A Glimpse of Grandeur

Li Yue, astride her motorcycle, trailed the black sedan as it made its way back to Mo Linyu’s family estate.

Situated in the city’s outskirts, the estate was reached swiftly, the convoy soon gliding into Tianyuan City’s affluent suburban district via the highway.

Though no overt walls marked its boundaries, the landscape subtly transformed; densely packed residential communities gave way to expansive green tracts, offering glimpses of opulent villas nestled within the verdant woodlands.

Even if Li Longkang had successfully completed the Goddess’s mission and secured a substantial reward, she could never hope to reside in such a community, let alone even entertain the thought.

She even began to ponder if the Goddess’s remuneration for saving the world was perhaps a trifle too meager.

At last, the convoy drew to a halt before the imposing entrance of the Mo family estate.

The estate was enveloped by towering, impenetrable hedges, their supporting pillars cloaked in ivy, while meticulously pruned shrubs lined the base of the walls, manifesting varied shades of green beneath the moonlight.

Beyond these formidable walls, the landscape remained entirely concealed.

Clearly, the estate’s owner was either a person of profound discretion or one who held privacy in the highest regard.

Xia Xi alighted to perform fingerprint and iris authentication at the estate’s entrance, and with a soft whir of mechanical gears, the equally impenetrable gate began its descent, panel by panel.

This formidable entrance was comprised of lifting steel plates, each roughly two meters wide, spanning an impressive ten meters in total; though lacking an archway, its height perfectly matched the verdant hedges flanking either side.

“So this is it…”

As the massive gate receded, the view dramatically unfurled before Li Yue, finally affording her a glimpse into the Demon Lord’s current existence—a fragment, perhaps, but certainly a revealing tip of the iceberg.

First, a spacious driveway stretched ahead, flanked by meticulously manicured lawns whose tender green hue shimmered with a dewy luminescence under the moonlight.

In the distance stood a three-story European-style manor, its pristine white walls imbued with an added solemnity and grace by the moon’s gentle illumination.

Before the edifice, a classical circular fountain held sway, its centerpiece a statue of a Goddess cradling a water urn. Though the Goddess stood unclothed, her artistic rendering precluded any untoward thoughts.

“Miss Li Yue, please follow me this way.”

Only then, at Dong Lu’s prompting, did Li Yue notice that Mo Linyu and her two maids had already alighted at the estate’s entrance.

The black sedans of the security personnel, having deposited their passengers, promptly executed a turn and departed.

“Oh, right.”

Li Yue found herself somewhat disoriented; her life’s accumulated experiences offered no means to appraise the estate’s true value, nor to fathom the true nature of the Demon Lord’s father.

However, he was absent from the estate today.

And Miss Mo’s relationship with her father, it seemed, was far from harmonious?

Guided by Dong Lu, Li Yue temporarily secured her motorcycle within the estate’s expansive garage. There, a striking red pickup truck, boasting a distinctive vintage design, stood parked, exuding a remarkable charm.

Noticing Li Yue’s lingering gaze, Dong Lu added, “That’s the vehicle Xia Xi and I use for our errands and shopping trips.”

Residing in an estate of this magnitude, one could hardly expect the convenience of simply stepping out or downstairs to browse a local market.

“Typically, do just the two of you manage an estate of this considerable size?”

“The master rarely returns, and the young lady previously attended school, so this place doesn’t require an extensive staff. However, we do engage a cleaning company for regular upkeep.”

As Dong Lu offered her reply, she simultaneously pondered the true nature of Li Yue’s relationship with Mo Linyu.

Yet, true to her earlier words, she refrained from directly inquiring, respecting the young lady’s privacy.

“Please accompany me back to the manor; the young lady and Xia Xi are already awaiting our arrival there.”

“Yes, alright…”

Exiting the garage, they traversed the manicured lawns, winding gardens, and elegant fountain, Li Yue following Dong Lu with a palpable sense of trepidation as they ascended the estate’s grand staircase.

“This way, Miss Li,”

Dong Lu graciously held the door open for Li Yue, treating her as an esteemed guest.

In stark contrast to the Baroque-inspired European exterior, the manor’s interior proved surprisingly modern. A soaring, two-story entrance hall created an impression of immense spaciousness, while the stairwell walls, adorned with renowned paintings and elegant Western swords, preserved the estate’s inherent European grandeur.

They proceeded through the entrance hall, arriving at the open-plan main living room immediately to their left. Its design embraced minimalist lines and expansive glass panels, complemented by an array of furnishings that seamlessly blended functionality with aesthetic appeal.

Mo Linyu had been awaiting her arrival for some time, Li Yue’s golden baseball bat resting conspicuously on the coffee table before her.

“In that case, I shall now proceed to prepare Miss Li Yue’s guest room.”

With these words, Dong Lu offered a polite bow and quietly withdrew.

Mo Linyu, seated on the sofa, regarded Li Yue with an expectant gaze. “How does it feel?” she inquired.

A palpable sense of triumph was evident on her features.

However, Li Yue, clearly disinclined to offer Mo Linyu any compliments, merely replied with a sour undertone:

“…Tsk, how exactly did you manage such a rebirth?”

That the Demon Lord, who had wrought countless deaths in another world, could be reborn as the daughter of this illustrious family, irrevocably shattered Li Yue’s faith in any notion of ‘merit’ or ‘karma’.

“It’s rather ordinary, wouldn’t you say? My castle in the other world was far more magnificent than this, wasn’t it?”

Li Yue retorted, “Hey! You can’t possibly use the Demon Lord’s castle as your benchmark!”

Besides, given the technological advancements of the other world, Li Yue genuinely doubted that any residence there could rival the comfort of this estate.

“Miss, ah, Miss Li, the water’s ready!”

The energetic, pigtail-braided maid, Xia Xi, bustled back into the room, radiating an almost frantic enthusiasm.

“Water?”

Mo Linyu, eyes still closed, explained, “Due to the previous owner’s particular interests, this estate boasts a private hot spring. When my father purchased and renovated the property, he made sure to preserve it.”

A hot spring? This estate actually contains a private thermal spring?

“Surely, you wouldn’t wish to forgo the experience?”

As Mo Linyu spoke, Xia Xi enthusiastically chimed in, her excitement palpable.

“The master is rarely at home, so typically, only the young lady, Dong Lu, and I have access to it. It’s a rare occasion to have a guest, so naturally, we must insist you experience it~”

“Ah, well…”

A troubled expression immediately clouded Li Yue’s face. After a quick glance at the enthusiastic Xia Xi, she ultimately shook her head.

“A-a hot spring, perhaps not? I find it… rather inconvenient…”

The specific reason was awkward to articulate in front of Xia Xi, but Mo Linyu, clearly aware of Li Yue’s reservations, chose not to press the matter.

Whenever Li Yue exhibited such bashfulness due to her gender, Mo Linyu invariably found it utterly amusing.

“Miss Li, your guest room is now prepared.”

At that very moment, Dong Lu’s voice drifted down from the upper floor.

Descending the curving staircase that gracefully embraced the living room, she offered a slight bow and stated with a demure tone, “Now, if you would, please proceed to take a bath.”

“I’ll simply shower in the guest room, then.”

“My apologies, but our estate is not a hotel, and thus our guest rooms do not feature independent bathrooms.”

With even Dong Lu confirming this, it became clear that this trio of mistress and maids was utterly determined to usher her into the bathhouse.

Li Yue still wished to decline, but Mo Linyu had already risen, seizing her arm and gently but firmly tugging her towards the hot spring’s direction.

For Mo Linyu, Li Yue’s evident discomfort invariably sparked a subtle sense of gratification, a blend of playful mischief and mild retribution. Thus, feigning concern, she remarked, “After all you’ve experienced today, you must be utterly exhausted, wouldn’t you agree? Why not indulge in a relaxing bath first, and we can converse properly later this evening?”

Her gestures, though seemingly enthusiastic, carried an undeniable undercurrent of insistence.

“Wait… I truly don’t…”

Li Yue’s face remained etched with reluctance, her subtly furrowed brow suggesting a hint of affront. Nevertheless, swept away by Mo Linyu’s fervent persistence, she found herself half-coaxed, half-ushered into the bathhouse.

The door closed behind her, and before her eyes, a fresh change of clothes lay neatly arranged, seemingly conjured from thin air.

“…Can this be real?”

Such meticulous preparation, indeed?