Ma Er

Biodata

Background / History

Ma Er works within the Demon-Slaying Bureau prison. When Zhang San brings the newly arrived Zhou Ping'an to receive his equipment, Ma Er selects a new black uniform and gives him a porcelain bottle containing three Demon Blood Pills—three times a menial's standard monthly allotment. He responds warmly when Zhou addresses him as “Uncle Ma.” 1

During Zhou Ping'an's first demon-blood body-tempering session, Ma Er observes with Zhang San while eating sunflower seeds. He explains that demon blood opens the body's pores, tempers the flesh, and enables a body cultivator to sense spiritual energy, while emphasizing the ordeal's extreme pain. He bets that Zhou will endure for no more than an hour. 2

After Zhou acquires the Dragon Transformation Art from the Scale-Bone Snake Demon, Ma Er examines it and explains the central disadvantage of demon cultivation methods: their extraordinarily slow pace, which can require centuries or millennia. He advises Zhou to bargain with imprisoned demons for information about spiritual medicine rather than additional food, and offers to locate two demon-technique manuals for him. 3

When Zhou uses starvation to extract the location of a thousand-year ginseng from the Scale-Bone Snake Demon, Ma Er cautions him not to let the captive die. He notes that the demon has been imprisoned for only a little over ten years and may still possess knowledge of further valuable treasures. 4

Personality

Ma Er is affable toward fellow Bureau members and particularly welcoming to Zhou Ping'an as the son of a fallen Demon-Slaying Bureau demon slayer. He appreciates Zhou's respectful manner and participates in the prison staff's casual betting over the newcomer's training endurance. 1 2

He is also practical and experienced. Rather than dismissing the Dragon Transformation Art, he clearly explains why its slow progression makes it unsuitable for ordinary humans, then redirects Zhou toward the more valuable prospect of spiritual medicine. His warning against starving the Scale-Bone Snake Demon reflects a utilitarian view of imprisoned demons as continuing sources of intelligence and resources. 3 4

Abilities & Skills

Knowledge of Demon Techniques

Ma Er is familiar with demon cultivation methods and can assess their practical limitations for human practitioners. 3

• Identifies the Dragon Transformation Art as a Demon Race technique. 3
• Explains that demon techniques may require centuries or millennia to cultivate. 3
• Knows that even Innate-realm human martial artists generally live only three to five hundred years, making such techniques impractical for most humans. 3
• Offers to help Zhou find additional demon-technique manuals. 3

Knowledge of Spiritual Medicine

Ma Er understands the value of information held by long-lived imprisoned demons. 3

• Advises Zhou to demand spiritual medicine rather than food when negotiating with demons. 3
• Explains that demons may remember the locations of spiritual treasures from thousands of years earlier. 3
• Recognizes the Scale-Bone Snake Demon as a potentially valuable source of further information and discourages Zhou from starving it to death. 4

Items Provided

• Black Demon-Slaying Bureau uniform — A new uniform selected for Zhou Ping'an upon his arrival. 1
• Demon Blood Pills — Gives Zhou three pills, despite the ordinary monthly allocation for a menial being only one. 1

Relationships

• Zhou Ping'an — Welcomes him as “one of our own,” provides his initial uniform and Demon Blood Pills, and advises him on demon techniques and bargaining for spiritual medicine. 1 3
• Zhang San — Fellow Demon-Slaying Bureau prison worker; joins him in observing Zhou's demon-blood body cultivation and later discusses preserving the Scale-Bone Snake Demon as a resource. 2 4
• Scale-Bone Snake Demon — Views the imprisoned demon as a source of information and remaining treasures rather than merely a blood source. 3 4

Notable Quotes

“Demon Race techniques are nothing unusual in the Demon-Slaying Bureau. But demon techniques have serious drawbacks. Are you sure you want to cultivate one?” 3

“If that Scale-Bone Snake Demon asks you for more food in the future, ask it for spiritual medicine instead. That is the real good stuff, capable of rapidly increasing a martial artist's strength.” 3