely audible.

“Since you know, then you should also understand that we cannot be together,” Du Gu Ling said with helpless resignation.

Suddenly, Yuan Shan Shan stood up abruptly. “Why can’t we be together? Just because you’re my uncle? But you’re not my real uncle, why don’t you mention that? If you truly loved me, would you care about all this? I only want to know one thing—do you love me or not?”

She threw herself into Du Gu Ling’s arms, pounding his chest.

She raged like a wild storm, pouring out all the feelings she’d held for Du Gu Ling, reckless and unrestrained. Her love for him was overwhelming, and she feared losing him.

Do I like Shan Shan? Du Gu Ling asked himself. In nearly a year since arriving at Iron Ox’s place, he had indeed grown fond of this clever, mischievous girl. But was that fondness love? He didn’t know.

Seeing Du Gu Ling silent, Yuan Shan Shan pressed, “You do love me, don’t you?”

Du Gu Ling shook his head.

Her heart shattered at his gesture, her grief absolute. “So you don’t love me?” she said.

Du Gu Ling shook his head again.

…

The two sat in silence.

“Shan Shan,” Du Gu Ling finally spoke, clearing his throat. “I don’t know what I feel for you. How about this: I’m going to attend the entrance ceremony at the Divine Hidden Pavilion. I’m confident I’ll be chosen, and if I am, I’ll train there for ten years. Let’s both take this time to reflect. If you truly love me, and you can wait ten years, then I will marry you. Does that sound fair?”

…

Shan Shan was moved. “Alright, I’ll wait ten years! You must keep your word—after ten years, you must marry me!” She wrapped her arms around him, content and full of hope.

Du Gu Ling sighed and agreed, “Very well. If you can wait ten years, I will marry you.”

…

Having finally resolved matters with Shan Shan, Du Gu Ling felt that perhaps only time could truly settle such things.

He headed toward the city center.

He hadn’t walked far before a magnificent building appeared before him. Its facade bore five golden characters—Miao Miao Auction House.

Du Gu Ling couldn’t help but marvel. It truly deserved its reputation as the largest auction house in the city, rivaling even Iron Ox’s forge in grandeur.

Taking advantage of a moment when no one was watching, he slipped into a corner, donned a black cloak, and covered himself. He knew well enough not to flaunt his wealth.

Thus, cloaked in black, Du Gu Ling approached the auction house. Many in the bustling street wore similar cloaks, so his appearance drew no particular attention.

“Welcome, our auction house has everything imaginable. Are you here to buy or to sell?” As soon as Du Gu Ling stepped inside, a very enthusiastic hostess approached him.

One of the unique aspects of Miao Miao Auction House was that all its staff were women, and every one of them was strikingly beautiful. It was said that the owner, Sima Miao Miao, was a legendary beauty herself.

…

Perhaps that was why the auction house was always packed, with visitors pouring in daily from neighboring Sunset City and Morning Star City as well.

Although relations between Cold Moon City, Sunset City, and Morning Star City were tense, it didn’t hinder the flow of people or the exchange of goods.

“Hello, I have some items I’d like to auction,” Du Gu Ling replied, deliberately lowering his voice to a raspy whisper, wary of being recognized.

The hostess frowned slightly but quickly masked it—wasn’t everyone selling things here just as cautious? “Please, follow me.”

She led him to an inconspicuous window. “Lan Lan, this gentleman wishes to auction some items. Please take a look. I have other matters to attend.” Clearly, she didn’t expect Du Gu Ling to have anything valuable. She left him with Lan Lan, then hurried away.

Through the veil, Du Gu Ling couldn’t see her clearly, but he glimpsed enough to tell that Lan Lan, the auction appraiser, was indeed quite pretty.

A melodious voice greeted him, “Sir, what would you like to auction? Let me appraise your items.”

Du Gu Ling took out a bag and drew forth a piece of centenarian polygonum, followed by a thousand-year-old lingzhi mushroom. Lan Lan’s eyes sparkled when she saw the polygonum, but when the lingzhi appeared, her mouth fell open in astonishment.

They had assumed he couldn’t possibly have anything more precious. Yet, Du Gu Ling calmly produced a ten-thousand-year-old ginseng. At that, Lan Lan’s expression changed dramatically, her lips quivering as she stammered, “It’s... it’s... a ten-thousand-year-old... ginseng.”

Lan Lan stared in disbelief at the three rare treasures, needing a moment to recover. Du Gu Ling said nothing, knowing that anyone seeing such extraordinary items would react just the same.

“Sir, your items are far too valuable for me to decide upon. Please wait while I consult our master,” Lan Lan finally managed, calming her excitement enough to address Du Gu Ling.

He nodded.

Du Gu Ling had expected as much. Centenarian and millennial treasures were precious, but still within reach for those willing to pay. The ten-thousand-year-old ginseng, however, was truly priceless—only the owner, Sima Miao Miao, could make such decisions.

Thinking of her, he felt his head ache once more.

Ps: Many readers have commented that this book doesn’t feel like an immortal cultivation novel. Let me explain: the storyline is quite long, and Jimo expects to write several million words before the conclusion. So please be patient, dear readers. Rest assured, our protagonist is about to set off for the Divine Hidden Pavilion, where the true excitement of the immortal world will begin.