The Weapon Master Shall Never Die Bare-Handed in Genshin Impact [375]

“So… do real monsters and spirits actually exist in Liyue?”

As they walked, Lumine couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.

“Oh, ‘monsters and spirits’ is just a common way of putting it.”

Hu Tao bounced along the path ahead of them, speaking cheerfully. “For ordinary people, the best situation is never knowing about ghosts or believing they don’t exist at all. That’s the ideal.”

She suddenly spun around and leaned in toward Jia Changjiang and Lumine. “People who can’t perceive the boundary between life and death are better off staying as far away from it as possible.”

“Dealing with demons isn’t part of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor’s responsibilities. They’re remnants of old grudges from the Archon War—there are others who handle that. Our role is to maintain the balance between life and death.”

Hu Tao met their eyes seriously. “Throughout Liyue’s history, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has intervened in many affairs, ensuring that the balance is always restored.”

“If you’ve ever encountered ghosts, chances are you’ve seen demons too.” She grinned. “Ahh, compared to demons, ghosts are so peaceful—practically harmless! I’ve barely encountered any malicious spirits myself. As for demons…”

Before she could finish, Jia Changjiang cut in. “Yeah, we’ve seen them. I’ve even cut them down myself.”

He gestured to his bandaged body. “Got these injuries from fighting demons. Spent the whole night hacking them down—not bad at all.”

“Oh?”

Hu Tao stepped closer, scrutinizing him. “But I don’t sense any lingering curses or karmic corruption on you. Not even a trace of ghostly energy… Are you sure?”

“It’s true! Mr. Jax isn’t lying!”

Paimon spoke up in his defense. “During the Lantern Rite, he even helped Xiao—”

She suddenly clamped her mouth shut, unsure if she should continue.

Still sitting in his wheelchair, Jia Changjiang simply shrugged. “Does it really matter? I was just making a point—fighting demons feels great.”

“As for why I didn’t get tainted by karmic corruption, well, that’s just a special case.” He grinned. “But if you ever run into demons you don’t want to deal with, you can call me. I’ll even give you a discount.”

Hu Tao’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “In that case, I suppose it must be true.”

Then, she suddenly stopped walking.

“We’re here. First target.”

Hu Tao’s so-called “first target” was a chubby man who ran a restaurant—Xiao Wu.

She immediately introduced herself as the director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor… and then asked whether he was in good health or experiencing any discomfort.

Xiao Wu: ???

Given her profession, his face immediately darkened. If he could’ve, he would’ve had “Excuse me???” written across his forehead.

And so, Hu Tao led them to visit two more people—Mu Mu, a merchant, and Cong Zi, a skilled lantern craftsman.

All three ended up angrily chasing them away.

“…This method clearly isn’t working,” Lumine sighed. “We’ve been kicked out three times already. I think it’s time to wrap up this so-called ‘business expansion.’”

“Hm? This wasn’t business expansion.”

Hu Tao raised a brow. “I usually never give up this easily. I was just checking whether Wolf Bro was with any of them.”

“Wolf Bro?” Lumine recalled Lao Meng mentioning him earlier. “Why would you need to check their bodies?”

“Because Wolf Bro is a ghost.”

Hu Tao explained, “Those people were his childhood friends. Lao Meng’s involved in this too. In short…”

“This also connects to the person you’re looking for. Otherwise, we’d have to go to that place twice—and that’d be a hassle.”

Lumine frowned slightly. “So if we help you find Wolf Bro, you’ll help us track someone down?”

“Exactly.” Hu Tao nodded. “It’s a two-for-one deal.”

“…Jia Changjiang, do you have any way to find a ghost?” Lumine asked. “You have so many strange gadgets—shouldn’t you have something for this?”

Jia Changjiang chuckled. “Do I look like some kind of Doraemon? Where am I supposed to pull out a ghost-hunting gadget?”

“We could try using copper bells or a Bagua mirror, maybe?”

“No tools, huh…” Lumine looked a little disappointed.

“Then, Hu Tao, what is this place you mentioned?” She turned to ask.

Hu Tao smirked playfully. “I could tell you, but we have to get there first. It’s a big secret.”

“…Suspicious.”

Paimon narrowed her eyes.

---

Back at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, they finally got the full story from Lao Meng.

Wolf Bro had been his childhood friend when he lived near Wuwang Hill, but an accident had taken his life. Lao Meng had never quite let it go.

Recently, when he went to pay his respects, he returned feeling uneasy—dreaming about Wolf Bro every night.

“I figured I must’ve disturbed his spirit somehow.”

“So he joined Wangsheng Funeral Parlor,” Hu Tao added. “And because of that, I don’t have to pay him.”

“…Seriously?”

Lumine’s expression was blank.

“Well, he did freak himself out. Even I don’t run into malevolent spirits often,” Hu Tao said lightly.

“…So, you have encountered them before?”

Jia Changjiang’s interest was piqued.

Just as they were discussing, someone entered the funeral parlor.

“Excuse me… Are you from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?”

A nervous-looking young man with dark circles under his eyes hesitantly approached.

“I’m Luo Cheng. Lately, I feel like something has been following me!”

“I—I went to Wuwang Hill for a courage test a few days ago, and ever since then, I’ve been sick! I keep having nightmares! I must be cursed by an Archon!”

Luo Cheng was visibly distressed.

Hu Tao, however, looked unimpressed. She sighed and waved a hand lazily. “Yes, yes. Definitely an Archon’s curse. Very serious.”

“…That was so half-hearted,” Paimon whispered.

“If it really was an Archon’s curse, wouldn’t Xiao be handling it?” Lumine muttered.

Luo Cheng’s face paled even further.

“When an Archon dies, they leave behind a terrible curse! If I don’t remove it, my organs will burn from the inside out—I’ll die horribly!”

Hu Tao rolled her eyes.

Jia Changjiang, on the other hand, casually drew his blade.

“The solution’s simple.”

He unsheathed Azakana’s Blade, Yone’s cursed sword, and rested it on his shoulder.

“Come here and let me slash you once. I guarantee it’ll only cut the curse—not the flesh.”

Luo Cheng froze in horror.

“Relax, I’ve got plenty of experience.”

Jia Changjiang grinned, eager to swing his blade.

“I’ve practiced this many times.”

---

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!