Chapter 1

**Chapter 1** is the 1st chapter of Blades of the Guardians manhua series.

## Summary

Dao Ma introduces himself, saying it doesn't matter if they remember his name and what he had done in the past doesn't matter, but he is there to help the man. The man wonders about what, and Dao Ma shows the man's wanted poster, saying that his head is worth 800 coins, which isn't small. However, if the man pays him three times that amount, Dao Ma will pretend he didn't see the man. Xiao Qi shows up behind Dao Ma and repeats what Dao Ma said. The man states that Dao Ma is neither a detective or have men and if he really wants to challenge the Xiang Zi Bang. Other men stand up and the man explains they are 8 versus 1 with a kid. If other saw them, they will think that they are picking on Dao Ma.

Dao Ma tells Xiao Qi to close her eyes and count. Xiao Qi wonders to what amount and he tells her to pick a number, and she picks nine. Dao Ma then states that while she counts to nine, all the bad guys will be lying on the floor. That annoys the man, who slams the table with his hand, but Dao Ma then stabs his hand. As Xiao Qi starts counting, Dao Ma slashes two of the men. The man asks for his sword and his underling throws it at him, but hits him in the face. Dao Ma then stabs him on the hand, stating he is giving him his blade, as he has as many as he needs. Dao Ma then gets on the table and kills all other men, except the leader. Xiao Qi reaches nine, but Bao Ma wonders why she skipped seven. Xiao Qi points at her and states she is the seven, since the character for her name spells seven.

The leader then gets scared and wishes to pay Dao Ma, but Dao Ma doubts he has the money. The leader throws a bag with gold, saying he robbed a place few days ago and there is more than three times than he wanted. Dao Ma accepts the payment and states he will act like he didn't see him. The leader wonders how Dao Ma found him, as he is usually good at covering his tracks and the detectives can't find him. However, Dao Ma states he found him by chance as he was passing by.

Dao Ma rides off with Xiao Qi, who wonders if in Guan Nei, there is that much sand. Dao Ma explains that everywhere where it has sand it will have that much sand. Xiao Qi wonders if they have enough money to get into Guan Nei, but Dao Ma states he needs to pay his debts first. Dao Ma again explains how old man Mo helped them settle down. Xiao Qi believes Mo is rich and he doesn't need to pay him back, but Dao Ma wants to pay him back, as neither should owe them something nor they should owe others something. As they prepare to sleep, Xiao Qi wants they put out the fire as it attracts bugs, but Dao Ma explains that if they do, the man-eating demons Rakshasa, will come.

The next day, they continue on their way. Dao Ma notices smoke and crows flying, realizing something must had happened ahead. As they check out, they see many corpses, but they are not human. Xiao Qi sees someone and Dao Ma asks him what happened, but seeing the man standing still, Dao Ma realizes he is already dead. He sees some other humans and guesses they were escorts, who got ambushed, but they killed all the demons. Xiao Qi wants to search them, but Dao Ma states its stealing from the dead and if they do, they will suffer retributions. Ahead, they find a demon and a human corpse. Seeing the sword, Dao Ma guesses its belonging to an official from a prestigious house. As Dao Ma decides to keep it, Xiao Qi points out he is stealing it, but Dao Ma explains that its better he to safe keep it than some thieves who will take and sell it. Continuing, they find a man carrying another person with disfigured face. Seeing them, the man asks for help.

## Characters

* Dao Ma
* Xiao Qi