Third Lady

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Third Lady (三娘); also referred to as Xie Sanniang 17
Alias(es)	Zombie Third Lady; Ghost Third Lady; Lady Third 28 30
Species/Race	Human formerly; later a black zombie whose soul manifests as a resentful ghost 5 27 30
Gender	Female 5
Affiliation	Peach Haven Village; Third Lady Temple 5
Occupation/Role	Subject of Peach Haven Village's sacrificial rite and intended local Earth God 5
Status	Active; last seen boarding the minibus after the sacrificial ceremony 35
First Appearance	Peach Haven Village Chronicle: The Third Lady's Tale 5

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Human	5	A sixteen-year-old villager engaged to a young man from the county town.
Black zombie	5, 27	Swallowed medicinal powder, entered the giant snake's lair, and transformed beneath the moonlight seven days later. White Cloud Daoist identifies her as a black zombie, a level the original Daoist could not destroy.
Sealed, divided entity	5, 28	A Daoist sealed her body and later split her into a wandering zombie body and a separate soul.
Resentful ghost	24, 30	Her statue's tears signal intense resentment; after the ritual crisis, her soul manifests as Ghost Third Lady.
Evil ghost (Ghost Third Lady)	28, 30–35	Her escaped soul becomes a rule-bound evil ghost that hunts those who violate her killing taboos, while retaining intelligence and resentment.

Background

Third Lady was once a sixteen-year-old girl of Peach Haven Village, engaged to a young man from the county town. When a giant snake attacked the wedding procession and swallowed her groom, she wept tears of blood. A passing beggar gave her medicinal powder; that night, she dressed in bridal robes, swallowed it, and entered the snake's lair. 5

Seven days later, she rose as a zombie and fought the giant snake for a day and a night. Unable to pierce its body with her claws, she ultimately bit through its vital point and tore it apart. The villagers found her apparently lifeless amid the remains of her bridal gown. 5

After being placed in a coffin, Third Lady revived and killed poultry. A Daoist who arrived in the village sealed her and petitioned Heaven to grant her the title of Earth God. He established Third Lady Temple and left behind a sacrificial rite intended to dissolve her murderous resentment over a hundred years. 5

The Daoist had come to Peach Haven Village in search of his deceased disciple. The effort of sealing Third Lady severely injured his primordial spirit, causing him to settle on the mountain and establishing the origin of White Cloud Temple. 5

The rite required a sacred maiden to marry in Third Lady's place for six days. Third Lady's soul would remain beside the maiden and gradually settle, eventually allowing her to become Peach Haven Village's guardian deity. 5

Appearance

Third Lady's appearance changes according to the form in which she manifests.

• In the village legend, she is described as a sixteen-year-old bride in red wedding robes. 5
• Her sealed body appears as a pale girl of roughly ten years old, dressed in red bridal robes and a phoenix crown. 22
• Her eyes are entirely black, lacking both pupils and whites. 22
• Her wooden temple statue wears a red bridal gown, sits with its hands on its knees, and becomes unnervingly lifelike under close inspection. 17
• Ding Shi observes that the statue's eyes reflect light and seem to follow him as he circles the altar. 17
• The statue sheds tears when her soul is overcome with negative emotion. 24
• Zombie Third Lady wears blood-stained bridal clothing and is often seen with blood around her mouth. 28 29
• Ghost Third Lady appears as a conspicuous red-clothed figure that can float through the darkness. 31 32

Personality

Third Lady's original actions were driven by grief, devotion, and vengeance. She willingly accepted a monstrous transformation to kill the giant snake that had murdered her fiancé, but the revenge left her unable to return to an ordinary human existence. 5

Her zombie body acts largely on instinct and lacks normal reasoning, while her ghost retains intelligence, resentment, and moral judgment. As Ghost Third Lady, she condemns Haitang for forgiving and protecting Zhang San after he harmed her. 16 31

Despite her hostility, she is not wholly malicious. When Ding Shi teaches her mahjong during the final minibus ride, her attitude toward him improves and she cooperates with him to win their game. 35

Her improved opinion of Ding Shi does not fully erase her hostility; after the game ends, she is still prepared to attack him before he clears the instance. 35

Abilities & Skills

Black Zombie Physiology

Third Lady's body is a black zombie refined beneath moonlight, possessing strength and resilience beyond what the original Daoist could destroy. 27

• Killed the giant snake by biting through its vital point after her claws failed to pierce it. 5
• Moves with extreme speed and can kill through biting and blood-draining attacks. 28 30
• Is drawn to living prey by breathing and can be avoided temporarily by holding one's breath. 16 28
• Is attracted by the smell of blood rather than Ghost Third Lady's killing taboos. 32

Resentful Ghost Manifestation

Third Lady's separated soul can manifest as Ghost Third Lady, a rule-bound entity capable of appearing in darkness and reflections. 28 32

• Can hide in mirrors, making accidental eye contact a lethal danger. 32
• Kills those who make eye contact with her. 30 32
• Kills those who say the word “ghost.” 31 32
• Kills those who come into contact with liquid, including drinking water or stepping into muddy water. 32 33
• Can swiftly decapitate victims or tear out their hearts after a taboo is violated. 32 33
• Is constrained by the Heavenly Dao; when she violates its rules, she can be struck by lightning and temporarily incapacitated. 28 34

Soul Binding and Temple Seal

Third Lady's soul can be restrained through her wooden statue, talismans, and a temple formation, though she actively resists containment. 27

• Her tears reveal that her soul is saturated with negative emotion and unable to become a deity. 24
• The coffin talismans suppress her sealed body; lifting the lid weakens their effect and causes her eyes to open. 22
• Her red coffin bears four talismans on its lid, arranged in two X-shaped pairs. 22
• White Cloud Daoist attempts to bind her soul by covering Third Lady Temple with scriptures, drawing talismans on the statue, and establishing a Bagua mirror formation. 27

Relationships

• Unnamed fiancé — Her intended husband; his death at the giant snake's jaws prompted her transformation and revenge. 5
• Giant Snake — The monster that killed her fiancé; Third Lady hunted it down and tore it apart as a zombie. 5
• Peach Haven Village — The village venerates her through annual sacrificial rites, believing her protection brings prosperity and favorable weather. 5 24
• Unnamed Daoist master — The Daoist who sealed Third Lady, petitioned for her elevation as an Earth God, created the sacrificial rite, and built Third Lady Temple. The encounter seriously injured his primordial spirit and led to the founding of White Cloud Temple. 5
• White Cloud Daoist — Attempts to determine the cause of her tears and suppress her soul within the temple statue. 25 27
• Haitang — The sacred maiden meant to serve as Third Lady's ritual stand-in; Third Lady resents her response to Zhang San's abuse and later kills her. 5 31
• Blind Zhao — Seeks treasures connected to Third Lady and is later killed by Zombie Third Lady while trying to seize the Wordless Heavenly Scripture. 14 30
• Pan'er — A victim killed during the ritual crisis by Zombie Third Lady and Ghost Third Lady. 34
• Ding Shi — Disturbs her coffin seal while taking the Seven of Spades, investigates her killing rules, and later teaches her mahjong during the minibus ride. 23 31 35

Story Role / Major Arcs

Peach Haven Village Ritual Crisis

Third Lady's statue begins to weep as the sacrificial rite destabilizes. White Cloud Daoist determines that Haitang is connected to the developing calamity and prepares to suppress Third Lady's soul before the ceremony. 18 25 27

While searching her coffin, Ding Shi removes the Seven of Spades from beneath its talismans and accidentally cracks one of the seals before concealing the damage. 23

Release of the Zombie and Ghost

The failed suppression leaves Third Lady divided between her roaming zombie body and her ghostly soul. Zombie Third Lady kills Blind Zhao, while Ghost Third Lady turns Peach Haven Village into a lethal rule-bound hunting ground. 28 30

During the crisis, Ghost Third Lady is struck down by Heavenly Dao lightning after violating her own restrictions, and Pan'er is killed amid the attacks of both of Third Lady's manifestations. 34

Final Minibus Game

After the surviving participants board the minibus, Ghost Third Lady follows them and invokes Ding Shi's Three Missing One mahjong skill. Ding Shi teaches her the game, and their shared victory allows him to clear the instance before she can attack again. 35

Notable Quotes

“Why are you so foolish? Why give yourself to someone who hurt you?”
— Ghost Third Lady to Haitang 31