# Chapter 1789: Past Events Like Smoke
The Qianshui Commandery was one of the largest commanderies outside the Eastern Domain's sacred lands. Famous rivers like the Tongming River, Wansang River, and Baiyue River flowed through its territory. Bordering thirty-three commanderies, its water and land transportation were extremely developed, giving it a strategically advantageous geographical position.
With the Thirteenth Merit Post Station established in Qianshui Royal City, this place had become a bridgehead fortress in the battle between the Heavenly Court Realm and the Hell Realm.
Within the city, more and more Saint Realm cultivators from the myriad realms of the universe were gathering. However, the vast majority restrained their auras. They did not flaunt their power in the city just because Qianshui Royal City was a mortal city of the Kunlun Realm, as if silently following some kind of rule.
Some of these cultivators even opened Saint shops in the Martial Market, trading various cultivation resources.
No matter how brutal the battles elsewhere, Qianshui Royal City was thriving and prosperous, many times more bustling than before.
When Zhang Ruochen entered the city, he noticed that the inner walls were engraved with formation inscriptions. The inscriptions were quite complex and profound, likely the layout of a ninth-rank formation.
"With this formation protecting it, Qianshui Royal City can be called an iron wall. It seems the Heavenly Court Realm has sent a formation saint master of Earth Master level to the Kunlun Realm."
To become an Earth Master at the Saint King Realm was definitely an unprecedented genius in the way of formations. Such a figure could determine the outcome of a large-scale merit battle and was extremely rare. At least, the entire Guanghan Realm could not produce even one.
Outside Qianshui Royal City, countless refugees had gathered, all wanting to enter the city to escape the war. Recently, holy wars had been breaking out continuously, truly terrifying these commoners.
But Qianshui Royal City was only so large; it could not accommodate the endless influx of refugees and could only drive them away from the city walls.
When Zhang Ruochen reached the city gate, he directly released his Saintly Might. The Saint soldiers and Saint generals guarding the gate dared not stop him and immediately let him pass.
However, below the city gate hung an ancient mirror. After being tested by the mirror to confirm he was not a Hell Realm cultivator in disguise, Zhang Ruochen was formally allowed into the city.
Leaving the city was easy; entering was difficult.
Zhang Ruochen looked at the bustling scene within the city and sighed inwardly, "War brings not only destruction to the Kunlun Realm but also the hope of rising. If this merit battle lasts a hundred years, in an environment where hardship and opportunity coexist, it will surely stimulate the Kunlun Realm to produce a large number of talents and strong warriors."
"Of course, the greater possibility is destruction amidst internal and external troubles."
Where the Kunlun Realm's future would lead, probably even gods could not predict.
Perhaps the Kunlun Realm's fate was destined to be destruction, but there were always those hard-boned individuals who refused to yield to fate—chests out, heads up, teeth clenched, enduring humiliation, bleeding, fighting desperately, shouting at the heavens, declaring war on destiny.
Arriving at the Qianshui Commandery branch of the Martial Market Bank, the first person Zhang Ruochen saw was actually Lei Jing.
Zhang Ruochen quickly clasped his hands and bowed: "Greetings, Master."
Lei Jing had once been the head of the Elder Council at the Martial Market Academy in the Demon Ridge and was also Zhang Ruochen's first master. Before Zhang Ruochen had grown strong, Lei Jing had provided him with considerable help.
A teacher for a day, a father for a lifetime.
Now, Lei Jing had cultivated to the Half-Saint Realm and was serving at the Qianshui Commandery branch of the Martial Market Bank.
"Haha."
Lei Jing was clearly very happy. He laughed heartily and slapped Zhang Ruochen on the shoulder, saying, "Good lad, in just a few years, your cultivation has reached the Saint King Realm. Not bad, not bad. Tonight, you must drink a few more cups with your master."
Even though he was only a Half-Saint, Lei Jing felt no pressure at all and acted quite casually.
"Alright!" Zhang Ruochen said with a smile.
Then Lei Jing let out a long sigh, knowing that Zhang Ruochen's years had not been easy. He hesitated, then said, "Forget it. Come on, let's take care of business first. That senior sister of yours has been waiting for you for a long time."
"Which senior sister?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
"The one who brought you something."
Lei Jing led Zhang Ruochen to a quiet courtyard within the Martial Market Bank. In the courtyard, four-season crabapple trees were planted, carrying the fragrance of flowers and a faint scent of books and ink.
Suddenly, Lei Jing stopped and said, "She's over there. Go ahead."
Zhang Ruochen looked toward the pond and saw Luo Shuihan's graceful figure. She wore a white robe unstained by dust—white robes whiter than snow, and she was whiter than the robes. Green water reflected her image, floral fragrance surrounded her—just as stunning as when Zhang Ruochen had first seen her in the West Courtyard.
She always carried a literary and ink-like temperament, elegant as poetry.
Shengshu Cainü also had such a temperament, but the talented woman was active in the court, well-versed in worldly affairs, her heart filled with worries, her mind harboring strategies—whether it was the safety of the family and country or weighing the heroes of the world, she was ultimately exhausted from rushing about, active in the mortal world.
But Luo Shuihan was like a recluse, aloof from worldly strife, like a mist floating in the sky, untouched by worldly affairs.
What surprised Zhang Ruochen was that Luo Shuihan had already reached the Saint King Realm.
Luo Shuihan had always wanted to follow Luo Xu's path. In fact, her talent surpassed Luo Xu's. Back then, Luo Xu did not have the conditions she had. He relied on his own continuous efforts, using acquired effort to catch up to innate talent, to achieve his current accomplishments.
Besides her own efforts, Luo Shuihan stood on the shoulders of Luo Xu, a giant. With Luo Xu paving the way for her, her cultivation speed was naturally not slow.
Of course, Luo Shuihan must also have had fortuitous encounters and opportunities; otherwise, she could not have reached her current height.
The Three Demons of the West Courtyard were all extraordinary women, each with their own personality, each with their own encounters.
Meeting Luo Shuihan again, Zhang Ruochen recalled the past events and felt deeply emotional.
"Senior Sister," Zhang Ruochen said.
Luo Shuihan took out a crystal box and handed it to Zhang Ruochen, saying, "What you want is inside."
Zhang Ruochen took the crystal box, opened a Space Domain, and then opened the box. The box had formations set up, but even so, two dazzling divine lights shot out, as if containing two blazing suns, carrying terrifying energy.
"Bang."
He quickly closed the box, suppressing his excitement. He did not want to appear too immature in front of Luo Shuihan, trying to be mature and steady as he said, "How many sacred stones?"
Luo Shuihan gently shook her head, saying, "It's just a small favor. No need to pay sacred stones."
Zhang Ruochen said, "I appreciate Senior Luo Xu's kindness. But Senior Sister should know that I, Zhang Ruochen, don't like owing others. Whatever it costs, that's what it should be."
Luo Shuihan fell silent for a moment, then said, "Sacred stones are not needed. But there is indeed one matter I might need to ask of you."
"What matter?"
"You should know about Luo Water, right?"
Zhang Ruochen nodded slightly.
Luo Shuihan said, "Luo Water has a great connection with our Luo Holy Clan. As the Kunlun Realm begins to revive, Luo Water should soon undergo considerable changes. Many cultivators will probably turn their attention there."
Zhang Ruochen naturally knew that Luo Water was extraordinary. The Luo Water Fist Art that Luo Xu cultivated was comprehended at Luo Water.
Perhaps it wasn't even comprehended by Luo Xu; there might be another secret. After all, back when Luo Xu was at the Fourth Realm of Martial Arts, he was already proficient in the Luo Water Fist Art.
How could such a exquisite fist art be comprehended by a Yellow Extreme Realm martial artist?
Of course, that was Luo Xu's secret, and he was certainly trying hard to hide it. That Luo Xu could pass the Luo Water Fist Art to Zhang Ruochen already showed his broad-mindedness. Zhang Ruochen naturally pretended to know nothing and did not deliberately ask.
"What can I do? Take Luo Water away?" Zhang Ruochen asked.
Luo Shuihan gently shook her head, saying, "You cannot take Luo Water away. There is a great secret hidden there. The opportunities that I and Ancestor Xu obtained were all gained there."
"The commoners along Luo Water's banks are more or less connected to our Luo Holy Clan. Ancestor Xu hopes that you can take them away, so they don't die in the war."
Zhang Ruochen agreed, saying, "This is just a small matter! I will accept Senior Luo Xu's two divine stones. Consider it a favor I owe him. If your Luo Holy Clan encounters trouble, just tell me, and Zhang Ruochen will surely come to help."
Luo Shuihan smiled faintly, saying, "A favor from Zhang Ruochen is more valuable than any number of sacred stones. These two divine stones were not given at a loss."
Zhang Ruochen suddenly thought of something and took out a list, handing it to her, saying, "I want the materials on this list. This shouldn't be difficult for the Martial Market Bank, right?"
Luo Shuihan took the list and carefully read it through, saying, "These are all materials for setting up formations, and quite advanced ones at that. Give me one night. By tomorrow morning, I should be able to collect them all for you."
After parting with Luo Shuihan, Zhang Ruochen went to see Lei Jing.
Lei Jing had already taken out his best treasured wine from the cellar. That wine, he himself only dared to taste a sip each year, but now he and Zhang Ruochen were drinking it bowl after bowl.
As they drank, they talked about their experiences over the years.
Zhang Ruochen asked about his former fellow disciples, Si Xingkong and Chang Qiqi. Lei Jing did not want to hide anything from Zhang Ruochen and told him directly. Back then, when Zhang Ruochen's three meridians were crippled, it caused quite a stir, and many people related to him were implicated. That free-spirited senior brother, Si Xingkong, was brutally killed by the Undying Blood Clan at that time. His wife, children, and elderly—none were spared. His fate was tragic.
Hearing this, Zhang Ruochen crushed the wine bowl in his hand, deeply blaming himself, and at the same time, hating the Undying Blood Clan even more.
Lei Jing also told him that Chang Qiqi was still alive, but had already changed his name, married, had children, and lived a mortal life.
That night, Lei Jing and Zhang Ruochen talked about many things and many people. They didn't know how much they drank, and both were somewhat drunk.
Perhaps truly drunk, Lei Jing asked about Huang Yanchen.
Lei Jing knew that Huang Yanchen was probably the name Zhang Ruochen least wanted to hear. If he were still clear-minded, he certainly would not have asked.
Zhang Ruochen shook his head, telling Lei Jing there was no news of Huang Yanchen.
In the end, Zhang Ruochen didn't know if he was truly drunk or just too tired at heart, deliberately letting himself get drunk. In any case, he collapsed onto the table, vaguely hearing Lei Jing's sigh: "Ah! Actually, she once returned to Qianshui Commandery... Cloud Martial Royal City... West Courtyard... met once... never coming back... Ghost Gate... tears..."
He didn't hear clearly. By the time he woke up the next day, Zhang Ruochen remembered nothing at all.