As soon as the young patriarch spoke, the Dragon Demons transformed into human form, tightly surrounding their young leader before swiftly departing.

Seeing the black dragons suddenly withdraw, Mo Han and his companions were left utterly bewildered. This outcome was completely unforeseen; they hadn't expected the Dragon Demons to simply leave. Yet, fearing some hidden trickery, they dared not relax their guard, maintaining a state of high alert.

After waiting for a long time without any further movement from the Dragon Demons, Mo Han finally spoke, "Your Highness, I believe the Dragon Demons have truly left. Though I don't know the reason why, it's a good thing, preventing potential casualties."

Long Gufan nodded upon hearing Mo Han's words and replied, "Regardless of the reason, Heavenly Dragon City has narrowly avoided a catastrophe. We owe a great debt of thanks to Duke Mo Han for his significant help this time. I will certainly report your merits to my Imperial Elder Brother."

Mo Han quickly waved his hands in protest. "I didn't do much. It was the Dragon Demons who suddenly departed for unknown reasons, so while I would greatly desire the credit for this, I dare not claim what isn't mine."

Long Gufan chuckled at this. "Duke, you are too modest. Had you not shattered the Dragon Demon's magical shield, Heavenly Dragon City would likely have suffered terrible losses by now. Well, I must hurry back to deal with the aftermath of this incident. I presume you are returning to the Duke's Residence as well? I shall pay you a personal visit there later."

Mo Han, his mind instantly turning to the safety of Dai Li and the others, nodded.

He took his leave, heading in the direction of the Murong Residence. Upon arriving, Mo Han was informed by a servant that Dai Li and the others had already moved into the newly completed Duke's Residence, and Murong Xue'er was accompanying them there, thus she was not present.

Only then did Mo Han realize why Long Gufan had asked if he was heading back to the Duke's Residence.

It turned out his own mansion was finished. No wonder the Prince had said that. He chided himself for being so consumed with reaching Dai Li and the others that he hadn't considered this simple fact. However, a new problem immediately troubled Mo Han.

He had absolutely no idea where his newly built residence was located. Mo Han had entrusted all such matters to Murong Tian to manage for him, and Murong Tian had handled the site selection entirely. Mo Han had never once visited the place. It was likely unbelievable, but he genuinely did not know the location of his own estate.

Mo Han was perhaps the first master in history who didn't know where his home stood.

With this thought, Mo Han had no choice but to swallow his pride and ask the Murong Residence servant to guide him to his own home. Even to Mo Han, the request felt absurd—asking someone to take him to his own house.

It was no wonder the Murong servant wore an expression caught between a smile and apprehension, making Mo Han feel awkward himself.

Fortunately, the Murong servants recognized Mo Han; otherwise, they might have suspected he was an imposter.

Soon, a carriage was prepared for him.

Since Mo Han was unfamiliar with the route, he accepted without hesitation and boarded the carriage. Under the guidance of two Murong house staff, the carriage quickly set off toward the south of the city.

Mo Han diligently noted the terrain all the way, promising himself that next time he would know the path and avoid such an embarrassing situation.

Before long, the carriage brought Mo Han to his destination. Mo Han thanked them profusely and stepped down. The two servants, seeing their task complete, respectfully bid Mo Han farewell and hurried the carriage back to report.

Facing the mansion before him, Mo Han could hardly believe such a luxurious estate belonged to him. In front of two colossal metal gates stood a pair of imposing bronze lions. Above the central doorway were inscribed two large, golden characters: 'Chen Fu' (Chen Residence). The property stretched out so vast that Mo Han couldn't see the boundary in a single glance. A disciplined unit of the Heavenly Dragon Legion stood guard at the entrance, radiating authority.

Leaving aside what might be inside, the exterior alone rivaled the grandeur of the Murong Residence.

Seeing all this, if not for the two shining golden characters 'Chen Fu' and the confirmation from the Murong servants, he would have doubted he was in the right place. He never imagined he would own such a house.

In his previous era, this was something he wouldn't have dared to dream of. He vividly remembered how his family of eight crammed into an eighty-square-meter matchbox, given the exorbitant cost of housing. Compared to this mansion, the difference was staggering.

A wave of profound emotion washed over Mo Han. How wonderful it would be if his family were here now, so he could let them enjoy this life of comfort.

Meanwhile, the Heavenly Dragon Legion soldiers guarding the Duke's Residence entrance were watching Mo Han with vigilant eyes. They found the shifting expressions on his face—one moment astonishment, the next deep sentimentality—utterly perplexing.

Since the events of the previous night, an air of suspicion hung over all of Heavenly Dragon City. Any suspicious individual was subjected to intense scrutiny before being allowed passage. Had it not been for Mo Han's bearing and extraordinary aura, the guards might have mistaken him for a spy gathering intelligence for an enemy nation.

Just then, Mo Han approached the main gate with a smile. Seeing his movement, the leading officer among the guards stepped forward, raising a hand to signal Mo Han to halt. In the sharp, standardized tone of the military, the officer commanded, "Halt! Who are you? This is the Duke's Residence; unauthorized entry is forbidden."

Mo Han quickly replied with a smile, "I am a friend of Duke Chen Mo Han... a friend of the owner of this house. In that case, I suppose it isn't unauthorized entry, is it?" Mo Han had initially intended to say he was Chen Mo Han, but feared they wouldn't believe him; his current appearance hardly fit the image of a Duke. Better to claim friendship; it felt less presumptuous.

Seeing the guards look at him with expressions suggesting he was delusional, Mo Han quickly examined himself, finding nothing obviously out of place. Before he could speak, the leading officer frowned and coldly stated, "Insolence! Who are you, daring to claim friendship with the Duke? Such audacity! Do you have any proof? Otherwise, do not blame us for treating you as a spy and apprehending you."

Mo Han felt no anger. The officer’s attitude was relatively polite; at another residence, soldiers might have already seized him as a troublemaker. Furthermore, since they didn't know him, their actions were merely a display of duty.

Mo Han understood. Based on his appearance alone, it was impossible for anyone to believe he was the recently famous Chen Mo Han. Yet, he possessed no item to prove his identity; he had even entrusted the token given by the Emperor to Murong Tian because carrying it around was a hassle. Now, he had nothing to show, leaving the guards with no reason to believe him.

Seeing that Mo Han lingered and could not produce any identification, the commanding guard became even more convinced he was causing trouble. He stated coldly, "Since you have no proof of identity, leave quickly, unless you truly wish to be arrested?" Mo Han couldn't help but feel both exasperated and amused. What a ridiculous situation: arriving at his own doorstep but being barred entry, something that would surely become a hilarious tale if told.

At that moment, a steady voice drifted from within the estate. "What is happening? What is the matter?" Immediately afterward, a middle-aged man clad in a simple grey-blue robe slowly emerged from the house.

Seeing the man's appearance, a smile broke across Mo Han's face. "Uncle Ma Ke, long time no see."

Hearing Mo Han's voice, Ma Ke’s body visibly stiffened. He quickly turned toward Mo Han, then rubbed his eyes and looked again. Only then did Ma Ke confirm he wasn't hallucinating; the smiling young man before him was indeed the master of this estate—Mo Han himself.

At this point, the officer guard respectfully addressed Ma Ke. "Reporting to Steward Ma Ke, this man claims to be a friend of the Duke, but he has no proof of identity. He must be a fraud. We were just about to drive him away for causing a disturbance, Steward."

Having said this, the officer was about to order his men to remove Mo Han when Ma Ke urgently interjected, "Absolutely not, Commander Dai! This man is our Duke! Do not show disrespect to His Grace!"