Chapter Summaries

Wu Heng discovered that Kalaima’s equipment linked the envoy’s case to the Mystic Association, then prepared to clear the Central Roundabout. His forces began bombing the huge Zombie Horde, but new hordes appeared on both flanks, suggesting a Big-Headed Zombie was directing them.

• Wu Heng inspected Kalaima and Wooden Basin Attendant, found a Mystic Association ring among Kalaima’s belongings, and suspected the association had arranged the attack.
• Wu Heng ordered Kalaima to study necromancy books and told Qi Hancai to prepare for clearing the Central Roundabout.
• Wu Heng checked the association for news, then joined Qi Hancai’s convoy and sent Xiaoxiao and Granda to scout the roundabout.
• Wu Heng identified intelligent-looking Zombies among the horde, learned that the radio station had reported Normal Zombies developing intelligence, and warned Qi Hancai to keep everyone cautious.
• Wu Heng sent two Skeleton Dogs to lure the horde and ordered five Skeleton Flying Dragons to drop iron bombs, clearing the road temporarily.
• Granda and Xiaoxiao reported Zombie Hordes approaching from the right and left, and Wu Heng suspected a Big-Headed Zombie was directing the attack.

Wu Heng led the Skeleton Army against a massive Zombie Horde, using archers and Skeleton Flying Dragons to break its advance while skeletons held the intersections. Xiaoxiao found two Big-Headed Zombies and a four-legged Level 3 Mutated Zombie inside the mall, leaving Wu Heng facing a new threat.

• Wu Heng sent Granda to watch the horde and Xiaoxiao to search for nearby Mutated Zombies, while skeletons formed defensive lines at the intersections.
• Wang Chenggang and the survivors finished replacing the Skeleton Flying Dragons’ ammunition drums as Qi Hancai helped.
• Wu Heng ordered the archers to fire and the five Skeleton Flying Dragons to attack, wiping out most of the approaching Zombies before axe-wielding skeletons finished the survivors.
• Zombies leapt from a building and a Level 2 Mutated Zombie broke through the right-side defense, but Red Crown and Wooden Barrel Attendant killed it and restored the formation.
• Xiaoxiao reported two Big-Headed Zombies and a four-legged monster at the mall, and Wu Heng saw the three Mutated Zombies behind its Glass Curtain Wall.

Wu Heng used his Barrett to kill three Level 3 Mutated Zombies watching from the mall, then led the Skeleton Army through the remaining horde and cleared the mall. The next morning, an armored scouting team discovered that Skeleton Soldiers had taken the roundabout.

• Wu Heng ordered the Skeleton Army to advance while Flying Dragons bombed the Zombie Horde and the formation fought off its charge.
• With Xiaoxiao pointing out targets, Wu Heng shot and killed the Four-Legged Zombie and two Big-Headed Zombies from afar.
• Wu Heng’s Skeleton Army fought its way to the mall, where Skullcrusher led Skeletons inside to kill the remaining Zombies and retrieve their corpses.
• Wu Heng ordered the survivors to rest in their vehicles overnight and search the area for missing body parts in the morning.
• The next day, three Armored Vehicles arrived to scout the roundabout, and their crew stopped in alarm when they saw Skeleton Soldiers occupying it.

Qi Hancai turned back a military shelter convoy after telling them the Old Factory Area had taken the Central Roundabout. Wu Heng converted the remaining mutated zombies and over a hundred Evolved Zombies into skeletons, then wondered whether zombies also had classes.

• Qi Hancai confronted a military shelter convoy surrounded by skeletons and told its leader that the Old Factory Area had taken the roundabout.
• The Team Leader agreed to report the news and led the convoy back, while its passengers discussed the Old Factory Area’s growing power.
• Wu Heng converted the Level Three Four-Legged Zombie into a Level 15 Four-Legged Warrior and recovered a Level 3 Corpse Core.
• Wu Heng converted the remains of two Big-Headed Zombies into a Skeleton Spirit Demon and found two Level 2 Corpse Cores.
• Wu Heng used Battlefield of the Undead on more than a hundred Evolved Zombies, creating Level 5 Skeleton Warriors and prompting him to wonder whether zombies were a class too.

Wu Heng looted gold shops after securing the Central Roundabout, then returned to Treasure Island with Corpse Cores and discovered Philippa had found the Blank Envelope beneath her pillow. The chapter ended with Wu Heng asking whether it had been delivered straight into her hands, and Philippa confirming it had.

• Wu Heng found nine Level 1 Corpse Cores among the Evolved Zombie remains and used Battlefield of the Undead to raise more skeletons.
• Qi Hancai told Wu Heng that military vehicles had come to gather intelligence, and Wu Heng decided to keep control of the Central Roundabout.
• Wu Heng led Qi Hancai and the others through Gold Shop Street, where they collected large quantities of gold and jade jewelry.
• Wu Heng arranged for food to be sent to the Bus Station and asked Qi Hancai to tell Li Yahong that the road was open.
• Wu Heng returned to Treasure Island, stored the Corpse Cores in the Alchemy Room, and learned that Philippa had news about the Blank Envelope.
• Philippa told Wu Heng that she had found the Blank Envelope beneath her pillow, and she confirmed it had been delivered straight into her hands.

Wu Heng learned that Philippa received a Blank Envelope ordering a raid on a merchant fleet and announcing his bounty had risen to 500 Gold Coins. After weighing the risks to Philippa and suspecting a connection to the Mystic Association, he told Imilo about the bounty at the Association the next day.

• Philippa told Wu Heng that her Blank Envelope ordered her crew to intercept the Water Chestnut Merchant Group and revealed his bounty had reached 500 Gold Coins.
• Wu Heng told Philippa to follow the order while arranging to let the merchants go, and promised to send a disguised ship with supplies for her crew to raid.
• Wu Heng considered how the Blank Envelope found Philippa and worried that rumors of informants could put her identity at risk.
• Wu Heng spent the evening with Minnie and welcomed Andeviel home from the Association.
• The next day, Wu Heng told Imilo and Moya that pirates had raised his bounty to 500 Gold Coins.

Wu Heng learned that his bounty had risen, considered helping Cavina transfer to Treasure Island, and supported Millicent’s tavern and intelligence work. In the Zombie World, he met the city’s Disaster Resistance Commander, who invited him to join a more secure shelter built by the Provincial Rescue Team.

• Wu Heng told Imilo about Philippa’s Blank Envelope and his plan to help her misdirect a merchant fleet, while Imilo warned him to stay cautious and gather intelligence.
• Wu Heng received Cavina’s letter about her difficulties and desire to return to Blackstone Town, then wrote back inviting her to transfer to Treasure Island.
• Wu Heng gave Millicent Silver Coins to hire skilled chefs, urged her to keep gathering information, and promised to arrange skeletons to protect her.
• Wu Heng traveled to the Zombie World and met with Yang Long, Wu Jingguang, Qi Hancai, Li Yahong, Qiangzi, and the others at the shopping mall.
• Wu Jingguang invited Wu Heng to join the more secure shelter base built by the Provincial Rescue Team.

Wu Heng refused Wu Jingguang’s request to join the military shelter and prepared the Old Factory Area to operate a new market as Wu Jingguang planned to leave for the provincial region. On Treasure Island, Wu Heng debated attending the Serpent Emblem Conglomerate auction, then boarded its transport ship in disguise and learned the auction would take place aboard another vessel.

• Wu Jingguang told Wu Heng that his forces would leave before winter, but Wu Heng rejected his invitation to join the military shelter and declined to raise equipment prices immediately.
• After Wu Jingguang left, Qi Hancai proposed moving the trading market to a shopping center, and Wu Heng approved the plan while shifting development away from the county.
• Li Yahong brought Wu Heng more than thirty kilograms of gold and silver, then returned to the Bus Station; Wu Heng later traveled through the Portal to Treasure Island.
• Andeviel told Wu Heng that the Serpent Emblem Conglomerate auction would begin soon, and Wu Heng remained uncertain about attending because of the danger posed by his Wanted List notice.
• Wu Heng cleared nearby Zombies with the Skeleton Army and gained experience toward level 15.
• Wu Heng boarded the Serpent Emblem Conglomerate’s ship disguised as a middle-aged woman, and a staff member explained that the auction would be held aboard the St. Asia passenger liner and offered him concealment cloaks.

Wu Heng boarded the St. Asia passenger liner for the Serpent Emblem Conglomerate’s auction and explored its Trade Fair before bidding began. He bought a lightning-etched warhammer for Skullcrusher, then heard an offer to sell twenty enchanted longswords.

• A staff member explained the auction’s schedule and safety measures, and Wu Heng changed into a concealment cloak before leaving his ship.
• Wu Heng boarded the St. Asia passenger liner and explored its casino, Music Hall, and Performance Hall before finding Hall Five’s Trade Fair.
• At the Trade Fair, Wu Heng bought a Thunder War Hammer for two Gold Coins after its seller struggled to find a buyer.
• A new seller offered twenty longswords with sharpness effects for five thousand Silver Coins or equivalent items.

Wu Heng traded for weapons and magical goods at the Trade Fair, then attended an auction featuring valuable property rights and a powerful mansion spell. The auction had just introduced Mordencainen's Magnificent Mansion, which could create an interdimensional residence, as Wu Heng focused on its ability to store items or soldiers.

• Wu Heng bought twenty longswords for 5,600 silver.
• Wu Heng offered two Strength Enhancement Potions for a woman's sanity-restoring wondrous item, but they agreed to arrange the exchange later through the Serpent Emblem Conglomerate.
• Wu Heng bought a Fog Cloud Spell ring and acquired five sets of defensive armor and three shields at the Trade Fair.
• Wu Heng followed Kranmu to the auction, where bidders purchased mining and other property rights for hundreds to tens of thousands of gold coins.
• The auction host introduced Mordencainen's Magnificent Mansion, a difficult spell that could create an interdimensional home and store items or soldiers, and Wu Heng took notice.

Wu Heng attended an auction, bought several rare items—including a Skill Book, a Spatial Sachet, and the Evil Sword Silent Blade—and paid for them with gold jewelry. After the auction ended, the female auctioneer summoned him to a reception room, leaving the reason for the meeting unknown.

• Wu Heng bid 570 Gold Coins for the Skill Book containing Mordencainen's Magnificent Mansion, then bought a Spatial Sachet for 9,000 Gold Coins.
• Wu Heng bought the Guardian Gauntlets and several other Magic Items, drawing the crowd's attention as guest number 057.
• Wu Heng exchanged gold and silver jewelry for 4,211 Gold Coins, paid for his purchases, and kept 641 Gold Coins.
• Wu Heng won the final lot, Evil Sword Silent Blade, for 2,150 Gold Coins, and the auction concluded.
• A staff member told Wu Heng that the manager wanted to see him, and the female auctioneer asked him to sit in a reception room.

Wu Heng received an upgraded emblem from Lady Li after his lavish spending at the auction, then boarded a ship back to Treasure Island. On the voyage, he studied Mordencainen's Magnificent Mansion and learned it could create a residence in another dimension, leaving him wondering whether it could create a small world.

• Lady Li gave Wu Heng an upgraded emblem with discounts, free transport, protection, and access to the Serpent Emblem Conglomerate's network, and invited him to visit her in Lopes City.
• More than ten merchants approached Wu Heng outside the room and gave him their shop details; he showed interest in the Blanched Item Shop's weapon-type Magic Items.
• After Wu Heng left, Lady Li and the other auctioneer discussed his spending with an elderly human, who warned them not to violate the conglomerate's rules by following him.
• Wu Heng boarded the ship bound for Treasure Island and decided against taking a longer route to use the Ghost Train.
• Wu Heng read Mordencainen's Magnificent Mansion and learned that its spell used Mental Power to construct a residence in another dimension, including furnishings and servants.

Wu Heng returned from the consortium auction, discussed the association’s recent pirate troubles with Shiraque, and examined the items he had bought. He discovered the Silent Blade Evil Sword attacked every moving living unit within ten meters, including its user.

• Wu Heng disembarked after the auction and returned the cloaks he had borrowed.
• Wu Heng visited Andeviel at the association, then learned from Shiraque that pirate attacks had caused losses along the sea routes.
• Wu Heng returned home, told Minnie about the auction, and took a bath before examining his purchases.
• Wu Heng inspected the Spatial Sachet and found it contained 100 cubic meters of storage space.
• Wu Heng read that the Silent Blade Evil Sword attacked all moving living units within ten meters and could not distinguish its user.

Wu Heng inspected the Magic Items and auction purchases, assigning weapons to his skeletons and noting which equipment might suit his fighters. He then went to the Zombie World, where Qi Hancai reported that the new mall market was busier and that the military had returned to negotiate prices; Wu Heng asked whether they were leaving soon.

• Wu Heng put away the Evil Sword after considering its dangerous side effect, then examined the Magic Items he had bought.
• Wu Heng gave Skullcrusher the Thunder War Hammer and Kranmu the Fog Cloud Ring, and assessed the auction items for possible recipients.
• Wu Heng opened a Portal to the Zombie World, saw that the mall market was operating, and gave Four-Legged Skullcrusher's old war hammer.
• Qi Hancai told Wu Heng that more convoys were using the mall market and that the military had returned to negotiate the food exchange prices.
• Wu Heng asked Qi Hancai whether the military was leaving soon.

Wu Heng handled settlement business, distributed auction items to Minnie and Andeviel, and continued studying the Mansion Spell. The next morning, he asked Shiraque about Evil Swords and learned that the Silent Blade was rumored to kill every moving living creature within its range, including its wielder.

• Wu Heng agreed with Qi Hancai to make only modest price adjustments and planned to clear a Zombie Horde near the Commercial City.
• Wu Heng returned to Treasure Island, gave Minnie a Wind Thread Robe and Andeviel a Spatial Ring, and replaced the Skeleton Attendants' equipment.
• Wu Heng studied the Mansion Spell until he felt mentally strained, then let Granda and Xiaoxiao move around the house before taking a bath.
• Wu Heng asked Shiraque about Evil Swords, and she told him that the Silent Blade had been sold at the consortium's Year-End Auction and was rumored to kill all moving living creatures in range, including its wielder.

Wu Heng tested the Silent Blade Evil Sword while clearing Zombies at Commercial City and discovered that it could decapitate numerous enemies but killed its wielder when sheathed. After returning to Treasure Island, he contacted Philippa and promised to send her a cargo ship the next day.

• Wu Heng spoke with Shiraque about the Silent Blade Evil Sword, and she promised to investigate its previous wielder and how they used it.
• Wu Heng went to the Zombie World and led a convoy to Commercial City, where the Skeleton Flying Dragons bombed a Zombie Horde.
• Wu Heng gave the Silent Blade to a Skeleton Warrior, which used it to kill a level 10 Mutated Zombie and dozens of other Zombies before the sword killed the warrior when it sheathed itself.
• Wu Heng and Qi Hancai searched Commercial City, found 3D-printing equipment and materials for Zhang Chi, and collected Corpse Cores after raising new skeletons.
• Wu Heng returned to Treasure Island, called Philippa, and learned that her attempt to rob the Water Chestnut Merchant Group had failed.
• Wu Heng told Philippa he would arrange for the promised cargo ship to set sail the next day, and she thanked him enthusiastically.

Wu Heng set out to deliver a cargo ship to Philippa while testing a Skill Book, as Philippa faced a mutiny aboard the Iron Barrel Pirate Ship. After her crew seized Wu Heng’s ship as planned, her rival was suddenly killed, leaving her struggle for control unresolved.

• Wu Heng arranged with Philippa to stage a cargo-ship capture, reviewed his supplies and plans, and failed to unlock a skill after reading Mordencainen's Magnificent Mansion twice.
• Philippa’s crew challenged her captaincy, but she persuaded them to wait two days by promising them a merchant shipment.
• Wu Heng sailed along the Sinanya Shipping Route with a hold full of Skeletons and learned that the Skill Book still had not granted him a skill.
• Philippa and Wu Heng’s crew followed their plan: the pirates attacked the cargo ship, and Wu Heng escaped with his Skeletons in Wooden Boats.
• As the pirates celebrated taking the cargo ship, Philippa’s rival discussed murdering her, then his head suddenly exploded.

Philippa secured her position as captain and claimed the cargo ship's valuable cloth, while Wu Heng captured the Rapier Pirate Group after learning that mysterious letters had directed pirates toward his merchant ship. Back on Treasure Island, he contacted Philippa and confirmed she had received the Spatial Ring and Phantom Blade he had hidden for her.

• Philippa ordered the pirates to take cover while unseen attackers killed her rivals, then claimed the cloth cargo and appointed Kam captain of the secondary ship.
• Granda reported that Philippa had the pirates under control, and Wu Heng set out to find an island.
• Wu Heng identified the approaching Rapier Pirate Group and ordered Sharktooth and Kranmu to seize its ship; Kranmu killed the captain and defeated the pirates.
• Wu Heng questioned the dead captain and learned that a mysterious letter had sent the group after a merchant ship, while the Hand of the Demon Pirate Group was planning to kill Treasure Island's Vice Deacon.
• Wu Heng raised the association's flag, sailed to Treasure Island, and used Talk Radio to contact Philippa, who found the Spatial Ring and Phantom Blade he had left in her cabin.

Wu Heng warned Philippa that the Hand of the Demon might be planning to assassinate him, while Philippa tested the gifts he had sent and confirmed the potions enhanced strength. Back on Treasure Island, Wu Heng discussed weapons and armor with Shanala before approaching her as the maids played outside.

• Wu Heng explained the Phantom Blade and Strength Amplification Potions to Philippa, then warned her about the Hand of the Demon’s possible assassination plot.
• Philippa tested the Phantom Blade’s illusion effect, gave one potion to her parrot, and drank the other after seeing it transform the bird.
• Wu Heng warned Shanala to avoid going to sea and asked about ordering Magic Items and customized armor.
• Shanala recommended durable Fine Grade equipment for armies, and Wu Heng asked her to arrange custom armor for his unusual-sized friends.
• After Minnie and Andeviel went outside to play shuttlecock, Wu Heng approached Shanala, who shyly reminded him that they were still outside.

Wu Heng reported a pirate ambush to Imilo and learned that reaching level 15 brought profession-specific changes. He then traveled to the Zombie World to lead a convoy on a zombie-clearing mission.

• Wu Heng kissed Shanala, who urged him to reach level 15 before leaving.
• Wu Heng told Imilo that pirates had attacked his supply ship and that he suspected a leak at the port; Imilo agreed to investigate and ordered Moya to delay removing the dead pirate captain from the Wanted List.
• Imilo offered to help Philippa join the Whisperers if she supplied three valid pieces of intelligence about Level Three bounties.
• Shiraque explained that level 15 brought a new professional title and special changes, though she knew little about what happened to mages.
• Wu Heng went to the Zombie World, summoned Qi Hancai, and set out with a convoy to clear Zombies.