Chapter Summaries

Wu Heng and Shiraque underwent an Association inspection, where Inspector Kalaima asked increasingly personal questions. Shiraque interrupted the inspection to protect Wu Heng, and Imilo later challenged Kalaima’s conduct; the two passed and celebrated over lunch.

• Shiraque answered four questions under the clay sculpture’s influence, including whether she had falsely reported merits to become Vice Deacon.
• Wu Heng resisted the sculpture’s mental effect with his Strengthened Will and answered the same questions, followed by questions about illegal necromantic experiments and violations of Association principles.
• Shiraque covered the sculpture’s eyes and challenged Kalaima for targeting Wu Heng, interrupting the inspection and leaving Kalaima temporarily unable to speak.
• Imilo told Wu Heng and Shiraque to leave, then disputed Kalaima’s questions and said the inspection records would be reviewed.
• Wu Heng thanked Shiraque and invited her to lunch, where she explained how the clay sculpture’s effect could be avoided.

Wu Heng learned that passing the Association’s inspection could help with future promotions, then collected commissioned corpses and a completed Blazing Fire Furnace from the Serpent Emblem Conglomerate. In the Zombie World, he turned the level 12 blacksmith and level 13 flying dragon into skeletons.

• Shiraque explained that inspection results would be recorded and could help when candidates sought promotion to deacon, while Wu Heng said he preferred his current position.
• Wu Heng warned Andeviel to keep Blood Axe nearby in case of personnel changes and told her to inform him if she was summoned for an inspection.
• Wu Heng collected a level 12 blacksmith's corpse, a level 13 flying dragon's corpse, and the completed Blazing Fire Furnace from the Serpent Emblem Conglomerate, and received an invitation to its Year-End Auction.
• Wu Heng transported the items to the Zombie World and returned the borrowed Storage Space sachet.
• Wu Heng used Bone Manipulation Technique on the corpses, creating a Skeleton Blacksmith and a Skeleton Flying Dragon.

Wu Heng installed the Blazing Fire Furnace, coordinated supplies and weapons, and accompanied Inspector Special Envoy Kalaima as he reviewed the association’s archives. Kalaima later met with the cargo ship captain who had hired him to find grounds against Wu Heng, but reported that he had found no wrongdoing.

• Wu Heng had Qi Hancai move the Blazing Fire Furnace into a factory building, where the Skeleton Blacksmiths began producing solid iron shells.
• Wu Heng refused to change food prices and learned that Mighty Shelter had traded a Level 2 Corpse Core after killing a Mutated Zombie with explosives.
• Wu Heng suspected Kalaima was trying to suspend him and resolved to investigate the Inspector Special Envoy’s motives.
• Wu Heng accompanied Kalaima while he reviewed association files, then reported the inspection to Imilo.
• Wu Heng inspected a 3D-printed ammunition bay being fitted into a Skeleton Flying Dragon and ordered leather coverings for a test.
• Kalaima told the cargo ship captain that he had found no evidence of Wu Heng breaking the law, but the captain proposed another way to remove him.

Kalaima accepted gold from a captain who planned to frame Wu Heng, while Wu Heng expanded his supplies and tested the Skeleton Flying Dragon’s new bomb bay against a Zombie Horde. The test succeeded, and both the Skeleton Flying Dragon and Wu Heng reached Level 14.

• The captain offered Kalaima a box of Gold Coins to help implicate Wu Heng, and Kalaima agreed to act only according to the association’s rules.
• Wu Heng returned to Treasure Island, discussed his surplus ships with Minnie and Andeviel, and considered selling them if nobody needed them.
• Wu Heng ordered large quantities of armor, weapons, and grain from Shanala, securing an eight percent discount after paying a deposit.
• Wu Heng transported the supplies to the Zombie World, distributed new equipment to the Skeleton Army, and told Qi Hancai that grain had arrived.
• Wu Heng and the others tested the Skeleton Flying Dragon’s bomb bay against a Zombie Horde, destroying large numbers of Zombies with iron bombs and iron shot.
• The Skeleton Flying Dragon reached Level 14, and Wu Heng also reached Level 14.

Wu Heng cleared more of the road with his Skeleton Army, then spent the evening with Shanala, who said she would become his lover when he reached level 15. The next morning, the Association summoned him to investigate a Merchant Guild manager’s murder, and the dead man described three masked attackers.

• Wu Heng reached Level 14 after killing Zombies, then led his forces onward to clear the road and returned to the Old Factory Area with Qi Hancai.
• Wu Heng met Shanala on the rooftops, and she said she would become his lover once he reached level 15 because the Wood Elves would not approve of their marriage.
• Three attackers killed a Stag Cross-Sea Merchant Guild manager and a woman at an inn on Lighthouse Street.
• Wu Heng went to the Association with Andeviel after Minnie reported that its members had summoned him.
• Wu Heng used Talk with Dead on the murdered manager, who said three masked attackers had killed him and described their builds and weapons.

Wu Heng was implicated when two corpses described killers resembling him and his attendants, but he concluded that someone had deliberately framed him. He explained his suspicions to Imilo and the investigators, while the investigation into the murders remained unresolved.

• Imilo questioned two murdered corpses, whose descriptions of their killers closely matched Wu Heng and his attendants, though the woman said the killer's voice did not sound much like Wu Heng's.
• Imilo ordered Shiraque to keep the matter quiet and investigate the Stag Merchant Guild, while Wu Heng stayed behind to read the autopsy reports.
• Wu Heng learned that both victims had been killed with thrown daggers and that they were found at an inn on Lighthouse Street.
• Wu Heng reasoned that someone had disguised themselves as him and his attendants to steer the investigation toward him, then went to Imilo's study.
• Wu Heng told Imilo and Inspector Special Envoy Kalaima that the evidence was an obvious frame-up and argued that, as a Necromancer, he would not have let a victim speak if he had committed the murder.

Wu Heng was suspended from his Association duties after a merchant group manager’s murder was arranged to implicate him. As Shiraque investigated, Wu Heng took leave at home and suspected the accusation was only the first step in a larger plan.

• Wu Heng told Imilo and Inspector Special Envoy Kalaima he had been home during the murder, and they concluded someone had framed him but suspended him pending Shiraque’s investigation.
• Shiraque assured Wu Heng she would find the culprit and clear his name, saying it was her turn to save him.
• Wu Heng told Andeviel, Minnie, and Shanala about the suspension, and they agreed he would rest at home while waiting for news.
• Shanala privately comforted Wu Heng and offered to support him, while he reassured her he was fine.
• Wu Heng considered why someone had arranged his removal and wondered what they would do next.
• Granda reported that Inspector Special Envoy Kalaima had gone with his attendants to a tavern on Lighthouse Street.

Wu Heng investigated Kalaima’s meeting with a ship captain, then focused on strengthening his forces by bombing a Zombie Horde and raising the dead. The next morning, he visited Millicent in disguise and asked whether many merchant caravans had docked at Lighthouse Street.

• Granda reported that Kalaima had met a cargo ship captain at the Black Raven's Nest Tavern and planned to leave the island in three days.
• Wu Heng rejected Granda’s suggestion to frame another suspect to regain his Vice Deacon position and decided to build strength by clearing Zombies.
• Wu Heng led the Skeleton Army against a Zombie Horde, using five Skeleton Flying Dragons to bomb it before his troops killed the survivors and raised the corpses.
• Wu Heng planned to clear the Central Roundabout next and asked Qi Hancai to check whether their warehouse contained remote listening devices.
• The next morning, Wu Heng disguised himself as a middle-aged woman and visited Millicent at the Nautilus Tavern, where he asked about merchant caravans docking at Lighthouse Street.

Wu Heng investigated the murder that had led to his suspension, planting listening devices at Millicent’s tavern and Kalaima’s room while learning that a dangerous drifter named Kranmu had arrived on the island. The chapter ended as an unidentified tattooed man entered a private room at Black Raven's Nest Tavern and said they could make their move now that Wu Heng had been suspended.

• Wu Heng told Millicent to watch for three suspects and Kalaima, then installed listening devices in several rooms at her tavern and showed her how to use them.
• Millicent described problems at the tavern, and Wu Heng reassured her that Philippa was safe and promised to arrange help.
• Shiraque told Wu Heng that investigators had found a fourth person’s shoe print at the murder scene and that Kranmu, a Level 16 drifter who had killed an association Vice Deacon, had arrived on the island.
• Wu Heng asked Shiraque to investigate the main-street taverns, then slipped a listening device into Kalaima’s room before Kalaima returned and questioned him.
• Wu Heng listened through the device as Kalaima searched his room, then an unidentified tattooed man entered a private room at Black Raven's Nest Tavern and said they could make their move.

Wu Heng monitored Kalaima after his suspension, warned his household to stay cautious, and checked Philippa’s ship reports. The chapter ended with Philippa explaining that two pirate crews had fought after one captain’s woman became involved with another captain.

• A tattooed man agreed to target Wu Heng for payment after receiving information about him and his attendants.
• Wu Heng listened to a bug planted in his vacant office, then left a Skeleton Investigator to keep recording Kalaima.
• Wu Heng returned home, reassured Minnie and Andeviel about the investigation, and told them not to go out while the danger remained.
• Wu Heng reviewed the Skeleton Investigator’s notes, which described the Yeke Fleet attacking Philippa’s crew and pirate crews falling into conflict.
• Wu Heng contacted Philippa, told her to establish a meeting room and keep crew members out of her cabin, then learned that two pirate crews had fought over a captain’s woman.

Wu Heng spoke with Philippa about pirate intelligence and then used Level 2 Corpse Core Potions to raise his attributes and awaken Potential Burst. As he gave potions to Minnie and Andeviel, a cloaked observer surveyed his guarded residence and recognized him as a formidable Vice Deacon.

• Philippa told Wu Heng that pirate crews had received accurate Blank Envelope intelligence and that pirates rumored the Pirate King was helping them.
• Wu Heng told Philippa to pause risky intelligence gathering, promised support for her mother, and agreed to give Philippa more money for recruiting crew members.
• Wu Heng drank three Level 2 Corpse Core Potions, increased his attributes, and awakened Potential Burst.
• Wu Heng gave Minnie and Andeviel three potions each to drink.
• A cloaked figure used a scroll and a translucent bird to survey Wu Heng's residence, noting its many Skeleton Guards and calling its Vice Deacon occupant formidable.

Wu Heng suspected that the Level 16 Wanderer Kranmu had come to kill him, and Kranmu confirmed he had taken a contract before attacking him in the street. Wu Heng fought back with Bloodhand and Granda, but Kranmu summoned tattoo-made creatures and continued the assault.

• An unidentified man surveyed Wu Heng's residence and its many Skeleton Attendants before leaving.
• Wu Heng gave Andeviel and Minnie Level 1 Corpse Core Potions, then checked the residence and visited the Zombie World, where Qi Hancai discussed plans for expanding the Old Factory Area.
• Shiraque gathered team captains to inspect the taverns and inns on Lighthouse Street for the criminal connected to Wu Heng's case.
• Wu Heng weighed the threats against him, including Kranmu, and asked Granda and Xiaoxiao to keep watch at night.
• After finding no useful information in his office's eavesdropping notebook, Wu Heng left the association and learned from Granda that Kranmu was following him.
• Kranmu admitted he had been paid to kill Wu Heng, then attacked; Wu Heng fought back with Bloodhand and Granda as Kranmu unleashed tattoo-made snakes, rats, and Malevolent Ghosts.

Wu Heng fought off an assassination attempt by Wanderer Kranmu with help from his companions, but Kranmu escaped into a crowd. Wu Heng reported the attack to Deacon Imilo at the association.

• Wu Heng and Kranmu clashed in the Combat Zone, where Kranmu killed Bloodhand before Wu Heng wounded him with a gunshot.
• Andeviel provided sniper support while Minnie hurried to Wu Heng with the skeletons.
• Wu Heng activated Potential Burst and fought Kranmu with his Winged Sword, but Kranmu escaped after using a scroll to unleash flaming missiles.
• Wu Heng drank potions, regrouped with Minnie and the skeletons, and collected Bloodhand's weapons and protective gear while Minnie put out the fires.
• Wu Heng went to the association and told Deacon Imilo that Kranmu had tried to assassinate him.

After surviving Kranmu’s assassination attempt, Wu Heng helped Deacon Imilo track the wanted killer to the harbor, where Imilo killed him. Wu Heng claimed Kranmu’s sword, while Shiraque’s search of Lighthouse Street drove a suspicious dwarf to seek refuge at another tavern.

• Wu Heng told Imilo how he had fought Kranmu, and Imilo issued a Wanted List and used Wu Heng’s blood and Kranmu’s discarded cuff to track him.
• Kranmu confronted the captain who had hired him, received a Ship Ticket and payment, and headed for the harbor to escape.
• Wu Heng and Imilo found Kranmu at the dock, where Imilo killed him as he tried to board a ship.
• Wu Heng searched Kranmu’s body and discovered that his sword, the Mist Condensing Evil Sword, had let him move through water mist.
• Shiraque’s team searched a tavern on Lighthouse Street, but its dwarf guest had fled through a window before they arrived.
• The dwarf evaded the Association carriage, went to the Nautilus tavern, and rented a room for three days.

Wu Heng returned Kranmu’s corpse to the Association but delayed using Ask the Corpse while he checked his suspicions. The chapter ended with Inspector Special Envoy Kalaima learning of Kranmu’s death and asking the captain whether anyone else knew of their connection.

• Imilo gave Wu Heng Kranmu’s Evil Sword and Spatial Ring to hold, and the two discussed whether killing Kranmu would cause trouble.
• Wu Heng brought Kranmu’s body to the morgue, where the coroners confirmed his identity.
• Moya arrived with investigators to help Wu Heng Ask the Corpse, but Wu Heng requested half a day to verify his suspicions first.
• Wu Heng took Kranmu’s corpse home and reassured Minnie and Andeviel that he was unharmed and that the attacker was dead.
• At a dim tavern, Kalaima learned that Imilo had killed Kranmu and asked the captain whether anyone else knew about their connection.

Kalaima killed the captain who knew about his involvement, while Wu Heng suspected the deed and planned to assess the association’s response. The next day, Wu Heng learned that Shiraque was investigating the murder and went to divide up the spoils from Kranmu’s death.

• Kalaima killed the captain, took his Spatial Ring, and removed the body from the tavern.
• Granda reported that Kalaima had visited the tavern and that the private room was empty afterward, leading Wu Heng to suspect he had killed the person who could expose him.
• Minnie teased Shanala by making Wu Heng smell the bra she had just changed out of, and Shanala later asked Wu Heng about the danger he had faced.
• Shanala explained that Imilo’s presence on Treasure Island deterred both pirates and the island lord.
• At the association, Shiraque questioned Wu Heng about Kranmu’s death, then said she would take people to find the murderer while Wu Heng went to divide up the spoils.

Wu Heng tracked down the dwarf who had framed him for the Stag Steward’s murder and used Talk with Dead to uncover the scheme’s details and identify Evard, captain of the Oruchi, as the dwarf’s employer. Kalaima restored Wu Heng’s position as Vice Deacon, while the Association moved to stop the Oruchi and search for Evard.

• Wu Heng split the spoils with Moya and chose the Mist Condensing Evil Sword, then felt its side effect provoke an urge to challenge Imilo.
• Millicent told Wu Heng that a dwarf had checked out and left for the harbor, and she gave him a black wig and scraps found in the dwarf’s room.
• Wu Heng and Shiraque searched the harbor with the Association teams and found the dwarf aboard the ship at Berth 7.
• The dwarf attacked with puppets and tried to escape, but Wu Heng shot him and Shiraque subdued him before the team arrested him.
• Imilo ordered the dwarf killed, and Wu Heng questioned the corpse, learning that the dwarf’s puppets had impersonated Wu Heng and that Evard, captain of the Oruchi, had hired him.
• Imilo ordered the port to detain the Oruchi and search for Evard, and Kalaima restored Wu Heng’s position as Vice Deacon and apologized.

Wu Heng settled the gnome Puppet Controller’s spoils and learned that Captain Evard remained missing, while the Association closed the merchant manager’s murder investigation. In the Zombie World, Wu Heng raised Kranmu as a Level 17 Skeleton Wanderer, then went to see Kalaima off, only to learn that Kalaima had already left the island.

• Wu Heng and Shiraque sorted the gnome’s puppets, tools, and money, planning to trade unwanted puppets for merit and divide the rest among the squads.
• The Association failed to find Captain Evard, impounded the merchant caravan’s ships, and arranged to investigate his background while returning the murdered manager’s body.
• Wu Heng turned Kranmu’s corpse into a Level 17 Skeleton Wanderer, armed him with the Mist Condensing Evil Sword, and learned that the military was trading supplies and might be preparing to leave the Old Factory Area.
• Wu Heng suspected Kalaima knew about the ghost following him and decided to find out which ship he would take off the island.
• Wu Heng went to the Association with Andeviel, but Shiraque told him Kalaima had departed the port early that morning.

Wu Heng learned that Kalaima had secretly left Treasure Island aboard the Tersel Cargo Ship and followed his route toward Cocktail Island. He caught up with the ship at sea and sent Granda to investigate, while Kalaima examined stolen goods and considered selling information about Wu Heng.

• Wu Heng discovered from the Skeleton Investigator’s notes that Kalaima had departed early aboard the Tersel Cargo Ship.
• Wu Heng found the ship’s route in the Port Authority records, then used the Train Conductor’s Hat to travel to Cocktail Island and pursue it by boat.
• Wu Heng spotted the Tersel Cargo Ship at sea and sent Granda to investigate its deck without entering the cabin.
• Kalaima examined items in a Spatial Ring, celebrated the wealth he had taken, and considered selling Wu Heng’s detailed information to the Mystic Association.

Wu Heng infiltrated a ship with Granda and Kranmu, killed Kalaima and his attendant, and escaped without alerting the crew. Back in the Zombie World, he raised the two corpses as a level 12 Skeleton Warrior and a level 15 Skeleton Mage.

• Granda scouted the ship and reported that most of the patrol was asleep, so Wu Heng chose to sneak aboard and kill Kalaima.
• Wu Heng, Kranmu, and Sharktooth approached the ship underwater, then Wu Heng used the Shapeshifting Veil to board with Kranmu.
• Wu Heng and Kranmu killed Kalaima's attendant after he recognized Wu Heng's Illusory Form.
• Wu Heng and Kranmu entered Kalaima's room and killed him despite his Alarm Spell, lightning, and magical barrier.
• Granda confirmed the crew had not noticed the killings, and Wu Heng removed the bodies and evidence before escaping by sea.
• Wu Heng returned to the Zombie World, raised the attendant as a level 12 Skeleton Warrior and Kalaima as a level 15 Skeleton Mage.