Is it worth it? Yes, it is.
For example, Fuxing Group doesn't take the annual audit to heart; it's a routine procedure, and the auditors are from the chairman's company.
The person sent this year was a dazzling woman with fiery red hair, emerald green eyes that sparkled like gemstones, and a tall figure with an undeniable presence.
This is a guide. She also brought a team with her.
When the documents were transferred to her private office, the delivery personnel couldn't help but glance at her a few more times.
The spiritual energy emanating from the guide was very comforting.
The auditor—who was actually Sangye—watched everyone leave the office with a gentle smile, her head spinning as she looked at the pile of documents.
These are the original documents, along with an electronic copy, which Kuwano sent to Melusin.
Melusin read very quickly.
This electronic document is identical to the tax records submitted by the group; it is a meticulously prepared ledger with no issues whatsoever.
But Melusin couldn't see where the money was going. Everything was pitch black before her eyes.
The fact that there is no end in sight means that the entire process, starting from the source of production materials, is fake.
Kuwano didn't photograph everything, but instead took several "original documents" for Meluxin.
The "original data" is exactly the same as the electronic version.
The company has another, hidden, real ledger.
What lay before Sangye were materials he had prepared over the past year specifically for auditing and tax purposes.
The practice of keeping separate ledgers for different purposes has existed since ancient times.
Melusin sent a message: I checked the group's records from the past few decades, and they're all the same—properly prepared accounts. The accounts are fine, even though they're all fake.
Kuwano: What's next?
Melusin: Records from before that point have been sealed away, with a hundred-year timeframe. All records from the past century are stored and preserved in Eve's mainframe. Unless a major case involving criminal activity, treason, or similar offenses occurs, purely economic events will not be traced back a century, and the archives will not be opened.
As long as society continues to function and consumes energy, it is essential to conserve human resources and resources.
Melusin's words were believable to Sangye. However, what she "saw" could never be used as evidence; everyone knew the uncontrollable nature of mental power, and the Imperial Court would not accept it.
Melusin: What should I do now? I'm almost at the main government of Muli Star.
Kuangye: If the problem lies at the source, I'll go check it out. I need to go to their production workshop. Could you get me a few documents that point out some issues?
Melusin screenshotted the headers of several documents: Find these. From this point onward, workshop t's production capacity decreased, profits declined, but energy consumption increased, rising year by year. The accompanying explanation was the increase in energy ore transportation costs, hence the energy substitution. However, the new energy source performed poorly, negatively impacting overall profits. But the original energy supplier ceased cooperation, and without suitable alternatives, they could only expand production to catch up on profits. Therefore, Rufus Group continued to build new factories in the following years.
Meluxin directly explained the meaning behind the complex numbers to Sangye: Just say that you want to take away samples of new energy and production samples, and you need to go to the workshop and warehouse to verify the quantity. This is compliant.
Kuwano: OK.
*
On the other side, Melusin sat in a car, which carried her toward the main government of Muli Star.
A plate of peach shortbread sat on her lap, and a bowl of warmed milk was placed in front of her.
Ms. Zina, her nanny and bodyguard since childhood, stroked her fluffy head, just like when she was a child. Zina was extremely excited to finally see Melusin.
At the entrance of the main government building, Jima led the crowd to greet them.
Melusin came from the capital planet, and no one knew why the capital planet was suddenly paying so much attention to taxes this year. Muli was just a remote planet, and the tax revenue it could provide was negligible.
When the doll-like Melusin stepped out of the car, a crack suddenly appeared on Jima's cold, stiff face, and her dry eyes twitched.
Jima knew her. Although it had been many years, Melusin made a very deep impression on her.
The planet destroyed by Melusin is in a neighboring star cluster. To help that planet restore its economic order, Muli provided it with a one-way foreign trade agreement for twenty years.
Such a serious and egregious economic crime was ultimately never tried, and it didn't even generate any public discussion.
Eugénie told her that the criminals came from the Duke of Seren, the royal treasurer who had controlled the empire's finances for generations; and that Melusin was the most important and indispensable sole heir. She was so important that the emperor was willing to grant her a pardon.
“How is Ms. Eugenia? I would like to visit her if I have time,” Melusin said to Gemma beside her as they walked. “She has missed many of her performance review meetings over the years.”
Gemma remained expressionless: "Ms. Eugenia's mental state has never been very good; even the slightest noise can agitate her. If there is an opportunity, I would like to invite you to come."
Melusine nodded.
Jima looked straight ahead: "I heard you've been recuperating on Black Tower Star. Are you ready to be discharged now?"
Melusin replied, "Yes, Black Tower has developed a new treatment plan that is very effective. Even His Majesty the Emperor mentioned it in his New Year's address."
Jima turned her head and looked down slightly at Melusin beside her.
They walked to the two large doors, and Jima pushed them open: "This is the office prepared for you. Please contact me anytime if you need anything."
Melusin nodded, and as Gemma turned to leave, she suddenly called out to her, "Miss Gemma, where do you think I should start looking?"
Jima paused, glancing at the few people in the corridor who thought they could leave, having already walked some distance.
Jima thought for a moment and said, "I think you can start by looking at people's livelihood and social welfare expenditures. After all, Muli Star can only provide the Empire with very little tax revenue, and most of it is spent on infrastructure, such as medical care and spiritual subsidies."
Jima clenched the last few words and gave Melusin a deep look.
After the door closed, Zina asked curiously, "Is there anything special about these? Does it mean you couldn't get reimbursement from the medical department?"
“Anything I can see will be fine,” Melusin said, casually flipping open a book. “The world is far from the central government, and these asteroids have a different ecosystem. They have plenty of time to deal with censorship.”
The information in front of me was the same as the one that Kuwano had sent, ending in a cloud of black mist.
Unlike raw material production, healthcare is traceable. Every person and every name in the healthcare system is accountable, and you can see the cause of the illness, medical expenses, reimbursements, and so on.
Taking the Central Hospital as an example, Jima, who appeared healthy and whose mental state was stable at grade A in multiple test reports, spent significantly more on "mental rehabilitation," "psychiatric medication," and "mental body guidance" than Eugénie, who had been seriously ill and had not been seen for many years.
For example, at a certain point in time, the number of sentinels suffering from the same symptom suddenly increased, but it was not taken seriously. Instead, it was directly categorized under the category of "mental riots". Only by clicking on the details could one see the doctor's specific diagnosis.
Among these diagnoses, the terms "nightmare" and "talking incoherently" appeared in unison.
It wasn't just this year; it had been happening for many years.
Melusin opened the medical records of "Shan Wanqing" and several others. These were all high-ranking sentinels who had been active years ago, but some had died in accidents, while others remained in comas. Before this, they all reported experiencing nightmares, in which there were suggestive voices. The content of their accounts differed.
These records, scattered over many years, went unnoticed, making it quite normal for sentries to experience mental disturbances. However, the sudden increase in such incidents in recent years has been among ordinary sentries.
What were the triggers? Do they share any similarities in their daily habits?
*
On the other side, Sangye arrived at the workshop smoothly. This was a newly opened nutrient solution processing plant of Rufus Group. Nutrient solutions of different colors and flavors were neatly arranged among various instruments.
The staff were wearing white cleanroom suits, and everything seemed normal.
However, on his way to the warehouse, Kuwano could always hear them whispering to each other:
—The army is eating meat, so why are we still drinking nutrient solutions?
—Yeah, can't the cafeteria buy some too? Nutritional solutions just can't compare to what other people eat.
—And my sister said that since the army started eating, the symptoms of nightmares have decreased a lot.
......
Camellia has successfully entered many institutions, and initial results have already been seen.
Guided by the staff, Kuwano arrived at the finished product warehouse.
The nutrient solutions displayed here were all ordinary, and Sangye's spiritual power could not detect anything unusual. She pretended to take a few bottles and left.
Then the staff took her underground, where energy minerals were stored.
As the elevator slowly descended, another elevator was rising in the distance, opposite them. The people inside were also wearing cleanroom suits, but with gas helmets.
"Is that a production worker too?" Kuwano asked.
The staff member next to her peeked over and said, "Yes. They are in charge of producing the special nutrient solution."
"Special supply nutrient solution?"
"Yes. Some armies require a high concentration of spiritual energy in their nutrient solutions, so this batch will be produced and supplied separately."
Kuwano paused for a moment: "I don't think I saw this part in the documents?"
The staff explained, "Although this part of the nutrient solution is specially supplied, there is no difference in terms of energy consumption or profit. Moreover, this part is not exported—it has not applied for export registration and only circulates within Muli Star—so it is not specially distinguished when recording accounts."
Sangye feigned sudden realization and then asked, "Can I take a sample of this special nutrient solution?"
She thought the staff would refuse, but to her surprise, she readily agreed: "Sure, we'll go around and get it later."
After receiving the nutrient solution, Sangye left the factory.
"Shall we take you back to your hotel first?" the staff member said politely. "It's already late today, you can come back for the inspection tomorrow."
Sangye nodded in agreement.
*
After Kuangye returned to the hotel, there was a knock on the door shortly afterward, and Melusin stood at the door with Ms. Zina.
Kuwano shared some of the information he had obtained with her.
Melusin was very interested in the specially supplied nutrient solution.
"Did you ask which specific military units it was intended for?" Melusin held up the bottle of colorless liquid, her distorted eyes reflected in the glass.
“They all said they didn’t know,” Sangye replied, taking out a gas cylinder he was carrying and setting up a small hot pot on the hotel table.
With Lin Changli not around, Sangye and his two friends can enjoy a delicious hot pot with spicy beef tallow.
The hotel has limited facilities, but you can still have a hearty meal.
"Do you notice anything different about this nutrient solution?" Melusin opened the bottle and took a sniff.
Sangye shook her head. She had even taken a sip just now; it was no different from regular nutrient solution.
She worked tirelessly, adding tender beef slices, lamb rolls, luncheon meat, sausage, tofu, and other ingredients one by one, the aroma of the ingredients mingling with the broth slowly wafting out.
"I've discovered something interesting. It would be great if we could find out which armies received this nutrient solution." Melusin put the bottle back and picked up her dipping saucer to eat her dinner.
"What's up?"
“I saw many sentinels experiencing nightmare symptoms in the medical records, so I had Eve help me re-categorize and organize them, and even pinpointed the specific military units involved. Can you guess which military unit members are experiencing these symptoms and have to frequently leave their posts to seek treatment?” Melusin asked mysteriously.
“Hmm…” Sangye pondered for a moment. She had guessed several times, but none of them were correct.
Melusin then slowly said, "It's the Z1 army guarding Eve's sub-server room."
"Eve the host?" Sangye was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly thought of the exploding collar she wore around her neck when she was exiled to Black Tower Star.
The procedure for the criminals' neck rings is directly controlled by Eve and is accountable only to the Imperial Court; even the planetary executives have no authority over it.
Z1 soldiers frequently fell ill, but Gema did nothing about it and did not bring in any replacement sentries from elsewhere.
Once Eve's computer room is destroyed, the collar will also lose its function.
"The other sentinels are distributed in the upper levels of Z1-Z12, while ordinary sentinels are most frequently deployed in Z1, Z7 and Z12."
Z7 is a warship soldier who manages all of Muli Star's fleets for external transportation and combat.
Z12 is an offensive combat force with formidable strength.
"...Has Muli Star really reached this level?" Sangye couldn't believe it.
Melusin shook her head: "You may think this planet is already riddled with holes because you are a Guide and can see the danger. But in the eyes of ordinary people and the Sentinels themselves, mental problems are perfectly normal. Muli lacks Guides and cannot be dealt with in time. As the situation worsens, no one will suspect any one person."
Mental riots, illness, coma, and replacement are lifelong problems that sentinels must face.
Sangye's gaze returned to the nutrient solution on the corner of the table.
She suddenly grabbed the bottle of nutrient solution and gulped it down.
"Sangye!" Melusin exclaimed in surprise.
“Let me test what kind of magic it has.” Sangye took the last drop and gave Melusin a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, I’m a guide, I’ll be fine.”
For the first time, Melusin showed a stunned expression.
"Is it really worth the risk?" Melusin asked.
She enjoys excitement, but dislikes death and danger, so she always brings Zina with her to protect her when she does bad things.
Kuwano thought for a moment.
She felt that Lin Changli was worth the risk, and since she was a guide, she wouldn't be mentally controlled by other guides. Just like the positive and negative terminals of a battery, two positive terminals will repel each other when they come together.
Lin Changli has been very good to her from the very beginning.
She occupied the west wing and his room, so he obediently moved to the other side to sleep.
She brought Rong Cheng and Du Yuan back and treated them like her own home. He didn't say anything and treated Du Yuan and Rong Cheng with great courtesy.
Lin Changli rushed to the rescue when the snow mountain accident occurred.
He obeyed her every command. He didn't find the peaceful life meaningless at all; he prepared dishes even more diligently than Sangye.
Lin Changli also transferred Black Tower Star to her for 914 Star Coins.
Kuwano replied, "It's worth it."
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