True Grit meets Romance of the Three Kingdoms! A thrilling manhua—mixing adrenaline-packed spaghetti Western and Game of Thrones–type empire drama—Blades (Biao Ren) follows extraordinary swordsman and bounty hunter Dao Ma and his three-year-old son as they take a larger-than-life journey fated to uproot a brutal ancient Chinese empireIt is the third year of Daye (607 CE). The people of Sui Dynasty are living in poverty under the brutal rule of Emperor Yang Guang. In the desert fringes of this empire is a traveling swordsman named Dao Ma. He’s a skilled bounty hunter who hopes to pay off his debt to his foster godfather while looking after his three-year-old son, Xiao Qi.When Dao Ma takes on an escort mission to bodyguard an enigmatic fugitive to the imperial capital Chang’an, he treats it as a simple high-paying job. Little does he know that this client is a dangerous mystic twirling strings that could uproot the empire from its foundations.One of the top bestselling manhua titles in China, Blades of the Guardians’ dramatic, brutal illustrations and tight, intricate plot will leave readers at the edge of their seats. It is perfect for fans of seinen manga like Vagabond, wuxias like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and world-shaking adventures like The Lord of the Rings.

ISBN: 9781419785009

FOC Date: 4/27/2026
Release Date: 6/3/2026