Chapter 23

"Why?" She couldn't believe what she was seeing. The members of the Jiu Yu Guild had serious expressions, while the vampires remained indifferent. However, it was clear that neither side harbored any hostility.

"I told you, didn't I? Times have changed, my dear. With technology as their backing, humans are no longer the helpless prey of monsters and demons. Vampires and humans established an agreement long ago. Humans can conduct experiments on vampires, and in return, vampires gain protection from being hunted and can freely choose humans as their food. Other races have also tacitly accepted this agreement. Vampires, who once oppressed humans, are now considered precious protected animals."

He was very satisfied with her shocked expression. The Delin family had educated her too well. Without witnessing it herself, she still believed that those centuries-old doctrines were applicable in this era.

To sever her ties with the Delin family, the first step was to completely overturn her beliefs.

"But... the maid never mentioned any of this to me." Sarah's voice was hesitant. Her adoptive mother had only instilled in her the belief that humans and vampires were mortal enemies, and the clan members were deeply convinced of this. Why had her adoptive mother concealed the current situation?

A pleasant baritone voice kindly explained to her, "Some things only need to be known by the leaders. Followers just need to believe in the so-called 'reality' provided to them and muddle through their lives. There are few wise people in the world and many fools. If the ignorant know too much, it will only cause chaos."

Emil turned his head at the sound and saw two people. One was a tall, fair-skinned man with a single-lidded, handsome face, smiling politely at him with a hint of wickedness at the corner of his mouth. The other was a slender figure with a beautiful face that looked like a teenager's, but his eyes were a bright, blood-red, making his stunning features appear even more eerie.

The boy smiled and said, "Good evening to both of you." It was the same voice that had just spoken.

Emil pulled Sarah behind him, staring at the boy's unusual eyes, recalling that Nangong Jing had mentioned a mysterious bar with a hidden owner said to have a rare pair of blood-red eyes. "Are you Alan Ye?"

"The famous Emil actually recognizes me. I'm truly flattered." Alan Ye placed a hand on his chest and sighed lightly, his elegant demeanor naturally exuding an alluring charm. "Since you know who I am, you must also know that I can solve certain troublesome matters for you. For example—" He glanced at Sarah, "I can free you from the control of humans and let you live happily ever after with this young lady. How about it?"

Sarah was stunned and looked up at Emil. What did he mean by freeing him from the control of humans? Was he under someone's control?

Emil smiled noncommittally. "I've heard that your 'Black Heart Bar' operates passively, providing services to those who can enter its doors. When did the owner start personally soliciting customers?"

Alan Ye shrugged helplessly. "Business has been slow lately, so I had to come out and show my face. Otherwise, Ouyang would be quite bored every night in the bar."

Ouyang Wuhuan, who had been standing quietly beside him, smiled faintly. "Boredom is not a big deal. I'm just a bartender responsible for watching the bar. Ultimately, satisfying the customers' requests may not necessarily be my job."

"In any case, there are always some regrets in life. No matter how much power or magic you possess, you can't change them because the causes of these predicaments are external constraints, such as your predetermined birth or bloodline connections. But I can break these desperate shackles." Alan Ye's starry eyes blinked as he smiled at Sarah, who was visibly shaken. "Hasn't the heavy burden of the Delin family ever made you want to escape?"

Under the penetrating gaze of those bright red eyes, Sarah's heart raced, and her palm, held tightly by Emil, became slightly sweaty.

She had heard her adoptive mother mention the Black Heart Bar. No one knew where it was located, but if one had a desperate desire, they would suddenly find themselves standing at its door one night while wandering the streets. Once inside and expressing their wish, it would be granted, even if a beggar could become rich overnight—as long as they could pay the equivalent price. But once they left, they could never find the bar again. She remembered her adoptive mother and aunts unanimously believed that it might be a devil's bar...

The grip on her hand suddenly tightened unpleasantly, causing her to cry out softly in pain.

Emil tightened his hold on her hand and said flatly, "Your bar has always charged an equivalent fee for fulfilling customers' requests. Trying to forcibly change the course of fate would naturally come at a great cost. You wouldn't provide such a service for free, would you?"

Alan Ye chuckled. "I'm a businessman; I don't do loss-making deals. But I can offer a discount—"

"Enough." Qing Lian, who had been silent all along, suddenly interrupted the conversation. His voice was deep and resonant like a cello, striking a chord in the heart. His sharp eyes were completely unlike a child's, warning the other party not to tempt Emil any further.

"People have the right to pursue what they want. I'm merely providing him with a reference." Alan Ye leaned down and whispered in Qing Lian's ear, so softly that only they could hear, "You also long for someone, don't you? Even if it means the extinction of all things, you wouldn't hesitate. You'd be willing to trade billions of lives for that one person, the only woman you desire..."

He smiled as he watched Qing Lian's expression change. The child's round eyes widened in astonishment, as if wanting to ask what he knew, but held back.

"If you three consider my proposal, you will naturally find my bar. I'll be waiting for you anytime. Please excuse me for not being able to stay." Alan Ye gave a charming smile and turned to leave.

Sarah watched as the boy and the man disappeared into the crowd. If the boy was truly a devil, at least one thing was certain—devils absolutely kept their promises. Once they received the payment, they would thoroughly fulfill the entrusted task. They were known for their audacity in using any dark magic to achieve their goals, which is why devils were regarded as fallen deities with the power to alter fate.

If that boy could turn him into a human and even resolve his feud with the Delin family, he could do it, right? If he had never had a grudge against the Delin family, if she were just an ordinary person, things between them might be much simpler...

Emil took her delicate hand and gently kissed it. "Do you have a wish you'd like that bar to fulfill?"

"No." She denied it, feeling guilty as he guessed her thoughts.

"Really?" He looked at her playfully until her face gradually turned red, then he smiled and lowered his head to kiss away her impending denial.