Chapter 22: The Weapon Master Shall Never Die Bare-Handed in Genshin Impact [22]
Jia Changjiang's words hadn't yet concluded, but his actions already spoke volumes.
As the inheritor of a Weapon Master's legacy, the use of any weapon no longer posed a challenge to him.
While his physical capabilities still worked to catch up with the breadth of a Weapon Master's experience, Jia Changjiang firmly believed that, stripped of elemental powers, he wouldn't lose to anyone in pure combat.
Abandoning his battle axe for dual daggers, Jia Changjiang presented Jean with an entirely new kind of opponent.
Compared to the overt, lumbering power of the axe, the swift and precise strikes of the daggers left Jean struggling to predict his movements. Every time her sword parried one dagger, the other slipped past, targeting her weak spots.
Jean was forced to rely on both her swordsmanship and the elemental winds surrounding her to fend off his relentless attacks.
As the battle heated up, Jia Changjiang paid no mind to the minor injuries accumulating on his body.
The Grandmaster-At-Arms he obtained last night gave him a newfound resistance to elemental damage. While it didn't rival the immunity of a pure elemental being like a Slime, it was enough to prevent Jean's winds from overwhelming him like Diluc's flames had the previous day.
This resistance gave him the edge he needed to push through Jean's defensive winds.
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On the sidelines, Klee clung tightly to Amber, her wide eyes fixed on the duel.
She had never imagined seeing Jean in such a precarious position.
To Klee, the same Jean who often scolded her for sneaking off to blow up fish was an indomitable figure—a symbol of strength and authority in Mondstadt.
Now, however, Jean was locked in an intense struggle, constantly on guard against the unpredictable attacks of Jia Changjiang's daggers.
Jean's sword moved with precision, deflecting each dagger strike while her elemental winds swirled around her, forming protective gales that forced Jia Changjiang to adapt.
The miniature storms gathering around her weren't just a display of her power. They were the physical embodiment of Jean's unwavering resolve—the steadfast wind that shields her companions from harm.
Jean had chosen to sacrifice her personal freedom to become the sword and shield of Mondstadt. Through rigorous self-discipline and tireless work, she carried the weight of her family's motto: "Forever Protect Mondstadt."
Her Vision—the element of Anemo—represented freedom, a contrast to Jean's own nature as a knight: resolute, upright, and meticulous.
The winds she commanded reflected her inner determination, embracing Mondstadt with their protective embrace, echoing the knightly spirit of her lineage.
Jia Changjiang's movements slowed slightly.
He still couldn't see the wind's trajectory, but the subtle feedback in his fingertips told him something had changed.
The winds surrounding Jean were different now.
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Far from the training grounds, atop the towering tree in Windrise—the sacred tree tied to Mondstadt's history—a figure reclined against its sturdy branches, idly strumming the strings of a lyre.
This was the place where Vanessa, the first Dandelion Knight, had ended her journey. After rebuilding Mondstadt and founding the Knights of Favonius, she had come here in her final days, leaving behind only her legend and a single sapling.
That sapling had grown into a towering tree under the care of Mondstadt's winds and the passage of countless years.
"For a knight born of the wind, protecting Mondstadt is the only goal..."
Venti's soft voice mingled with the melody of his lyre.
"A story worth turning into a ballad, wouldn't you say? The fledgling lion and the pure warrior from afar—what lessons will they learn from this clash? I can't wait to see how this tale unfolds."
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Back in the training grounds, the sound of rushing wind filled the air.
Klee had to clutch her hat tightly to keep it from flying away as the gales intensified.
From above, one could see that a visible eye of wind had formed over the training field. At its heart stood Jean, her focus unbroken as she faced Jia Changjiang.
Jia Changjiang adjusted his movements, syncing them with Jean's rhythm. He didn't just want to win—he wanted to draw out the full extent of Jean's strength.
Jean wasn't just the current Dandelion Knight; she was Mondstadt's Lionfang Knight and one of the Four Winds' guardians.
Watching from the sidelines, Kaeya and Lisa exchanged knowing glances, recognizing Jia Changjiang's intent.
"Stronger... stronger..."
Jia Changjiang whispered to himself, weaving through the winds with a grin. The miniature storms circling Jean grew more ferocious as her resolve intensified.
Finally, Jia Changjiang sensed that Jean had reached her peak.
Unable to contain himself, he laughed, his voice carried by the wind to echo across the training grounds.
"Hahahahaha!!!"
The storm carried his laughter far as he discarded his daggers, leaping back from Jean's position.
Once again, Jia Changjiang gripped the handle of his oversized axe. With a practiced motion, he hefted it, the deadly weapon gleaming ominously in his hands.
"Yes! That's it! Hahahaha!"
Watching the gentle breezes evolve into a full-fledged storm, Jia Changjiang's excitement overflowed.
"This is the kind of battle I live for! This is the kind of opponent I want!"
With both hands gripping his axe, he stared directly at Jean, now shrouded in the tempest she commanded.
The winds carried her unyielding determination—the same indomitable will that earned her the acknowledgment of the gods.
A Vision is more than just a magical artifact. It's the mark of a soul whose desire has caught the attention of divinity.
And while Jia Changjiang admired this indomitable spirit, he had no intention of bowing to it.
He wanted to witness it firsthand—with the swing of his weapon.
"Come on, Jean! Show me everything!"
Jia Changjiang took a deep breath, steadying himself as he locked eyes with Jean through the storm.
"Now... it's my turn!!"
With explosive force, Jia Changjiang launched himself forward. The impact of his takeoff shattered the stone beneath him, cracks spidering out across the training grounds.
As he hurtled toward Jean like an arrow, his axe radiated a sharp, overwhelming presence.
Grandmaster-At-Arms imbued the weapon with its innate power—a blade once used to sever the heads of ascended beings.
The air seemed to part for the weapon's razor-sharp edge as Jia Changjiang brought it down with the weight of his battle spirit behind it.
Jean stood her ground, unwavering.
Her longsword, now charged with concentrated wind, met the descending axe in a powerful upward strike.
In an instant, compressed wind erupted outward, scattering sand and debris across the field. The force of the impact was so great that even the spectators instinctively shielded their eyes.
When the winds finally settled, the result of the duel was clear. The battle had reached its conclusion.
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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!