Chapter Summaries

Li Chen went to a Hand-operated hotel in Los Angeles to confront Hideo Morita, rescuing Gwen Stacy from two armed men along the way. After entering the hotel casino and locating Morita’s men, Li Chen knocked out two Hand ninjas guarding a hidden passage.

• Li Chen left Ram and Rem to clean up and flew to the hotel the White Queen had identified.
• Li Chen crushed two men’s pistols and rescued Gwen Stacy, who pretended to be his girlfriend so they could get past the hotel guards.
• Li Chen exchanged names with Gwen, then went downstairs to the casino while Gwen returned to her room and told Jane about her encounter.
• Li Chen used Super Hearing to identify Hideo Morita and a Hand associate discussing the plan to teach him a lesson.
• Li Chen approached a hidden passage and knocked out the two Hand ninjas guarding it.

Li Chen attacked the Hand’s underground casino, killed Hideo Morita after learning he had targeted a Chinese businessman out of prejudice, and slaughtered the Hand’s ninjas with his powers. As he left, Psylocke ambushed him, and Li Chen recognized her.

• Li Chen entered the casino room and struck Hideo Morita with a beer bottle guided by Divine Protection of First Strike.
• Hideo Morita admitted he had targeted a Chinese man because he considered Chinese people beneath the protection of the rules, and Li Chen snapped his neck.
• The potbellied Japanese man ordered disguised assassins to attack Li Chen, but Li Chen defeated them and declared he had come to wipe out the Hand.
• Li Chen used Heat Vision and freezing breath to kill the Hand’s ninjas in the darkened casino.
• Psylocke attacked Li Chen with a purple blade, but he caught it and identified her.

Li Chen defeated Psylocke, took her to his manor, and declared her his spoils of war and a future maid. Psylocke resolved to endure her captivity and seek revenge, but her feelings began to shift as Ram and Rem prepared to educate her.

• Psylocke attacked Li Chen with her psionic weapons, but he resisted them, seized her, and subdued her.
• Li Chen carried Psylocke from The Hand's hotel, while The Hand's leaders ordered their people not to retaliate until they understood his strength.
• Psylocke began rationalizing her capture as she traveled with Li Chen, and she felt a faint anticipation after seeing his face.
• Li Chen assigned Psylocke a room at his manor, ordered her to wear her ninja suit, and told her she was his spoils of war and his future maid.
• Ram and Rem agreed to teach Psylocke how to be a maid, and Li Chen went to prepare items to help her accept her new identity.

Psylocke woke up in Li Chen’s home and was forced by Rem to accept the role of his pet, while Li Chen continued overseeing Starlight Pictures’ film projects. The chapter ended with Zack Snyder preparing to direct Batman and Li Chen insisting that the film include several classic supporting characters.

• Rem brought Psylocke pet accessories and made her put them on and crawl downstairs to Li Chen.
• Li Chen took Psylocke’s leash, praised her obedience, and heard her call him Master.
• Li Chen continued work on the Transformers production as Starlight Pictures secured a budget of over a hundred million dollars.
• Zack Snyder asked Li Chen to begin preparing a Batman movie, and Li Chen agreed because Batman was important to the DC Universe.
• Li Chen required the Batman screenplay to include Robin, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Joker so he could try to draw those characters in the lottery.

Li Chen attended the final auditions for Batman, where Ben Affleck was chosen for the title role. Scarlett auditioned for Catwoman, but Li Chen held off on deciding until he had seen the other candidates.

• Li Chen went to the studio for the final Batman auditions with Zack, DC representatives, and producer Jeff.
• Christian Bale auditioned, but the group felt he lacked Batman's imposing presence.
• Ben Affleck auditioned with a brooding demeanor and won the group's approval for Batman.
• Li Chen and Zack discussed the film's story, a Superman and Zod fight as an ending easter egg, and future DC films featuring Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and Wonder Woman.
• Scarlett auditioned in a Catwoman outfit, and Zack and the others considered her suitable for the role.
• Li Chen reserved judgment on Scarlett and asked to see the remaining Catwoman candidates.

Li Chen met the Black Queen, Selene, at the Hellfire Club, where she and Emma Frost competed for his attention before Emma proposed he become the White Rook. Sunspot objected to Li Chen receiving the rank so quickly.

• Li Chen declined Scarlett’s invitation but promised her the role of Catwoman.
• Li Chen went to the Hellfire Club and met Selene, the Black Queen, who tried to recruit him as her man.
• Emma Frost arrived and traded insults with Selene, revealing that Selene had lived for thousands of years and survived by absorbing other people’s lives.
• Emma Frost introduced Li Chen to the Hellfire Club’s members and proposed that he become the White Rook.
• Sunspot objected, arguing that he had earned his own rank through years of service.

Li Chen faced Sunspot in a match to prove whether he deserved the White Rook position in the Hellfire Club. He withstood Sunspot’s attacks without effort, leaving Sunspot furious as the fight continued.

• The White Queen, Emma Frost, defended Li Chen’s appointment as White Rook, while the Black Queen, Selene, proposed a match against Sunspot, Roberto.
• Li Chen accepted the challenge, and the group moved to the Hellfire Club’s underground training ground.
• Sunspot warned Li Chen to surrender, then absorbed light and fired a powerful wave of energy at him.
• Li Chen stood unharmed after the blast and brushed off his suit, impressing Emma Frost and humiliating Sunspot.
• Sunspot unleashed more of his abilities, but Li Chen said the heat felt like sunbathing and asked him to make it hotter.

Li Chen defeated Sunspot and won acceptance as the Hellfire Club’s White Rook. At the party, Selene tried to entice him, while Emma Frost drew him aside and ended their flirtation by turning into diamond.

• Li Chen caught Sunspot’s 20-ton energy attack and sent it homing back toward him.
• Selene failed to divert the attack, then crushed it and agreed to Li Chen becoming the Hellfire Club’s White Rook.
• The Hellfire Club members welcomed Li Chen at Emma Frost’s party, and Selene hinted that her promise remained good.
• Emma Frost asked Li Chen about Psylocke, and he said Psylocke was his; he then flirted with Emma over her Diamond Form.
• Emma turned into diamond to tease Li Chen, pushed him away, and told him to return to the party.

Li Chen replenished Ram’s mana before learning that Tony Stark had returned safely, a rescue made possible by the Hellfire Club. As Tony thanked the club and Li Chen sold his Stark Industries shares for a profit, the story left Li Chen focused on enjoying his wealth, powers, and companions.

• Li Chen woke hungover, apologized to Ram for forgetting to replenish her mana, and used solar energy to restore her strength.
• Ram prepared breakfast with Rem, while Psylocke watched Li Chen with growing obedience.
• Li Chen watched news of Tony Stark’s return and smiled as Stark Industries’ stock rebounded.
• Tony Stark investigated his rescue and learned the Hellfire Club had found him; he thanked Emma Frost and asked about the White Rook.
• Li Chen sold his Stark Industries shares, deciding that a modest profit was enough because he was no longer very interested in money.

Li Chen used the success of Man of Steel and his growing reputation points to choose a new comic project. He introduced One-Punch Man to his animation staff, who were eager to begin work on it.

• Man of Steel finished its theatrical run with more than a billion dollars worldwide, while Li Chen noted its merchandise and upcoming streaming release could bring further attention.
• Li Chen checked that he had 11,822 reputation points, largely from Pirate King and Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World.
• Li Chen considered making Cat's Eye but searched for a comic better suited to North American tastes and settled on a new target.
• Katherine brought Li Chen to meet the returning animation staff, who expected to start work on Re:Zero's second season.
• Li Chen told the staff that Re:Zero's second season would wait and unveiled One-Punch Man, a hero story done for fun.

Li Chen tried a ten-pull, received Boa Hancock's intimate apparel, and then agreed to travel to New York for a Hellfire Club party and recruitment work. He left Los Angeles by plane, reflecting on the American landscape as he headed east.

• Li Chen performed a ten-pull and received Boa Hancock's intimate apparel, then decided to wait until "One-Punch Man" came out before drawing again.
• The White Queen called Li Chen and asked him to attend the Hellfire Club's party in New York and help recruit at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.
• Li Chen agreed to go, and Ram and Rem helped him pack while Psylocke stayed behind.
• Before leaving, Li Chen replenished Ram's mana, then boarded a plane to New York the next day.
• Li Chen watched the plains below the plane and considered how suitable the land was for farming.

Li Chen arrived at the Hellfire Club in New York, settled into the White Queen’s former room, and then traveled to Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. The chapter ended with Professor X waiting in his wheelchair as Li Chen’s car approached the manor.

• A Hellfire Club mutant picked Li Chen up at the airport and brought him to the club, where a bunny-girl attendant offered to serve as his personal maid.
• Li Chen dismissed the attendant, found the White Queen’s clothes in his room, and rested before heading out.
• Li Chen traveled to Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters and reflected on the X-Men’s low profile and their shared goal with the Hellfire Club of mutant autonomy.
• Li Chen arrived at Charles Manor, passed through the estate’s grounds and training areas, and saw Professor X waiting for him in his wheelchair.

Li Chen visited Professor X’s academy to recruit graduating Mutants for the Hellfire Club, offering Dazzler a path to stardom. He began meeting the graduates and had not yet heard from the rest of them.

• Professor X welcomed Li Chen and introduced him to Cyclops, Storm, Jean Grey, and Beast Hank.
• Li Chen told Professor X that he was Hellfire’s White Rook and not a Mutant, then reviewed the list of graduates he had come to recruit.
• Beast Hank arranged for Shadowcat, Dazzler, Li Qianhuan, and two male Mutants to meet Li Chen in a classroom.
• Li Chen asked the graduates about their dreams, and Dazzler said she had once wanted to be a singer.
• Li Chen promised to make Dazzler a superstar through the Hellfire Club and offered her work in his film and television company; she agreed to join.

Li Chen recruited several Mutants from X Academy, including Li Qianhuan as his bodyguard, then hosted a Hellfire Club party where Tony Stark thanked him for his rescue. Tony approached Li Chen with his usual arrogance and offered to repay the favor.

• Kitty Pryde and the other Mutants agreed to join Li Chen’s production, while Li Qianhuan chose to work as his bodyguard for ten thousand dollars a month.
• Li Chen returned to the Hellfire Club on Long Island after making arrangements with the Mutants.
• Tony Stark attended the club’s party after spending time testing his Iron Man Armor in the Middle East.
• Tony approached Li Chen, confirmed he was the club’s White King, and offered to repay him for saving his life.

At a party at the Hellfire Club, Li Chen spotted a fight on a sinking ship and saw a costumed newcomer swing toward it. Gwen Stacy’s first attempt at superhero work went wrong, and Li Chen caught her before she hit the sea.

• Li Chen turned down Tony Stark’s offer and greeted Justin Hammer before mingling with the Hellfire Club’s guests.
• A huge explosion rocked the docks, and Li Chen reassured the guests that Hellfire would protect them.
• Li Chen used his super vision to spot a burning, sinking transport ship where The Hand’s ninjas were fighting an unknown group.
• Gwen Stacy, newly empowered by a spider bite, rushed to the scene in her homemade suit but fell toward the sea when her webbing could not reach the ship.
• Li Chen caught Gwen Stacy and asked if she was all right.

Li Chen revealed his identity to Gwen, and the two kissed after he saved her. Their reunion was interrupted by Lady Deathstrike and the Hand, and after Gwen fought Lady Deathstrike with Li Chen’s guidance, Li Chen took Gwen away as the police arrived.

• Li Chen revealed himself to Gwen by putting on his glasses, and Gwen kissed him after he lifted her mask.
• Lady Deathstrike recognized Li Chen and confronted him, while Gwen put her mask back on and challenged the Hand.
• Gwen fought Lady Deathstrike, using her speed to evade the heavier cyborg and strike her under Li Chen’s guidance.
• Li Chen threw the Hand ninjas into the sea, caught Lady Deathstrike’s adamantium claws, and kicked her into the water.
• As the police sirens sounded, Li Chen wrapped his arms around Gwen and left with her.

After rescuing Gwen Stacy, Li Chen flew her home and agreed to visit the next day, while Kingpin and The Hand dealt with the fallout from their harbor clash. The Hand sent Lady Deathstrike back and appointed Madame Gao to oversee its efforts in New York.

• George Stacy and Coulson investigated the harbor after Li Chen and Gwen Stacy had escaped, unaware that Li Chen was still carrying Gwen through the sky.
• Li Chen took Gwen flying, brought her home, and promised to see her the next day; Gwen kissed him before running inside.
• Bullseye reported the defeat of The Hand’s operation to Kingpin, who refused to let the group expand into his territory.
• Vanessa told Kingpin she had seen Lord White Rook at the Hellfire Club party and regretted missing her chance to speak with him.
• Lady Deathstrike reported Li Chen’s strength to The Hand’s leader, who ordered her to return and sent Elektra to New York.
• Lady Deathstrike said she did not trust Elektra, so The Hand’s leader appointed Madame Gao to take charge in New York.

Li Chen went to meet Gwen after learning that people claiming to be the FBI had visited his residence, and he dismissed them as likely S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. He met Gwen’s father, George Stacy, who learned about Li Chen’s Hollywood company and reluctantly accepted their relationship before watching them leave together.

• Li Chen heard that supposed FBI investigators had visited, suspected they were from S.H.I.E.L.D., and left to meet Gwen.
• George Stacy noticed Gwen getting ready carefully and suspected she was meeting someone she liked.
• Gwen introduced Li Chen to George, who questioned him about his identity, age, work, and feelings for Gwen.
• Li Chen told George he owned Starlight Pictures and promised he would not hurt Gwen.
• George accepted Li Chen cautiously and watched Gwen leave holding his arm.

Li Chen took Gwen around New York, told her to join his company after graduation, and invited her to spend the night with him. Gwen agreed after Li Chen called her father, George, and they arrived at the Aman Hotel’s presidential suite.

• Gwen learned that Li Chen ran a film and television company that produced Superman and Pirate King, and she agreed to work as his assistant after graduation.
• Gwen showed Li Chen around New York, and he treated her to expensive meals and predicted the Knicks would win a championship in a little over a decade.
• After they left Broadway, Li Chen invited Gwen to his place, and she agreed to go with him.
• Li Chen called George Stacy, who reluctantly accepted that Gwen would not come home and warned Li Chen not to take advantage of her.
• Li Chen took Gwen to the Aman Hotel and led her into its presidential suite.

After spending the night with Gwen, Li Chen carried her out to investigate an explosion, where they watched Iron Man and Iron Monger clash. The story left Tony Stark stunned when JARVIS reported that an unknown person wearing a bathrobe was flying toward them.

• Gwen nervously prepared herself before Li Chen persuaded her to wear her handmade Ghost-Spider suit.
• Afterward, Gwen complained that the encounter had been more tiring than MJ had led her to expect.
• An explosion sounded outside, and Gwen tried to go investigate, but Li Chen carried her because she was too sore to stand.
• Li Chen flew with Gwen to watch Iron Man and the Iron Monger armor pursue each other into the sky.
• JARVIS detected Li Chen approaching and told Tony Stark that the unknown flying person was wearing a bathrobe.