“Well then,” Zhongli said as he shifted his gaze away from Jia Changjiang and Lumine. “It’s time to cast Havria’s relics into the sea.”
“Huh?” Paimon tilted her head in confusion. “Why throw them into the ocean?”
“Yeah, these are the God of Salt’s relics!” Lumine chimed in.
Zhongli shook his head gently. “I’ve explained this before—beneath Guyun Stone Forest are seals restraining many ancient gods, including the Vortex God, Osial, whom you previously defeated.”
“Besides, Liyue Harbor has no need for these relics.”
Lumine tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. “I’m not worried about whether they’re valuable or not—though I’m definitely interested in that…” She trailed off before continuing with a sudden thought.
“But these relics can produce endless amounts of salt, can’t they? If we just toss them into the sea, won’t that make the ocean saltier and saltier? What if it turns all the old gods down there into pickles? And wouldn’t it ruin the ecosystem? Wait… that actually proves how strong the God of Salt’s power is!”
Zhongli chuckled softly at Lumine’s rambling. “You need not worry. These relics will not endure for long.”
As he walked toward the cliff’s edge, Zhongli began to recount an old tale:
“Thousands of years ago, Liyue was a land of turmoil.”
He paused at the edge of the cliff, gazing at the sprawling sea and the distant city of Liyue.
“Alongside the Adepti, I cleansed the land of chaos.”
Lumine followed, holding Havria’s two relics in her hands. The panoramic view below was breathtaking.
“The stone spears I forged suppressed the ancient gods,” Zhongli continued. “Guyun Stone Forest endured for millennia, leaving behind only myths and legends for the common folk.”
His gaze drifted to the sea below, lingering in solemn silence before he spoke again.
“Osial… though you and I were enemies, our conflict belongs to a bygone era. Those grudges are now but memories.”
Zhongli’s voice softened as he turned toward Lumine. “Havria’s relics will now be yours to devour.”
He extended his hand, and Lumine released the Salt Chalice and Salt Ruler. With a faint shimmer of Zhongli’s divine power, the two artifacts floated forward, descending into the ocean’s depths.
Paimon watched them disappear beneath the waves, a hint of regret in her voice. “There goes another piece of Liyue’s history…”
Zhongli’s expression grew distant as he stared out over the horizon.
“… All that exists between heaven and earth will one day be left to the judgment of future generations,” he said, his voice tinged with melancholy.
Lumine broke the silence with a question. “Zhongli, won’t these relics make Osial stronger?”
Zhongli shook his head. “Though the Salt Chalice and Salt Ruler possess power, they are insignificant to Osial. However…”
A wry smile crossed his face.
“If he ever regains his strength and rises again, he will surely be defeated once more—by the Liyue of that time.”
“Okay, one last question!” Lumine held up a finger, her expression quizzical. “If we’re throwing these relics into the sea, why did we climb all the way up here first? Wouldn’t it have been easier to just toss them in from the shore? Climbing all this way was exhausting… and falling would’ve hurt a lot! I might’ve needed to eat a ton of snacks to recover!”
Zhongli stroked his chin thoughtfully. “It is true that, by conventional reasoning, casting the relics into the sea from the shore would have been a more efficient approach.”
“But…”
He gazed at the scenery before them, his voice softening. “When reminiscing about those who have passed, one often seeks a broader view.”
Turning back to the group, he added, “If you enjoyed this journey, perhaps our next ‘recording’ might also be taken together.”
“Sure thing!” Lumine grinned, giving Zhongli a thumbs-up. “Traveling with the God of Wealth himself—Morax—has got to bring me some serious luck! I bet I’ll make tons of Mora!”
Zhongli chuckled. “It seems Liyue Harbor’s mercantile spirit has rubbed off on you as well. Perhaps that is for the best—it shows you are blending in with our land.”
“Well, since we’re already here,” Jia Changjiang suggested, “how about setting up a barbecue? We caught some crabs and seafood earlier—it’d be a waste not to cook them.”
Zhongli’s expression shifted slightly, his usual composure giving way to mild reluctance.
Noticing this, Jia Changjiang reassured him. “Don’t worry—I’ll handle the cooking. Grilled seafood is delicious once it’s done!”
“C’mon, Zhongli!” Lumine encouraged him. “There’s nothing better than enjoying a nice meal after a long journey!”
“… Very well.” Zhongli finally nodded, his tone resigned but curious. “Let us give it a try.”
As they descended the mountain, laughter filled the air.
“So, about the salt…” Lumine mused. “I think we might not have enough for the barbecue. We didn’t stock up last time.”
“Don’t worry!” Lumine grinned mischievously. “I used the Salt Chalice to scoop up a bit of salt on the way here. Just… a little bit. It’s in my storage space for emergencies!”
“A little?” Paimon gasped, her expression incredulous. “Knowing you, you probably hoarded a ton of salt with that thing… I shouldn’t be surprised!”
When they returned to their lodging, Lumine suddenly stopped, a realization dawning on her.
“Wait a second!” she exclaimed. “We just went on this whole trip… and didn’t earn a single Mora!”
Jia Changjiang scratched his head, thinking back. “You’re right… but still, it was an interesting experience. We got to see Havria’s relics and learn so much about the past. I’d say it was worth it.”
“And hey, you grabbed plenty of salt with the chalice, didn’t you? At least we won’t need to buy salt for cooking anytime soon!”
“… True,” Lumine admitted after a moment of thought. “But still, it feels like we should get back to something productive. Oh! I promised Lisa I’d ask her to teach me how to make potions!”
“You’re learning potion-making now? Will you even use it?” Jia Changjiang asked, puzzled.
“Learning more never hurts!” Lumine replied confidently. “And besides, I have plenty of time.”
“Fair enough,” Jia Changjiang said, shrugging. “I’ve got something to work on too…”
Opening his system, he glanced at a recently unlocked feature—Gem Embedding Forge.
His Black Dragon Spear had an empty socket waiting to be filled…
—
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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