“Who is that?”
The rhythmic sound of a staff striking the ground drew Keqing’s attention.
“That’s…” Ningguang turned to see who was approaching and immediately recognized the figure. “The hero from Mondstadt. He’s changed his attire since we last saw him at Wangshu Inn.”
“Him?”
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Jia Changjiang walked confidently through the lines of Millelith, his iron monk’s staff steady in his hand. He came to a halt before Keqing and Ningguang.
“You must be the Tianquan and Yuheng of the Qixing,” Jia Changjiang said, his tone calm as he pressed one hand into his palm and bowed slightly. “This humble monk, Jia Changjiang, greets you.”
Both women were caught off guard by his polite demeanor. The reports the Qixing had gathered painted a very different picture of him.
“Ningguang,” Keqing whispered, leaning closer. “Didn’t you say he was one of those fight-loving types? He doesn’t seem like it now.”
Ningguang simply shook her head, opting to address Jia Changjiang directly.
“Traveler, it’s a pleasure to meet you in person,” Ningguang said with her usual poise. “We weren’t able to meet earlier, but I’ve learned about you through correspondence with the Acting Grand Master of Mondstadt.”
She continued, “However, this is neither the time nor place for pleasantries. I must ask you to step aside while we handle this matter.”
“No need.”
Jia Changjiang smiled faintly. “I’m here precisely for this matter.”
“We’ve informed the adepti about what transpired at the Rite of Descension,” he explained. “But it’s clear that this could lead to conflict between mortals and the adepti. So, I’ve come to help.”
“Help?” Keqing repeated skeptically.
Jia Changjiang’s voice remained steady. “I may be able to prevent this from escalating further. If you’d allow me, I’d like to assist.”
“This is an issue for the adepti and the Qixing to resolve,” Ningguang replied carefully. Her tone implied both skepticism and restraint.
Jia Changjiang simply shrugged. “True, but unless you have a better solution right now, letting me try might not be the worst idea. A clash between Liyue and the adepti will only bring harm to innocent people. Perhaps I can stop that from happening.”
As he spoke, his relaxed smile gave the impression that he didn’t consider the situation overly dire—a demeanor that was both unsettling and oddly reassuring.
“Jia Changjiang,” came a booming voice from above. Moon Carver’s piercing gaze fixed on the figure standing among the Millelith. “Why have you come here?”
“To ask that the adepti approach this matter without hostility,” Jia Changjiang replied, stepping forward with his staff. “The people of Liyue are as shaken by the Geo Archon’s assassination as you are. If the adepti act with force, it will only deepen the unrest.”
“Hmph! It was you who summoned us!” Cloud Retainer’s voice was sharp, her wings flaring. “You spoke of joining me in subjugating Liyue, yet now you side with the Qixing?”
She scowled. “Do you think mere words can sway the will of the adepti?”
“Of course not,” Jia Changjiang said, meeting her gaze unflinchingly. “And I didn’t bring the Hundred No Taboos Sigil to try and influence you either.”
He grinned, his grip tightening on his staff. “I’ve made a contract here in Liyue—or rather, a wager. It’s changed my perspective.”
Jia Changjiang drove his staff into the ground, its iron tip piercing the soil with ease. “Since this situation stems from us seeking the adepti’s aid, it’s only right that I take responsibility for it now.”
With a casual tug, he loosened his kasaya, letting the crimson robe fall and tying it around his waist.
His bare back revealed the vivid, blood-red Mark of Exorcism, a sight that caught the attention of the Millelith.
“I’ve heard that Liyue was built by the Geo Archon and the adepti during the Archon War,” Jia Changjiang continued, his voice carrying across the tense clearing. “With strength and unity, you established this land and kept it safe for thousands of years.”
Turning to face the adepti, he lifted his staff and drew from his inventory three golden strands of hair.
“And so, if words won’t suffice, then perhaps strength will.”
[Monkey Hair: Infused with a trace of the Great Sage Equaling Heaven’s power. Can be used in multiple ways.]
Jia Changjiang attached three strands to his staff, while the remaining three he consumed.
Instantly, the once-ordinary staff began to pulse with a tangible energy, a faint, golden aura rippling across its surface.
As Jia Changjiang’s golden eyes locked onto the adepti, the air around him seemed to shift, filled with an unrestrained and wild battle spirit.
“Let us resolve this not through anger but through combat,” he declared, his voice unwavering. “I challenge the strength of the adepti—prove to me that you are truly worthy of leading Liyue’s people in this time of crisis!”
“Please,” he said, raising his staff. “Come!”
Keqing gasped. “He’s challenging the adepti? This will only escalate things further!” She moved to intervene, but Ningguang stopped her with a firm grip on her arm.
“Wait,” Ningguang whispered. “The adepti are hesitating.”
She had noticed something curious—the adepti were focused not on Jia Changjiang’s words, but on the aura radiating from him.
The energy around him was foreign, yet primal, brimming with an unrelenting desire to battle the heavens and the earth. It stirred something within the adepti, a recognition of something extraordinary.
Then, on Jia Changjiang’s shoulder, the faint mark left by the Anemo Archon began to glow, as if in response to the brewing power within him.
Finally, a voice broke the silence.
“Very well. I shall face you.”
From the shadows stepped a figure clad in teal and black, a ghostly mask covering his face. In his hand was a jade spear, and his eyes glinted with quiet resolve.
“The Conqueror of Demons?” Moon Carver murmured, recognizing Xiao.
“So be it,” Xiao said, his voice calm but firm. “This mortal is unlike most. If a duel is what it takes, I shall be his opponent.”
Jia Changjiang grinned, lifting his staff. “It’s about time, Great Yaksha. Let’s see what you’re capable of.”
“This battle will determine nothing more than your audacity,” Xiao warned, leveling his spear. “But know this: I fight to protect Liyue.”
“And I fight,” Jia Changjiang said, stepping into his stance, “to remind you that Liyue’s people are not your enemies.”
—
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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