Zhongli

Zhongli is the town that the Zhu family has lived in for generations. At the beginning of the novel, however, it is plagued by years of famine and hardship. Zhu barely remembers anything but empty streets and silent homes, and their own hut is described as falling apart as most of the family passed away. This is where Zhu’s father is killed by bandits and where she is forced to bury both him and her brother Chongba after the latter gives up on his own life. This is also where Zhu sees ghosts for the first time, leaving both her father and brother’s wandering spirits behind.

The Wuhuang Monastery

The Wuhuang Monastery is where Zhu flees to after her father and brother die. By taking her brother’s name, Zhu Chongba, Zhu is allowed into novice training after four brutal days of waiting when the Abbot...