The Weapon Master Shall Never Die Bare-Handed in Genshin Impact [369]

"The Mingxiao Lantern is about to rise!"

As the moment finally arrived, someone in the crowd shouted excitedly.

Xiao, caught amidst the sea of people, was unconsciously drawn along toward the harbor.

In the minutes leading up to the grand ascent, the lights of Liyue gradually dimmed.

The smaller sky lanterns, which had been rising throughout the night, had at some point stopped.

At this moment, an unspoken understanding spread among the people of Liyue.

The city darkened, leaving only the faint glow of scattered lanterns and the twinkling stars above.

Xiao stood in the midst of it all, momentarily dazed, taking in the murmur of the crowd around him, barely visible in the dim light.

For hundreds of years, he had never once imagined that he would stand here—among the people, waiting for the Mingxiao Lantern to ascend.

It was something beyond his imagination, something he had never even considered.

Each year, his Lantern Rite was spent in endless battle, leaving him with a complicated relationship toward the festival.

So complex, in fact, that even he could not fully describe the emotions it stirred within him.

As he stood there, lost in thought, someone suddenly gave him a light push from behind.

"Xiao? I thought I might find you here! I knew you'd come watch the Lantern Rite."

Lumine’s voice rang out. When Xiao turned, he saw her standing there—both hands full of festival snacks, with Paimon floating beside her.

Mouth still full, she hurriedly swallowed the last bite of a Liyue delicacy before speaking again. "After dinner, you just disappeared! So? Having fun at the festival?"

Xiao hesitated. Her words brought back memories of everything he had seen and heard while walking through Liyue’s streets.

"…A troublesome festival."

That was his final verdict.

"That’s why it’s fun! If things were too easy, it wouldn’t be a festival!" Lumine waved one of her skewers toward him. "Want a bite? I’ll even give you the friend discount—just the original price, no extra charge!"

"…Where is Jia Changjiang?"

Noticing that only Lumine and Paimon were present, Xiao frowned. "He’s not with you?"

"Greenie said he had something to take care of and went off alone."

Lumine had a vague idea of what Jia Changjiang had been doing tonight.

"Xiao, do you want to release a lantern?"

As she spoke, she reached into her bag and pulled out an unlit sky lantern. "They say if you light a lantern, your wish might come true."

"Though… I have no idea what an adeptus would even wish for."

"I don’t need one."

Xiao turned away. "Adepti have no wishes."

"There you go again—being all stubborn."

Lumine sighed and shook her head. "This is exactly why you don’t have many friends, you know?"

She smirked. "If it weren’t for me and Jax, you’d probably still be stuck at Wangshu Inn, refusing to come out for the festival."

"…"

Xiao fell silent.

As much as he didn’t want to admit it, she was right.

If it weren’t for Lumine and Jia Changjiang’s relentless insistence—and even outright dragging him here—he likely wouldn’t have come.

"So? Are you releasing a lantern or not?"

Lumine pressed him again.

Xiao looked at the lantern in her hands, about to reply—

When suddenly, a hand landed on his shoulder.

"Just release it," Jia Changjiang’s voice rang out beside him, casual yet firm. "Even if it’s troublesome, don’t people say that sending your wishes high into the sky makes them more likely to come true?"

Xiao turned his head.

Jia Changjiang stood next to him, smiling as he addressed Lumine. "Where’s my lantern?"

Seeing him, Lumine gave a knowing nod. "Yours is ready. And please, don’t pull out those ridiculous metal monstrosities again…"

"Jia Changjiang?"

Now standing this close, Xiao caught a faint scent of blood on him.

Just as he was about to ask, Jia Changjiang cut him off.

"Lumine… mind lending me a shoulder?"

Jia Changjiang gestured to her. "I might’ve overdone it a bit tonight—legs feel kinda weak."

"Fine, fine."

Lumine sighed but stepped forward, with Paimon helping to support his right side.

"Much appreciated…"

Jia Changjiang let out a breath as he finally eased the strain on his body. Now, his weight was evenly distributed between Xiao and Lumine.

"Still made it in time," he said, grinning. "Good thing I move fast. Would’ve been a shame to miss this."

"You…"

Xiao could smell the blood on him—along with the lingering presence of exorcised spirits.

When Zhongli told him to stay in Liyue tonight, Xiao had wondered—who would deal with the vengeful remnants that always threatened the festival’s peace?

Now, the answer stood right beside him.

"Why did you—"

Xiao started, wanting to ask why Jia Changjiang had taken on this burden.

His weight was pressing heavily on both their shoulders.

Xiao could tell—Jia Changjiang had suffered no small amount of injuries tonight.

But before he could voice his thoughts, Jia Changjiang simply said—

"Xiao, look up."

"Quick, the Mingxiao Lantern is about to light up."

Instinctively, Xiao followed his gaze.

At the harbor stood a massive, intricately crafted lantern—shaped in the likeness of Skybracer.

At that moment, it came to life, its great illuminated form resembling a running deer as it dashed forward.

The Mingxiao Lantern sprinted toward the sea, then ascended straight into the sky.

It soared over Liyue Harbor, passing overhead.

For a brief second, Xiao even felt a gust of wind as it rushed past.

And at that very moment, the people of Liyue released their sky lanterns—

One by one, countless lights lifted off, rising alongside the Mingxiao Lantern, carrying with them the wishes and hopes of an entire city.

Liyue, once shrouded in darkness, now blazed with light.

From shadow to brilliance—

The glow of a thousand lanterns illuminated the city, casting a golden hue upon every street and every face.

Beneath their soft radiance, Xiao could clearly see the joy and warmth reflected in the expressions of the people around him.

He gazed at the scene before him—

And found himself momentarily lost in it.

At some point… a faint smile had unknowingly appeared on his lips.

Jia Changjiang, Lumine, and Paimon all noticed his dazed expression.

Exchanging glances, they, too, smiled before looking back up at the sky.

The Mingxiao Lantern continued its ascent, climbing higher and higher.

It wove between the rising sky lanterns, moving ever upward—

Until, at last, it reached its peak.

And in that instant—

It burst apart.

The explosion of light scattered across the heavens, blooming into a radiant firework display that lit up the entire sky.

"Alright, Xiao."

Jia Changjiang spoke softly.

"Come on… release your lantern."

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T/N: IM TEARING UP AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

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!