Chapter 48: Review and Doubts

In the Minister’s office at the Magic Affairs Department, Lu Xin set down the financial report with a long sigh.
As expected, nearly every project under the Ministry of Natural Resources was riddled with issues.

Not only were project bids inflated, but there was blatant embezzlement of public funds.
The department was rotten to the core.
They even dared to outsource maintenance of the nature reserve monitoring network—not just skimming budgets but neglecting upkeep entirely.
No wonder so many magical beasts had escaped in recent years.

Lu Xin shuddered to think what would happen if the beast tide cycle shifted.
The Magic Affairs Department’s beast suppression forces operated on a fixed schedule.
A misstep could be catastrophic—not just a blunder, but a massacre.

Though all citizens of the Central Republic practiced cultivation, low-tier transcendents made up the majority.
Beast tides consisted mainly of mid-tier magical beasts; low-tier beasts couldn’t survive the stampede, their bodies too weak to avoid being crushed into pulp.

Ordinary citizens stood little chance against a beast tide.
Some might argue “ants can overwhelm an elephant,” but how many ants would be trampled in the process?

The answer: countless.

Replace ants with people and elephants with magical beasts, and the losses would be staggering.

Lu Xin lit a cigarette, taking slow drags.
Smoke curled from her mouth and nose, lingering around her bearded face.

A single financial report revealed this much—issues of conduct and other matters didn’t need mentioning; other departments could handle those.

Though the now-investigated Han Lin was Merlin’s student, Merlin showed no inclination to shield him.
When it came to matters of right and wrong, Merlin clearly knew where to stand.

Still, Lu Xin found it odd.
As Minister of Natural Resources, Han Lin enjoyed top-tier benefits.
Why would he risk everything for greed?

Something felt off, like pieces of a puzzle she couldn’t quite see.

Though this raid on the Ministry of Natural Resources had tacit approval from higher-ups, it was, at its core, an overreach by the Magic Affairs Department.
As the new minister, Lu Xin couldn’t escape responsibility.
She’d need to make a public self-criticism at some point—symbolic, but significant.

Doing so would earn her the loyalty of her subordinates and the public.
Failing to do so would invite suspicion of abusing power, which, in a way, she had.

With matters mostly resolved, it was time to plan a visit to Lu Yue and Lu Ming.

Lu Ming, now a newly awakened magical girl, likely couldn’t be guided by Corona, who was surely busy with her own duties.
That left Yuehua, the “idle” one, to mentor the rookie magical girl.

Though Tongzhou City was far from the capital, and conventional commuting took time, for a high-tier magical girl, the trip was a mere ten-minute affair.

Since Corona had already discovered Yuehua, there was no need to keep her hidden anymore.

Lu Xin placed a sealed file with Yuehua’s photo on the desk and dialed the office phone to summon Jade, the captain of the capital’s magical girl corps.

Moments later, Jade, adorned with accessories, entered the minister’s office with crisp steps.

“Close the door. I have something to discuss,” Lu Xin said, pointing to the still-open door.

“Are you sure, Minister? Won’t people misunderstand? You know how the news has been lately…” Jade rambled, veering off-topic.

“Stop, Jade. You’re overthinking,” Lu Xin said, noting Jade’s flushed face.

“Though you are quite beautiful—hard for any man to resist.” Jade’s face reddened further.

“But I’m married,” Lu Xin said calmly.

“Oh… right,” Jade replied, her tone tinged with disappointment.

What’s with this faint disappointment? Lu Xin thought.
I’m the Minister now. Shouldn’t my middle-aged, married look make it obvious I’m off the market? Why would anyone still pine for a bearded old guy like me?

She caught her reflection in the desk—scruffy beard and all.

“There’s only us on this floor right now, so no need to worry about rumors. Closing the door is just a precaution.”

“I called you here for this,” Lu Xin said, sliding the file with Yuehua’s photo toward Jade.

“This is…” Jade took the file, seeing the silver-haired, blue-eyed beauty with the codename… Yuehua?

The Yuehua who vanished seventeen years ago?

“Is this real, Minister? Is Lady Yuehua coming out of retirement?”

Jade could hardly believe it.
Everyone knew the legendary magical girl Corona had a close sister-in-arms named Yuehua, dubbed the “Twin Stars,” far more famous than their other teammates.

But seventeen years ago, Yuehua retired, and Corona’s brilliance overshadowed her legacy.
Most younger magical girls didn’t even know Yuehua existed, despite her being one of the few sublime-tier magical girls in the world.

“I’m acting on someone’s request,” Lu Xin said slowly.

“Just register her information with our department. No need to ask more.”

“Understood, Minister,” Jade nodded, catching Lu Xin’s meaning.

“But shouldn’t we inform the Magical Girl Association for official documentation?” Jade asked.

Lu Xin paused, then said, “No need. I’m old friends with their president. She’s aware.”

Elizabeth, huh, Lu Xin thought, closing her eyes briefly.

“That’s all. Get it done quickly.”

“Yes, Minister,” Jade said, nodding before leaving to register Yuehua’s information in the archives.

Watching Jade’s retreating figure, Lu Xin stood and checked her appearance in the reflective surface of the filing cabinet.

No wrinkles in the clothes, hair not too long, beard… well, whatever.
She sniffed her armpit—no odor, not that there ever would be.

Her Concealment authority was functioning perfectly.
Visiting Lu Yue as the Tongzhou City Magic Affairs Bureau Director should pose no issues.

With that, Lu Xin took off from the capital, heading straight for Tongzhou City.
For some reason, a chill ran down her spine—an ominous premonition rising in her heart.

Brushing it off as eagerness to see her daughter, Lu Xin quickened her flight.