Inside the vast reception hall of the ?à L?t headquarters, the space radiated the opulent grandeur of classical French royalty, perfectly reminiscent of European palaces from the XVIII–XIX centuries. The selected walnut wood flooring was laid in an intricate herringbone pattern, its flawlessly polished surface reflecting the warm golden glow from crystal chandeliers suspended high above the ceiling.

  The walls were clad in solid wood panels combined with soft cream-painted sections, thin gilded moldings tracing along elaborate Baroque cornices. The soaring ceiling was adorned with classical reliefs and French royal motifs, and at its center hung a multi-tiered crystal chandelier. Whenever the light passed through it, shimmering streaks scattered through the air like falling diamonds.

  Massive columns were arranged symmetrically on both sides of the hall, their smooth shafts understated and elegant, while the capitals were carved with floral patterns and ancient French royal insignias — refined yet imposing. Every piece of furniture was crafted from precious wood: Dark velvet-upholstered armchairs, marble-topped tea tables edged in gold, and antique display cabinets, all embodying aristocratic elegance — luxurious without excess.

  At the very center of the room stood a colossal black diamond, placed upon a white marble pedestal intricately carved in royal style. Its perfectly cut facets reflected the crystal lights above, releasing a deep, muted glow — cold yet noble — like the embodiment of absolute power.

  Behind the black diamond rose a pair of dragon wings forged from black metal, designed in the style of royal bas-relief. Their sharp lines conveyed solemn authority rather than savagery, spread wide as an eternal symbol of Erion’s noble lineage. Blending seamlessly with the classical opulence, they gave the entire hall the presence of a sanctum of royal authority — where every gaze was compelled to lower itself.

  The entire space felt like a miniature French royal palace, where power, wealth, and aristocratic prestige merged into an everlasting classical beauty.

  Everyone was preparing to head out for a stroll through the ?à L?t night market.

  Din appeared first, carrying the demeanor of a perfect gentleman. His charcoal-colored overcoat was impeccably tailored to his tall frame, every line at the shoulders and waist precise, requiring no ostentatious accessories. He offered a faint, relaxed smile, his voice calm and courteous:

  – “Now, let’s go eat. I know a grilled meat place that’s truly authentic to ?à L?t.”

  Erion wore a jet-black long coat, its sharp cut accentuating his 1.88-meter height and perfectly balanced physique. Simply standing still, he looked like he had stepped straight off a high-fashion runway, his overwhelming presence causing the surrounding space to sink into a subtle hush.

  Trang emerged last. Her vanilla-colored knit dress gently hugged her figure, the soft fabric draping naturally — highlighting her gentle curves while maintaining a discreet, noble elegance. Not flamboyant, yet impossible to look away from.

  Chen glanced around, his face twisting as he muttered like he was lamenting his fate:

  – “Why are all the masters so ridiculously handsome and beautiful… Standing next to you guys makes me feel completely out of place.”

  Yin appeared with a completely different style. His ash-gray suit was tastefully coordinated, the collar trimmed with dark fur that added a sense of cold luxury. His gaze was calm, his detached aura naturally exuded without any effort.

  Charles, on the other hand, was a stark contrast to his usual seriousness. Dark jeans, a neat black shirt, and a light sweater layered over it made him look far more youthful and energetic — as if he had shed a familiar, heavy shell.

  Behind them, the little imps chattered excitedly, all dressed in khaki pants and hoodies, their expressions no different from children about to head to a festival.

  Yin lifted a hand to smooth his hair, his tone steady and decisive:

  – “When we return, everyone can rest. I’ll personally recheck all the ingredient components of those cosmetics.”

  Erion’s eyes darkened, his voice dropping with icy vigilance:

  – “If you’re stepping in, then I won’t stay on the sidelines either. I won’t allow that snake to play me again.”

  Trang gently hooked her arm through his, her voice soft yet her eyes full of curiosity:

  – “I want to help too. I’ve only ever seen research labs in movies — I’ve never actually stepped into one.”

  Din smiled politely, replying in a composed tone:

  – “The research facility here is far more advanced. It’s not just technology — it’s combined with ancient magic as well.”

  Behind them, a little imp clutched his stomach, complaining without restraint:

  – “Masters… my stomach’s been growling for ages already…”

  Din chuckled softly and stepped forward, his voice carrying a guiding note:

  – “Then the ?à L?t night tour… officially begins.”

  ***

  In the dining hall of the Bình Chánh headquarters, the atmosphere was entirely different. Everyone was having dinner in solemn silence.

  Phong Túc took a sip of fruit juice and said thoughtfully:

  – “I’ve created a fake profile to register for the model representative selection.”

  Satan nodded:

  – “Good. You and Bách Di?n will infiltrate it. Keep an eye on how many members are on their board of directors.”

  Lita immediately spoke up, her eyes full of anticipation:

  – “I want to join too. Father, let me go.”

  Satan refused at once, his tone firm:

  – “No. He originates from the Dark Planet — he’ll recognize you immediately.”

  The Grand Madam Advisor agreed:

  – “Even if the Princess disguises herself, beings of the same demonic origin will sense each other’s aura. Phong Túc and Bách Di?n possess facial transformation techniques combined with their unique abilities — enough to conceal their signature scent.”

  Trúc Di?n turned to Lita, his voice gentle:

  – “You and I will monitor things from a distance. H?u K?’s team will also provide support.”

  Though stubborn, Lita could only nod in reluctant agreement.

  While in ?à L?t, Erion and his companions stepped into a chilly night filled with lights and the aroma of grilled meat, back at the Bình Chánh headquarters, Demon King Satan had already arranged the pieces on the chessboard — its opening moves quietly set into motion.

  A thin veil of mist drifted down over the ?à L?t night market, softening the yellow lights strung along the pathways into hazy halos of warm glow. The highland chill seeped downward, biting lightly at fingertips and slipping through collars, turning every exhaled breath into faint wisps of smoke.

  The crowd was dense, shoulders brushing against shoulders as footsteps slowed in the press. The sound of shoes against stone pavement, coats rustling, and the lively chatter of tourists blended together into a bustling yet gentle background hum — like a unique nocturnal symphony belonging only to the mountain city.

  From both sides of the street, vendors’ calls rang out continuously, rising and falling, sometimes drawn out, sometimes urgent:

  – “Freshly picked strawberries here, folks!”

  – “Authentic ?à L?t wind-dried persimmons, come try some!”

  – “Hot roasted sweet potatoes, fresh off the fire!”

  Those calls burst into the cold air, carrying far before dissolving into the mist, sounding both familiar and comforting. The aroma of roasted sweet potatoes, ripe strawberries, hot soy milk, and boiled corn mingled together, drifting through the crowd with every cold breeze, making even those who had just eaten feel their stomachs stir.

  Somewhere nearby, the clinking of pushcarts, the crackle of glowing charcoal, the rustle of plastic bags, and the excited shouts of groups of young friends wove together, creating a space that felt unexpectedly warm and alive amid ?à L?t’s signature nighttime chill.

  Amid the cold mist, glowing lights, and lively sounds, the night market was more than just a place of trade — it was the city’s living breath, crowded yet intimate, drawing people in and making it hard to leave once they had stepped inside.

  The moment the little demons set foot in the market, it was as if their chains had been released. They immediately dashed toward the strawberry stalls. One of them stared wide-eyed, swallowed hard, and exclaimed with undisguised excitement:

  – “Oh my god… these strawberries are huge! Just looking at them, you can tell they’re delicious!”

  Another tugged at Trang’s arm, bubbling with excitement:

  – “Princess, come buy strawberries here! And get some wind-dried persimmons too!”

  Erion frowned, his familiar grumbling tone returning:

  – “No matter where they go, these guys always embarrass me. All they ever think about is eating.”

  Din chuckled softly, his gaze gentle:

  – “It’s been a long time since I came back to ?à L?t. To be honest, I’m craving sugar-dipped strawberries too.”

  Trang stopped in front of a stall, her eyes fixed on the plump red strawberries still beaded with night dew. Her voice softened, carrying a touch of simple, everyday joy:

  – “I like them too. Let’s buy some.”

  The whole group moved closer to the stall. Behind the glass display lay a variety of ?à L?t specialties: Bright red fresh strawberries, glossy strawberry jam, colorful gummy candies, thick mulberry syrup, crispy dried vegetables, and neatly arranged strings of vivid orange wind-dried persimmons.

  The stall owner flinched slightly when she saw the group in front of her. Every one of them exuded a striking presence, their appearances like characters stepping straight out of a film. Not only her — nearby tourists also subconsciously turned their heads to look.

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  She quickly stepped forward, offering a warm smile:

  – “Welcome! Our strawberries were picked this afternoon. And these are all ?à L?t specialties. Please take a look.”

  Yin stepped forward, glanced around briefly, then pointed decisively:

  – “I’ll take all the strawberries here. Wind-dried persimmons, mulberry syrup, chewy dried sweet potatoes… a little of each. Please prepare them.”

  Erion looked over, eyes widening slightly as he raised an eyebrow:

  – “That’s a lot. Planning to live on strawberries instead of meals?”

  Yin cast a calm glance toward the little demons hovering behind them:

  – “Even that might not be enough for them.”

  Charles laughed, a genuinely relaxed smile crossing his face — a peaceful moment like this was rare for him:

  – “There are a lot of us. And there are plenty of other things to try. I’ve heard the roasted sweet potatoes and soy milk here are really good.”

  Hearing that, Chen felt his stomach growl and nodded in agreement:

  – “Cold weather like this, roasted sweet potatoes are unbeatable.”

  Din spoke up, his tone decisive yet full of enthusiasm:

  – “After this, I’ll take everyone to eat grilled meat. Once we’re done, we’ll stop for soy milk.”

  The little demons cheered in unison:

  – “Awesome! This subordinate won’t go home until I’ve had at least five cups!”

  Inside the luxurious yet chilling villa, subdued golden lights from the high ceiling shone down onto the vast marble floor, reflecting cold, mirror-like patches of light. The silence was so profound that the faint swipe of turning pages on a laptop screen sounded unusually loud, heavy within the empty space.

  Nicolas sat alone on a black leather sofa, his posture relaxed yet exuding an invisible oppressive presence. His sharp hazel eyes slowly scanned through each online application profile. The pale blue glow from the screen cast across his angular face, sharpening his already cold and unreadable features — like a predator assessing prey obsessed with vanity.

  He shook his head slightly, his low voice tinged with boredom:

  – “None of them please me.”

  His fingers continued to scroll before stopping at the profiles of two girls who were friends of Huy. Nicolas’s expression darkened further, the corner of his lips curling in faint disdain:

  – “What I’m looking for is a queen’s presence, not this childish nonsense.”

  Beside him, Grimm stood stiffly, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He spoke cautiously:

  – “On Earth, where would you even find a girl with a queen’s presence, Boss? If we’re talking about royalty… then the princesses of Satan’s Royal Family would be the closest match.”

  Nicolas kept his gaze on the laptop screen, merely shaking his head, his voice dropping lower:

  – “I need someone who radiates a queenly aura, but not the stereotypical, aristocratic kind. She must have a raw, unpolished appearance — wild beauty, full of vitality. Her personality must carry a hint of arrogance and coldness… not some delicate, fragile young lady.”

  Kane, standing nearby, looked genuinely puzzled:

  – “I’ve lived for over a hundred years, yet I’ve never seen a girl like the one you describe.”

  Grimm frowned and glanced at Kane, lowering his voice:

  – “If that’s the case… then where are we supposed to find her?”

  A vague glimmer flashed through Nicolas’s eyes — part hope, part obsession. He snapped the laptop shut, his voice decisive:

  – “She must exist. Keep accepting online applications. The casting starts early next week. I don’t want to wait any longer.”

  ***

  In the living room of C?u D?ng’s villa, the atmosphere was completely different. His three daughters were gathered around a large table, which was cluttered with evening gowns, high heels, accessories, and hairstyle reference photos.

  Anh ?ào held up a high-slit gown adorned with shimmering beads, its elaborate design worthy of a beauty queen, and showed it to Anh Tú:

  – “Do you think this one is pretty?”

  Anh Tú glanced at it, his expression twisting slightly, but he chose his words carefully:

  – “The slit is too high, and it’s designed for someone taller than one-seventy. Why don’t you choose a princess-style dress instead? I think it would suit you better.”

  C?u D?ng nodded in agreement:

  – “Tú is right. That design doesn’t fit your body type. And you’re already married — don’t dress too revealingly.”

  On the other side of the table, Anh Th?, despite being pregnant, couldn’t hide her excitement. She pointed at a lace gown with a softly flared skirt, her eyes lighting up:

  – “I’ll wear this one. I’m sure I’ll be chosen.”

  Anh Ph??ng, with the style of an apprentice witch, leaned toward a rebellious, edgy look. She crossed her arms, her tone firm:

  – “Then I’ll go with a leather dress paired with knee-high boots. All the other contestants will be gentle and graceful — I need something bold to stand out.”

  Join, standing nearby, nodded half-heartedly, but inside he was already growing weary. He muttered, half-joking, half-serious:

  – “Take it easy, girls… overdoing it will just backfire.”

  Down in the kitchen, Bách Di?n, disguised as Dì T?, pretended to wash dishes while quietly listening to every word drifting down. A faint smirk curved his lips, a trace of mockery flashing through his eyes. He murmured softly, just loud enough for himself to hear:

  – “This is nothing yet… wait until Miss My, the mistress, shows up. That’s when things will really get over the top.”

  On the ?à L?t plateau, night fell swiftly. Cold air swept in as thin mist drifted lazily through the pine trees. Three luxury cars were neatly parked in the courtyard of a barbecue restaurant, warm yellow lights spilling from inside, highlighting the thick smoke rising from glowing charcoal grills.

  The restaurant was packed with customers. Laughter filled the air, mingling with the sizzling sound of meat on iron grates and the rich aroma of spices spreading throughout the space. In Dalat’s signature chill, the scene felt both lively and warmly inviting.

  The owner — a middle-aged man — rushed out the moment he saw the cars arrive, his face filled with respect:

  – “Welcome, Count Din. It’s been a long time. Greetings to all of you. I’ve already prepared a table for everyone. Please come inside.”

  The owner led the way. Behind him, Erion lowered his voice and asked Din:

  – “How does he know you?”

  Din smiled easily:

  – “He’s a vampire agent as well, but retired. He opened this barbecue place to make a living and take care of his family. I help him out occasionally.”

  The owner stopped in front of a long wooden table that could seat about twenty people. Four charcoal grills were already set on the table, glowing red as smoke curled upward, with jars of seasoning neatly arranged around them:

  – “Please have a seat. Our specialty is grilled meat and skewers. Today, I also have grilled king oyster mushrooms — they’re very good.”

  Erion didn’t bother looking at the menu, his voice firm:

  – “Bring out everything you have. Four portions of each.”

  Trang widened her eyes and leaned closer, whispering:

  – “That’s way too much. Can we even finish all that?”

  Before Erion could reply, the little imps shouted excitedly:

  – “No matter how much the General orders, we’ll eat it all!”

  Erion shook his head and rubbed his forehead:

  – “Keep it down. There are humans all around.”

  Only then did the owner take a closer look, his gaze stopping on Erion as he hesitated:

  – “Count… and this gentleman is…?”

  Din immediately regained his aristocratic composure and gestured toward Erion:

  — “This is my master, known as the Black Diamond.”

  The owner froze, dropping the menu in shock. He hurriedly bowed, his voice trembling:

  – “The… the General Erion? I heard among the vampires that the General was imprisoned by Lord Satan in the Endless Hell…”

  Yin spoke calmly from the side:

  – “The General is now the Lord’s son-in-law.”

  The owner’s eyes went wide, his mouth hanging open:

  – “S-son-in-law… my heavens…”

  Erion frowned slightly, his voice turning cold:

  – “Bring the food out. They’re hungry.”

  ***

  Inside a modest single-story house, a simple dinner had just ended. After a long day of helping out, Huy’s friends left one by one.

  As the purple-haired boy wheeled the last motorbike out the gate, Huy stood in the yard, glancing back into the house where his parents were watching TV, and blurted out:

  – “This time… some of the people from the other day will be at my wedding.”

  The purple-haired boy turned pale as a leaf and spun around:

  – “Why invite those people?”

  Huy lowered his voice:

  – “My in-laws invited them. I didn’t even know. My wife’s family is connected to the ancient divine beast White Serpent, and there are also two noble vampires.”

  The orange-haired girl grew visibly uneasy upon hearing this:

  – “Last time, because of you, we almost brought disaster on ourselves. Just thinking about it now gives me goosebumps.”

  The buzz-cut young man cut in urgently:

  – “Do you know who that pitch-black guy with blazing red eyes and that old noble aura was?”

  Huy shook his head:

  – “I only know about the ancient divine beast Trúc Di?n.”

  The buzz-cut youth widened his eyes:

  – “His parents said that person was the Black Diamond. General Erion — a lord-level demon who was imprisoned in the Endless Hell for a thousand years!”

  Huy felt his legs weaken, his throat turning dry:

  – “So… I accidentally poked a hornet’s nest?”

  The girl with red highlights glanced around nervously, lowering her voice:

  – “You married into wealth — that’s already a blessing. Don’t get involved with those people. They’d only need one finger to send you straight to the afterlife.”

  The purple-haired boy quickly started his motorbike:

  – “We’re leaving. If you want trouble, go face them yourself. I don’t want to die young.”

  The sound of the engine faded into the cold night. Huy stood alone in front of the small house, his mind completely blank. He still hadn’t truly realized yet…

  …just how massive a storm he had already stepped into.

  The barbecue dinner in ?à L?t’s signature cold finally came to an end. Every little imp rubbed their round, stuffed bellies, their faces full of satisfaction.

  One of them popped open a can of soda, chugged it in one go, then let out a pleased burp:

  – “So full… The barbecue here is really good. The Count picked a truly reliable place!”

  Another chimed in proudly:

  – “This subordinate still has room for five more glasses of soy milk. And later we’re eating strawberries too!”

  Erion glanced over at the group, his tone both exasperated and faintly amused:

  – “Even I can’t eat that much. I suspect they’re not demon-faced bats at all.”

  Yin covered his mouth and laughed softly:

  – “They’re pigs, that’s more accurate. No demon-faced bat eats like that.”

  Din cleared his throat lightly, regaining a serious demeanor:

  – “Owner, please bring the bill.”

  The owner hurried over, bowing respectfully:

  – “Today’s meal, this subordinate would like to treat everyone. Next time you visit, I hope you’ll support my restaurant again.”

  Din took out his wallet and placed a thick stack of money on the table:

  – “You still have a wife and children to take care of. Take it.”

  Yin glanced around and asked gently:

  – “Is your wife here?”

  The owner smiled, his gaze softening:

  – “My wife just gave birth to our second child. She’s resting at home, taking care of the two kids. I handle the restaurant work; sometimes my brother-in-law comes to help.”

  Erion nodded, then placed three small black stones on the table. Though small, under the lights they shimmered with an eerie violet glow:

  – “Take these as well.”

  The owner stared closely, his heart tightening:

  – “These are… black diamonds? The General is truly giving them to me?”

  Trang looked at Erion, smiled gently, then turned to the owner:

  – “He’s giving them to you. So you’ll have more resources to care for your family. Please accept them.”

  One little imp was still stuffing another spring roll into his mouth, mumbling:

  – “They’re really rich, you know… just take it…”

  Erion ground his teeth:

  – “Shut up. No one said you were mute.”

  Charles glanced at his watch:

  – “We should head back now. See you next time.”

  Everyone stepped out of the restaurant. The ?à L?t night felt even colder, thin mist drifting lightly. In front of the restaurant stood a jacaranda tree, its blossoms hanging in soft clusters, glowing violet beneath the streetlights.

  Trang raised her hand, wanting to pluck a branch:

  – “It’s so beautiful… Only ?à L?t has purple phoenix flowers.”

  Erion smiled, his gaze gentle as he looked at her:

  – “If you like it… next time you return, our headquarters will have a garden full of purple phoenix trees just for you.”

  Trang’s eyes lit up:

  – “I’d love that. Plant some other flowers too, okay?”

  Chen eagerly chimed in:

  – “Then let’s go drink soy milk now, my lords!”

  Charles laughed and nodded:

  – “Alright. I’ll treat everyone. As for you little imps, five glasses each.”

  The little imps erupted in cheers. One of them grew greedy and muttered regretfully:

  – “If only I’d said ten glasses earlier…”

  Din shot him a sideways glance:

  – “Enough. You generals… are you trying to make us lose face?”

  The cars drove slowly in a line around Xuan H??ng Lake, tires rolling softly over the mist-dampened road. Pale yellow streetlights reflected on the calm surface of the water, spreading into soft streaks like shimmering ribbons drifting lazily through the night.

  The highland night breeze blew gently, cold enough to make one instinctively pull their collar closer. The air carried the faint resinous scent of young pine trees, the damp chill unique to ?à L?t, mingled with the subtle fragrance of wildflowers by the lake.

  Occasionally, the soft lapping of water against stone echoed rhythmically, blending with the rustling of pine leaves overhead to form a soothing background melody.

  Along the lakeside road, couples walked hand in hand at an unhurried pace. The soft sound of shoes against the pavement, quiet laughter carried away by the wind, dissolved into the tranquil space. Some paused to take photos; others leaned against each other, gazing at the misty lake, their eyes softening as they looked at the smile of the most important person in their hearts.

  Erion was driving. The Bentley glided forward almost silently, the windows lowered to let the cold wind and night mist fill the cabin. Streetlights passed over his face, bright then dim, accentuating his sharp yet composed features.

  He tilted his head slightly to look at Trang, his deep voice blending with the wind and the slow rhythm of the car:

  – “In the future, you’ll live here with me and everyone else. If you prefer Saigon, that’s fine too. As long as we’re together.”

  Trang nodded lightly, her voice soft but firm:

  – “As long as we’re together.”

  From the back seat, Din smiled knowingly:

  – “In Saigon, the General doesn’t lack villas either. And with spatial gates, staying in two places in one day is no problem.”

  Charles sat beside Din, quietly watching the scenery beyond the window. The cold wind brushed through his salt-and-pepper hair, his blue eyes reflecting a rare sense of peace:

  – “Perhaps… I’ll come back here too. For hundreds of years, I’ve focused only on work and neglected myself.”

  Din nodded thoughtfully:

  – “You can teach online. There are many students in Vietnam who still need help. As I said, housing isn’t lacking — only residents.”

  The car continued gliding through the peaceful ?à L?t night, leaving behind the lights of Xuan H??ng Lake and a faint warmth in the air —

  like a quiet promise of calm days yet to come.