Ma Erlei

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Ma Erlei (麻二雷)
Species/Race	Human; labeled a “Gu Human” after surviving a Golden Silkworm Gu bite 19
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Camellia Village
Occupation/Role	Herbal-gathering companion; Gu insect raiser
Status	Alive

Background / History

Six years before his introduction, Ma Erlei was bitten by a Golden Silkworm Gu. He survived, but black scales grew across his upper body and could not be removed. Villagers subsequently ostracized him as a “Gu Human,” though he insists that apart from the scales, he is no different from an ordinary person. He also resolves to kill the Golden Silkworm Deity responsible for his condition. 19

After Xiao Kunlun loses his master, Ma Erlei is tasked by Ma Huoxin with ensuring Kunlun does not impulsively leave Camellia Village. Rather than merely restraining him, Erlei carries the grieving Kunlun back to the cave and comforts him by recalling his own grief after his grandfather’s death. 18

When Kunlun’s own black scales are exposed, Erlei reveals his condition in solidarity. He encourages Kunlun to endure the hardships ahead, telling him that he will not be alone on the road to revenge. The two agree to face their enemies together. 18 19

Appearance

A sturdy youth whose chest, back, and both arms are covered in unnerving black scales.

• The scales developed after he was bitten by the Golden Silkworm Gu. 19
• His scales are hard enough to make a metallic sound when struck. 24
• He typically wears hemp clothing. 19

Personality

Ma Erlei is simple, honest, and forthright. He speaks openly—even when doing so puts him at risk—and does not easily yield when insulted or intimidated. 18 31 32

He is fiercely loyal to his companions. He supports Kunlun through grief, accompanies him into Chiyou Valley, and insists that he, Kunlun, and Xiao Yudao must advance and retreat together. 18 19 23 Although he can be excitable and overly talkative, he is also knowledgeable about local customs, Gu lore, and Camellia Village. 19 29 32

Abilities & Skills

Gu Human Physiology

The Golden Silkworm Gu’s bite left Ma Erlei with black scales and unusual resistance to certain supernatural harms.

• His scales greatly reduce the effect of Yin energy from Wu Daochao’s paper people. 24
• They prevent most poison needles from penetrating and limit the effect of snake venom. 27
• The condition does not make him immune to Gu poison: Ma Shi’s Five-Colored Gu can still torment him severely. 32 33
• Ma Erlei views the scales as an unwanted consequence of surviving the Golden Silkworm Gu. 24

Gu Knowledge

Ma Erlei raises Gu insects, though he repeatedly fails to obtain a suitable Gu Spirit. 21

• Explains the relative rarity of Three-Colored, Five-Colored, and Seven-Colored Gu: one in ten, one in a hundred, and one in a thousand vessels respectively. 32
• Recognizes the danger posed by the Golden Silkworm Deity and seeks to destroy it. 19
• Understands Miao customs, stockade taboos, and conventional Miao greetings. 29

Survival and Fieldcraft

• Helps gather medicinal herbs with Kunlun and Xiao Yudao. 19
• Skillfully uses insect-repelling powder to secure a cave camp. 20
• Helps prepare bamboo spikes and torches against the paper figures. 21
• Carries Xiao Yudao out of Chiyou Valley after recovering from unconsciousness. 28
• Hunts rabbits and sets wild-boar traps with Kunlun during winter. 48

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Firewood knife and bamboo basket for herb gathering. 19
• Insect-repelling powder. 20
• Bamboo spikes and improvised torches used against paper figures. 21

Relationships

• Xiao Kunlun — Close companion and sworn fellow traveler. Erlei reveals his Gu Human condition to reassure Kunlun, encourages his resolve for revenge, and remains at his side through Chiyou Valley and Qingya Village. 18 19 23 31
• Xiao Yudao — Traveling companion from Camellia Village. They gather herbs and face the dangers of Chiyou Valley together; Erlei carries her when she is injured. He initially mistakes her for a boy. 19 28 29
• Ma Huoxin — Elder from Camellia Village who entrusts Erlei with watching over Kunlun. 18
• Golden Silkworm Deity — Enemy responsible for Erlei’s Golden Silkworm bite and black scales; Erlei vows to kill it. 19
• Ma Shi — Qingya Village leader who falsely accuses Erlei and his companions of theft, imprisons him, and infects him with Five-Colored Gu. 31 32
• Skeleton Man — Kunlun’s ally who expels and crushes the remaining half of the Five-Colored Gu inside Erlei. 47

Story Role / Major Arcs

Becoming Kunlun’s Companion

Ma Erlei first approaches Kunlun after Master Hei Moyun’s death, acting on Ma Huoxin’s instructions to keep him from leaving the village. He becomes a source of emotional support, then reveals that he too is a Gu Human. 18

Journey to Chiyou Valley

Erlei joins Kunlun and Xiao Yudao in seeking the Black Flower Herb. He pursues the elusive herb into the valley, helps prepare defenses against the paper figures, and uses his scale-based resistance to lead the attack that burns their shelter. 19 24

Wu Daochao later poisons Erlei with corpse poison, but his scales prevent the poison from becoming fatal. He eventually recovers and helps carry the injured Xiao Yudao from the cave. 25 27 28

Qingya Village Imprisonment

While seeking shelter in Qingya Village, Erlei and Kunlun are falsely accused of stealing the Seven-Colored Gu. Erlei protests their treatment, is beaten and bound, and is forcibly infected with Five-Colored Gu by Ma Shi. 30 32

Ma Bianlang intensifies the torture by having a brazier placed near the prisoners, aggravating the Five-Colored Gu inside Erlei. Despite the pain, Erlei refuses to break and compares it to surviving the Golden Silkworm’s bite. 33

Removal of the Five-Colored Gu

After returning to Camellia Village, Erlei initially coughs out half of the Five-Colored Gu. Skeleton Man later forces out the remaining half with a strike to Erlei’s back and crushes it, ending the parasite’s hold on him. 47

Trivia

• Ma Erlei and Xiao Yudao were born in the same year; Erlei is three months older. 19
• He is one year younger than Xiao Kunlun. 19
• He identifies himself as a descendant of Great Emperor Chiyou. 28
• He believes Wu Daochao’s failure to recognize Xiao Yudao’s gender proves the zombie’s mind and eyesight are impaired. 29