The Weapon Master Shall Never Die Bare-Handed in Genshin Impact [398]

Jia Changjiang and Venti continued their playful banter, but…

The topic of erosion, something both Zhongli and Venti often mentioned, lingered in Jia Changjiang’s mind.

Erosion was Celestia’s decree upon all things in this world.

Even the sturdiest rock would eventually crumble into dust. Even the fiercest wind would one day die down.

And yet, lightning—ephemeral by nature—was the very thing that sought eternity.

"Venti, do you think I’ll be affected by erosion?"

Jia Changjiang, seated beside him, posed the question.

"I don’t know."

Venti’s response was lighthearted, yet thoughtful. "Your will is extraordinarily strong, but… erosion doesn’t always test one’s will."

"When the people around you gradually disappear, when old friends fade away, when everything familiar changes beyond recognition…" Venti’s voice softened. "Even the firmest resolve will eventually show cracks."

"That is what makes erosion truly terrifying."

Then, Venti turned to Jia Changjiang and suddenly smiled.

"Jax, if one day you were to disappear… to me, that too would be a form of erosion."

"Is that so?"

Jia Changjiang mirrored his smile. "Then I suppose that’s quite the honor… Just don’t go forgetting me."

"Of course not." Venti’s emerald eyes curved like a crescent moon. "After all, you are the finest warrior I’ve ever met."

"And about the Raiden Shogun?" Jia Changjiang redirected the conversation. "You suddenly revealing such a well-kept secret—surely it’s not just for my entertainment?"

"Though I must admit, I am interested in these little secrets… I hear the Raiden Shogun is a stunning beauty."

Jia Changjiang paused, his expression lighting up with excitement. "And Inazuma’s greatest warrior? As expected… the Seven are truly fascinating."

"You really do care more about battles, don’t you?" Venti sighed in amusement before continuing. "What I’m about to tell you… might be of great help in your journey to Inazuma."

"The current Raiden Shogun… is not Ei, but a puppet she created."

"The real Raiden Shogun resides within the realm she created—Euthymia."

"What?!"

Jia Changjiang was momentarily stunned. "A puppet? Why?"

"To resist erosion."

Venti explained, "The Raiden Shogun is a puppet, crafted by Ei, designed to never be worn down by time. Meanwhile, Ei herself has entrusted her consciousness to her sword, seeking her own path to eternity."

Hearing this, Jia Changjiang fell silent for a moment before asking, "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because in all these millennia, you are the most remarkable warrior I’ve encountered."

Venti looked at Jia Changjiang with unwavering certainty. "And for that reason… I want to see if you and Lumine can bring change to Inazuma—the nation that clings to eternity."

There was a rare seriousness in Venti’s expression now.

"But I don’t see anything wrong with the Raiden Shogun’s pursuit of eternity."

Jia Changjiang shook his head. "In the end, it’s her own choice."

"Of course… but…"

Venti met his gaze. "You are different."

"Jia Changjiang, if I were to ask you—at this very moment—what eternity truly is, what answer would you give?"

Jia Changjiang thought for a while. Just as he was about to speak, Venti stopped him.

"No need to answer."

Venti smiled. "I just hope… you’ll show the Raiden Shogun your own understanding of eternity."

"Let her see eternity through someone else’s eyes."

His smile widened. "And I have a feeling… you’ll do far better than I can imagine."

Jia Changjiang scratched his head. "Alright, I get it."

"Now… what’s the second matter?"

Jia Changjiang turned to Venti. "For something to be on equal footing with the Raiden Shogun’s secrets, I’d imagine it’s quite the big deal."

"Don’t tell me… it’s about another of the Seven?"

"Haha…"

Venti chuckled, his gaze drifting toward the plaza below. A trace of nostalgia flickered in his eyes.

"The next thing… is about Mondstadt."

His gaze locked onto a specific spot in the plaza.

Venti remembered—a long time ago, a young girl once stood there, singing as she waited for her lover.

"This next matter… is my own request."

Placing a hand over his chest, Venti looked up at Jia Changjiang.

"Will you help me, Jax?"

"Sure."

Jia Changjiang agreed without hesitation.

His decisiveness caught Venti off guard.

Only after a brief pause did Venti finally speak.

"Rosalyne-Kruzchka Lohefalter… Do you know this name?"

"Never heard of it. Whose name is that?"

"Then… how about Rostam?"

"That name I do know."

Jia Changjiang nodded. "Rostam, the Wolf Pup, a historical member of the Knights of Favonius. He was from the same era as the Lion of Light."

"Neither of them possessed a Vision, yet their strength was no less than those who did. I found their stories interesting, so I made a point to learn about them."

He glanced at Venti. "Why do you ask?"

"Rosalyne… was Rostam’s lover."

Venti’s voice was gentle. "She was also the Pyro Witch—one of the least documented figures in Mondstadt’s history."

"The Pyro Witch… That name sounds familiar."

Jia Changjiang frowned, trying to recall where he had heard it before. "I think I came across it in the Mondstadt library…"

Then something clicked.

"Wait, the Wolf Pup and the Pyro Witch were lovers?"

He frowned. "But their timelines don’t match."

"Because… the Pyro Witch did not begin as a witch. She was once just a girl, waiting for her beloved to return."

Venti pointed toward a spot in the plaza.

"Right there… I remember it well."

"She would stand there, singing, waiting for her knight to return from duty."

"But then… Durin appeared."

Venti leaned back against the Wind Archon’s statue, gazing at the stars.

"Rostam perished at the hands of monsters. The girl who had once studied abroad returned, only to learn of her lover’s death."

"And when her tears and songs had run dry, from that moment on…"

The girl's time came to an end.

The Pyro Witch’s destruction began—her flames would burn until every last monster and all the suffering they brought were reduced to ash.

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This is a fan translation of 武器大师在原神绝不死于徒手 by 徐人双 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!