“I’m Lumine. Just call me Lumine.”
Facing Ningguang, Lumine introduced herself confidently, then gestured to the others around her. “This is my emergency food… uh, companion, Paimon.”
“Hey! Did you just say something weird in the middle of introducing Paimon?!” Paimon stomped her foot indignantly.
Unfazed, Lumine continued and introduced Jia Changjiang.
“This is Jia Changjiang! A weapon master I met in Mondstadt. Since both of us share the goal of traveling through all seven nations, we decided to journey together!”
“Hello.”
Jia Changjiang nodded politely to Ningguang. “As Lumine mentioned, I’ve been introduced already, but as this is an official visit, we’ve also brought some gifts for you.”
He retrieved a finely crafted longsword. “Although it’s not an extraordinary treasure, we hope you’ll accept it.”
“And here are our gifts!” Lumine and Paimon handed over boxes containing glazed slime confections—one flavored with sugar glaze and the other with savory spices.
“Gifts? How thoughtful of you. I invited you here, yet you’ve gone to such trouble,” Ningguang said with a smile as she graciously accepted the offerings before passing them to an attendant nearby.
“This place is so spacious, and the Jade Chamber is stunning.”
Lumine looked around, marveling at the architecture. “To build something this beautiful must have cost a fortune, right?”
“This Jade Chamber has been my dream since I first started doing business. Back then, I began saving for its construction. After becoming the Tianquan, I hired the best craftsmen to expand it continuously. Initially, it was the size of a single room. Now, it can overshadow the silver moon of Liyue’s night sky.”
Ningguang smiled confidently. “One day, I believe its shadow will reach all seven nations.”
“All seven nations?” Lumine’s thoughts wandered. “Wouldn’t that mean the people in those nations won’t get much sunlight?”
Ningguang covered her mouth and chuckled. Then, her tone shifted slightly. “The Acting Grand Master of Mondstadt praised you highly in her letters. Because of that, I arranged for some eyes to observe your movements…”
“Yet your actions still surprised me,” she said, her gaze steady. “Escaping during the Rite of Descension, heading to Jueyun Karst, preparing the sending-off ceremony for Rex Lapis, and even persuading the Adepti not to take over Liyue by force… If I hadn’t kept track of you from Wangshu Inn, I might have been even more shocked.”
“Those things… we only did because we had no other choice. Wait, persuading the Adepti? What’s that about?” Lumine turned to Jia Changjiang, who shrugged as if it had nothing to do with him.
“And… was the owner of Wangshu Inn working for the Qixing?! Did she report us?”
Lumine looked genuinely stunned. There was so much she hadn’t known.
“Not at all.” Ningguang shook her head, giving Lumine a moment of relief.
But her next words wiped that away. “The entirety of Wangshu Inn belongs to us.”
“W-What?! Then Keqing back then…”
“That was a different matter, near the Guizhong Ballista,” Ningguang replied, still smiling, her intentions opaque.
“I’m very interested in you. Watching you is only natural. That’s why I invited you here.”
“…”
Lumine glanced at Jia Changjiang, then back at Ningguang. “So, does this mean your invitation is like what Keqing said? You hope we’ll remain neutral?”
“Not exactly. I invited you to clear up some misunderstandings.” Ningguang’s smile softened. “As one of the Qixing, I also hope you’ll form your own opinions on these matters.”
“Have you heard of the Archon War?”
Ningguang walked to the edge of the Jade Chamber and gazed toward Guyun Stone Forest. Her words were directed at Jia Changjiang and Lumine.
“We’ve heard of it.”
Jia Changjiang’s expression grew serious. “A war from thousands of years ago. Many Archons perished during that time.” His voice carried a hint of regret.
“Yes, the world once bore witness to countless Archons warring with one another. It wasn’t until two thousand years ago that it finally ended.” Ningguang’s tone became somber. “Afterward, only seven victors remained. They built nations and cities on the ruins of the defeated, ushering in the age of the Seven.”
“Seven victors…”
Lumine’s thoughts flickered to a certain carefree drunkard in Mondstadt’s tavern. Her interest in the Archon War waned slightly.
“Guyun Stone Forest isn’t a natural formation,” Ningguang continued, pointing toward the distant stone peaks. “It’s where Rex Lapis once threw a massive stone spear during the war.”
“Beneath that spear lies one of Rex Lapis’s defeated foes—a former Archon who failed to claim one of the seven thrones.”
“The Seven may change, but they will not vanish. A new Geo Archon will inevitably rise. Even in a new era, Liyue’s Qixing remain loyal to Rex Lapis. But can we, his people, ever bear the crime of raising a blade against him?”
“Then why did you hide the Exuvia?” Lumine asked curiously. “Wouldn’t that have prevented the Adepti from suspecting you?”
“Hiding the Exuvia was necessary to protect Liyue. The city faces enemies not only from the past but also from the shadows within Liyue Harbor itself,” Ningguang said, turning back toward them. “This way, we can move from light to darkness, countering threats with stillness.”
“Enemies? You mean the one who assassinated Rex Lapis?” Paimon asked, puzzled.
“No. It must be that person…” Lumine murmured, her expression grim.
“Who?” Paimon tilted her head in confusion.
“You’ll find out soon,” Jia Changjiang said, patting Paimon on the head. “Not much longer now.”
“So, you’ve heard whispers of them even in Mondstadt.” Ningguang’s words hinted at deeper knowledge. “Let’s continue this discussion inside.”
Still confused, Paimon muttered, “Who is it, though?”
Ningguang led the group into the luxurious Jade Chamber. The grand hall radiated an aura of wealth and splendor, its antique art and gilded furnishings overwhelming for the typically resource-strapped Lumine and Paimon.
Paimon’s mouth gaped. “This hall is enormous! Paimon’s never seen a room this big! It’s even larger than Diluc’s winery!”
“Please, make yourselves at home.”
Ningguang smiled, leading them further in. “You are my guests, and I consider you friends. Among friends, happiness comes first.”
“Really?” Lumine’s eyes sparkled. “Then the beds here must be huge, right? Rolling around on one must feel so comf—”
Bonk!
Before she could finish, Jia Changjiang knocked her lightly on the head. “Have some dignity!”
“Why not suggest staying for dinner while you’re at it?”
—
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!
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