The Weapon Master Shall Never Die Bare-Handed in Genshin Impact [328]

"Ordinary mortals who encounter objects of malice and resentment tend to fear being affected by their aura. Yet you… you show no such fear," Xiao remarked as he appeared.

Jia Changjiang casually swung the [Azakana Blade], the same sword he had just pressed against the throat of the overzealous seeker. "It’s hard for malice to influence me. Didn’t you already know that?"

He added, almost playfully, "When I told that guy I was the Great Star-Lord, I wasn’t entirely joking. If I wanted to, I could draw upon some of the powers of a Star-Lord. Not as much as the ancient figures of Liyue, of course, but still something."

Turning the sword toward Xiao, Jia Changjiang offered, "Want to take a look?"

"…No." Xiao folded his arms. "That sword carries a power capable of corroding the mind."

"Good eye," Jia Changjiang said, smirking. "This blade is forged from the essence of a demon known as the Azakana. Originally, it belonged to a swordsman long since deceased."

Jia Changjiang drew a second sword, holding one in each hand, their tips lightly touching the ground. His relaxed stance betrayed no aggression but carried a certain weight.

"One blade for regret, the other for opening paths…"

Using the tip of one sword, he traced a gentle arc on the ground before him.

"One blade to vanquish evil, and one to calm restless souls."

Standing there, holding the two swords, Jia Changjiang felt a strange sense of connection between Xiao and Yone.

The unremovable masks… and the endless hunt for demons.

"Ordinary mortals have limited time in their lives, not nearly enough to refine their craft," Xiao observed, noting Jia Changjiang’s ease in wielding the twin swords. "You are different."

"Xiao, do you think Ganyu will ultimately choose Jueyun Karst or Liyue Harbor?" Jia Changjiang asked.

"That is not my concern," Xiao replied flatly. "Whatever she chooses, it will be her decision to make."

"I think it doesn’t really matter whether Ganyu makes a choice," Jia Changjiang mused. "The other adepti seem to be gradually reaching toward the mortal world. Don’t you feel the same pull?"

"Do you even understand what demonic karma is?" Xiao shot him a piercing look. "Mortals meddling in the affairs of gods and demons will only end up hurting themselves."

He continued, "The monsters and malevolent forces have not vanished. This remains my duty."

"Would you come to the Lantern Rite if you could?" Jia Changjiang asked abruptly, his tone serious.

"Don’t rush to say you won’t," he added. "What I mean is… if you didn’t have to worry about anything else—if nothing could restrict or harm you—would you come to the Lantern Rite?"

Xiao was silent for a long moment.

"…That’s impossible," he said at last, turning away. "Unlike the other adepti, my presence invites calamity. Mortals who remain near me for too long are drawn into misfortune and harm."

"I see…"

Jia Changjiang watched Xiao’s retreating figure. "But I’ve heard the Lantern Rite is a festival for everyone…"

He glanced down at the swords in his hands, then at his own palms. His voice dropped to a murmur.

"And I said it wouldn’t matter…"

Xiao disappeared into the distance.

Jia Changjiang sheathed his twin blades, preparing to head back to Liyue Harbor.

Xiao… in this era, he, too, is an outlier.

For millennia, Xiao had borne the weight of his karmic debt, enduring the torment of its fiery bite to safeguard Liyue.

Such devotion should not go unnoticed.

Those who bear the firewood for others must not be left to freeze in the cold night.

With that thought, Jia Changjiang turned to leave. Before departing, however, his gaze fell upon a towering, magnificent tree nearby.

Beneath its sprawling branches, he thought he glimpsed the figure of a young girl. But when he looked closer, the figure was gone.

"Was that… my imagination?"

Scratching his chin, Jia Changjiang gave the tree another long look.

"It’s almost as grand as the one in Mondstadt’s Windrise," he remarked. "Truly majestic."

Still, something about the tree felt odd—its rocky formations glinting faintly with geo energy, as though it carried a unique presence.

"Never mind," Jia Changjiang muttered, shaking his head. "Time to head back to Liyue Harbor."

---

When Jia Changjiang arrived in Liyue Harbor, he didn’t immediately search for Ganyu or Lumine. Instead, he settled into a teahouse, quietly listening to the lively chatter around him.

His mind, however, was elsewhere.

He thought of Ganyu, of Xiao, and of everything he had witnessed.

The isolation of the adepti lingered in his thoughts.

Lifting a cup of tea, Jia Changjiang let his mind drift back to all he had experienced since arriving in Teyvat.

From Mondstadt to Liyue, and even to Dragonspine.

Every place, every person, had their own unique stories.

And Jia Changjiang had witnessed it all.

As he sipped his tea, a sudden restlessness stirred within him.

I need a fight, he thought.

A good battle to vent these emotions, to clear his head and regain his focus.

But at that moment, there was no worthy opponent in sight.

Just then, a flustered adventurer outside caught his attention.

The adventurer, typically stationed in Liyue’s streets to recruit newcomers, now looked visibly shaken.

As the adventurer passed, Jia Changjiang placed a hand on their shoulder. "What’s going on? Something happen?"

The adventurer froze, then looked up at Jia Changjiang with wide eyes. Recognition dawned, and relief flooded their face.

"Mr. Jia? Oh, thank the Archons!"

"What’s wrong?"

"The Adventurers’ Guild has discovered an alarming resurgence of Geovishaps and hatchlings near The Chasm!" the adventurer blurted. "It seems like something deep within The Chasm is waking them up. Some veterans are even saying… it might be the Ancient Geovishap preparing to awaken."

"Ancient Geovishap?" Jia Changjiang’s interest was piqued. "Tell me more."

"Um…"

The adventurer hesitated. "Katherine at the Guild would know the details better. You should ask her!"

---

T/N: WAIT! frig you guys im just gonna draw the guys because Jia is so cooL!!!!

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!