The Weapon Master Shall Never Die Bare-Handed in Genshin Impact [370]

Xiao stared at the small sky lantern that Lumine and Jia Changjiang had practically shoved into his hands.

A brush was placed in his grip, its ink ready to record a wish.

But Xiao… had no idea what to write.

Nearby, Jia Changjiang sat on a ledge by the harbor, his own lantern in hand.

With slow, deliberate strokes, he wrote down his wish, then lit the flame inside, watching as the lantern carried his words high into the sky.

He didn't ask for much.

One lantern was enough to contain all of Jia Changjiang’s wishes.

Lumine, on the other hand… was still writing.

She had already filled three lanterns to the brim with text—and was now working on her fourth. The once golden paper was so covered in ink it was practically turning black.

Paimon’s wish was much simpler: to eat more delicious food… and to continue traveling with Lumine and Jia Changjiang.

"Xiao, aren’t you going to write your wish?"

Jia Changjiang turned to him with a small smile.

"…I don’t have any wishes worth writing."

After a brief hesitation, that was all Xiao said.

"What do you mean, not worth writing? Look at Lumine—she’s already on her fourth lantern and still not done!"

Without giving Xiao time to react, Jia Changjiang grabbed his hand.

"If you don’t know what to write, I’ll write it for you."

Holding Xiao’s hand steady, Jia Changjiang guided the brush across the lantern’s surface.

『May the virtues of the past be passed on, never to fade.』

A phrase often spoken during the Lantern Rite—was it truly a wish?

Who could say for sure?

But as Xiao watched those words rise into the sky, carried by the glowing lantern, an indescribable feeling stirred within him.

For the first time in centuries, this Lantern Rite was different.

There were no thousands of wailing spirits.

No tortured screams echoing in his ears.

Xiao did not resent the karmic burden that had clung to him for a millennium.

He did not curse the searing agony that had eaten away at him for years on end.

It was simply that… killing had become second nature to him.

Jia Changjiang’s voice pulled him back.

"Xiao, you can always release another lantern."

A familiar voice called his name.

"I have more! I have more!"

Lumine excitedly dumped a small mountain of lanterns at his feet, nearly blocking his path.

These people…

They saw him, a being meant only for slaughter, as a companion.

Paimon scribbled on another lantern before setting it free.

"Next year, we should all come back and watch the lanterns again! Xiao, will you join us?"

Xiao was silent.

Then, after a moment, he reached for another lantern.

This time, he picked up the brush himself.

He wrote his own wish.

And he let it rise.

As for what he had written, he did not tell anyone.

Wasn’t there a human superstition that wishes would not come true if spoken aloud?

Next year…

Xiao glanced at Jia Changjiang, Lumine, and Paimon.

Surely, one visit to such a childish festival was enough.

But… if they insisted, then he would accompany them again.

---

With that, the Lantern Rite of Liyue finally came to an end.

One by one, people returned to their homes, awaiting the arrival of dawn.

Jia Changjiang, on the other hand… collapsed straight onto his bed—

Only to wake up the next morning being dragged to Bubu Pharmacy in a small cart by Lumine.

Though the karmic filth of last night’s battle hadn’t affected him, his injuries were severe.

Luckily, they had been treated in time.

But even so… Jia Changjiang had a feeling he wouldn’t be getting out of bed anytime soon.

Even seeing a doctor required Lumine to wheel him in…

"Qiqi~!"

Inside Bubu Pharmacy, Lumine cheerfully squeezed Qiqi’s cheeks while helping her stretch her tiny arms in some sort of "gentle exercise."

Though confused, Qiqi sensed no ill intent, so she simply let Lumine do as she pleased.

Meanwhile, Jia Changjiang had been thoroughly wrapped up in bandages by Baizhu.

A strong herbal scent clung to him as the doctor handed him a prescription.

"Boil the medicine and drink one dose in the morning, afternoon, and evening. With your constitution, you should be able to walk again in a few days." Baizhu smiled. "Thank you for your patronage."

With a heavy heart, Jia Changjiang handed over what little Mora he had left—

And officially stepped into poverty.

To think that when he first arrived in Liyue, he had managed to swindle a full million Mora from a Fatui Harbinger.

And now, he was nearly broke, barely able to afford his own medicine.

It was time to seriously consider his and Lumine’s "dual business expansion plan"—one in magical cosmetics, one in enchanted accessories.

"Jax, are you okay?"

Paimon patted his bandaged face in concern.

At this point, Jia Changjiang was wrapped up so thoroughly he looked like a dumpling.

To anyone who didn’t know the situation, Lumine and Paimon dragging him around in a cart probably looked less like a hospital visit—

And more like a corpse delivery.

"I’m fine, Paimon. Just… scratch my forehead. I can’t move."

As they were leaving Bubu Pharmacy, the three unexpectedly spotted a familiar figure standing nearby.

"Xiao? You haven’t left yet?"

Lumine blinked in surprise.

Xiao said nothing.

Instead, he simply handed her a small box—

And in the next instant, he vanished.

"…Huh?"

Lumine looked down at the box in confusion.

Why had Xiao left so quickly?

"What did he give you? Let me see! Let me see—!"

Still flopping around like a beached fish, Jia Changjiang struggled to sit up, but in his current state, it was impossible.

"Hmm…"

Paimon hovered closer as Lumine carefully opened the box.

Inside were three perfectly preserved Crystalflies.

Not Crystal Cores—like the ones they usually gathered—

But whole, intact Crystalflies, carefully caught and preserved.

Three of them.

One for each of them—Lumine, Jia Changjiang, and Paimon.

The fact that they hadn't turned to crystal dust meant they had been captured with care.

"He could’ve just given them to us directly. Why be so sneaky about it?"

Lumine huffed.

Jia Changjiang, however, only chuckled.

"That’s just Xiao’s personality. Isn’t that precisely what makes him interesting?"

Lumine thought for a moment—then nodded in agreement.

"You’re right."

She smiled.

"Still… does this mean we’re officially friends with Xiao now?"

Paimon placed her hands on her hips.

"To be friends with an adeptus… does that mean we’re super amazing?"

"You didn’t do anything, Paimon." Jia Changjiang sighed. "I got him medicine, Lumine made the lanterns—"

"Paimon was emotionally supporting you both!" Paimon declared proudly. "I’m your best partner!"

"Yeah, yeah, sure…"

Lumine sighed as she dragged Jia Changjiang down the steps of Bubu Pharmacy.

The cart jostled slightly, nearly aggravating his injuries.

Fortunately, Baizhu’s medicine worked wonders.

---

T/N: AHHHH SO CUTEE AHHHH IM DYING!!!

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!