The Weapon Master Shall Never Die Bare-Handed in Genshin Impact [366]

When Xiao regained consciousness, his first instinct was to grab his spear. However, he quickly realized that he was seated in a banquet hall in Liyue Harbor.

The reason he lowered his spear was simple—sitting across from him at the table, leisurely sipping tea, was none other than Zhongli.

“Lord Zhongli…?”

Xiao was utterly stunned.

“I, too, was invited as a guest today,” Zhongli said, setting his teacup down. “Lumine and Jia Changjiang have gone to invite a few more friends.”

“You’ve already taken the medicine prepared by Bubu Pharmacy. It will suppress the karma within you, so for now, just rest here.”

At Zhongli’s words, Xiao finally sat down.

He hadn’t expected that the ‘friends’ Lumine and Jia Changjiang had mentioned would include the former Geo Archon himself.

As Xiao was still processing everything, Lumine walked in. “The invitations have been sent out! Now we just have to wait and see when the others arrive… Oh? Xiao, you’re awake?”

She looked at him with a bright smile. “How are you feeling? Lighter? Like all the exhaustion in your body has been washed away?”

“This is absurd! You actually brought me to Liyue without my consent… such disrespect toward an adeptus—”

Xiao’s words were cut short as Jia Changjiang also walked in.

“Oh, come on! We did say we’d bring you here, whether you liked it or not!”

Jia Changjiang gave him a thumbs-up. “Well? Surprised? Caught off guard?”

“If it weren’t for Zhongli’s help, getting you here wouldn’t have been so easy…”

Jia Changjiang’s words made Xiao glance at Zhongli in astonishment.

But Zhongli simply continued holding his teacup with the air of a retired old man, as serene as ever.

“I couldn’t refuse these two,” Zhongli said calmly. “Besides, they meant no harm.”

“We even got you some almond tofu today! Made with the finest ingredients in Liyue!” Lumine added enthusiastically. “And guess what? Xiangling made it herself! You have to try her cooking, Xiao—it’s just as good as mine!”

Seeing the scene before him, Xiao knew there was no escaping this.

“Sit down,” Zhongli said, his voice steady. “For today… simply rest.”

“But…” Xiao wanted to argue further.

Yet Zhongli remained firm. “There’s nothing to worry about. Just rest for today.”

With those words, Xiao could do nothing but remain seated.

One by one, Jia Changjiang and Lumine’s ‘friends’ began to arrive.

Among them were some familiar faces—though none openly mentioned it.

Ningguang, Keqing, Ganyu, Xingqiu, Chongyun, Xiangling, Xinyan, and even Qiqi, who had come purely for the coconut milk…

Xiao recognized a few of them.

A small curiosity arose within him—just how had Lumine and Jia Changjiang managed to invite all these people for a meal?

When Chongyun saw Xiao, he visibly tensed.

As an exorcist, Chongyun naturally knew of Xiao’s existence.

Seeing him here, sitting so casually, caught him off guard.

But… at the end of the day, they were all here as Lumine and Jia Changjiang’s invited guests.

And so, the gathering turned into an unexpectedly pleasant meal.

Some of the guests had duties to attend to during the Lantern Rite, and as the evening progressed, most of them eventually took their leave.

Zhongli, too, stood up, preparing to depart.

After all, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor also had its own Lantern Rite banquet to attend—though, regrettably, it was Hu Tao who would be cooking.

Still, he had to return.

Before leaving, Zhongli glanced at Jia Changjiang.

Jia Changjiang met his gaze and responded with a small smile.

Zhongli knew exactly what Jia Changjiang was planning to do next.

“Xiao, how was the meal?” Lumine asked. “Come on, there’s still so much to see at the Lantern Rite! Let’s go check it out!”

“…”

Xiao wanted to refuse.

But then he recalled how his last refusal had resulted in being forcefully carried here by Jia Changjiang and Lumine.

After a moment’s thought, he relented. “I’ll go see the festival on my own. I’ll watch the Mingxiao Lantern as well.”

“Do not disturb me.”

With that, he swiftly exited the banquet hall.

“Hah…” Lumine sighed. “Most people at least feel a little guilty after being treated to a meal, but Xiao? Not a shred of politeness…”

“Come on, Traveler! Let’s go enjoy the Lantern Rite too!” Paimon cheered. “The grand Mingxiao Lantern is going up tonight!”

“Alright, let’s go!” Lumine said. “We’ll meet up again when the lanterns are released!”

She turned to Jia Changjiang. “Jia Changjiang, are you coming?”

“Nah, you two go ahead.”

Jia Changjiang waved them off with a grin. “I have my own plans for the night.”

Once Lumine left, the banquet hall grew quiet.

Jia Changjiang checked the time.

There were still a few hours left before the grand Mingxiao Lantern was released, along with Liyue’s sea of floating lights.

“Plenty of time.”

He murmured to himself.

Calculating his schedule, he determined he would be able to make it back in time.

Jia Changjiang reached for his mask—Azakana’s mask.

Festivals in the mortal world were always filled with joy and celebration…

But the stories behind them were often forgotten.

While the people of Liyue rejoiced, the remnants of gods once subdued by Morax still lingered in a half-dreaming state, occasionally erupting in bursts of resentment and residual malice.

Ordinarily, Xiao would perform the [Nuo Dance of Exorcism] to quell these disturbances.

But tonight, Jia Changjiang had taken measures to suppress Xiao’s karmic burdens with rare medicine and had sought Zhongli’s help in bringing Xiao to Liyue. He had even ensured Xiao could enjoy the delicacies of the Lantern Rite.

Now… Jia Changjiang would take up Xiao’s duty in his stead.

He would cleanse Liyue of lingering grievances and malevolent remnants.

Xiao had done this for centuries.

But this year, someone else would take the burden from his shoulders.

A mere mortal, stepping into the role of an adeptus.

The Azakana mask he wore was one he had purchased together with Xiao in Liyue—a Nuo mask depicting the celestial Kui Xing.

Though it bore a fierce expression, it was, in truth, a mask of fortune.

Jia Changjiang was ready to take up the task of exorcism in Xiao’s place.

With the mask upon his face and Yone’s twin blades in his hands, Jia Changjiang vanished into the Lantern Rite night.

After the adepti protected the festival, the people of Liyue would release their lanterns—lights of blessing illuminating the sky and sea.

The Lantern Rite was a festival to honor heroes, and Xiao…

Xiao had been Liyue’s hero for centuries. That had never changed, nor should it ever be forgotten.

Through the darkened streets, Jia Changjiang moved with purpose, his masked face concealing his exhilaration.

Silently, he invoked the title of [Tai Sui Xingjun]—Lord of the Grand Year.

The scent of karmic affliction and lingering resentment now clung to him.

“Come.”

“Tonight… we shall light the lanterns for the future.”

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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!