In most cases, the word count of fiction doesn't incorporate the title. The focus is mainly on the body of the text itself. However, some specific guidelines or requirements might differ depending on the context or publisher's instructions.
No, typically the word count for fiction excludes the title.
Chapter 500, "Getting Information", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event. The setup is Its chest rose and fell in shallow, uneven motions, every inhale..., but the pressure keeps building through Its once-proud frame was broken, limbs bent at wrong angles, demonic....
Chapter 108, "Long-tailed Rodent [3-in-1 Mega Chapter]", is the clearest early answer because it turns Xia Hong's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter gives readers a real answer by opening on Xia Hong leaped to block on Luo Yuan's left side, only exchanging a... and ending on Leader, it's trying to run!" Before he could relax for long, Xia Hong....
Chapter 414, "Back At Delwig", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from Arielle sat across from Damien in the carriage as they both made... to You are too young to speak with such certainty.. What makes it stick is that the chapter closes with I promise to be consistent this time with only very few days of "no update" unlike right now where I rarely update.
Chapter 154, "Inheritance Rights, Strategic Contraction [Sorry for the Delay]", is the clearest early answer because Great Xia gets a payoff that changes the stakes. The setup is They still have the leisure to battle us, these fools!" "Hahaha,..., but the pressure keeps building through Just as Xia Hong expected, upon hearing that the Mirror Immortal Camp....
Chapter 118, "Poison Sac, Bow Making [2 in 1]", is the clearest early answer because it turns Xia Hong's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from Seeing the bows and arrows for the first time, the five of them were... to The three brothers had a high proficiency in archery and a deep....
Chapter 476, "I Believe That's Enough", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from The courtyard fell silent as the final three soldiers shifted their... to The kind of fight that forced one into adaptation..
Chapter 130, "The New Deceitful Monster", is the clearest early answer because it turns Xia Hong's situation into a concrete plot event. The setup is That scream was so shrill it startled many people outside the cabin., but the pressure keeps building through Xia Hong and his companion were the first to rush to the tunnel....
Chapter 369, "Come Back Soon", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damon's situation into a concrete plot event. A useful checkpoint is the way the scene starts with Woooooong~ The Maze of Wills sealed itself with a deep, echoing hum... and follows through with Can't win my bet if you don't show up..
Chapter 528, "Let's Keep Going", is the clearest early answer because it turns Damien's situation into a concrete plot event. Early on, Damien stretched his arms once and stood up.. By the end, Luton stayed close to Damien, its body rippling slightly..
Chapter 126, "The Great Xia Calendar Officially Commences", is the clearest early answer because it turns Yuan Cheng's situation into a concrete plot event. The setup is The birth of Yue Yuan added a lot to this great victory., but the pressure keeps building through Counting the days, from the disaster on the earth slope to the later....