Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe discovers a mysterious line of Chinese characters on the wall of the underground area, warning of a dead end.
• He realizes that the line exists in both the old and new Vanessa Castles, suggesting they are not parallel worlds but one Castle with a synchronization phenomenon.
• Ning Zhe understands that the synchronization is similar to Xia Yubing's two notebooks, with the outer world's Castle being renovated and the inner world's remaining unchanged.
• He deduces that the words he carves into the wall appear in both versions because the load-bearing structure was not replaced during renovation.
• Ning Zhe wonders if the two Castles are Bestowal Artifacts or if a source Ghost is responsible for their synchronization.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe demonstrates his analytical skills and deductive reasoning, piecing together the mystery of the Castle's synchronization.
• He shows determination and courage by jumping into the ruptured heating pipe despite the unknown dangers.

Significant Themes

• The exploration of truth and hidden secrets within the Castle.
• The concept of parallel worlds and their synchronization.
• The role of Bestowal Artifacts and their potential connection to the Castle.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe interacts with the Castle's environment and its hidden messages, using his intellect to uncover its mysteries.
• His actions and thoughts are the primary focus of the chapter, with no other characters present.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe navigates through a pipe leading to the boiler room in Vanessa Castle's basement.
• He finds warning messages carved into the floor and doorframes, advising not to go deeper due to ghosts beneath the Castle.
• A third message appears, asking about an incident involving Van Dyke and his cousin Eddie Dyck at Danzig Royal Military Academy.
• Ning Zhe communicates with Lan Shiwen through messages carved on the floor, learning about the Disqualified and Vanessa Castle's purpose as a prison for them.
• He discovers that Vanessa Castle is built using the core rules of two Ghosts, Supreme Yin and Xi Zhao.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe demonstrates his adaptability and problem-solving skills by deciphering the messages and communicating with Lan Shiwen.
• Lan Shiwen shows his knowledge about the Disqualified and Vanessa Castle, revealing his resourcefulness and understanding of the world's rules.

Significant Themes

• The theme of communication and understanding, as Ning Zhe and Lan Shiwen exchange information through carved messages.
• The exploration of the rules governing the world and the consequences of not mastering them, as seen with the Disqualified.
• The concept of imprisonment and the struggle for freedom, represented by Vanessa Castle as a prison for the Disqualified.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe and Lan Shiwen interact through carved messages, with Lan Shiwen providing crucial information about Vanessa Castle and the Disqualified.
• Ning Zhe's past encounter with Van Dyke and Eddie Dyck is referenced, connecting to the current situation in the Castle.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lan Shiwen, an Ascendant, carves a warning message into the boiler room floor before leaving, advising Ning Zhe to destroy the words to avoid being traced.
• Ning Zhe erases the message and decides to explore Vanessa Castle's secrets despite the risks.
• Ning Zhe learns that Vanessa Castle's abnormal time flow is due to a ghost named Great Yin, and the parallel worlds are caused by another ghost, Xi Zhao. However, neither ghost is present in the Castle.
• Ning Zhe finds a hidden door leading deeper into the Castle, but feels a strong sense of danger and fear before opening it.

Character Developments

• Lan Shiwen shows concern for Ning Zhe's safety and provides crucial information about Vanessa Castle.
• Ning Zhe demonstrates determination and bravery in his pursuit of the Castle's secrets, despite the risks and the influence of Awakening Origin's Thought Imprint.

Significant Themes

• The influence of ghosts and their Bestowal Artifacts on the living.
• The dangers of secrets and the consequences of keeping information too hidden.
• The struggle against external influences, such as Awakening Origin's Thought Imprint.

Character Interactions

• Lan Shiwen and Ning Zhe communicate through messages carved into the boiler room floor, showing a level of trust and cooperation.
• Ning Zhe's internal struggle with Awakening Origin's influence highlights his determination to uncover Vanessa Castle's secrets and resist external control.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter begins with the author starting a new year, specifically the Year of the Snake, which is significant as it's the author's zodiac year.
• The author resolves to study hard in the new year.

Character Developments

• The author: Shows determination and a sense of renewed purpose for the new year, indicating a growth in self-motivation and responsibility.

Significant Themes

• New Beginnings: The chapter emphasizes the fresh start that a new year brings, encouraging reflection and resolution.
• Personal Growth: The author's resolution to study hard suggests a desire for self-improvement and personal development.

Character Interactions

• There are no character interactions mentioned in this chapter, as it is focused solely on the author's personal thoughts and resolutions for the new year.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe finds himself in the old Vanessa Castle after a flood, having fallen from the underground corridor.
• He discovers a black-iron hanging bell that proves he's in the old castle.
• A gaunt, shaved-headed mummy appears, circling the bell, but can't see or interact with Ning Zhe due to the corpse-oil lamp's effect.
• Ning Zhe follows the mummy down the stairs.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe demonstrates resilience and determination despite his injuries.
• Baizhi shows concern and relief upon seeing Ning Zhe, revealing her attachment to him.

Significant Themes

• The divide between the past and present, represented by the corpse-oil lamp's effect.
• The theme of waiting and endurance, seen in Baizhi's behavior.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe and the mummy have a tense, silent standoff around the bell, highlighting their inability to interact due to the lamp's effect.
• Baizhi and Ning Zhe share a moment of recognition and relief, using a code phrase to confirm each other's identities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe and Baizhi encounter Spencer, a ghost from another world, in Vanessa Castle.
• Ning Zhe theorizes that the ghosts in the castle are influenced by a special rule and driven by commands from an unknown ghost.
• He plans to test his theory by having Baizhi expose herself to the light to see if Spencer attacks her, risking her life in the process.

Character Developments

• Baizhi: Shows bravery and trust in Ning Zhe, agreeing to risk her life to help him test his theory.
• Ning Zhe: Demonstrates confidence in his abilities and willingness to gamble on his theory, showing a level of recklessness.

Significant Themes

• Trust: Baizhi's trust in Ning Zhe leads her to take a significant risk.
• Risk and Reward: Ning Zhe believes that the potential reward of uncovering the castle's secret outweighs the risk to Baizhi's life.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe and Baizhi: Ning Zhe tries to convince Baizhi to take a risk, and she agrees, showing trust in him.
• Spencer and Baizhi: Spencer is drawn to Baizhi when she stands in the light, but his actions are uncertain due to conflicting commands.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe and Baizhi explore the Castle's secret passage, encountering Spencer, a ghost driven to attack them.
• Spencer is missing his left little finger, and later, Cynthia, another ghost, is found missing her right little finger.
• Ning Zhe realizes that the ghosts are fighting among themselves due to conflicting rules, and they manage to escape back to the lord's bedroom.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe demonstrates calm and strategic thinking under pressure, using his knowledge of ghosts to outmaneuver Spencer and Cynthia.
• Baizhi shows courage and resilience, facing her fears to help Ning Zhe.

Significant Themes

• Control and Manipulation: The ghosts are controlled by an unknown force, leading to internal conflict and violence.
• Identity and Appearance: The ghosts' missing fingers serve as a physical marker of their true nature, highlighting the theme of identity and deception.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe and Baizhi: Their bond strengthens as they face danger together, with Ning Zhe protecting Baizhi and both relying on each other for support.
• Spencer and Cynthia: Their past connection as classmates and friends is complicated by their current states as ghosts, leading to a tense standoff.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe deduces that the "tiger's minions" in Vanessa Castle are not the ones killing people but are controlled by a "tiger demon."
• He realizes that the Disqualified person imprisoned in the Castle is a necromancer who can enslave the dead, and his death causes those he killed to become tiger's minions.
• Vanessa Castle's location changed due to a landslide, and the necromancer's imprisonment chamber is now beneath the clock tower.
• Ning Zhe decides to break the ghost's Rule by having Baizhi kill him in the dream, so he can wake up and confront the ghost in reality.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe's understanding of the ghost's Rule deepens, leading him to a plan to break it.
• Baizhi shows loyalty and willingness to help Ning Zhe, following his instructions without question.

Significant Themes

• The theme of imprisonment and escape is further explored, with the necromancer's imprisonment and eventual escape from his cage.
• The power dynamics between the Flimmisret Family and the necromancer are revealed, highlighting the family's attempt to control and contain the evil ghost.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe and Baizhi's interaction shows their growing trust and reliance on each other, with Baizhi following Ning Zhe's instructions to kill him in the dream.
• Ning Zhe's conversation with Baizhi helps him organize his thoughts and solidify his plan to break the ghost's Rule.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe wakes up after being unconscious for two days due to Great Yin's influence.
• He learns that Fusuolesi Millicato, a friend of Van Dyke, came looking for him at Vivian Port.
• Ning Zhe borrows Fusuolesi's private jet to fly to Vanessa Castle, while Xia Yubing attends the swimsuit show in his place.
• Fusuolesi tells Xia Yubing about Vivian Port's impending abandonment due to ground sinking.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe: Shows concern for Xia Yubing's health and well-being, demonstrating a protective side.
• Xia Yubing: Displays curiosity and a desire to experience new things, but also shows unhappiness at being left behind.
• Fusuolesi Millicato: Reveals his business acumen and knowledge of Vivian Port's history, showing a sophisticated and polite demeanor.

Significant Themes

• The consequences of unchecked exploitation and greed, as seen in the Millicato Family's business practices and Vivian Port's impending abandonment.
• The tension between progress and preservation, represented by the need to abandon Vivian Port for a new deepwater port.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe and Xia Yubing: Show a friendly and comfortable rapport, with Ning Zhe caring for Xia Yubing's well-being and Xia Yubing showing unhappiness at being left behind.
• Fusuolesi Millicato and Xia Yubing: Display polite and respectful interactions, with Fusuolesi acting as a knowledgeable guide and Xia Yubing showing interest in learning about Vivian Port's history.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xia Yubing accompanies Fusuolesi to the grand market in Vivian Port.
• Fusuolesi hints at Van Dyk missing something important due to his sudden departure.
• Ning Zhe arrives at Vanessa Castle, finding it sealed off due to a theft.
• Ning Zhe uses the Almanac's favorable items to aid his journey.

Character Developments

• Xia Yubing shows curiosity and annoyance at Fusuolesi's mysterious hints.
• Ning Zhe demonstrates strategic thinking and caution in approaching Vanessa Castle.

Significant Themes

• The importance of timing and opportunity, as seen in Fusuolesi's regret over Van Dyk's missed chance.
• The power of luck and preparation, as Ning Zhe uses the Almanac's favorable items to his advantage.

Character Interactions

• Xia Yubing and Fusuolesi have a tense, indirect conversation about Van Dyk's absence.
• Ning Zhe interacts with a police officer to gather information about Vanessa Castle.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe encounters the Lamp-Blowing Ghost, who extinguishes Officer Banuto's life and allows Ning Zhe to impersonate him.
• Ning Zhe discovers the black umbrella's purpose: to protect against an unknown Ascendant's dangerous ghost connected to umbrellas.
• Chief Ebnick and Ning Zhe (as Banuto) investigate the Castle and find clues leading to the storeroom, but are barred from entering by a guard following orders from the special task force.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe demonstrates his adaptability and quick thinking by impersonating Officer Banuto and gathering information about the special task force and the Ascendant's rules.
• Chief Ebnick shows stubbornness and determination in his investigation, disregarding the guard's orders to enter the storeroom.

Significant Themes

• The power of impersonation and deception, as Ning Zhe uses Banuto's identity to gain access to information and areas within the Castle.
• The theme of following orders versus personal judgment, as Chief Ebnick disregards the guard's orders to enter the storeroom.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe and Chief Ebnick work together to investigate the Castle, with Ning Zhe providing valuable insights and assistance.
• Ning Zhe and the guard at the boiler room have a brief interaction, with the guard attempting to prevent Chief Ebnick from entering the storeroom.
• Ning Zhe and the Lamp-Blowing Ghost have a silent, one-sided interaction, with the ghost extinguishing Banuto's life and allowing Ning Zhe to take his place.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chief Ebnick forces his way into the warehouse where the investigative team is examining clues.
• The team is revealed to be playing Chinese chess using a special Bestowal Artifact.
• Officers Carmack and John return from the secret passages, and the team inspects them for injuries.
• John is revealed to be a Ghost and takes Chief Ebnick hostage.

Character Developments

• Chief Ebnick: Shows impulsiveness and lack of caution, but also concern for the case and his officers.
• Ning Zhe/Van Dyke: Observes the scene carefully, showing intelligence and adaptability.
• The Investigative Team: Revealed to be experienced and cautious, using the chess set as a tool for their investigation.
• Officer John: Revealed to be a Ghost, indicating that the intruder might not be an outsider but someone within the Castle.

Significant Themes

• Trust and suspicion: The team's caution and inspection of Carmack and John highlight the theme of trust and suspicion among the characters.
• The unknown intruder: The revelation that John is a Ghost raises questions about the true identity of the intruder and the extent of the threat.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe and the Investigative Team: Ning Zhe observes the team, while they are initially hostile towards him and Chief Ebnick.
• Chief Ebnick and the Investigative Team: The chief's impulsive actions cause tension with the team, but they work together to handle the situation with John.
• Ning Zhe and Officer John: Ning Zhe tries to calm John down, showing concern for his safety despite the tension.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Officer John, a ghost servant, holds Chief Ebnick at gunpoint.
• Prumelia, a member of the Flimmisret Family, reverses time using a chessboard, causing events to repeat.
• Officer John is shot and killed by Meilin, Prumelia's butler, after being identified as a ghost servant.
• Prumelia moves a "cannon" piece on the chessboard, suggesting another time loop is about to begin.

Character Developments

• Officer John is revealed to be a ghost servant, retaining his intelligence and memories.
• Prumelia demonstrates her ability to control time using a chessboard.
• Ning Zhe retains his memories across time loops, unlike other characters.

Significant Themes

• The power of the Flimmisret Family and their necromancer abilities.
• The intelligence and free will of ghost servants in the real world.
• The rules governing time loops and memory retention.

Character Interactions

• Prumelia orders Meilin to shoot Officer John, revealing her authority and the butler's loyalty.
• Chief Ebnick expresses outrage at Prumelia's actions, showing his dedication to justice and the law.
• Ning Zhe observes the events, trying to understand the rules governing time loops and his own role in them.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Investigators arrive, disarm Sheriff Ebnick and his team, and take control of the situation.
• Sheriff Ebnick issues orders to stop all activity, remove gloves, and check officers' fingers to ensure they're living people.
• Officers gather, and three are found missing.
• The female butler, Meilin, orders officers to evacuate Vanessa Castle immediately.

Character Developments

• Sheriff Ebnick realizes the severity of the situation and cooperates with the investigators.
• Ning Zhe (disguised as Banuto) learns about the gunshots he missed and becomes more alert.
• The girl in the black dress (Princess?) maintains her composure and gives orders through Meilin.

Significant Themes

• Trust and identity verification (finger checks).
• Urgency and danger (investigators' professionalism, evacuation orders).
• Communication and cooperation (investigators' clear instructions, officers' swift response).

Character Interactions

• Sheriff Ebnick and the man in the leather jacket: Sheriff Ebnick surrenders control to the investigator, showing understanding and cooperation.
• Ning Zhe (Banuto) and his colleagues: Ning Zhe learns about the gunshots he missed, causing him to question what happened inside the clock tower.
• Meilin and the Princess: Meilin follows the Princess's orders, acting as her spokesperson and ensuring the officers evacuate promptly.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The police officers, reluctant to leave Vanessa Castle due to concerns about overtime pay, are persuaded to evacuate by Meilin's promise of additional compensation.
• Susie, a police officer, stays behind to search for her missing brother, Sunak, who had been investigating inside the castle.
• Meilin, the leather-jacketed man, and the investigation team discover that Sunak and two other officers have gone missing. They suspect that the 'necromancer' sealed underground has been released and is affecting the real world.
• The team decides to search for the missing officers inside the clock tower, with Susie and Chief Ebnick joining them.

Character Developments

• Meilin demonstrates her leadership and persuasive skills in convincing the officers to leave.
• The leather-jacketed man shows concern for the missing officers and determination to find them.
• Susie displays worry and determination to find her brother.
• Princess Prumelia remains calm and composed, playing chess against herself while the others evacuate.

Significant Themes

• The power of persuasion and incentives (Meilin's offer to the officers).
• The consequences of delayed action (the Flimmisret Family's one-step-late intervention).
• The inevitability of conflict once certain knowledge is gained (the Ascendant's rule).

Character Interactions

• Meilin interacts with the police officers, using her charm and promises to persuade them to leave.
• The leather-jacketed man and Meilin work together, with him leading the search team and her ensuring Princess Prumelia's safety.
• Susie interacts with Meilin, seeking her help in finding her brother.
• Meilin and Princess Prumelia stand guard together, highlighting their close bond and mutual respect.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ning Zhe reaches the Grand Gallery of the Clock Tower and observes Prumelia.
• He deduces the rules of Prumelia's chessboard: it affects only those within the game, and a 'takeback' only affects conditions within the game.
• The investigation team, led by the leather-clad man, reaches the Second Floor and prepares to go to the third floor.
• They search the third-floor exhibition hall but find nothing unusual.

Character Developments

• Ning Zhe demonstrates his analytical skills and understanding of Prumelia's chessboard.
• The leather-clad man shows leadership and caution while leading the investigation team.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between Prumelia and the other characters, reflecting her control over the game and the castle.
• The theme of knowledge and understanding, as Ning Zhe pieces together the rules of the chessboard.

Character Interactions

• Ning Zhe observes Prumelia from a distance, trying to understand her motives and abilities.
• The leather-clad man communicates with Butler Meilin and the investigation team, ensuring they stay together and are cautious.
• Officer Susie shares information about her brother's last call, adding to the mystery of the missing officers.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The investigation team searches Moonview Terrace but finds no trace of Sunak and his team.
• They learn about a secret escape passage and an interrogation room used by the Flimmisret Family.
• The team enters the interrogation room, but Prumelia identifies Susie, who has an intact right hand, as a Servant Ghost.
• Prumelia takes back a move, returning Vanessa Castle to before the team entered the interrogation room.

Character Developments

• Susie's true nature as a ghost is revealed.
• Prumelia demonstrates her power to manipulate time, saving the investigation team from danger.
• Meilin acts as a intermediary between Prumelia and the investigation team.

Significant Themes

• The power of time manipulation and its consequences.
• The deception and danger posed by ghosts.
• The dark history of the Flimmisret Family.

Character Interactions

• Meilin communicates with Dejinhansa, the leader of the investigation team, through wireless earpieces.
• Prumelia interacts with Meilin, providing crucial information about Susie.
• The investigation team members check each other's fingers to ensure none of them are ghosts.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group encounters Susie, who seems puzzled by their behavior.
• Dejinhansa and the team suspect Susie due to Lady Prumelia's warning about a ghost.
• Meilin reveals that Susie was originally a man, making her a potential ghost.
• Susie retreats into the darkness, and the team decides not to pursue her.
• Meilin plays a recorded phone call between Susie and Sunak, revealing that Susie was likely killed and turned into a Servant Ghost by the main ghost.

Character Developments

• Dejinhansa and the team show unwavering trust in Lady Prumelia's judgment.
• Susie's true identity as a trans woman is revealed, challenging societal norms and expectations.
• Ning Zhe demonstrates analytical skills by identifying two key points of doubt in the case.

Significant Themes

• Trust and loyalty (Dejinhansa and the team's trust in Lady Prumelia).
• Identity and societal expectations (Susie's true identity challenging gender norms).
• Rules and absolutes (ghosts following rigid rules, regardless of human perceptions).

Character Interactions

• Tension between Susie and the team as they suspect her.
• Dejinhansa and the team working together to confront Susie.
• Meilin providing crucial information remotely, supporting the team's efforts.
• Ning Zhe contributing to the investigation by identifying key points of doubt.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Only 16 officers were taken to prison; 8 remained, with 3 missing (including Sunak), John dead, and Carmack being questioned.
• Carmack recounts his and John's exploration of the drainage pipes, leading to John's death.

Character Developments

• Carmack: Shows bravery and loyalty to his colleague, John, but also displays jealousy of John's ambition.
• John: Revealed to be ambitious and eager for promotion, leading him to take risks.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and its consequences (John's desire for promotion leads to his death).
• Unpredictability of life and danger (Carmack's repeated phrase, "It'll pass").

Character Interactions

• Carmack and John: Their camaraderie and shared history are shown through their interactions in the pipes.
• Carmack and the questioning officer: The officer shows empathy and understanding towards Carmack's situation.

In "Sinking Like Me," Ning Zhe deduces that the Servant Ghosts in Vanessa Castle are luring people to their deaths using deception. He realizes that the messages in his dream were guiding him towards the basement, where the ghost resides. He also understands that the Servant Ghosts' lies always lead people to the ghost's location, causing them to die and become Servant Ghosts themselves. Ning Zhe plans to confront the ghost, knowing that time is running out. Meanwhile, the investigation team has confirmed the ghost's location and is preparing to act.