The Weapon Master Shall Never Die Bare-Handed in Genshin Impact [356]

Early the next morning, Jia Changjiang and Lumine arrived at Wangshu Inn, only to find that the Celestial Lord of Starcatching had already departed.

However, he left behind a letter addressed to them. In it, he expressed deep remorse for his actions and included the [Sigil of Permission] for safekeeping.

Through the letter, Jia Changjiang and Lumine also learned his real name: Wang Ping’an.

"Excuse me, have you seen Xiao?" Lumine asked the innkeeper, Verr Goldet. "We’ve got something important to deliver to him."

"If you’re looking for Xiao… He’s probably near the kitchen, somewhere quiet," Verr Goldet replied. "That’s usually where he goes for simple meals."

"Thank you."

After thanking Verr Goldet, Jia Changjiang and Lumine followed the stairs and soon found Xiao sitting near a table, seemingly waiting for something.

From their vantage point on the staircase, it was hard to miss the detail that Xiao, seated on the chair, had his toes touching the ground while his heels floated slightly above it.

"Pfft…" Lumine couldn’t help but laugh, finding the sight unexpectedly endearing.

"Xiao, we’ve brought the [Sigil of Permission]," Jia Changjiang announced, sitting at the table and sliding the talisman toward Xiao. "That guy left it behind. He also left a letter saying he’s heading off on a journey of self-reflection."

"It’s rare to find someone who still remembers the Yaksha," he added.

"…Thank you," Xiao said quietly, tucking the talisman into his robes.

At that moment, a waiter approached their table to take their order.

"One serving of grilled Tigerfish," Xiao requested.

"We’re good—we already ate before coming," Jia Changjiang explained, and the waiter quickly left to fulfill Xiao’s order.

"Grilled Tigerfish? I thought you liked Almond Tofu?" Lumine asked curiously.

"That was Pervases’s favorite dish," Xiao replied, his tone touched with melancholy. "I wanted to see what it tastes like."

A subtle sadness flickered in his gaze as he fell silent.

"Do you still have other things to do?" Xiao asked, looking at them. "I prefer eating alone."

"Alright, enjoy your meal." Jia Changjiang stood up and leaned slightly toward Xiao. "Will you be coming to the Lantern Rite Festival?"

"…I have other responsibilities during the Lantern Rite," Xiao replied flatly.

Across Liyue, remnants of defeated gods occasionally stir in their slumber, releasing bursts of resentment and corruption. These eruptions are especially severe during the Lantern Rite Festival.

Bound by his contract, Xiao must perform the Nuo Dance of Exorcism, fighting through the night to suppress these disturbances.

"Someone else invited you to the Lantern Rite before, didn’t they?" Jia Changjiang reminded him. "The little girl who gave you the seashell. Do you still have it?"

"…"

Xiao remained silent, and Jia Changjiang and Lumine took their leave.

As they departed, a quiet sigh escaped Xiao’s lips. Around his waist, tied to a string, a small painted seashell brushed against his mask, producing a faint, delicate chime.

---

Back at the inn, Verr Goldet was busy preparing for the Lantern Rite celebrations.

The first full moon of the year marks the Lantern Rite Festival, a grand celebration that spans many days. It’s a time to honor heroes of the past, during which the people of Liyue release Xiaodeng Lanterns and Mingxiao Lanterns into the night sky.

These lights symbolize the wish for virtues and good deeds to be passed down through generations, guiding the souls of heroes back home. For the people of Liyue, the Lantern Rite is also a time to bid farewell to the old and welcome the new.

"Have you finished speaking with Xiao?" Verr Goldet asked when the group returned.

"Yes… He doesn’t seem to be in the best mood. We tried inviting him to the festival, but he didn’t seem very willing," Jia Changjiang sighed. "Honestly, I have no idea how to handle someone so stubborn. Maybe I’ll just drag him along by force."

"That’s… certainly a unique approach, Mr. Jia," Verr Goldet said with a faint smile. "Will you three be attending the festival as well? Liyue Harbor should be buzzing with activity by now."

"Of course we’re going! How could we miss it?" Lumine exclaimed. "I heard you can make good Mora helping people craft lanterns."

"In that case, enjoy the festivities! I hope you all have a wonderful Lantern Rite," Verr Goldet said warmly.

"We’ll have a blast, won’t we, Jax ‘Greenskin’?" Lumine teased, slapping Jia Changjiang on the back.

"Yeah." Jia Changjiang stretched his neck. "After all the work we’ve done, we deserve a break."

"I wonder what fun things the Lantern Rite has in store…" he mused, his gaze briefly lingering on his system interface.

He had plans for the Lantern Rite. Something only he could do.

"Let’s go back to Liyue Harbor!" Lumine said excitedly, tugging at Jia Changjiang. "Let’s find Zhongli! Even if he’s a wallet-less freeloader most of the time, he probably knows where the best spots are!"

"Good idea!" Paimon chimed in, eyes sparkling. "Are we heading to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to look for him?"

"Uh…" Verr Goldet gave the pair a slightly odd look.

Who heads to a funeral parlor during the Lantern Rite?

"We can also stop by Wanmin Restaurant and have Xiangling prepare a feast. Let’s invite some friends to join us!" Jia Changjiang suggested.

"Great idea!" Lumine and Paimon cheered in unison, their eyes lighting up at the mention of food.

"We’ve got plenty of friends in Liyue," Lumine began counting on her fingers. "Ningguang, Keqing, Ganyu, Qiqi…"

"Chongyun, Xingqiu, and that Xinyan person you haven’t met yet…" she continued. "If we’re inviting them all, we’ll need a feast fit for a banquet!"

Imagining the gathering, Lumine smiled brightly.

"I wish we could invite Xiao, but I don’t think he’ll come, will he?" Jia Changjiang said, a bit regretful.

"That’s alright! We can try again later!" Paimon said optimistically.

"Let’s gather lots of friends and make this Lantern Rite unforgettable!" Lumine declared. "The Lantern Rite is supposed to be a festival of reunion, after all!"

"Even though I haven’t found my brother yet… I still want to invite everyone I can. That way, it’ll be a happy festival, no matter what!"

"And one day, when I do find him," Lumine continued with a bright smile, "I’ll tell him all about these stories and bring everyone together again."

"We’ll throw the grandest, happiest banquet ever!"

---

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!