Chapter 301: Chapter 301: Implicating the Nine Kinships
The Thousand-Faced Demon had never encountered such an arrogant human.
Throughout his demonic existence, he had devoured countless humans, both weak and strong. Every face of those he consumed would appear on his own body.s called him the Thousand-Faced Demon.
However, he disliked this title. He preferred to be called the Ten-Thousand-Faced Demon.
Now, standing so close…
Elder Yun Xiang was terrified. Facing this colossal demon, his heart pounded with fear. If he wasn't mistaken, one of the faces pressed close to them belonged to a venerable elder from amongst the demon slayers of decades past. This elder possessed immense power, slaying countless demons, and was revered by the world as a尊者 (Venerable One).
Later, the Venerable One had announced his intention to eliminate a particularly wicked demon…
…and was never seen again.
It turned out the demon the Venerable One sought to slay was the Thousand-Faced Demon, and he had been devoured.
Pitiful!
Tragic!
"Come on then."
One of the Thousand-Faced Demon's faces turned towards Lin Fan. His towering form dwarfed Lin Fan, making him appear as insignificant as an ant, utterly powerless. The demon had to bend down to address him.
His voice dripped with a strange, alluring quality.
Hit me. You said you would hit me.
The Thousand-Faced Demon's instinct was to provoke despair in his prey. He savored the exquisite taste of devouring them at the peak of their hopelessness.
"Alright. Your aura is truly repulsive, and you've frightened the children."
Lin Fan clenched his fist, drew his arm back, and then threw a punch towards the Thousand-Faced Demon. It seemed like an ordinary punch, yet it contained a terrifying, hidden power.
The composed Thousand-Faced Demon hadn't taken Lin Fan seriously in the slightest. But soon, he realized something was terribly wrong. However, by then, it was far too late.
He didn't even have time to react.
BOOM!
One punch. Obliterated.
Flesh and blood splattered everywhere. The force of the punch, having pierced through the demon, didn't dissipate. It transformed into a beam of white light that carved a deep chasm into the earth, stretching as far as the eye could see.
Silence descended upon the scene.
Everyone's expressions were a mixture of shock and disbelief.
Elder Yun Xiang was utterly stunned. The scene before him was like a dream, almost impossible to believe even though he had witnessed it with his own eyes.
Until…
"I told you, if you left, I wouldn't have harmed you," Lin Fan said.
He knew the Thousand-Faced Demon was evil, just like the beings in his previous dream. Those creatures were wicked and hostile towards humanity. Therefore, when encountering such beings, he would eliminate them without hesitation.
Soon, the demons were the first to recover.
"The Thousand-Faced Demon is dead! Run!"
"How can there be such a terrifying human? He's too powerful!"
"Run!"
These demons had followed the Thousand-Faced Demon. Now that their leader was slain, they had no chance of causing any trouble. They didn't dare linger, fleeing in all directions.
Lin Fan didn't stop them.
As long as they fled and didn't harm Qingyang Town, he was satisfied. This was the place he protected, and he wouldn't allow any demon to destroy it.
The townspeople reacted with cheers and jubilation.
"Long live the Town Mayor!"
"The Town Mayor is the strongest!"
"As long as we have the Town Mayor, Qingyang Town will always be safe!"
"Absolutely!"
The townspeople couldn't comprehend the true terror of the Thousand-Faced Demon. They only found him disgusting and ferocious-looking. Only Elder Yun Xiang understood the true extent of the danger.
He was the last to recover.
"So that's how it is…"
He stared at Lin Fan in disbelief, unable to fathom his power.
That was the Thousand-Faced Demon!
A super demon!
Even demon slayers could only flee when encountering such a powerful being. He remembered the core within the Thousand-Faced Demon and began searching for it. Soon, he spotted a glittering crystal.
Elder Yun Xiang hurriedly picked it up.
Looking at the crystal, greed filled his eyes. This was an object everyone dreamed of possessing. He briefly considered hiding it and fleeing, but after a moment's thought…
He approached Lin Fan and said, "Mayor Lin, this crystal is the most valuable part of the Thousand-Faced Demon. It can enhance one's strength. This belongs to you."
His greed quickly crumbled, replaced by genuine sincerity.
Lin Fan had no interest in such things. Such a weak demon couldn't possess anything worthwhile. He glanced at Elder Yun Xiang and said slowly,
"I can see in your eyes that you greatly desire this. Do you need it?"
He could easily discern the elder's yearning.
He was willing to help others, to fulfill their desires. Helping others brought him joy.
Elder Yun Xiang replied, "Yes, I desire it greatly. It can enhance my strength. But I didn't slay the Thousand-Faced Demon. You did. This object is priceless, beyond measure."
Lin Fan smiled. "If you want it, then it's yours."
"But it's so valuable!" Elder Yun Xiang stared at Lin Fan in astonishment, as if he couldn't believe his ears. He had been so straightforward, and any ordinary person would have kept the crystal.
Lin Fan said, "It's alright. I enjoy seeing others' desires fulfilled. I have no interest in this object, and I have no friends who need it. If my friends needed it, and considering your relationship with my friends, I naturally wouldn't give it to you, but to them."
His words were blunt, even a little hurtful.
But for some reason, Elder Yun Xiang felt that Mayor Lin possessed an extraordinary realm, not of power, but of the heart.
He, despite his age, was not as enlightened as Lin Fan.
The townspeople looked at the mayor with confusion. Although they had little contact with the outside world, the elder's words made it clear that the object was precious. But since the mayor gave it away, they wouldn't question it.
We are just ordinary people, living peacefully in Qingyang Town.
No need to think too much.
As long as the mayor is here, we are safe.
The demons they once feared were no longer a concern with the mayor around.
Several days later, Elder Yun Xiang left Qingyang Town. Upon his departure, he left behind all his wealth and cultivation techniques, a clear indication of his gratitude. He had nothing else to offer but his entire fortune. His cultivation techniques, however, were of little importance to Lin Fan.
But to the outside world, they were invaluable, coveted by countless individuals.
After absorbing the Thousand-Faced Demon's core, Elder Yun Xiang miraculously rejuvenated, appearing four or five decades younger. His white hair and beard turned black.
This was something he hadn't anticipated.
He was so overwhelmed with joy that he couldn't find the words to express it.
His greatest desire now was to marry and have a family.
It was somewhat embarrassing to admit, but Elder Yun Xiang's biggest regret was precisely this. In his youth, he roamed the world, slaying demons and leading waves of people against them. One wave died, and he led another, continuously, until he grew old.
Throughout his aging process, he never considered marriage or family.
A man's ambition lies in roaming the world, living a carefree life. What good are romantic relationships? Completely unnecessary.
Until now…
Elder Yun Xiang realized he was no longer capable, not due to a lack of strength, but due to his physical condition. Even if he wanted to have children, he lacked the ability.
And now…
The opportunity had arrived.
His first thought after leaving Qingyang Town was to find a woman and marry, to start a family.
With his changed appearance, few would recognize him, so he didn't need to worry about others' opinions.
Initially, Elder Yun Xiang considered spreading the news, but he decided against it. During his time with Mayor Lin, he realized that the mayor was a detached, desireless individual.
If he encountered someone like himself, it wouldn't matter. But he feared those with ulterior motives, hypocrites lurking around Mayor Lin.
That would definitely not be a good thing for the mayor.
Keeping this matter to himself was the right thing to do.
In Qingyang Town, Lin Fan gave the wealth left behind by Elder Yun Xiang to Qing Lian. He wasn't interested in such things. He picked up the cultivation techniques and flipped through them.
The Book of Heavenly Strategies
A profound and esoteric book.
"This is a book with substance. I can read it in my spare time," Lin Fan muttered to himself. He enjoyed learning. When he encountered something he didn't understand, he would study and research it.
If Elder Yun Xiang knew that Lin Fan considered The Book of Heavenly Strategies a book with substance, he would proudly declare that it was the world's most advanced cultivation technique, incredibly profound, and even he hadn't fully mastered it. It was a cultivation technique worth dedicating a lifetime to.
The peaceful days of Qingyang Town weren't disrupted by the appearance of the Thousand-Faced Demon. Everything continued as usual.
Three years later…
Since the Thousand-Faced Demon's demise, Qingyang Town hadn't experienced any demon attacks. The surviving demons clearly knew that this place was too dangerous; they could wreak havoc elsewhere, but not here.
So the townspeople gradually forgot about the demons.
Other places, however, continued to suffer from demonic incursions, leading miserable lives. Who could have known that in this inconspicuous corner of the world, there existed such a safe and peaceful town?
During these three years, Qing Lian matured and developed a womanly charm, but she remained Lin Fan's maidservant, taking care of his daily needs and managing the Lin household.
In the courtyard…
Lin Fan stood before a tree, lost in thought. Only when a leaf fell from a branch did he relax, having been standing there for a long time.
"Master, you should start a family," Qing Lian said. This was her biggest concern. Her master was the respected mayor of Qingyang Town, admired by many young women, yet he remained indifferent. As his maidservant, she was anxious.
Of course, even Qing Lian had feelings for Lin Fan. But she was acutely aware of her status as a maidservant of the Lin family. From beginning to end, she knew her place and never overstepped her boundaries.
"I have someone in my heart," Lin Fan said with a smile.
Qing Lian would ask who it was. If he told her, she would immediately find a matchmaker to propose marriage. But her master always smiled without answering. Gradually, she became accustomed to it.
It seemed she could only wait for her master to reveal it himself.
Qing Lian, always thinking, even wondered if her master was fond of a young girl and was waiting for her to come of age before proposing.
Otherwise, revealing it now might create a bad impression.
Yes, that must be it.
Qing Lian pondered which young girl in town was the prettiest. She thought of several, but she wasn't sure. She would have to pay more attention in the future. Once they reached adulthood, she would find a matchmaker for her master.
The old master's spirit in heaven would be pleased.
Several more years passed.
During this time, Qingyang Town expanded significantly. Many refugees passed through, expecting another town destroyed by demons, but they found it safe and sound.
They wished to stay, and Lin Fan welcomed them. Being able to help others brought him joy.
He hadn't thought about the Demon Lord.
If they were meant to meet, they would. If not, he would simply continue to wait. He hadn't considered leaving Qingyang Town. If he left and the town was attacked by demons, many people would die.
The refugees who settled in Qingyang Town discovered that this place was different.
Outside, demons were dangerous, but the places they stayed were plagued by human wickedness and exploitation. Those who resisted were expelled, left to fend for themselves. Those without strength, wandering outside, faced a high probability of death.
Then they came to Qingyang Town and discovered a kind mayor and a town miraculously free from demon attacks. Safe, reliable, and filled with happiness, everyone considered this place their home, their lifelong sanctuary.
Lin Fan lived a regular life, farming every day, strolling around town, and reading The Book of Heavenly Strategies. No one understood what was so interesting about the book he read.
Many, out of curiosity, asked the mayor to show them the book.
Lin Fan generously let them see it, but after reading it once, they found it completely incomprehensible, like a book written in a foreign language.
One day, a group of soldiers arrived outside Qingyang Town, escorting a prison cart.
Some of the older townspeople recognized the middle-aged man inside the cart and exclaimed,
"Huang Zheng is back!"
"Who is Huang Zheng?"
"He's the one who left town twenty years ago to become a high-ranking official in the imperial court. You weren't born yet."
"What happened to him now?"
The leading soldier, with a cold expression, sat atop his horse, looking at the small town. He had been ordered to escort the prisoner, Huang Zheng, back. The emperor had decreed the extermination of his nine kinships.
Blacksmith Wang, now much older, a respected elder of Qingyang Town, approached the general, accompanied by a younger person.
"General, what brings you here?"
The general replied, "Where is your town mayor?"
Blacksmith Wang said, "The mayor is in the fields. We've sent someone to call him."
The general pointed at the prison cart. "Do you recognize this man?"
"Yes, he is Huang Zheng, who left our town. What crime has he committed?"
"Hmph, this man committed treason. The emperor has decreed the extermination of his nine kinships and ordered him to be brought here for execution."
As soon as he finished speaking, the townspeople gasped, their faces filled with fear.
They didn't know what had happened.
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