#ma bufan

[yuangler]

In the Year of the Horse introductory chapter, the position Ma Bufan adopts at the dining table resembles a martial arts stance called the Horse Stance, 马步 (mǎ bù). Not sure if this was intentional, but if it was, it’s a nice visual pun.

[yuangler]

Zodiac: Twelve Souls — 0.07

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Year of the Horse: Pursue the Peak

I am called Ma Bufan, the Uncommon One.

news

— New translated chapter posted.

— Next update target: March 8, 2022

notes

— Thousand-mile steed: 

From 千里马 (qiān lǐ mǎ), a mythical horse that can travel a thousand miles in a day. Note that these are Chinese miles, which are roughly one third the length of their British imperial equivalent. A thousand-mile steed is a very good horse, and a metaphor for a person of talent. The term pairs well with Ma Bufan’s allusion to Bo Le, who is often associated with 千里马. For example, there is a Chinese saying: 千里马常有，而伯乐不常有. It is common to have a thousand-mile horse, but it is not common to have a Bo Le. In other words, appraising people is hard, and good talent often goes unrecognized.

— Fatality of Furtive Feet: 

From 夺命无影腿 (duó mìng wú yǐng tuǐ). A more accurate translation might use “leg(s)” rather than “feet”. I opted for feet because legs just make things really awkward, somehow. What would an appropriate alliterative alternative even be? Lethality of Liminal Legs? Threat of Tenebrous Thighs? Isn’t that way too weird?

— Heavenly Teacher Ma’s “axe”: 

From 斧, which means axe/hatchet. I know it looks nothing like an axe/hatchet. I swear that is what is written.

— A possible visual pun.

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