The room fell into silence after the flood of truths had been laid bare. The faces of Anh Tú’s family were still frozen in shock, as though they had just awakened from a long delusion—only to taste the bitterness of having chosen the wrong in-laws, while Anh Tú himself had married the worst wife a man could ever have.

  Master V?nh spoke slowly, his gaze as deep as an ancient well:

  – “Now that your family and Anh Tú know the truth, how do you plan to deal with it?”

  Anh Tú clenched his fists, his voice firm, each word ringing with resolve:

  – “I will divorce Anh ?ào. She never loved me. All she ever wanted was my family’s wealth… her entire family schemed to lure me into their trap.”

  Butler Anna laid a hand on his shoulder, her voice brimming with anger:

  – “That’s the right decision, young master! That family has always lived off the backs of others. If they could betray their own blood relatives, then there’s nothing they wouldn’t dare to do.”

  At that moment, Erion calmly lifted a glass of wine, his cold eyes drifting toward the arched window:

  – “But now their family is facing retribution. That younger daughter, Anh Th?, has been ensnared by a low-level centipede spirit… trying to seize wealth in exactly the same way her parents and sister once did.”

  Anh Tú froze, suddenly remembering the sight of his sister-in-law’s boyfriend — a gaudy young man with bleached yellow hair, dressed like a wannabe gangster. A chill ran down his spine:

  – “So that guy was a centipede spirit… Unbelievable.”

  Din leaned back into the velvet sofa, smirking:

  – “Now their daughter is being played at her own game. The same trap they once used is being turned against them. This is only the beginning — just wait and see.”

  Anna laughed triumphantly:

  – “Serves them right! That family has lived too wickedly for too long. Finally, karma is catching up.”

  Mr. ??c shot a cold glance at his son:

  – “Tomorrow morning, I’ll call the lawyer. The divorce must be finalized as soon as possible. I will not tolerate such a vile daughter-in-law, and I certainly will not accept in-laws so cruel and deceitful.”

  Mrs. Tam simply nodded, her voice tinged with sorrow:

  – “Consider this a grave mistake our family has made.”

  Arms crossed, Trang spoke with sharp mockery:

  – “That’s why you should never judge someone by appearances. A sweet smile and gentle manners are the best masks to hide a rotten core.”

  Trúc Di?n now turned to Master V?nh, his voice steady but edged with steel:

  – “So what do we do with that centipede spirit? Should I… handle it?”

  Master V?nh closed his eyes for a brief moment before shaking his head:

  – “No. It is the embodiment of karma. It appeared for one reason only — to punish that family. Not to entertain us.”

  Yin rested his chin on one hand, speaking lazily but with weight in his words:

  – “It must live. It still has a mission — to deliver retribution upon D?ng’s family.”

  The little demons cheered in unison:

  – “Exactly! If the masters kill it, the fun is over. Better let it stir up chaos in D?ng’s household.”

  A royal agent sipped his tea calmly:

  – “We need only sit back and watch… as each member of that family gets spun around like a toy in the centipede’s grip.”

  A small one-story house tucked away in a narrow alley of District 8 simmered under the scorching midday sun. Inside, a young man with bleached blond hair, a gaudy shirt unbuttoned to the stomach, stood whistling in front of a mirror. His smirk was as sloppy as if he were chewing gum.

  – “Finally, I did it!” he said, running a comb through his hair, brimming with smugness. “Soon, I’ll officially marry into Th?’s family as their precious son-in-law! My future is secured — no more struggling to earn my own living.”

  This was Huy, whose true form was that of a centipede spirit — a lazy, gluttonous creature, driven by ambition to climb high and feast off others. His disguise was the archetypal “wannabe gangster”: A cocky face tilted skyward, tanned skin, sly snake-like eyes, cheap flashy clothes, and a mouth full of sweet but worthless words.

  Yet, unbeknownst to him, he was already a pawn in the schemes of higher powers. His very existence was permitted for one purpose only: To act as the hand of karma against D?ng’s family.

  ---

  Meanwhile, in the grand villa of District 7, beneath the golden glow of crystal chandeliers, the atmosphere weighed heavily on those who had just awakened from their delusions.

  Anh Tú’s family — once filled with trust in their in-laws — could no longer conceal their disappointment. Mrs. Tam’s face looked as if she had swallowed something bitter, while Mr. ??c stood silently with his hands clasped behind his back, staring out into the garden.

  – “Better to know now than remain blinded any longer,” Master V?nh, the traditional sorcerer. His deep-set eyes carried the shadows of centuries. His salt-and-pepper hair was tied neatly behind him, and his black áo dài embroidered with pine and crane patterns swayed gently as the garden breeze slipped into the room. His face bore the weary solemnity of one who had watched countless souls go astray.

  – “Miss Anh ?ào girl never loved you,” Yin continued coldly. “This morning she was secretly eyeing both the General and the Count.”

  – “Well, she’s found richer prey, hasn’t she? Poor Anh Tú was bound to be cast aside.” Count Din shrugged, his half-smile as sharp as a blade. His ocean-deep blue eyes glimmered with contempt.

  – “I’ve already seen the truth,” Trang murmured softly, her gaze fixed on her teacup. “It’s a lesson for me, too: A dazzling appearance doesn’t equate to virtue or good upbringing.”

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  Erion — the cosmic-blooded being known as the Black Diamond — leaned back into the sofa, his cold eyes flicking toward the pendulum clock on the wall.

  – “It’s almost time for the centipede spirit to meet his future in-laws,” he remarked with mocking amusement. “Let’s enjoy the show.”

  Anna let out a light chuckle, her slender finger pointing toward the crystal orb placed at the center of the table:

  – “This orb allows us to observe everything across dimensions. Let’s see how these actors perform their little play.”

  – “It’s like my Black Crystal,” Erion smirked, a faint swirl of dark violet energy glimmering in his hand, “though this one can’t shift to the dimensions I choose.”

  Outside, the sun blazed mercilessly, yet the air seemed cloaked in the shadow of a brewing storm. Back in the shabby house of District 8, Huy remained elated, blissfully unaware that the gate of karmic retribution was already waiting for him to step through.

  The afternoon sun bathed everything in golden light, threading through rows of bonsai trees and spilling across the Japanese-style garden of D?ng’s villa. The scene looked serene on the surface — but the air carried a cold gray hue, the color of a karmic storm quietly drawing near.

  A gleaming scooter stopped at the gate. Sitting atop it was Huy — the sly centipede spirit—holding a basket of imported fruit, dressed with a politeness so fake it was almost laughable. He rang the bell.

  Dì T? came to open the gate, glanced at him briefly, then gave a curt nod.

  – “Hello, Dì T?. How are you?” he said with feigned warmth.

  She tilted her head, replying flatly:

  – “I’m fine. Thanks.”

  Huy stepped calmly into the living room, where Anh Th? sat with her parents and her elder sister, Anh ?ào. He bowed politely, his voice dripping with rehearsed sincerity:

  – “Good afternoon, Uncle, Auntie… and Sister ?ào.”

  D?ng’s sharp eyes narrowed as he spoke coldly:

  – “Sit down. Th?’s pregnancy… that was your plan, wasn’t it?”

  Beside him, M? Linh pressed her lips together, then sneered sideways:

  – “Clever boy. But this trick is old news.”

  Anh ?ào, who had once used the same scheme to trap Anh Tú, felt a stab of guilt and stayed silent.

  Huy, however, kept his composure, performing as if his heart were pure:

  – “Please don’t think of me that way. I truly love Th?. I never had any ill intentions.”

  At that moment, Dì T? brought in a tray of drinks, setting it on the table. Her voice was soft, but her words carried hidden thorns:

  – “Then tell us — what’s the real reason you’re with Th??”

  Huy smiled gently, his eyes flashing with counterfeit “honesty”:

  – “Mrs. T?, Uncle, Auntie, Sister ?ào… I chose to be with Th? because she embodies kindness, virtue, and talent. My family truly cherishes her for her gentle nature and respectful manners.”

  ---

  Far away, at the Bình Chánh stronghold, within a hall blending European and Asian grandeur, the Demon King Satan reclined upon a throne of solid rosewood, watching everything through the Velkhanis mirror. He chuckled darkly, his voice gravelly:

  – “Damn… this centipede is lying through his teeth. Can you all hear him? A deceitful little beast if there ever was one.”

  Beside him, on a carved ironwood throne, the Grand Advisor — an old woman — filed her nails lazily and smacked her lips:

  – “If you want to marry into a rich family, you’d better be a master at acting… and have a tongue as slick as melted sugar.”

  Crown Prince Arian curled his lip into a smirk:

  – “With acting skills like that, it’s a waste no director ever cast him in a play.”

  ---

  Back in the District 7 villa, within a European-style living room heavy with silence, the powerful beings watched through the hovering crystal orb set upon its amethyst pedestal.

  Yin burst out laughing, clicking his tongue:

  – “My god… look at the sheer shamelessness of that lie. He could outdo Cu?i, the master storyteller himself.”

  Erion folded his arms, eyes sharp as blades:

  – “He’s an eyesore. I’d love to shut that lying mouth with one slap.”

  Mr. ??c spoke at last, his voice low, his eyes filled with contempt:

  – “Let’s see… what kind of retribution this so-called ‘gold-digging prince’ will bring upon their family.”

  Huy lowered his head, pretending to be timid and remorseful, but inside his mind, schemes slithered like those of a lurking predator:

  – “Once I get into this family… Th?’s fortune will be mine as well. For the rest of my life, I’ll have a place to rely on, no more worries, no more struggles…”

  Across from him, C?u D?ng calmly poured tea, though his sharp eyes scanned every twitch and subtle flicker on Huy’s face. The young man might be slippery, but with over thirty years of cunning battles in the business world, C?u D?ng was not a man easily fooled. His thoughts cut coldly:

  – “So you plan to snatch my wealth through a marriage certificate with my daughter? You’re still green… trying to rob me? Dream on, boy.”

  He cast a glance at his wife, M? Linh, then spoke with an even, deliberate tone:

  – “Regardless, my daughter is pregnant—and that child is also my grandchild. If you truly intend to take responsibility, then bring your parents here and properly request her hand in marriage.”

  M? Linh caught her husband’s meaning. With a faint, graceful smile, she added:

  – “Yes, go home and speak with your parents. Choose a good day for both families to meet and settle the matter.”

  She didn’t voice the rest of her thought, but in her heart, she sneered:

  – “We’ll let you have the wedding, just to save face in front of the world. But once you become our son-in-law… you’ll learn what it means to live like a dog under the table.”

  Huy’s face lit up with feigned gratitude, his voice dripping with rehearsed humility:

  – “Yes, I’ll speak with my parents and pick an auspicious day to formally propose for Th?’s hand.”

  ---

  Meanwhile, in the District 7 villa, within the wine-red glow of a European-style sitting room, Anh Tú’s family and the cosmic figures were relishing every moment of the live drama unfolding in the magical orb.

  Trang crossed her arms, her cold gaze fixed on the shifting images within the crystal sphere. After two decades in D?ng’s household, she knew their true nature all too well. Her lips curved into a faint, mocking smile as she muttered:

  – “That centipede will regret becoming their son-in-law… C?u D?ng and M? Linh are masters of schemes and treachery.”

  Trúc Di?n smirked, his eyes gleaming with intrigue:

  – “All the better. Let people like them tear each other apart.”

  Behind them stood Master V?nh, clad in his traditional black áo Dài embroidered with cranes and pines, his salt-and-pepper hair tied neatly, his gaze piercing as though it could strip away the soul. He nodded solemnly, his deep voice resonating like a verdict:

  – “When karma knocks on the door, there is no escape. Let them face one another… everything unfolds as fate has arranged.”

  At the villa in District 2, the atmosphere resembled a Hollywood film set. Every person played their role with such seamless finesse, it was as if they had rehearsed their parts for decades.

  C?u D?ng smiled, his tone calm and fatherly, like a kind and gentle parent:

  – “Huy, I see you’re willing to take responsibility. That’s commendable… That’s what being a real man is about.”

  But inside his mind, a chilling, mocking voice echoed:

  – “I respect Tú because he’s useful to me. You, on the other hand… you’ll be the scapegoat, the one to shoulder the blame for the embezzlement of my projects. You’ll die in my place, and won’t even realize it.”

  M? Linh poured more tea for Huy, her face soft and tender, the perfect image of a mother fond of her future son-in-law:

  – “If your family is free next Sunday, bring your parents over for dinner.”

  But behind the warmth of her eyes lurked thoughts as sharp and cold as razors:

  – “A small fry like you, dreaming of marrying into this family? Keep climbing… the higher you go, the harder we’ll make sure you fall.”

  Anh ?ào, meanwhile, couldn’t care less about the pleasantries circling the tea table. In her mind flickered images of Erion and Din — the two flawless men she had met that morning. Refined, powerful, dangerously captivating. Compared to them, Anh Tú’s shadow grew faint. Her marriage to him was never born of love — it was a calculated move to secure power and seize wealth.

  Anh Th?, on the other hand, was lost in a haze of romantic daydreams about her upcoming wedding. Her heart bloomed with self-woven fantasies as she leaned toward Huy with sweetness:

  – “Shall we go eat later? For some reason, I’m really craving Thai hotpot.”

  Huy immediately nodded, smiling with a show of tender devotion:

  – “Of course. Whatever you want, I’ll make sure you have it. You need to eat well — for yourself and for our baby.”

  But deep within his mind, the centipede spirit whispered its true obsession:

  – “The child in her belly is my trump card — the key to the heights of fortune and power. Through it, I’ll secure her family’s immense wealth. Protecting that baby is my top priority.”

  C?u D?ng heard his daughter’s words and cast Huy a knowing glance, his lips curling into a dangerous smile:

  – “Then take her out, Huy. She’s pregnant; cravings for this or that are perfectly natural.”

  Huy bowed quickly and politely, masking the monstrous essence that lurked beneath his human guise:

  – “Yes, then I’ll take Anh Th? out to eat. Goodbye, sir and ma’am… and goodbye, sister.”

  As the couple left the villa, C?u D?ng slammed his teacup onto the silver tray, his eyes gleaming with ruthless venom:

  – “Hell is waiting for you, my beloved son-in-law…”

  M? Linh’s lips stretched into a cruel smile:

  – “By stepping into this house… you’ve already walked into your own death.”