Chapter 300: Chapter 300: You Can Try
A stranger approached, overhearing Zhang Hu's words and offering a compliment.
Zhang Hu turned to see an elderly man with a long white beard, possessing the air of a reclusive sage.
"May I ask who you are?" Zhang Hu inquired respectfully, unsure of the stranger's origins and wary of causing offense. Then, noticing the token at the old man's waist, his expression remained unchanged, but he hastily added, "It's Venerable Yun Xiang! My apologies, I failed to recognize you. Please forgive my oversight."
The token at the old man's waist was carved with an auspicious cloud, a gift bestowed by the imperial court. It was said that Venerable Yun Xiang had saved a prince from a great demon, earning the court's gratitude and this special token. It granted the bearer access to any place, exemption from bowing to officials, and other privileges.
Stroking his beard, Venerable Yun Xiang asked with a smile, "Did you say earlier that the Thousand-Faced Demon is heading towards Qingyang Town?"
Zhang Hu replied respectfully, "Yes, the Thousand-Faced Demon is leading a horde of demons towards Qingyang Town."
Venerable Yun Xiang smiled but said nothing more, then turned and left, leaving Zhang Hu bewildered and unsure of his intentions. After a moment's thought, Zhang Hu decided not to dwell on it.
Outside, after leaving Zhang Hu, Venerable Yun Xiang arrived at a mansion and gathered his followers, preparing to hunt down the Thousand-Faced Demon. Legend had it that this demon was the most peculiar of all, able to accumulate the strength of those it devoured, though it couldn't utilize this power itself. Therefore, slaying the Thousand-Faced Demon and obtaining the essence of its accumulated power would grant immense strength.
He was confident in his own considerable abilities, believing himself more than capable of facing and slaying the Thousand-Faced Demon. His confidence was absolute.
In the fields of Qingyang Town, a figure diligently worked the land. As a novice farmer, his progress was commendable.
"Farming is truly a joyful endeavor," Lin Fan mused as he turned the soil, feeling content. The recent sprouting of the vegetables he had sown brought him particular excitement.
Straightening up, he looked towards the sky, pretending to wipe his brow despite the lack of sweat, just like any ordinary farmer taking a short rest after tiring labor.
"Mayor, we can help you farm," the townsfolk offered. They held deep respect for their young mayor, their protector, and seeing him toiling in the fields, they wished to contribute their meager strength to ease his burden.
Lin Fan smiled. "It's alright, I enjoy farming. It brings me joy."
When fully immersed in farming, he could sense the wonders of nature. The process of roots taking hold and sprouts emerging had a profound impact on him, a kind of enlightenment.
Some villagers, after finishing their own fields, lingered, chatting with the mayor, simply wanting to spend more time with him. To them, the mayor was genuinely good, worthy of his predecessor, kind-hearted, amiable, and never oppressive.
Several days later, the peace of Qingyang Town was shattered. A disheveled, frantic old man stumbled into town, crying, "Help! Help me! Don't kill me! It's terrifying!"
The old man ran through the town like a madman, pleading for help from anyone he encountered. The townsfolk could only assume he had encountered a demon and miraculously survived, but the experience had left him deeply traumatized and deranged.
The kind-hearted people of Qingyang Town couldn't ignore his plight. They cared for the old man and sent someone to inform the mayor. Mayor Lin had become their pillar of support, and they relied on him to resolve any issue.
Soon, Lin Fan arrived to see the frantic old man. He approached gently and asked, "Sir, what's wrong?"
Venerable Yun Xiang continued to cry out incoherently, "Help! Help me!"
Communication was impossible; the old man was clearly terrified and mentally unstable.
As the old man clung to his leg, Lin Fan sighed and gently stroked his head, softly reassuring him, "Everyone experiences fear, but rest assured, you are safe with me. No one can harm you here."
Venerable Yun Xiang stared into Lin Fan's eyes, meeting a gentle gaze filled with a unique warmth. For some reason, the fear in his heart began to dissipate, as if enveloped by a soothing warmth.
Lin Fan's radiant smile, like the sun, brought boundless warmth, dispelling the fear. To Venerable Yun Xiang, it was like drawing close to the source of warmth itself, his entire being enveloped in a sense of security.
Gradually, he regained his clarity. "I…" he began, a glimmer of awareness returning to his eyes.
Lin Fan said, "What happened to you? Can you tell me? Perhaps I can help."
Recalling the experience was undoubtedly terrifying, but under Lin Fan's comforting presence, Venerable Yun Xiang felt no fear. "The Thousand-Faced Demon… I encountered the Thousand-Faced Demon. He's terrifying. Everyone died before my eyes… It's all my fault!" he sobbed, the horrific images sending shivers down his spine. His overconfidence and underestimation of the Thousand-Faced Demon had led to this tragedy.
"My condolences," Lin Fan offered, continuing to stroke the old man's head with a practiced and caring touch. He thought to himself, The elderly are so fragile, just like Old Zhang, needing comfort and care.
"Who are you?" Venerable Yun Xiang asked.
"My name is Lin Fan," he replied with a smile.
The surrounding townsfolk chimed in, "This is Qingyang Town, and this is our mayor. You're safe here now. Our mayor is very powerful and will protect you. You can stay here for a while."
The kind-hearted people didn't inquire about his identity. Seeing his distress, they felt compassion and offered him shelter and assistance.
Venerable Yun Xiang was stunned. Qingyang Town… This is the mayor that man in the city mentioned.
"Mayor Lin, you must leave! Take everyone and flee! The Thousand-Faced Demon is coming to destroy this place! He's a terrifying, supremely powerful demon! You can't fight him!" Venerable Yun Xiang cried out in panic, the memory of the demon's power chilling him to the bone.
Lin Fan smiled gently. "It's alright. I will protect this place. With me here, no demon will harm anyone."
Venerable Yun Xiang, a renowned elder and expert in the demon-hunting community, was unknown in Qingyang Town. His warnings had little impact on the townsfolk who had unwavering faith in their mayor. They all believed in Lin Fan.
Venerable Yun Xiang wanted to say more, but when he met Lin Fan's gaze, he could only sigh silently. He couldn't leave now. The Thousand-Faced Demon had his scent; even if he left Qingyang Town, the demon would find him, as its destination was Qingyang Town. Staying here might allow him to assist Mayor Lin.
He was curious about Mayor Lin. During his time in Qingyang Town, he observed Lin Fan closely. He soon noticed something peculiar. The mayor spent his days farming, strolling through the town, and playing with the children. He always wore a smile, seemingly untroubled by anything, never showing anger.
Sometimes, when facing Lin Fan's smile, he felt a strange pressure, unable to meet his gaze directly. Yet, the children loved to cling to him, playing and laughing.
"Such a life is truly enviable," he thought, "but under the threat of demons, this seemingly idyllic existence is just a matter of time."
Venerable Yun Xiang shook his head sadly. He waited, wondering why the Thousand-Faced Demon hadn't arrived yet. However, he didn't doubt that it would come. Demons never spared humans.
The next day, under a bright sun, the townsfolk went about their daily routines, making the most of each day. In the fields, they diligently worked the land.
Suddenly, the sky darkened with ominous clouds, and a palpable sense of dread filled the air. The villagers stopped working and looked towards the horizon, sensing danger approaching.
"Demons! Demons are attacking!" they shouted, abandoning their tools and fleeing towards the town, their cries echoing, "Demons are coming! Demons are coming!"
Panic erupted in the town. People grabbed weapons from their homes, preparing to fight alongside their mayor, defending their town.
Venerable Yun Xiang recognized the familiar aura, his face paling. He hurried towards the town gate with the fleeing villagers. The Thousand-Faced Demon had arrived.
At the town gate, the townsfolk stood with their weapons, their faces grim as they stared into the distance. Venerable Yun Xiang stood at the front, seemingly resolute, but his trembling hands and fearful eyes betrayed his terror.
"The mayor is coming!"
"As long as the mayor is here, we're safe!"
"That's right!"
Venerable Yun Xiang listened to the townsfolk's unwavering trust in their mayor, a strange feeling washing over him. They had no idea how terrifying the Thousand-Faced Demon truly was. When they saw its true form, they would understand the meaning of fear.
Lin Fan arrived, carrying his farming tools, with Qing Lian by his side. Everyone's faces were tense, except for Lin Fan's, which remained calm and unconcerned, as if everything was a simple matter.
"Mayor Lin, the Thousand-Faced Demon is here," Venerable Yun Xiang announced.
Lin Fan replied calmly, "Yes, I know. I can sense he is powerful, but he isn't the one I'm looking for."
Venerable Yun Xiang understood that the mayor was referring to the "Demon Lord." Even with his vast experience, he had never heard of such a demon. He wondered what grudge Mayor Lin held against this Demon Lord.
Gradually, the Thousand-Faced Demon's true form came into view. A towering figure, horrifying in appearance, its body covered with faces, each expressing a different emotion: ferocious), angry, resentful, wailing…
The Thousand-Faced Demon stopped outside Qingyang Town, motionless, yet its presence exuded an oppressive aura that weighed down on everyone.
Venerable Yun Xiang trembled violently. He was truly terrified. Before their confrontation, he had been confident in his ability to slay the demon, but after their clash, he realized he had been delusional.
Now, he wasn't the only one afraid. The armed townsfolk paled, gulping nervously, wondering if they could possibly face such a monstrous being. The mountain-like demon, covered in faces, was truly terrifying.
"Waaah!" a child cried.
Lin Fan turned, smiled, and walked over to the child, gently stroking his head. "Don't be afraid. I'm here. Go to your mother."
Under normal circumstances, such words wouldn't easily calm a frightened child. But looking at the mayor's smile and reassuring eyes, the child instantly felt safe and obediently ran to his parents.
After comforting the child, Lin Fan turned to face the fearsome Thousand-Faced Demon and asked, "Hello, do you know where the Demon Lord is?"
Suddenly, a sinister gust of demonic wind swept towards them, sharp enough to cut through the hardest materials.
Venerable Yun Xiang was alarmed. Just as he prepared to intercept the wind, it vanished as if blocked by an invisible force, disappearing completely. He stared at Mayor Lin in astonishment. The mayor stood calmly, hadn't moved a muscle, and yet, he had somehow neutralized the attack.
"Mayor Lin, how…" Venerable Yun Xiang began, bewildered.
Lin Fan smiled and waved his hand dismissively. "It's nothing. With me here, everything is safe."
If this had happened earlier, Venerable Yun Xiang might have doubted him, but now, he had no doubts. He felt that everything Lin Fan said was true. The mayor was far more than he appeared.
The Thousand-Faced Demon seemed surprised. "Human, did you kill my subordinate?"
"Who is your subordinate?" Lin Fan inquired.
"Are you mocking me?" the demon growled.
Lin Fan shook his head. "I truly don't know who you're talking about. But from your aura, I can sense you are evil. You have killed many people. This place is under my protection. If you leave now, I won't hold you accountable. Otherwise, I will kill you."
Silence fell over the scene. The demons accompanying the Thousand-Faced Demon burst into raucous laughter.
"Foolish human!"
"That's the biggest joke I've ever heard!"
Even the Thousand-Faced Demon was taken aback by Lin Fan's words. Then, it slowly bent down, its horrifying faces approaching Lin Fan. "Do you know what you're saying?" it hissed, the voices of the many faces merging into a chilling chorus.
"Do you want me to beat you up?" Lin Fan asked.
The Thousand-Faced Demon laughed. "You can try."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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