Characters

...Characters...

...The identity of certain characters may be a spoiler; use this guide with caution on your first read of the novel....

...Note on the given name translations: Chinese characters may have many different readings. Each reading here is just one out of several possible readings presented for your reference and should not be considered a definitive translation....

...MAIN CHARACTERS...

Xie Lian

谢怜 “THANK,” “SYMPATHY” OR “LOVE”

Heavenly Title: Xianle, “Heaven’s Delight” (仙乐)

Four Famous Tales Title: The Prince Who Pleased God

Once the crown prince of the Kingdom of Xianle and the darling of the Heavens, now a very unlucky twice-fallen god who ekes out a meager living collecting scraps. As his bad luck tends to affect those around him for the worse, Xie Lian has spent his last eight hundred years wandering in solitude. Still, he’s accepted his lonely lot in life, or at least seems to have a sense of humor about it. Even for the perpetually unlucky, there’s always potential for a chance encounter that can turn eight hundred years of unhappiness around.

Xie Lian has seen and done many things over his very long life and originally ascended as a martial god. While it was his scrap-collecting that saw him ascend for the third time, Xie Lian’s feats of physicality are hardly anything to scoff at…though he’d sooner use them as part of a busking performance than to win a fight. 

Hua Cheng

花城 “FLOWER,” “CITY”

Four Calamities Title: Crimson Rain Sought Flower

A fearsome king of ghosts and terror of the heavens. Dressed in his signature red, he controls vicious swarms of silver butterflies and wields a cursed scimitar known as Eming. He first gained infamy by defeating and humiliating thirty-three gods in combat and burning down every last one of their temples in a single night, dooming them to obscurity and oblivion. 

His power and wealth are unmatched in the Three Realms, and for this he has as many worshippers as he does enemies (with considerable crossover between categories). Although he is an enigmatic figure who can shapeshift to any form to avoid detection, his butterflies have recently been sighted in the mortal realm…

San Lan****g

三郎 “THIRD,” “YOUTH”

A young man who ran away from home and, through a chance encounter, made Xie Lian’s acquaintance while hitching a ride on a passing ox cart. Dressed in fine clothing the color of blood-red maples and knowledgeable on topics obscure and esoteric, it seems that he grew up in the lap of luxury. However, he does not hesitate to sleep on a single straw mat in Xie Lian’s humble home, nor to get his hands dirty doing household chores. Truly a remarkable person in every respect. So why does he seem so suspicious?

...HEAVENLY OFFICIALS & HEAVENLY ASSOCIATES...

Feng Xin

风信 “WIND,” “TRUST/FAITH”

Heavenly Title: Nan Yang, “Southern Sun” (南陽)

The martial god of the southeast. He has a short fuse and foul mouth (especially when it comes to his longstanding nemesis, Mu Qing), but is known to be a dutiful, hardworking god. He has a complicated history with Xie Lian: long ago, in their days in the kingdom of Xianle, he used to serve as Xie Lian’s bodyguard and was a close friend until circumstances drove them apart.

Fu Yao

扶摇 “TO TAKE FLIGHT (ONE WHO IS AMBITIOUS)”

A junior official of the Middle Court, hailing from the Palace of Xuan Zhen (Mu Qing’s palace). He is cold, quick to judge, and even quicker to roll his eyes. Followers of General Mu Qing tend not to get on very well with followers of General Feng Xin, and Fu Yao is a proud follower of this trend; he is constantly fighting with Nan Feng.

Jun Wu

君吾 “LORD,” “I”

Heavenly Title: Shenwu, “Divine Might” (神武)

The Emperor of Heaven and strongest of the gods. He is composed and serene, and it is through his power and wisdom that the Heavens remain aloft—quite literally. Although the Heavens are full of schemers and gossipmongers, Jun Wu stands apart from such petty squabbles and is willing to listen to even the lowliest creatures to hear their pleas for justice.

Ling Wen

灵文 “INGENIOUS LITERATUS”

Heavenly Title: Ling Wen

The top civil god and also the most overworked. Unlike the majority of gods, she is addressed by her colleagues and most others by her heavenly title. She is one of the rare female civil gods and worked tirelessly (and thanklessly) for many years to earn her position. Ling Wen is exceedingly competent at all things bureaucratic, and her work keeps Heaven’s business running (mostly) smoothly. She is the creator and head admin of Heaven’s communication array.

Mu Qing

慕情 “YEARNING,” “AFFECTION”

Heavenly Title: Xuan Zhen, “Enigmatic Truth” (玄真)

The martial god of the southwest. He has a short fuse and sharp tongue (especially when it comes to his longstanding nemesis, Feng Xin), and is known for being cold, spiteful, and petty. He has a complicated history with Xie Lian: long ago, in their days in the kingdom of Xianle, he used to serve as Xie Lian’s personal servant and was a close friend until circumstances drove them apart.

Nan Feng

南风 “SOUTHERN,” “WIND”

A junior official of the Middle Court, hailing from the Palace of Nan Yang (Feng Xin’s palace). He is uptight, serious, and prone to outbursts of swearing when angered. Followers of General Feng Xin do not tend to get on very well with followers of General Mu Qing, and Nan Feng hardly bucks the stereotype; he is constantly fighting with Fu Yao.

Pei Ming

裴茗 SURNAME PEI, “TENDER TEA LEAVES”

Heavenly Title: Ming Guang, “Bright Illumination” (明光)

Four Famous Tales Title: The General Who Snapped His Sword

The Martial God of the North. General Pei is a powerful and popular god, and over the years he has gained a reputation as a womanizer. This reputation is deserved: Pei Ming’s ex-lovers are innumerable and hail from all the Three Realms. Pei Xiu is Pei Ming’s indirect descendant, and Pei Ming has taken him under his wing to help advance his career in the Heavens. And when General Pei sets his sights on a goal, he doesn’t take kindly to those who get in his way.

Pei Xiu

裴宿 SURNAME PEI, “CONSTELLATION”

A martial god, and a distant (and indirect) descendant of Pei Ming. He’s usually called “Little Pei” or “General Pei Junior” for this reason, and his own worship is tied to the worship of Pei Ming himself. He is often called in to clean up his ancestor’s messes, but regardless of the circumstances, he always maintains his composure with a polite yet detached air. Always cold and composed, Pei Xiu is a tactician through and through. There are rumors that his ascension to godhood occurred because he led the charge to slaughter a city.

Wind Master

风师

Heavenly Title: Wind Master

The elemental master of wind, the Wind Master is as flighty and pushy as the element she commands, and as wealthy as she is generous with money. She possesses a strong sense of justice and will not be dissuaded by notions of propriety. She appears to be close friends with the lady in black accompanying her, despite the latter’s insistence to the contrary. 

...GHOST REALM & GHOST REALM ASSOCIATES...

Banyue

半月 “HALF-MOON”

Former state preceptor of the Kingdom of Banyue, now a wrath ghost. She is a small, frail young woman who nonetheless possesses the power to call upon and control deadly scorpion-snakes. Despite her gloomy disposition, she earnestly wishes to save others from suffering, even if it means that she must suffer in their stead.

Kemo

刻磨 “MILLSTONE”

A former general of the Kingdom of Banyue, now a wrath ghost. He bears great resentment against the State Preceptor of Banyue and great hatred for the long-dead kingdom that destroyed his own, even long after his death.

Qi Rong

戚容 “FACE OF SORROW”

Four Calamities Title: Night-Touring Green Lantern

One of the Four Calamities, also called the “Green Ghost.” Unlike the other three Calamities, he’s actually only a wrath ghost, not a supreme. Gods and ghosts alike agree that he was only included in the group to bump up the number to an even four. (Also, he’s just that big a pest.)

Ship-Sinking Black Water

黑水沉舟

Four Calamities Title: Ship-Sinking Black Water

One of the Four Calamities. Ship-Sinking Black Water is a mysterious and reclusive water ghost that rules the South Sea. Like Hua Cheng, he won the bloody gauntlet at Mount Tonglu and wields the power of a Supreme ghost.

White No-Face

白无相 “WHITE NO-FACE”

Four Calamities Title: White-Clothed Calamity

One of the Four Calamities. Mysterious, cruel, and powerful enough to battle with the Heavenly Emperor himself—truly, a Supreme among Supremes. He destroyed the Kingdom of Xianle.

Xuan Ji

宣姬 “DECLARE,” “CONCUBINE”

A former general of a fallen kingdom, now a wrath ghost known as the ghost bride. She is obsessed with Pei Ming, who rejected her affections after she tried to take their physical-only relationship to the next level. Her fury at being scorned led to the gruesome deaths of many happy brides-to-be.

...MORTAL REALM & MORTAL REALM ASSOCIATES...

A-Zhao

阿昭 “CLEAR” OR “OBVIOUS”

A local guide in the Banyue region who makes a living guiding merchant caravans through the treacherous landscape. Despite his taciturn nature, his guidance and knowledge of the area is immensely valuable to Xie Lian’s group.

Tian Sheng

天生 “INATE,” OR “HEAVEN/SKY,” “BORN”

Youngest member of the merchant caravan traveling though the desert near Banyue. Impulsive but kindhearted.

Old Man Zheng

郑老伯 SURNAME ZHENG, “OLD UNCLE”

Elder of the merchant caravan. When he is stung by a scorpion-snake, a rescue trip is mounted to get the antivenom.

Xiao-Pengtou

小彭头 “LITTLE,” SURNAME PENG, “HEAD”

A hotheaded young man who is determined to hunt down the ghost groom and get the reward money. Refuses to listen to reason.

Xiao-Ying

小萤 “LITTLE,” “FIREFLY”

A young human girl who assists Xie Lian in tracking down the ghost groom. She is softspoken and timid, but possesses a courageous, caring spirit (and makeover skills that will get you from zero to wedding-ready in no time).

...SENTIENT WEAPONS AND SPIRITUAL OBJECTS...

Ruoye

若邪 “LIKE/AS IF,” “EVIL” OR “SWORD”

Xie Lian’s sentient strip of white silk. It is an earnest and energetic sort, if a bit nervous sometimes, and will go to great lengths to protect Xie Lian—quite literally, as it can stretch out to almost limitless dimensions.

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