Lin Yue also had a smile on her face, because in terms of battle achievements, Li Taibai had already killed two of the giant insects, while Lu Yiye had only managed to kill one, giving Ten Thousand Demons Ridge a slight advantage. Only the last two giant insects remained. Lu Ye, both in his original form and his doppelganger, was about to charge forward and seize them all at once. These two giant insects finally realized the danger; originally eight of them had chased out, but now there were only two left after the battle. How could they continue fighting? The limited spiritual intelligence of the Insect Race could not provide them with much thought, so at this time, they could only follow their instincts. Realizing the dire situation, the two giant insects fled in opposite directions, one to the left and one to the right. Lu Ye's original form and doppelganger each pursued one, while Veteran Wan and Lin Yue also swiftly moved, rushing to assist. Earlier, the two young men had been tightly coordinating their efforts, making it inappropriate for others to intervene. Now that they had separated and the giant insects were trying to escape, naturally, they could no longer stand by idle. Lu Ye's original form united with Veteran Wan, while his doppelganger teamed up with Lin Yue, each engaging in battle with spirit force swirling. Moments later, the battle on the original form's side concluded first. After all, Veteran Wan's cultivation was slightly stronger than Lin Yue's, granting an advantage in such a battle. Immediately following, the doppelganger's side also finished off the last giant insect. The great battle came to an end. The original form sheathed his sword, while many sword lights hovered and returned to the sword gourd on the doppelganger's side. The two turned around, exchanging glances across hundreds of yards. Lu Ye pondered that given the circumstances, he ought to say something. Normally, it would be fine not to speak if no outsiders were present, but the Divine Sea Realm and Lin Yue were here at this moment. It would be too strange to say nothing. After hesitating for a moment, he slowly opened his mouth: "You're quite something." The doppelganger grinned in response: "You're quite something too!" Lu Ye's eye twitched; complimenting oneself so unabashedly felt even stranger... But in the eyes of Veteran Wan and Lin Yue, it seemed like mutual admiration between two rising stars. A perfectly normal thing, for rising new stars like Lu Yiye and Li Taibai of this era to find someone to match their caliber undoubtedly feels like a great blessing. The path is long and arduous, and two competing individuals are always better than one feeling isolated. Lu Ye cupped his fists: "Lu Yiye of the Righteous Blood Sect, many thanks to Fellow Daoist for your assistance." The doppelganger returned the greeting: "Independent cultivator Li Taibai, exterminating the Insect Race is the responsibility of us cultivators." "When the opportunity arises, let's have a drink together, Fellow Daoist." Engaged in idle chatter, Lu Ye really did not know what else to say. Fortunately, Veteran Wan was beside him, stroking his beard with a laugh: "Ah, youth—it's truly wonderful!" Lin Yue clearly felt the same and agreed: "Indeed." "Now that the matter here is settled, I shall take my leave," Veteran Wan said, turning to head toward Jinglan Lake Pass, Lu Ye following closely behind. On the other side, Lin Yue also called out to the doppelganger, heading toward Dark Moon Forest Pass. A woman's curiosity is particularly strong, even someone like Lin Yue in the Divine Sea Level 7 is no exception, asking on the return journey: "Did you know Lu Yiye before, Junior Brother?" The doppelganger quickly shook his head: "First time meeting." "You worked with him so well that I thought you two were already acquainted." "Perhaps it's due to similar dispositions." That is possible, and Lin Yue wouldn't doubt it since, in her view, Li Taibai had no reason to deceive her; besides, one from Ten Thousand Demons Ridge and one from Haotian Alliance—how familiar could they be? "You two look alike, and your cultivation is similar; standing together, you appear as brothers," Lin Yue remarked with a light smile, clearly in a good mood. The doppelganger thought to himself, more than brothers; they're actually the same person. Lin Yue added: "But Junior Brother is far more handsome than Lu Yiye." On the original form's side, Veteran Wan was less talkative, simply inquiring about the recent situation. Lu Ye picked out some things that could be spoken about, managing to handle the inquiry pretty well. Upon returning to Jinglan Lake Pass, the battle there was already nearing an end. Numerous soldiers charged out from the pass, forming different arrays under the effect of the As-Close-As-Siblings Array Disc, quickly reaping the lives of the Insect Race. Lu Ye and Veteran Wan had no intention of intervening; they simply moved around the battlefield, allowing the soldiers to express their battle spirit fully. A little while later, all the Insect Race creatures were thoroughly eradicated, and the soldiers began cleaning the battlefield, gathering the corpses of their fallen comrades. Lu Ye found Veteran Wan and said: "Veteran Wan, now that the matter here is settled, I should depart as well." He set out this time for just two things, but unexpected events unfolded, drawing him into the Insect Plague defense. Now that matters are settled, there's naturally no need to linger. Chаptеr prоvidеd viа М|V|L@ЕМРYR. Veteran Wan was communicating with someone when he raised a hand, signaling Lu Ye not to speak. So, Lu Ye quietly stood aside and waited. After a moment, Veteran Wan finished his communication and looked at Lu Ye, saying, "The Jinglan Lake Pass is now leaderless. You need to temporarily stay here to oversee things." Lu Ye was taken aback, "With you here, why do you need me to oversee?" Veteran Wan replied, "I am a mobile brigadier general, not restricted to any one pass. I go wherever I am needed. There's a new task from above, and I'm leaving now." "Then transfer another Divine Sea Realm here. I'm currently only at Divine Sea Level 2; how can I oversee a pass?" Veteran Wan gave him a meaningful look. "Though your cultivation is low, your strength is impressive. Why be modest? Besides, manpower is scarce everywhere now, and we can't find suitable personnel to oversee for the time being. You shall temporarily take on the position of Mountain Pass Chief. I see that the soldiers hold you in high regard. If another Divine Sea Realm were to come, they might not command as much respect. So, for now, you're the most suitable candidate." "But I'm from the Justice Department..." Lu Ye still wanted to resist. Overseeing a pass is no easy task. If he had a choice, he'd prefer a mobile position with more freedom. "The Justice Department is part of the provincial guard. I've already reported this to the provincial guard, and someone will notify Chief Qian. That's settled. I have a task to attend to, so I must go!" As the words left his mouth, Veteran Wan ascended into the sky and disappeared in an instant. Lu Ye watched him leave, speechless and unable to understand how the situation had developed this way. How did he suddenly become a Mountain Pass Chief? Although he was also a pass chief before, there was always Lin Yue above him, never needing him to take charge. But the situation at Jinglan Lake Pass was different. No one was above him, making him the de facto leader. Yooi Huang hurriedly approached him and saluted, "Humble subordinate greets Lord Mountain Pass Chief!" Who knows where he got the news from, likely from Veteran Wan's audio transmission, and now he's calling him chief. "What is it?" Lu Ye asked. Yooi Huang handed over a jade slip, "This details the personnel losses in this battle, please have a look, sir." Lu Ye took it and glanced at it. A batch of people had died at Jinglan Lake Pass during this Insect Plague defense, not a large number, just a few dozen. Previously, such casualties for a pass would not be significant, but with the current manpower shortage, such losses are considerable. Lu Ye didn't know how to handle it, but recollecting his doppelganger's experiences at Dark Moon Forest Pass, he said, "Find someone to transport the bodies back to Haotian City and issue a death notice for the sects and families behind these people to reclaim the bodies." "Yes, sir!" Yooi Huang obeyed and left. Doesn't seem too hard? Lu Ye thought. The battlefield marking suddenly relayed a message. Upon investigating, he found it was from Qian Wudang, and it came with a lashing rebuke. "Rascal, instead of staying put in Haotian City, why did you run off to Jinglan Lake Pass?" Qian Wudang was furious. The Justice Department had finally produced a talent, and during the last grand council, even Chow Ye's request from the Military Supplies Department to transfer Lu Ye was blocked by him. But now, Lu Ye had run off to Jinglan Lake Pass, clearly disregarding his position as Department Chief. "I was bored with my closed-door meditation, so I took a stroll and ended up here. By chance, I encountered the Insect Plague defense and lent a hand," Lu Ye promptly replied. "Did you know Liew Yuemei is dead?" Qian Wudang asked. "I heard. How did she die?" "I should be asking you. Did you kill her?" Qian Wudang's suspicion was justified. He knew of the incident years ago when Liew Yuemei, abusing her power, pursued Lu Ye. At the time, he and the sect master had to intervene, creating personal enmity that would give Lu Ye a motive to kill Liew Yuemei. "My lord must be joking. I'm merely at Divine Sea Level 2, and Liew Yuemei was already at Level 7. How could I have killed her?" "You alone might not be able, but what if you included Li Taibai?" "You know of Li Taibai too, my lord?" Lu Ye felt a jolt in his heart. Veteran Wan indeed had a loose tongue; he spread the news fast. However, it was understandable, as some matters cannot be concealed, and from Veteran Wan's perspective, there was no need to hide it. Lu Ye at Divine Sea Level 2, to oversee a pass, needs notable achievements, and slaying those large insects is an achievement. "I just heard! I also heard that Li Taibai had a vendetta against Liew Yuemei for the death of his child!" It's undeniable that those in high positions in the Divine Sea Realm are well-informed, hence Qian Wudang's suspicion. Lu Yiye and Li Taibai both have deep grudges against Liew Yuemei. With their mutual understanding and ability to surpass levels to kill enemies, it's plausible they could take down Liew Yuemei. Moreover, the timing of Lu Ye's appearance here was too coincidental, making it hard for Qian Wudang not to speculate. "My lord, this is truly a wrong accusation. I have never met Li Taibai before today, and he is from Ten Thousand Demons Ridge. Why would I collude with him?" Liew Yuemei's death, no matter what, couldn't be admitted, not even to Qian Wudang. "As long as you believe it yourself!" Qian Wudang was tired of arguing, "But for now, you need to oversee Jinglan Lake Pass. Having shown your exceptional prowess, perhaps the provincial guard can send someone to replace you or maybe not. Nonetheless, there's one thing you must remember: you're part of the Justice Department, and no one can change that."