Chapter Summaries

Wu Heng persuaded Brittany to govern Netarei City as its Fifth Princess after the Association's investigation exposed the city's corruption. Questioning Lord Dasil's corpse revealed that Luciana and the Sacred Veneration Cult had ordered the killing of the local executive and the ambush on the Investigation Team.

• Wu Heng explained that Brittany had secretly joined the fleet, and the Association's elders agreed to consider her as Netarei City's new ruler.
• Wu Heng asked Brittany whether she still wanted to restore the Kingdom, and she agreed to govern the city and stabilize it.
• Wu Heng told Tapani and the other elders that Brittany had accepted, then used Talk with Dead to question Lord Dasil's corpse.
• Lord Dasil's corpse said Luciana had killed the local executive because he discovered the cult's identity and might report it to the Association.
• The corpse said Luciana had ordered the ambush because the Investigation Team had found important evidence, and identified the cult as the Sacred Veneration Cult.

Wu Heng uncovered that the First Prince’s cult-backed faction had used the President Commander to kill a local deacon, then forced Lord Dasil to help cover it up. With Netarei City under the Fifth Princess Brittany’s control, Wu Heng stayed at the Lord’s Mansion to protect her and investigate further, while Shanala decided to come with money to acquire local assets.

• Wu Heng explained that the Sacred Veneration Cult’s protector had killed the local deacon, and the Association assigned him and Brittany to take control of Netarei City.
• Wu Heng told Brittany what had happened and brought her to the Lord’s Mansion, where they found it empty and largely stripped of valuables.
• Wu Heng left skeletons to guard the mansion while he and Brittany met with the local officials, as Philippa took the naval port and the Association secured the city walls.
• Wu Heng sent letters to the Association and stayed at the Lord’s Mansion to guard Brittany and search for more evidence.
• Wu Heng contacted Minnie and the others by radio and described the city’s devastation; Shanala said she would come the next day with money to acquire local assets.

Wu Heng considered buying Netarei City properties after the fighting and planned to build his reputation by aligning himself with the Fifth Princess. He ended the day back at the mansion, where Philippa used her bet victory to make Brittany serve her.

• Wu Heng agreed with Shanala to consider buying city assets, and she prepared to bring funds from Treasure Island.
• Wu Heng reflected that the Sacred Veneration Cult backed the First Prince and believed the Association’s investigation would undermine his claim to the throne.
• Granda and the other ghosts reported no high-level threats in the city, though unrest and fights continued under increased Association patrols.
• Beni explained that families were confronting former Conscription Team members over people who had been forcibly taken away and never returned.
• Wu Heng returned to the mansion and found Brittany and the little waitress serving Philippa, who had won their bet and insisted Brittany work for her for a month.

Wu Heng helped stabilize the city after the Lord’s death, bought bard Skill Books and a ring, then joined Qi Hancai for negotiations with Korea's Central Broadcast Station. The meeting ended with David offering to sell them a satellite, with the price still to be discussed.

• Philippa reported that the Association had received her letter and praised her performance, while Wu Heng and Brittany reassured each other after their private wager.
• The Fifth Princess began taking over the city, and Wu Heng attended Elder Tapani’s meeting about reopening the port, city defenses, and Patrol Team duties.
• Wu Heng told the armor shop proprietress that the Lord was dead and the Fifth Princess had taken over, then bought four bard Skill Books and a General Language Ring.
• Wu Heng traveled to the Zombie World and joined Qi Hancai’s convoy to meet David and representatives of Korea's Central Broadcast Station.
• David offered to sell Qi Hancai a satellite, and she asked what price he had in mind.

Qi Hancai negotiated with David over a satellite and a joint research project, while Wu Heng received updates on the base and the Association’s investigation. The chapter ended with Shiraque contacting Wu Heng to ask about his safety and the case as Wen Mansha prepared Luntam City to face the Yeke Kingdom’s approaching army.

• Qi Hancai offered David ten tons of food for a satellite and deferred his proposal for a joint research project; Wu Heng agreed to wait for David’s response.
• Qi Hancai told Wu Heng that Gao Rong’s autocannon production line had passed testing and that the skeletons trained to fly airplanes had returned.
• Shi Yali told Shiraque that Wu Heng had killed the city lord, exposed the level 18 boxer behind the deacon’s murder, and rescued the Association’s Investigation Team; Shiraque decided to visit Wu Heng that night.
• Brittany told Wu Heng that the military camp had a new commander, Hilde, and that the Town Hall and port had reopened; Philippa reported that her fleet was being repaired.
• Wen Mansha learned that nearly ten thousand Yeke Kingdom troops were advancing on Luntam City and ordered representatives of the allied tribes to meet about resisting them.
• Shiraque and Shi Yali arrived at the Island Master’s Manor, and Shiraque spoke to Wu Heng over the radio about his safety and the case.

Wu Heng borrowed two skill books from Janvito, then returned to the Zombie World and gave Zhao Yanqiu several translated skills and a language ring. Zhao Yanqiu asked Xiaoxiao to leave so she could speak privately with Wu Heng, who asked what Xiaoxiao had told her.

• Wu Heng reassured Shiraque that the Investigation Team was safe and discussed his delayed return from Netarei City.
• Janvito lent Wu Heng the Summon Lightning and Summon Arrow Rain skill books after Wu Heng offered him a watch.
• Wu Heng returned to the Zombie World and learned from Qi Hancai that the ships were ready to depart.
• Zhao Yanqiu came to collect translated skill books, and Wu Heng explained four skills and gave her a General Language Ring.
• Zhao Yanqiu sent Xiaoxiao away and told Wu Heng she did not know what choice was right, prompting him to ask what Xiaoxiao had told her.

Wu Heng agreed with Zhao Yanqiu to spend time with Xiaoxiao before deciding whether they would live together, then learned and tested Summon Lightning and Summon Arrow Rain. Several days later, he returned to the Military Factory to inspect its newly assembled autocannon production line.

• Wu Heng and Zhao Yanqiu agreed to spend time with Xiaoxiao first and decide what to do afterward.
• Wu Heng sailed away from the harbor, learned Summon Lightning and Summon Arrow Rain, and tested the spells by turning bullets and crossbow bolts into spreading volleys.
• Several days later, Wu Heng landed at the Military Factory, where Gao Rong offered to show him the assembled autocannon production line.

Wu Heng oversaw autocannon production and research at the base, then traveled to Xinfu City to collect gold and Corpse Cores from Li Yahong. Back at Netarei City, he agreed to a mutual defense arrangement with Brittany and reunited with Shanala, ending the chapter in her room.

• Wu Heng inspected the autocannon workshops, assigned level 10 Skeleton Workers to production, and asked Gao Rong to prepare a truck for Kadyrov's battery research.
• Qiangzi showed Wu Heng the improved fifth-generation Stab-Proof Vest, while Kadyrov reported progress on vehicle batteries.
• Wu Heng traveled to Xinfu City, collected gold and Corpse Cores from Li Yahong, and stayed with her overnight.
• Wu Heng returned to Netarei City, learned headquarters had sent no new orders, and continued assembling his electromagnetic cannon.
• Brittany proposed that Treasure Island defend Netarei City in exchange for fifteen percent of annual tax revenue, and Wu Heng agreed while discussing further city construction.
• Wu Heng used a new teleportation skill to appear in Shanala's room, reassured her and her Female Butler, and embraced Shanala after the butler left.

Wu Heng reunited with Shanala, arranged for her to order steel and consider a potion auction, then sent Alchemy Skeletons to learn tablet production at a pharmaceutical factory. The chapter ended as his Skeleton Army opened fire on a human force at the border between Luntam City and the Yeke Kingdom.

• Wu Heng and Shanala reunited, and she revealed that she had encouraged Brittany to station troops on Treasure Island after investing in local businesses.
• Wu Heng gave Shanala a list of steel goods to order, and she planned to contact Minnie and a merchant guild; they also discussed holding a second Potion Auction once the Association sent news.
• Wu Heng and Li Yahong brought three Alchemy Skeletons to the pharmaceutical factory, where Yang Qiu agreed to teach them how to make tablets from potions.
• At the border between Luntam City and the Yeke Kingdom, Jeffrey reported an approaching human army to the President Commander, a skeleton wearing a Pink Sun Hat.
• The Skeleton Army advanced behind Door-Sized Greatshields and fired its first shot at the charging human soldiers.

Wu Heng learned that Luntam City’s skeleton army and Orc allies had routed the Yeke Kingdom’s forces, then received an Association appointment as an Inspector authorized to inspect all regions. The chapter left him with the new appointment after the Association rewarded his role in the Netarei City case.

• The skeleton army devastated the Yeke Kingdom’s charging forces, and the Orcs pursued the fleeing soldiers while the old shaman warned the tribes to maintain good relations with Luntam City.
• Wu Heng returned from Netarei City and contacted Wen Mansha, who reported the skeletons had suffered no casualties and were advancing toward the Yeke Kingdom’s border.
• Wen Mansha told Wu Heng that Luntam City had bound the Orc Alliance to it and planned to spread newspapers and stories about Detective Wu Heng among the tribes.
• Elder Tapani gave Wu Heng an appointment letter awarding him first-class merit and naming him an Association Inspector authorized to inspect all regions.

Wu Heng received a Level 1 Merit and became an Association inspector while awaiting new elders who would investigate the Yeke Kingdom. After visiting Treasure Island and preparing for future projects, he returned to Netarei City and encountered a powerful hero.

• Tapani told Wu Heng that he had been appointed an inspector and that new elders would arrive to investigate the Yeke Kingdom; Wu Heng wrote to request the remaining pieces of the Hundred Weapons Set as his merit reward.
• Wu Heng learned from Wen Mansha that the Skeleton Army had captured a Yeke Kingdom border city, and he told her to have Luntam City's local executive notify Association Headquarters.
• Wu Heng traveled to Treasure Island, updated Minnie and the other maids, and discussed preparations for power plant construction with Mr. Costas.
• Wu Heng collected supplies from Treasure Island and returned to Netarei City, where Granda spotted a Level Twenty hero in a white cape approaching.
• Wu Heng and the hero sensed each other's pressure, exchanged nods, and passed one another.

Wu Heng learned that the burly stranger was Dragon, the strongest hero and leader of the Serpent Emblem Conglomerate, while asking Tapani about heroes and necromancy. Dragon left Netarei City for the Yeke Kingdom Capital, and Wu Heng was left tracking his movements.

• Wu Heng saw a burly stranger on the road, then visited Tapani at the Association to ask about the ships and the possibility of cultists entering the city.
• Tapani explained the difficulties of becoming a hero and named several heroes from other factions, including Dragon, the strongest hero and leader of the Serpent Emblem Conglomerate.
• Wu Heng suspected the stranger was Dragon and asked Tapani about contacting the Immortal Emperor to trade for Necromancy School Skill Books.
• Dragon inspected the former Serpent Emblem Conglomerate site, learned Wu Heng was investigating the case, and ordered his group to leave the city.
• Granda reported to Wu Heng that Dragon had left Netarei City and headed toward the Yeke Kingdom Capital.

Wu Heng recounted the Yeke Kingdom investigation to the Association Headquarters’ new Investigation Team, which assigned him to protect the sea route and handle its logistics. The team prepared to continue its investigation while Wu Heng’s role left him responsible for the supply line.

• Wu Heng learned that other merchant groups had arrived in Netarei City to gather information and told Shanala and Philippa to take extra guards when they went out.
• Wu Heng delivered food and materials to the Zombie World, where Li Yahong arranged for the supplies to be distributed and copied cartoons and movies for him.
• The Association Headquarters’ ships arrived in Netarei City with four level 18 professionals, and Philippa accompanied Wu Heng to meet them.
• Wu Heng detailed the case for Elder Daniel’s Investigation Team, including the White Wings Gang, fabricated evidence, the disguised old man, and the Sacred Veneration Cult’s support for the First Prince.
• Daniel assigned Tapani and Janvito to remain in Netarei City and told Wu Heng to secure the sea route and transport and resupply the Investigation Team.

Wu Heng learned that a new team would investigate the Yeke Kingdom while he handled logistics, a reassignment he welcomed because the capital seemed dangerous. The investigators noticed his relief and wondered whether he knew something, while Wu Heng planned to secure the sea route and continue developing Treasure Island.

• Daniel assigned Tapani and Janvito to remain in Netarei City and told Wu Heng to oversee the sea route and supply transport while the new team investigated the Yeke Kingdom.
• Tapani reassured Wu Heng that the leaders had their reasons, and Wu Heng said he was content to contribute from the rear and planned to return to Treasure Island.
• Daniel and the other investigators discussed Wu Heng's reaction, and one investigator pointed out that he had seemed relieved not to join the team.
• Daniel decided to ask Tapani for more information about Wu Heng and told the team to prepare to leave for Chellu the next morning.
• Wu Heng told Granda he would follow the logistics plan, develop Treasure Island, and gather fame in Netarei City, then Philippa announced that Shanala and the others had returned.

Wu Heng arranged logistics and security for the new Investigation Team while reassuring Brittany that Netarei City would remain tied to Treasure Island. After the team departed, he prepared to return to Treasure Island, where Shi Yali suggested calling him that night.

• Wu Heng told Brittany and Shanala that Treasure Island would continue supporting Netarei City, assigned himself and Philippa supply and route-security duties, and asked Shanala to stay with Brittany.
• Brittany asked Wu Heng whether the Investigation Team’s inquiry into the Yeke Kingdom would endanger the royal family, and he urged her to accept accountability and prepare to restore the kingdom.
• Granda told Wu Heng that Brittany’s dependence on him could make her easier to manage, and Wu Heng later joined Shanala in bed.
• Daniel led the new Investigation Team toward Chellu, while Tapani and Wu Heng agreed to support them and exchange intelligence.
• Shi Yali complained that she was bored and proposed going to the Island Master's Manor that night to call Wu Heng, prompting Shiraque to frown at her.

Wu Heng returned to Treasure Island after seeing the Skeleton Army’s advance in the Yeke Kingdom and hearing conflicting rumors about Netarei City. As Slyther learned that cults had gathered in Erjiluo City and needed to send a warning to Treasure Island, Shiraque attacked a figure appearing in a teleportation formation at the Deacon’s Mansion.

• Wu Heng returned to Treasure Island with the Three Wraiths and heard island residents spreading contradictory rumors about the Association, the royal family, and the cult.
• Wu Heng reunited with Minnie, Robbie, Annette, and Andeviel, arranged for supplies to be sent to Netarei City, and told the maids that level 20 heroes were heading toward the kingdom’s Main City.
• Nobles in Blackstone Town asked Slyther to protect them from the approaching Skeleton Army, and she agreed to shelter them at the Association if danger came.
• Slyther received a letter saying several cults had gathered in Erjiluo City to plan something against the Yeke Kingdom, and she decided to pass the warning to Treasure Island through Luntam City’s army.
• Shiraque saw a teleportation formation appear at the Deacon’s Mansion and attacked the figure as it materialized.

Wu Heng returned to Treasure Island, reunited with Shiraque and Shi Yali, and gave them magical weapons before discussing plans for the island. After leaving with Shiraque, he teleported them to her study, where they embraced and kissed.

• Wu Heng surprised Shiraque in the courtyard, nearly getting struck by her sword before they recognized each other.
• Shi Yali arrived, welcomed Wu Heng inside, and served him flower tea.
• Wu Heng gave Shiraque a gem-studded shortsword and Shi Yali a magic longbow, then told them he planned to bring electricity to every household on Treasure Island.
• Wu Heng described his plans for a cinema, then said goodbye as night fell.
• Wu Heng teleported with Shiraque to her study, where they kissed and began undressing.

Shiraque and Wu Heng became intimate, and Shi Yali teased her sister while discussing Wu Heng’s chances of becoming a hero. The next morning, a newspaper filled with major announcements drew crowds across the island, especially to hear Saban recount the real Netarei City Steward Disappearance Case.

• Wu Heng and Shiraque kissed and became intimate, though Shiraque stopped him from going further.
• Shiraque returned home late, where Shi Yali spotted the marks on her neck and teased her about Wu Heng.
• Shi Yali reassured Shiraque that Wu Heng might become a hero and discussed his prospects with her.
• Newsboys announced a new issue of the newspaper, including plans to bring electric lights to residents and the Netarei City Steward Disappearance Case.
• Residents crowded Golden Sail Tavern, and Saban announced that the newspaper’s account of the case was based on real events before beginning with the intelligence.

Saban told the Golden Sail Tavern how Wu Heng exposed Netarei City’s cultist President Commander and corrupt lord, then killed the lord and saved the Investigation Team. Meanwhile, Wu Heng reviewed Wen Mansha’s rapid advance through the Yeke Kingdom, the public reaction to his story and the planned electric lights, before heading to the Zombie World with the Three Wraiths.

• Saban announced the Manor’s plan to survey residents about installing electric lights, then began recounting the Investigation Team’s case in Netarei City.
• The Investigation Team arrested the White Wings Gang leader and a Serpent Emblem Conglomerate elder, then discovered that the city’s President Commander was a cultist who had arranged the murder and planted misleading evidence with the lord’s help.
• As the army surrounded the Association, Elder Tapani fought the President Commander while Wu Heng charged off alone and killed the lord; Wu Heng later returned with the corpse, causing the troops to scatter and allowing the Association to take control of Netarei City.
• At the opera house, the performers realized that Brittany was the Fifth Princess and discussed their past rehearsals with her.
• Wen Mansha reported that her army had taken two more cities and was approaching Blackstone Town; Wu Heng told her to restrain her orc allies and considered the army’s next steps.
• Granda, Xiaoxiao, and Beni reported that the newspaper’s account of Wu Heng’s rescue had made him popular and that residents were open to electric lights if they were affordable; Wu Heng then left with the Three Wraiths for the Zombie World.

Wu Heng restored factories, prepared a movie night for the residents of Treasure Island, and oversaw aid for Netarei City as a Skeleton Army took Blackstone Town. He finished assembling an Electromagnetic Cannon and went to test it, while the Dragon Trafficking Team’s chief demanded an explanation from Treasure Island over a missing fleet.

• Wu Heng and Li Yahong selected factories for restoration, assigned skeletons to learn their operations, and Wu Heng took a Home Theater set back to Treasure Island.
• Wu Heng installed the theater and screened The Lord of the Rings One for the maids, Shiraque, Shi Yali, and Mackintosh.
• Wu Heng arranged supplies and a construction team for Netarei City, while Slyther opened Blackstone Town’s gates to the Skeleton Army and sent a letter to Treasure Island.
• Wu Heng completed the Electromagnetic Cannon assembly and traveled to Cocktail Island to test it.
• The Dragon Trafficking Team’s chief said he would continue trading with Wu Heng only if Treasure Island provided a satisfactory explanation for the missing fleet.