Star Moon Island lay east of Fuhai Province, roughly thirteen hundred li from Zhaowu Guard, and was one of the islands in the southeastern seas closest to the mainland.
The islands occupied by the Star Moon Sect were not limited to Star Moon Island. They also included sixty-four islands, big and small, most of them uninhabited reef islands. Only over ten of the islands had freshwater resources suitable for habitation.
Among these over ten islands, there were also four slightly larger islands that served as garrisons for the Four Banner Soldiers, each housing roughly four to six thousand sailors.
Star Moon Island, where the Star Moon Sect Main Hall was located, was no small island. It stretched more than thirty li from east to west and more than twenty li from north to south. Overall, it formed a long east-west strip, with higher terrain in the east and lower terrain in the west. In the east stood three mountain peaks, the tallest about a hundred zhang high.
Its coastline was winding, and the nearshore waters were full of reefs. The eastern coast consisted mostly of sheer cliffs and precipices, making it difficult to land even by small boat. The western coast was mainly sandy beach; although one could come ashore there, it was only possible with small boats, and not even medium-sized vessels could berth.
On the entire island, only the south side had a wharf suitable for large ships to moor, capable of accommodating more than three hundred vessels of all sizes. It was Star Moon Island's most important wharf for entering and exiting.
The western part of Star Moon Island was flat, and three streams flowed down from the mountain forests in the east, making it extremely suitable for farming.
Most of the island's residents lived in western