Since the next topic might seem disrespectful to the Geo Archon, Wanyan suggested moving to a more private location.
To address the Geo Archon himself?
The irony hung in the air, so palpable that Lumine felt a comment rise to her throat, only to stop herself from saying it.
Unaware of this tension, Wanyan continued, “I noticed, sir, that you possess exceptional clarity in your thoughts, a refusal to fall for hyperbole or speculation, and above all, an admirable objectivity…”
Her gaze turned serious. “That’s why I want to ask you a question—one that may yield a perspective unlike that of ordinary scholars. Do you believe that all the gods slain by the Geo Archon were evil?”
Zhongli did not respond immediately. After a brief pause, he said, “…Good and evil are complex matters. But the Geo Archon respects contracts. Any god who fell by his hand must have broken some form of contract.”
“Surely the Geo Archon wouldn’t indiscriminately harm the innocent,” Paimon added, nodding firmly.
“But during my research, I’ve come across legends of the Salt Archon, Havria,” Wanyan said, her voice tinged with emotion. “She was said to be a kind and benevolent god… yet during the Archon War, she was…”
“…assassinated by Morax using dishonorable means.”
“What? That can’t be true!” Paimon exclaimed, her wide eyes darting to Zhongli for reassurance.
Zhongli sighed and shook his head. “It’s a long story. But perhaps events didn’t unfold quite as you believe.”
“That’s alright. I’ve been investigating this for a long time,” Wanyan insisted. “No matter the truth, please tell me everything you know!”
Zhongli lapsed into thought, his gaze distant. After a moment, Lumine gently tapped his arm. “Is it that complicated?”
“It’s more a matter of where to begin,” he admitted, shaking his head.
Before he could continue, a member of the Fatui suddenly emerged from nearby.
“Ah, Mr. Zhongli! So here you are. I’ve been searching for you everywhere,” the man said, bowing politely. “My name is Kliment, and I—”
“Fatui!” Lumine interrupted, her tone sharp. “What are you planning this time?”
Kliment raised his hands defensively and took a cautious step back. “Wait, wait! Don’t attack! I’m an archaeologist from Snezhnaya, and I’ve already reported my expedition to the Ministry of Civil Affairs! I even have the proper permits!”
He produced an official document, which bore the unmistakable seal of Liyue’s authorities.
“This time, I hired Mr. Zhongli from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor as a consultant. I paid a hefty fee, mind you,” Kliment added, pulling out a letter of agreement signed by Hu Tao herself.
Lumine caught a brief glimpse of the letter. The handwriting on it was… particularly free-spirited.
Zhongli glanced over the letter before nodding. “I see. So, this is official work for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.”
“As its consultant, it is my duty to honor this commitment,” he concluded.
“Wait,” Wanyan interjected. “Can I join the expedition? I’m also an archaeologist—I could be of assistance.”
Zhongli considered her request and nodded. “Very well. We can continue our earlier discussion along the way. Lumine, Jia Changjiang, I would like the two of you to come as well.”
“Huh? Why us?” Lumine asked, puzzled.
Zhongli explained calmly, “The journey may offer insights valuable to your travels. What we’re about to uncover predates the Archon War itself.”
“Though the gods of that era have long since passed, their remnants may yet provide some meaning to your journey.”
Kliment looked displeased. “Hey! This is an archaeological expedition, not a sightseeing tour! We can’t just take everyone along!”
Zhongli turned to Kliment, his expression as composed as ever. “My two friends possess talents invaluable to this endeavor.”
Kliment’s curiosity was piqued. “Oh? And what might those talents be?”
Zhongli answered with utmost seriousness, “The Traveler here has an extraordinary knack for spotting anything within sight that could be of use.”
“And this warrior,” he added, gesturing to Jia Changjiang, “is well-versed in the history and properties of weapons. In this regard, he is particularly skilled.”
Lumine puffed out her chest proudly. “I’m a rare talent when it comes to treasure hunting!”
Kliment hesitated before conceding. “Fine… Alright, let’s move out. Our first destination is the vortex left by the recently sealed Osial. Let’s see if anything of value has washed ashore.”
—
The group made their way toward Guyun Stone Forest.
Throughout the journey, Lumine couldn’t stop staring at Kliment. Something about him seemed… off.
This guy feels suspicious in every possible way.
When they finally arrived at their destination, Kliment surveyed the beach with a frown. “Tsk. This place looks so ordinary. Can we really find anything valuable here?”
“Ordinary?” Paimon huffed. “This is a pretty amazing sight if you ask me!”
“I’m not talking about the scenery!” Kliment retorted. “There was a massive battle here. There should be something extraordinary left behind, but… where do we even start looking?”
“You know,” Jia Changjiang said casually as he scooped up a crab from the sand and rinsed it in the seawater, “if ancient artifacts were so easy to find, archaeologists wouldn’t have much of a job, would they?”
He dropped the crab into a small bamboo basket he’d pulled from nowhere, then fished out an octopus.
“Archaeology isn’t about finding treasure—it’s about uncovering the history behind ruins and relics. That’s the true purpose of the field.”
Zhongli, meanwhile, took a few deliberate steps away from Jia Changjiang, clearly avoiding the smell of seafood.
“And what are you doing?” Kliment asked incredulously. “Are you here to dig for treasure or to gather crabs?”
“Both,” Jia Changjiang replied with a grin. “If I find something valuable, great. But grabbing some fresh seafood on the side doesn’t hurt, does it?”
“…I guess that makes sense,” Kliment admitted reluctantly. “Fine. Since we have so many people, let’s split up. That should make things faster.”
“Then I’ll accompany my friends,” Zhongli said. “While I have some knowledge of history, I wouldn’t presume to compete with professionals.”
Professional? Lumine muttered to herself as she poked at a crab’s claw.
Zhongli wasn’t just a historian—he was history.
For all they knew, the artifacts they unearthed might not even be as old as Zhongli himself…
Eventually, the group split up, agreeing to meet back on the other side of the beach.
By then, Lumine and Jia Changjiang had half-filled their basket with crabs, octopuses, and shells, clearly planning a seafood feast. Zhongli glanced at the basket, his expression faintly disapproving.
“We’re supposed to be looking for relics,” Paimon complained. “Why are you both still focused on crabs?”
“What’s the rush?” Lumine said, poking at a crab’s claw absentmindedly. “It’s not like we’re keeping anything we find anyway.”
“But—”
“Relax,” Jia Changjiang interrupted. “I’ll get to the relics soon enough. I just feel like this expedition isn’t only about archaeology.”
“What do you mean?” Paimon asked, confused.
“Yes,” Zhongli nodded. “I hope to add to your knowledge through this journey. That is why I invited you.”
“So… we’re really not going to look for relics?” Paimon asked skeptically.
“It’s not that hard to find relics,” Lumine said as she tossed a crab into Jia Changjiang’s basket. “I activated my Elemental Sight earlier and found plenty of lingering traces. If we follow them, we’ll definitely uncover something.”
Her tone turned smug. “That Fatui guy, though—he clearly just wants to sell anything we find. Let’s hand him some random junk and call it a day. I’m not doing free work for him!”
Paimon glanced at her warily. “Traveler, you sound so sneaky right now…”
Despite Lumine’s apparent nonchalance, the group eventually began combing the surrounding area for artifacts, following the elemental traces.
After dealing with some Hilichurls on the island, the group encountered aquatic Mimics—strange creatures shaped like waterfowl.
For once, Zhongli took action himself. With a calm wave of his hand, shields imbued with intricate symbols appeared around everyone.
Even Paimon found herself protected by a small but sturdy barrier.
When the Mimics’ attacks landed against Zhongli’s shield, they didn’t even leave a scratch.
The protective field surrounding the group was as unyielding as solid rock.
Inside the shield, Lumine felt invincible. There was no need to dodge or retreat; she could attack head-on, secure in the knowledge that nothing could touch her.
Who needs dodging? she thought. The only option is to charge forward!
The weight of stone brings peace of mind…
After defeating the Mimics, the group uncovered a stone tablet etched with unique patterns. Traces of divine power lingered faintly on its surface.
Returning to their base camp, they found Kliment and Wanyan locked in a heated argument.
Kliment accused Wanyan of being ignorant about archaeology, while Wanyan fired back that Kliment only cared about the monetary value of artifacts.
Neither of them, it seemed, had come here with pure intentions.
Kliment lacked basic archaeological knowledge, and Wanyan appeared singularly obsessed with the Salt Archon.
Both seemed suspicious in their own way.
“I’ve devoted my studies to the history of the Salt Archon,” Wanyan defended herself. “It’s only natural that I’m not well-versed in other topics.”
Kliment, meanwhile, seized the stone tablet the group had brought back. “This thing’s infused with a god’s power… At least it’ll cover the cost of hiring consultants. It’s mine now!”
“Only artifacts imbued with divine power have value?” Paimon wondered aloud, tapping her chin thoughtfully.
Wanyan shook her head. “My pursuit of the Salt Archon’s history is about truth and faith. He’s the one using archaeology as a cover to make money!”
“So what?” Kliment retorted. “Why can’t I combine profit and archaeology? Being so rigid doesn’t get you anywhere! Archaeology costs money too, you know!”
“Enough,” Kliment said, clapping his hands decisively. “There’s no point staying here any longer. Next stop—the Salt’s Hollow!”
The moment the name left his mouth, several people’s expressions shifted subtly.
Zhongli turned to Jia Changjiang and Lumine. “Pay close attention to the journey ahead. The events tied to that place occurred long ago, but they hold valuable lessons for the future.”
He then addressed Wanyan. “And as for the questions you seek answers to…”
“Perhaps, once we reach Salt’s Hollow, they will become clear to you.”
Zhongli’s expression was unusually somber, his voice carrying a weight of seriousness.
Though he was always a composed and serious individual, Lumine felt there was something different about him today—something even more deliberate.
“Don’t worry, we’ll pay close attention,” Jia Changjiang assured him. “I’m always fascinated by stories about gods.”
Zhongli nodded. “Then let us depart—for Salt’s Hollow.”
When the group arrived at Salt’s Hollow, they were met with the ruins of an ancient settlement.
A massive crater dominated the area, sealed by a large and intricate barrier. The sheer scale of the seal made it impossible to enter.
“Salt’s Hollow was once the home of the Salt Archon’s people. There should be relics everywhere, right?” Kliment said, scanning the area eagerly.
Zhongli offered a brief explanation. “Under the protection of the Salt Archon, her people enjoyed a time of great prosperity. But these events took place long ago, and the site has been visited by many over the years. It is unlikely we’ll find anything of significant value.”
“So it’s just a run-down dump now?” Kliment sneered.
Wanyan stepped forward. “I’ve spent years researching this place. At the bottom of this crater lies a ruin, but the entrance is blocked by this seal. No one has been able to break it.”
“I found a mechanism nearby, but activating it didn’t change anything,” she added with frustration. “The seal’s origin and how to undo it remain key mysteries in my studies of the Salt Archon.”
“Does this have anything to do with the Geo Archon?” Jia Changjiang asked, glancing at Zhongli.
Wanyan stiffened, her expression darkening slightly.
“There’s no definitive evidence,” she said cautiously. “But the existence of this seal is likely tied to the desire to hide certain truths…”
“The Salt Archon was kind, benevolent, and beloved by her people. She wielded great power. There’s no way she would have left behind anything disgraceful.”
Her voice grew firm. “If anything is being hidden here, it’s most likely the actions of the culprit—Morax!”
—
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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