“Moon Carver sent you? And… the Sigil of Permission?”
Mountain Shaper turned his sharp gaze toward Lumine, who held up the talisman. “To think such a relic still lingers in the mortal realm…”
He sighed deeply. “When Rex Lapis forged these talismans, they were meant to assist mortals in their trials. Now, so few remain.”
“What is it you’ve come to say?” Mountain Shaper asked, his tone grave. “Liyue Harbor is not so distant that falsehoods can escape my discernment.”
“The Geo Archon was assassinated. His body fell during the Rite of Descension.”
Jia Changjiang’s voice was calm but resolute as he conveyed the message. “Due to some unfortunate circumstances, we were mistaken for the culprits. We’ve come seeking the help of the Adepti to clear our names.”
“What?!” Mountain Shaper’s wings spread wide in shock. “Rex Lapis… assassinated? Such a thing… What power in this world could strike him down?!”
The revelation left him visibly shaken. For a moment, the weight of the news hung heavily in the air, but Mountain Shaper quickly steadied himself.
“Rex Lapis…” His voice softened as he regained his composure. “I understand. I shall confer with the other Adepti once I have resolved matters here on the mountain.”
He shifted his focus to the group, his avian visage somehow managing a frown.
“You… carry things that do not belong to this world.”
His gaze sharpened, settling on Jia Changjiang. “And you, mortal—step forward.”
Jia Changjiang stepped closer, gripping his monk’s staff as he faced Mountain Shaper.
“There is the faint residue of a god’s malice upon you, yet your spirit remains untainted. Mortal as you are, your soul’s resilience is… peculiar.”
Mountain Shaper’s tone was thoughtful, almost curious. “What is your name?”
“Jia Changjiang,” he replied, meeting the Adeptus’s gaze without flinching. “Jia is my surname. Changjiang is the name of a great river in my homeland.”
“Jia Changjiang… I will remember it.”
Mountain Shaper studied him carefully. “Have you ever been overtaken by some foreign force? Something that sought to claim your mind?”
“Foreign force?”
Jia Changjiang furrowed his brows in thought, but Lumine interjected before he could respond.
“Could it be… the Darkin Blade?” she asked.
“The Darkin Blade… That’s right.” Jia Changjiang nodded, recalling the incident.
“I see…” Mountain Shaper murmured. “Though I am unfamiliar with this ‘Darkin Blade,’ it appears the encounter tempered your soul in ways rare among mortals.”
He sighed deeply. “In another time, perhaps you would have trained under the Vigilant Yaksha. But now…”
Mountain Shaper’s voice grew somber. “Leave this mountain at once. Do not linger, lest you be caught by the Dorshuan Crocus. It is not a foe to be trifled with.”
“Dorshuan Crocus?” Lumine asked, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “So those amber traps weren’t… saliva? Thank goodness…”
Relieved, the trio made their way down the mountain.
As Jia Changjiang and the others disappeared from sight, Mountain Shaper remained where he stood, watching their retreating figures in silence.
The ground beneath him bore the faint imprint of Jia Changjiang’s staff, where its impact had left a web of fine cracks.
“Though he carries no ill intent, he stood before me ready to strike at any moment. His aura bears a fierce, ominous edge, yet his demeanor is steady, even noble…”
Mountain Shaper exhaled deeply. “This mortal… Whatever role he plays in the coming storm, it will not be a quiet one.”
“See, Mr. Jax? That went perfectly,” Paimon said cheerfully. “This Adeptus didn’t get mad, and we were able to deliver our message without any problems!”
“Mm.”
Jia Changjiang’s response was noncommittal, his expression pensive. “Next, we’ll need to visit the other mountain and find Cloud Retainer. Don’t worry—I won’t challenge them to a fight. I keep my promises.”
“See? In that sense, Mr. Jax is way more reliable than the Traveler.”
Paimon’s remark earned her a furious glare from Lumine, who grabbed her out of the air and began nibbling on her cheek in mock retaliation.
“Take it back! Who’s unreliable?!”
“Help! Mr. Jax, the Traveler’s gone crazy again!”
Watching their antics, Jia Changjiang couldn’t help but laugh. The tension from their encounter with Mountain Shaper dissipated in the lighthearted moment.
“Speaking of which, Jax…” Lumine asked curiously, still holding a flailing Paimon. “What was it like when you became the Darkin Blade back in Mondstadt? I’ve been wondering for a while now.”
“At the time?”
Jia Changjiang paused, his gaze distant as he recalled the experience. “It was… overwhelming. All I could feel was Aatrox’s hatred and fury.”
He clenched his fist tightly. “Thanks to Barbatos’s help, I managed to break free. But it won’t happen again.”
His voice grew firm, his resolve unwavering. “Now that I know, I’ll never let someone else’s will overpower mine. Next time, I won’t lose myself!”
—
Some time later, atop Mount Aozang…
As Jia Changjiang and Lumine reached the summit, they found a small lake with a tiny island at its center. On the island stood a stone table with a wine jug resting atop it.
“A stone table? With wine?” Paimon floated closer, her curiosity piqued. “And look, there’s writing carved into the chairs!”
She read the words aloud, her tone filled with wonder.
“‘Here sits Cloud Retainer.’
‘Here sits Guizhong.’
‘Here sits the Geo Archon.’”
“Guizhong? Who’s that?” Paimon wondered aloud. “And the Geo Archon must be Rex Lapis… Could this be where Cloud Retainer and the others gathered to enjoy meals together?”
Paimon’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Maybe if we cook something delicious, it’ll catch their attention!”
“Food?” Lumine tapped her chin in thought. “If it’s for the Adepti of Liyue, how about a Crispy Amber Slime with Salt and Spice?”
“That sounds horrifying!” Paimon protested. “Let’s stick to something normal. This place is so beautiful—I bet anything we eat here would taste amazing!”
As Paimon admired the serene surroundings, Lumine’s expression grew thoughtful. She glanced around, her gaze lingering on the picturesque scenery.
“Hmm…” she murmured. “With a view like this, I bet the one living here is a stunningly elegant older sister…”
—
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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