Chapter 35: The Weapon Master Shall Never Die Bare-Handed in Genshin Impact [35]
Jia Changjiang never expected that a single ten-pull would yield an entire set of tools.
Pickaxes, shovels, axes, hoes… and even a makeshift sword. There was also a fishing rod for good measure.
But… the only iron tool in the batch was a hoe.
What am I supposed to do with this? Start farming in Mondstadt and switch careers from Weapon Master to agricultural tycoon?
And the lone four-star item? A damaged block.
Couldn't it at least have been a complete block?
Grumbling, Jia Changjiang prepared to close the system interface. But curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to inspect the damaged block before logging out.
He frowned as he retrieved the item from his inventory.
[Damaged Workbench (4-Star): A workbench with limited crafting functionality.]
"!?"
Jia Changjiang jumped up in surprise, almost losing his balance.
Meanwhile, Venti—who had been explaining Stormterror's situation to Lumine—noticed the sudden commotion. He tilted his head in curiosity, wondering what had caused Jia Changjiang's abrupt reaction.
"Limited functionality? What's left?"
Jia Changjiang hastily examined the crafting capabilities of the damaged workbench.
It was… sparse.
That was his first impression.
But it was enough.
The workbench still retained basic crafting functions for tools, meaning Jia Changjiang could now make his own equipment.
His thoughts began to spiral: one iron hoe could become two, then more, eventually leading to clearing Mondstadt's fields and establishing an agricultural empire…
"Wait. No."
Snapping out of his daydream, Jia Changjiang realized this wouldn't help his quest to find worthy opponents. At best, it was a convenience, nothing more.
"Still, not bad overall. Guess I've got myself a portable toolbox," he muttered, settling back under the Statue of The Seven. Yet his mind kept drifting toward how he could adapt the tools for combat.
"Maybe I should test the workbench later with some materials," he mused aloud.
He hadn't even finished his thought when a deafening whoosh of wind roared overhead.
Looking up, Jia Changjiang saw a massive Anemo Hypostasis fly over him, heading straight for Venti and Lumine.
Moments later, he spotted Lumine, Paimon, and Venti all caught in the Hypostasis's swirling vortex.
"Jax! Help us!" Paimon cried, clutching tightly to Lumine's neck.
Lumine, on the other hand, was frantically swatting at Paimon's hands, desperate to escape her impromptu chokehold.
And Venti…
Amidst the whirlwind, the bard somehow managed to meet Jia Changjiang's gaze, flashing him a carefree grin and striking a playful pose: (≧ω≦) Eh-he~☆.
What the hell, Venti?! Can't you be even a little bit dignified?
With a resigned sigh, Jia Changjiang grabbed his great axe and charged forward.
---
A few minutes later, his axe was firmly lodged in the Hypostasis's core, and Jia Changjiang had managed to free all three—two humans and one emergency food.
"Whew, we're safe now!" Paimon sighed in relief, floating upright.
She turned to check on Lumine, only to find her collapsed on the ground, her face frozen in an expression of near-suffocation.
"Ack! Lumine's dead!!"
Thankfully, Lumine's resilience meant she recovered quickly once Paimon released her.
However, her sharp glare locked onto Paimon, her eyes clearly conveying three words: Stew. The. Fairy.
Faced with Lumine's predatory gaze, Paimon scurried behind Jia Changjiang for protection. "Lumine, it was an accident! At least we're safe now… right?"
Jia Changjiang, however, seemed more intrigued than relieved. He prodded at the dissipating remains of the Anemo Hypostasis with his axe.
"One wasn't enough," he muttered. "At this level, it's barely a warm-up."
Venti's tone turned serious as he observed the fading elemental core.
"It seems Dvalin isn't the only one affected…." He turned to Jia Changjiang. "Do you know of the Abyss Mages?"
"I've heard of them," Jia Changjiang replied. "Their elemental shields can be annoying, and I don't have an easy way to counter them."
Lumine frowned. "Abyss Mages…? What are they?"
"They're part of the Abyss Order," Venti explained. "An organization composed of inhuman creatures, sworn enemies of humanity.
"The corruption of Dvalin's blood by poisonous curses… that's their doing."
His expression darkened. "I don't know their full origins, but their hatred for this world runs deep."
"I was wounded by their curses myself not long ago," Venti admitted.
"How did you get poisoned?" Paimon asked, peeking over Jia Changjiang's shoulder.
Venti shrugged. "I was trying to communicate with Dvalin, but they interrupted me."
Lumine hesitated before muttering, "I can apologize, but I'm broke. Paimon can compensate you instead."
"Hey!"
"No compensation needed," Venti said with a smile. "But as a trade, why don't we go to Mondstadt Cathedral together?"
"For what?" Lumine asked warily.
"To retrieve a lyre," Venti said with a mischievous grin. "Specifically, the Holy Lyre der Himmel."
---
Some time later, the group found themselves outside Mondstadt Cathedral.
Lumine drew her sword and assumed a ready stance, her eyes gleaming with determination.
"Alright, I'm ready. When do we storm in and rescue Jean?"
Her motivation? The image of Jean's white tights and open-back outfit lingering in her mind.
"Wait! Not Jean, the lyre! Although, yes, both are 'lyres' in a way," Paimon cried.
Jia Changjiang polished his axe with a rag, ensuring its blade gleamed. "Yep. We're after the Holy Lyre, not Jean. She's still back at the Knights of Favonius headquarters."
"Stop encouraging her, Jia Changjiang!" Paimon shouted, exasperated.
"The Holy Lyre der Himmel is one of Mondstadt's most treasured relics," Venti explained. "It's not going to be easy to retrieve it."
He continued, his tone growing more serious.
"The Holy Lyre was once played by Barbatos, the Anemo Archon. With it, I can call forth the true nature of Dvalin and bring him out of his nightmare."
Venti smirked confidently. "Trust me. As the world's best bard, I know every song from past to present. Surely you can rely on me, no?"
Lumine eyed Venti skeptically. "That makes you seem even more suspicious. And planning to steal the lyre? That's definitely worth a bounty."
"Eh~ Don't keep thinking about turning me in," Venti said, feigning innocence. "This is for Mondstadt's sake! Besides, after we stop the dragon crisis, the Knights will surely thank you."
Lumine's thoughts quickly shifted to Jean, Lisa, and Amber. Her grin widened.
"Alright, I'm in!"
"What about you, Jia Changjiang?"
Venti turned to him, putting on an exaggerated, pitiful expression.
"You're not going to report us, are you?"
"Nope. I'm joining in," Jia Changjiang said, cracking his knuckles.
"Getting involved in this mess is bound to lead to interesting fights.
"Plus… fighting a restored East Wind Dragon? Missing that would be a real shame!"
Jia Changjiang's answer aligned perfectly with Venti's expectations.
Though it might mean more trouble for Dvalin… with Jia Changjiang's help, restoring him would surely be quicker.
Well… no big deal, Venti thought with a carefree smile. It's all for Mondstadt, after all!
---
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!