Chapter 16: The Weapon Master Shall Never Die Bare-Handed in Genshin Impact [16]
Time rewound to just a few minutes ago.
Jia Changjiang faced the massive firebird hurtling toward him, and for a moment, panic gripped his heart.
Fortunately, just before the firebird struck, inspiration struck him. With a swift tug at the earth beneath his feet, he wrenched a chunk of ground upward, fashioning a makeshift shield to absorb some of the firebird's devastating heat.
Even so, the fiery wave scorched Jia Changjiang's skin, making him feel as though he was about to be roasted alive.
The searing pain shot through his nerves, stoking his battle spirit to an even greater height.
But just as Jia Changjiang stood, eager to resume his fight with Diluc, a shout erupted behind him:
"Who's there?! Fighting in Mondstadt?!"
Jia Changjiang could only watch helplessly as Diluc decisively vanished the moment the voice rang out.
At the same time, the system's voice chimed in...
"You'd better come back here! We're not finished fighting!!!"
Jia Changjiang was livid. "System, take the mission reward back if you want, but we're NOT done here!!!"
And then the Knights of Favonius arrived, surrounding Jia Changjiang.
The sight before the knights was this: a man, covered in burns, clutching a menacing battle axe, standing amid the wreckage of a street, radiating fury.
Some of the younger, less experienced knights took a hesitant step back, visibly shaken by the scene.
"Damn it!!!!"
With an enraged roar, Jia Changjiang lifted his battle axe high and brought it down with all his might.
The impact sent tremors rippling through the ground beneath the knights' feet. The earth cracked outward from the point of impact, forming a dense web of fissures that spread in all directions.
This wasn't the power of elemental magic—it was raw, unbridled physical force.
"...Huff."
Jia Changjiang exhaled deeply, releasing much of his pent-up anger. His chest heaved as he worked to calm himself.
Pulling his battle axe from the cracked ground, he let it rest lightly against the earth.
He looked up at the star-strewn sky, and as the adrenaline of battle began to fade, a profound emptiness settled over him.
That feeling... like punching cotton with all your strength. Like burning your mouth on hot food. Rage with no outlet—it left him thoroughly dissatisfied.
"Sigh..."
He let out a long sigh, his body relaxing. The pain he'd been ignoring in the heat of the moment now came rushing back in waves.
"You there! Who are you?! What's going on here?!"
A senior Knight of Favonius, bolder than the rest, stepped forward to question Jia Changjiang.
"Knights of Favonius," Jia Changjiang muttered, flexing and releasing his fists. "What impeccable timing. I was in the middle of a fight, and you just had to interrupt."
In response to the knight's question, he raised his voice, "I'm filing a report! Just now, I was attacked by a masked man in black! I only fought back in self-defense! I'm a law-abiding citizen! I demand that Acting Grand Master Jean hear my case!"
"A law-abiding citizen?" The knights glanced skeptically at the cracked, ruined street beneath their feet.
"Don't be ridiculous! Most of the damage here clearly came from you!"
One of the more impulsive knights began to draw his sword, but a firm hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"I'll handle this."
Kaeya appeared behind the impetuous knight, placing a steadying hand on his shoulder. "You take care of the scene. As for this individual... leave him to me."
"Captain Kaeya!"
The surrounding knights brightened at his arrival. "It's good you're here."
"Kaeya?" Jia Changjiang's ears perked up at the name. He turned to face the man called Captain Kaeya.
"Crossing the Frozen Seas True Lord?"
"This is... Jia Mr. Jax, I presume?" Kaeya stepped closer, his expression a mix of amusement and curiosity. "What an unexpected way for us to meet."
"You look like you've been through a lot. How about joining me at the cathedral for some healing?" Kaeya extended the invitation with a slight smirk.
"Captain Kaeya?!"
The surrounding knights were visibly alarmed. Jia Changjiang's earlier display had been nothing short of dangerous—why would Kaeya make such an offer?
"Really?" Jia Changjiang's eyes lit up. "That's a big help! I don't have any quick way to heal myself right now…"
It was as though Kaeya had predicted this reaction. He chuckled softly. "Then follow me. Besides, there are a few things I'd like to discuss with you."
---
The commotion caused by Jia Changjiang and Diluc's clash was quelled as much as possible under Kaeya's guidance.
Even so, some of the local residents had clearly witnessed the battle. Still, the incident would likely end up as nothing more than another lively story told among the drunkards at the tavern.
As Jia Changjiang followed Kaeya, his gaze lingered on the knight, taking in every detail.
Unlike in the game, Jia Changjiang didn't think the in-game power dynamics necessarily applied to the real world.
Once they were away from prying eyes, Kaeya broke the silence. "Mr. Jax, you certainly caused quite a stir tonight."
"Tomorrow you'll be facing the Acting Grand Master herself, and yet you've gone and gotten yourself so badly injured. Is that really a good idea?"
"Today is today," Jia Changjiang replied with a shake of his head. "My duel with Jean tomorrow will be just as serious."
"Haha~ You certainly have your priorities straight," Kaeya said with a sly smile. "But brawling in the city at night with another person? You've put the Knights in a difficult position."
"I'm sorry. I apologize for the trouble I caused."
The sheer decisiveness of Jia Changjiang's apology left Kaeya momentarily stunned.
"So... this won't affect tomorrow's challenge, will it?" Jia Changjiang asked, his tone earnest as he raised his gaze to Kaeya.
"You're still thinking about tomorrow's duel? And you just... apologized like that?" Kaeya was half amused, half incredulous.
"Why wouldn't I think about it? And why is apologizing strange?"
Jia Changjiang met Kaeya's gaze, his expression one of genuine puzzlement. "I'm a Weapon Master, not some stubborn fool. If I'm wrong, I'll apologize. Isn't that normal?"
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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!