The Weapon Master Shall Never Die Bare-Handed in Genshin Impact [223]

Jia Changjiang and Lumine stared at the kneeling Millelith before them, their expressions a mix of surprise and awkwardness.

Neither of them had expected this—the soldiers bowing in gratitude to two outsiders like themselves.

Jia Changjiang rubbed the back of his neck, clearly taken aback. He had figured the Millelith would thank the Adepti and the Qixing—that much made sense. But to turn around and thank him and Lumine? That was unexpected.

“We really didn’t do much worth thanking us for,” Jia Changjiang said, waving a hand dismissively. “Come on, get up already.”

But the Millelith only lowered their heads further.

“Had you not warned us of the impending attack and taken down the ancient god’s strike, the Millelith would have suffered unimaginable losses,” Commander Fengyan said solemnly. “And Miss Lumine… if it weren’t for you catching the soldiers as they fell, they would have been claimed by the sea.”

“Moreover,” Fengyan continued with utmost sincerity, “you two may be travelers, but you’ve done so much for Liyue. Such virtue and heroism deserve our deepest thanks.”

Jia Changjiang glanced at Lumine, only to find her looking a little flustered.

“Jax, Jax” Lumine whispered, tugging at his sleeve. “What’s going on? Liyue people really know how to flatter someone, huh?”

“Maybe it’s because last time we handled things with Dvalin in secret, and this time it was all out in the open?” Lumine said, her tone tinged with excitement.

Jia Changjiang sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose before clapping Fengyan on the shoulder. “Alright, alright. Stand up already. I’m no Adeptus. This kind of gratitude makes me feel really awkward.”

He grinned as he added, “Remember what I said before? Once we’re all alive and well, let’s find a chance to have a drink together.”

Turning to address the entire group, Jia Changjiang raised his voice. “Everyone, get up! Enough with the formalities! It wasn’t just me protecting Liyue—thank yourselves for surviving! Besides, you’re all big, tough guys; no need to get all sentimental!”

Amid his insistence, the Millelith finally rose to their feet, though a crowd of onlookers had already gathered around them.

Among the spectators, a young girl with a particularly brave demeanor darted out from the crowd. She clutched a handful of small objects tightly in her hands as she approached Jia Changjiang and Lumine.

“Uncle and big sister,” the little girl said, extending her hands toward them. “Thank you for protecting everyone. This is a gift from Changchang to you.”

“Un… uncle?” Jia Changjiang froze for a moment at the address but eventually looked down at what she had placed in his hand.

It was a small, beautifully iridescent seashell.

“Hahaha!” Jia Changjiang laughed heartily, closing his hand around the shell as if it were a priceless treasure. He reached out to ruffle Changchang’s hair. “You’ve got guts, kiddo. Did your parents send you over here? There are so many Adepti and important people around—weren’t you scared?”

“Nope,” Changchang said with a shake of her head. “I came here all by myself. When the big monster appeared earlier, I saw you and big sister fighting. So I knew you were protecting Liyue.”

She opened her small hand to reveal more seashells, warmed by her touch. “These are my most precious treasures. I want you to have them.”

Changchang then approached the Adepti. She looked around but hesitated upon seeing some of them with wings or hooves, unable to accept the shells. Her gaze eventually settled on Xiao, who appeared the youngest.

“Big brother, thank you for protecting Liyue Harbor! This is for you!” Changchang placed a beautifully patterned shell in Xiao’s hand.

Clasping her hands together, she looked up at him earnestly. “When the Lantern Rite comes, big brother, you have to come as a guest, okay?”

“...I can’t,” Xiao replied, glancing away. But his hand tightened around the shell, still warm from her palm.

“After all… I am an Adeptus.”

“Don’t worry, Changchang!” Lumine gave the girl a reassuring thumbs-up. “Even though I don’t know what this Lantern Rite is yet, I’m sure he’ll come!”

“Exactly,” Jia Changjiang chimed in. “Look, he already accepted your gift, didn’t he?”

“Really?” Changchang’s face lit up with a smile. “Thank you, big sister and uncle!”

Satisfied with their answers, Changchang ran off, waving enthusiastically as she left.

“You two… acting without respect for the Adepti,” Xiao muttered with a huff, turning his back to them. Yet the shell in his hand quietly disappeared, tucked away somewhere safe.

“Haha…” Jia Changjiang and Lumine exchanged a glance and laughed, the tension in the air easing considerably.

“Alright, alright…” Madam Ping stepped forward, her kind voice drawing everyone’s attention. “Liyue has much to show and teach, and we must open our eyes to truly see it.”

She chuckled as she added, “Though, to think of a future where Adepti and mortals coexist peacefully… such aspirations are a tad greedy, don’t you think?”

“Greed can be a good thing,” Jia Changjiang replied, turning toward Ningguang with a sly smile. “After all, you’re quite the businesswoman. Shouldn’t you be a little greedier when it comes to Liyue’s future?”

“Well then,” he continued, waving a hand toward the Adepti. “Why don’t you all take a quiet, discreet stroll around Liyue while we…”

His tone shifted as he remembered something. “Oh, right! I’ve got three bets I still need to cash in on!”

“Lumine, Paimon, let’s go!”

With some strength recovered, Jia Changjiang grabbed Lumine’s hand. Paimon floated alongside them as they dashed off toward the city, leaving the Qixing and Adepti behind on the docks.

Their energetic departure was a stark contrast to the gravity of their earlier battle.

"Vigilant Yaksha."

Mountain Shaper addressed Xiao. “Hand me one of those gifts.”

“Hmph. They’re just shells from a child…” Cloud Retainer added dismissively, though she too requested one from Xiao.

---

Meanwhile, Jia Changjiang and Lumine ran through the streets of Liyue.

“Hey,” Lumine called out as she jogged alongside him. “Rex Lapis isn’t really dead, is he?”

Jia Changjiang glanced at her and nodded. “Now’s as good a time as any. I’ll take you to meet the one person who can explain everything perfectly.”

“Zhongli.”

---

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!