An escort whose face is hidden under a bamboo hat, Dao Ma roams the western deserts with an impressive arsenal. A former elite soldier of the Sui dynasty, he now lives on the margins, wanted by the court.
Personality
Taciturn, pragmatic and formidably effective, Dao Ma does not bother with speeches. Behind his roughness he is absolutely loyal to Xiao Qi, the child he raises.
Powers & abilities
A weapons master with a brutal, versatile style, he wields all kinds of blades and weapons and fights with formidable efficiency in the arid landscapes of the west.
History
He once fled Chang'an with a child, Xiao Qi, whom he could not bring himself to kill. At a benefactor's request, he agrees to escort the mysterious Zhi Shilang to the capital, a mission that brings him back into the heart of the empire's intrigues.
Relationships
Xiao Qi is the child he protects and raises. Zhi Shilang is the man he escorts, with whom he builds a relationship of distrust and respect.
Key moments
- His brutal fights in the desert.
- The start of the mission to escort Zhi Shilang.
- His tender moments with Xiao Qi.
In the adaptations
Xu Xianzhe's manhua, known for its realistic art, has been adapted as a donghua. A live-action film has also been made.
Did you know?
- The Chinese title, Biao Ren (镖人), refers to the convoy escorts of ancient China.
- The manhua draws on the end of the Sui dynasty, in the early 7th century.
Our take
Dao Ma is a Chinese-style western hero, lean and efficient. Blades of the Guardians is an excellent entry point into realistic wuxia.
— Spidermas, for Donghua Fan