The living room had fallen into a heavy silence. The clock on the wall struck four in the morning.

  – “It’s almost dawn… Dad, Mom, try to get some sleep,” Anh Tú said quietly, glancing at the clock. His voice carried exhaustion he could no longer hide.

  – “You kids should rest, too. We’re getting tired of ourselves.” C?u D?ng nodded, forcing calm as he met his son-in-law’s eyes. He cast a brief glance at his wife, then shifted his gaze toward Anh Th?, as though sending her a silent signal.

  – “Let’s go, so they can rest. Neither of them slept at all tonight—just one nightmare after another.” Anh Th? added quickly. Her tone wasn’t rushed, but her timing was precise, as if she were playing her part in a script they had all rehearsed.

  – “…Alright. ?ào and I will head back to our room then. If you need anything, just call me.” Anh Tú hesitated, but chose to go along, unwilling to push and break whatever fragile peace remained.

  One by one, they left the room. Anh Th? was the last. She paused at the doorway, turned back to look at her parents, and her eyes carried a weight of unspoken meaning.

  Back in her own room, she closed the door softly. A suffocating stillness pressed in from all sides. She placed a hand over her stomach, wincing as a wave of nausea rose suddenly.

  She rushed into the bathroom, leaning over the sink. Turning on the tap, she splashed water into her mouth. But when she lifted her head to the mirror…

  Her lips and teeth were drenched in blood. Drops slid down, pattering against porcelain.

  She stumbled back in horror, wiping at her mouth with trembling hands. But there was nothing. Only cold water. No blood. It had been a fleeting hallucination, gone as quickly as it came.

  Her heart pounded furiously.

  And then—

  In the mirror, behind her, a woman stood.

  Her hair was long, tangled, and wild, spilling over half her face. She wore a white dress streaked with mud and blood. Perched on her head was a torn conical hat, stained dark with dried gore.

  – “Ahhh!” Anh Th? screamed, her face drained of all color.

  A voice, chilling and hollow, breathed cold against the back of her neck:

  – “Why did you help them? Why did you cover for their crime?”

  Anh Th?’s eyes locked on the mirror, her body frozen. Slowly, the reflection raised its face. Her voice shook, the words tumbling out in broken sobs:

  – “Auntie… I didn’t know anything. I only overheard my parents talking… about the accident years ago. Please, Auntie, Uncle… spare me. I wasn’t involved…”

  Panic seized her. She shoved the door open and bolted down the hallway, straight toward her parents’ room.

  The room froze after Anh Th?’s trembling confession of what she had just witnessed. The air grew heavy, as if a storm from hell itself was about to break loose.

  C?u D?ng shot upright, his hands clenched tightly together, his voice shaking with panic:

  – “They… they’ve come after our daughter too!?”

  M? Linh went pale, lips quivering as though struck by a sudden chill. Her words were barely audible:

  – “This… only our family knows of this. It must stay buried. At all costs. Your husband must never learn a single thing!”

  Anh Th? clutched her stomach, her face drained and her body trembling from both nausea and fear. Lies, scheming, and the stench of guilt pressed down on her until she thought she might vomit.

  Her mother’s eyes turned on her, brimming with accusation and despair:

  – “You stupid girl! I told you to be careful, and you still got pregnant!? Your father and I planned to marry you into a wealthy family. Look at your sister — she married Tú, the son of a powerful real-estate mogul. You were supposed to do the same!”

  C?u D?ng cut in sharply, his glare ferocious:

  – “All three of my daughters must marry into wealth! ?ào already trapped Tú successfully, but you… you’re useless, child!”

  Upstairs, Anh Tú stood frozen just beyond a half-closed door. As a spirit beast who had cultivated for a century, his hearing was sharp as a predator’s. Every venomous word from his in-laws struck him like a blade.

  The truth hit him with brutal clarity: everything had been a hunt. And he had been the prey.

  Every shred of trust, every ounce of love he had given his wife — shattered in an instant.

  ---

  At the Bình Chánh stronghold, where the denizens of the shadow world had gathered…

  Trang turned to Trúc Di?n, her voice sharp and cold as ice:

  – “Will you still defend those sisters? Open your eyes. Everything they’ve done is nothing more than bait — using their bodies to snare spoiled heirs like Anh Tú, just to marry into wealth and steal fortunes.”

  The reality struck Trúc Di?n like a slap to the face. His expression went pale, his green eyes wide as if waking from a long, blind dream. He had once believed the daughters were innocent, victims of their parents’ sins. But now, with the truth laid bare, even his last shred of sympathy disintegrated.

  –“I can’t believe it. An entire family conspiring together… Parents pushing their daughters to hunt for prey among the rich.”

  Erion sneered, ruby eyes glowing with scornful fire:

  – “I despise nothing more than women who weaponize their bodies. If that spirit beast Anh Tú were dirt poor, she wouldn’t have spared him a single glance!”

  Satan exhaled heavily, shaking his head with weary disgust:

  – “It’s true. That family plots with frightening precision, never hesitating to use filth and deceit to climb higher. And those daughters — knowing the bloody sins of their parents — still chose to hide it, just so they could enjoy the spoils together.”

  Yin’s gaze hardened, staring into the empty space before him:

  – “Anh Tú was too trusting. Too eager. He couldn’t see the difference between love and a scheme wrapped in the guise of love.”

  Din let out a bitter laugh:

  – “And when they succeed, they call it fate. Destiny. An act of the heavens. A spark of true love…”

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  Prince Arian smirked darkly:

  – “The parents murdered their kin to seize wealth. The daughters, in their turn, use their bodies to marry into power. No wonder the D?ng family thrives in riches.”

  The eyes of the shadow-dwellers burned with contempt. They had lived through centuries, witnessed endless schemes, but the pettiness of humans — these cheap, filthy tricks — never failed to draw their scorn.

  For even the darkness has its own code of honor. But those who sell their humanity, their blood, and their kin for gold—

  they are the most monstrous of all.

  The atmosphere in the grand hall softened after a long, tense night. The crystal chandelier above cast a muted golden glow across the blend of Eastern and Western architecture—an elegant fusion, refined and timeless.

  Exhaustion weighed heavy on Trang’s eyelids until, without realizing, she leaned her head gently against Erion’s shoulder.

  Erion stiffened instantly, as though a surge of lightning had coursed through him. He didn’t dare move an inch, afraid of waking her. His gaze locked straight ahead, ears burning red, though his face remained the same cold mask he always wore.

  Din glanced at his watch and broke the silence:

  – “It’s almost dawn. We’ve gathered enough evidence.”

  Satan nodded, a sly smile curling across his lips.

  – “Then it’s time for rest. Summon the little fiends back here. Give them their reward.”

  At the front sat Lady Grandmaster — draped in a black brocade áo dài embroidered with gothic accents, her platinum-silver hair gleaming like moonlight, her sharp features styled after European aristocracy of the 18th century. Beside her was the Master V?nh — clad in the traditional black áo Dài the (?ng ??), his scholar’s hat stitched with ancient sigils, his eyes as sharp as an old war blade.

  Both sat in silence until Master V?nh finally spoke, his voice low and bitter:

  – “To think that in the beginning, Trúc Di?n and I fought to help that family.”

  Trúc Di?n, seated nearby, absently traced a pale-white serpent scale that glimmered at his neck. His words came slow and cool:

  – “You’ve always looked at mortals with too much sentiment… But reality is harsher.”

  Crown Prince Arian squeezed H?ng Nhung’s hand, his voice dripping with irony:

  – “Keep dealing with people like the D?ng family, and trust me — your eyes will be sharp as falling stars before long.”

  Trúc Di?n kept stroking the serpent scale, his expression detached:

  – “Like miss My. At first, I pitied her and lent a hand. But it was all an act. She was nothing but a performer — sharp-tongued, venomous. She even insulted Trang back when she was still a poor tomboy, long before awakening.”

  Erion scoffed, disdain lacing his tone:

  – “She’s no different from the D?ng clan. She chose Tu?n for his fortune. And now, her sights are shifting toward you, Trúc Di?n. You’d best be careful.”

  Satan’s eyes slid to Trang, sleeping peacefully against Erion’s shoulder. A half-smile played at his lips, sly and teasing:

  – “What are you waiting for? Carry her to her room. Or do you plan to let my daughter sleep slumped like that forever?”

  Erion fumbled for a moment, then rose to his feet. With cautious hands, he slid his arms beneath Trang, lifting her gently. Though awkward, every motion brimmed with care.

  To him, Trang was the only black diamond the universe had ever forged — his perfect counterpart, a priceless gift meant for him alone.

  The hall gradually fell quiet. One by one, the mighty figures withdrew to their chambers. And so ended a night of ruthless hunting — sealed with satisfied smiles.

  The sun had risen high, and the soft light of dawn streamed through the Gothic-arched window, tinting the ancient chamber with a faint golden hue. Trang lay fast asleep on the great bed draped in pure white satin sheets. Her face was serene, her lashes trembling lightly with each steady breath — like a portrait of a maiden resting in the gentle glow of morning.

  Erion sat slouched on a crimson velvet sofa near the window. Slowly, he opened his eyes from a deep slumber. The moment he saw the tender sunlight draping across her face, something stirred within him — a strange feeling, both gentle and pure, yet sharp enough to ache. He rose quietly and stepped out onto the balcony.

  The cool morning breeze brushed across his striking features. His true form had returned—no longer a man, but the Black Dragon Lord in all his authority.

  Skin dark as polished obsidian, aura radiant with power, his ruby eyes burned like hellfire. His tall, muscular frame loomed with strength, every line of muscle evident beneath the thin black knit shirt he wore. Even the guards patrolling the heavenly garden below could not help but glance up at him with awe — and envy.

  ---

  Meanwhile, at the villa in District 2, the scene was starkly different.

  After a night plagued by nightmarish illusions—punishment from the powers of shadow delivering justice — C?u D?ng and M? Linh sat lifeless on their bed. Their faces were gaunt, their eyes hollowed with dark circles, their spirits shattered. Neither spoke a word.

  In her private room, Anh Th? suffered the early days of pregnancy. Her body convulsed with violent nausea, her face pale as she lay sprawled on the bed. Beside her, Dì T? sat patiently, one hand wiping sweat from her brow, the other pouring warm water for her to sip.

  – “What do we do now…? He has to take responsibility…” Anh Th? groaned, her voice laced with both exhaustion and fury.

  – “That scoundrel… maybe he’s already fled for good,” Dì T? muttered with a sigh, her gaze drifting beyond the window where the morning light faintly pierced through.

  On the second floor, in her princess-like chamber, Anh ?ào slept heavily after a sleepless night. The shouting of her parents had echoed through the house, robbing her of rest.

  Anh Tú, however, had risen early. He stood on the balcony, eyes fixed on the bonsai trees stretching toward the morning sun. His face carried deep sorrow. The things he had overheard last night had torn his heart apart.

  Never had he imagined that Anh ?ào — the wife he had trusted and protected so wholeheartedly — would use intimacy to ensnare him, only because he was a wealthy heir.

  There was nothing left to cling to. His heart was hollow.

  He recalled Trúc Di?n’s invitation. Quietly, he stepped back into his room, changed clothes, and a few minutes later came downstairs with a backpack slung over his shoulder. Stopping outside Anh Th?’s door, he spoke without looking inside:

  – “Tell my parents… I’ve gone home to take care of something.”

  Dì T? gave a silent nod. Anh Th? simply stared at her brother-in-law, wordless.

  Without waiting for a reply, he strode straight into the garage, climbed into his pearl-white Mercedes, and started the engine. The low roar echoed through the villa before he sped away—toward the mansion in District 7.

  There, he knew, everything was about to change…

  The pearl-white Mercedes rolled to a stop before the gates of the District 7 mansion. Anna, the housekeeper, had been waiting since dawn. She stepped forward swiftly and opened the gate.

  The moment Anh Tú entered the grand living room, he found Mr. ??c and Mrs. Tam already seated at the breakfast table.

  – “Sit down and eat with us,” Mr. ??c said calmly. “This afternoon, the family will head to the Gothic estate.”

  Mrs. Tam studied her son closely, worry flickering in her eyes.

  – “Is something wrong? You don’t look well, dear.”

  Though his heart twisted in pain, Anh Tú could no longer hide the truth. After a long pause, he told them everything.

  Anna trembled with anger, her voice rising:

  – “So that family used their daughter as bait—to fish for someone else’s fortune!”

  Mr. ??c set down his coffee cup, his face still composed.

  – “Either way, they’re already being torn apart by the higher courts of the underworld. Let them handle it. As for you, Tú, stay here. Tell people you’re looking after us because of our health.”

  Mrs. Tam nodded, her tone heavy with disappointment.

  – “At first I thought Anh ?ào was a decent, kind girl… but in the end, she used her body as a snare.”

  Anna let out a half-smile, her mocking voice soft as a breeze:

  – “If her family ever discovered what we truly are… that we’ve been spirits for several centuries… what do you think they’d do?”

  ---

  At the Bình Chánh headquarters, the morning carried an entirely different air.

  On the dining table, steaming plates of C?m T?m awaited. Prepared by a master chef of Vietnamese cuisine, the fragrant aroma spread through the halls. Each dish was laid out with care—fluffy broken rice topped with grilled pork chops, egg loaf, pickled vegetables, and a drizzle of scallion oil. A small bowl of house-special fish sauce completed the feast, irresistible to anyone who caught its scent.

  The masters of the mansion were already awake, dressed impeccably, making their way down for breakfast. Yet two key figures were still missing.

  In her chamber, Trang stirred awake. Slowly, she sat up and noticed Erion standing on the balcony, his gaze cast into the distance, weighed down by unspoken thoughts.

  She padded closer, leaning against the doorframe. Her voice was gentle, her eyes mischievous:

  – “Up so early? Couldn't you sleep because you were missing me?”

  Erion turned, lips curling into a smirk—half jest, half truth.

  – “Who knows? Maybe someone kept me awake.”

  Trang laughed, her smile radiant in the morning light. Erion faltered, caught off guard. She stepped nearer, cupping his sharp, handsome face with her delicate hands.

  – “I remember someone once said,” she teased, “that if he had to marry me, he’d rather stay single for another thousand years.”

  Erion placed his hand over hers, his gaze softening.

  – “A thousand more years alone… I wouldn’t survive it.”

  Her smile deepened as she looked into his eyes.

  – “Then you’ll have to prove your feelings to me — and get my father’s blessing, too.”

  Erion blinked, his expression comically stunned.

  – “My father-in-law is the Demon King Satan himself… terrifying, I’m sure. But I’ll try. I can’t lose to that snake.”

  Trang winked playfully.

  – “Then you’d better start warming up to him now — if you ever want to beat Trúc Di?n. My father’s… not easy to please.”

  Afterward, she dressed with care, her radiant presence making Erion’s heart pound in chaotic rhythm. Together, they made their way downstairs. Trang cast him a mischievous glance as they entered the hall.

  – “Today’s breakfast is C?m T?m — Saigon’s signature dish. Show up late, and don’t blame me if there’s none left for you.”