What is Taiping?

The small town of Taiping is where Dr. MacFarlane's finger is returned to its grave and Ji Lin manages to keep her chastity, despite being in a hotel with the love of her life all night. It therefore comes to symbolize bodily integrity and orderliness. Dr. MacFarlane's body is restored and made whole, in its proper place at the proper time; Ji Lin's body is kept whole, despite temptations to the contrary, and she resolves to save herself for the proper place at the proper time.