Swordsman(刀客):

In Chinese, it is pronounced as: dāo kè，Written as:

A Swordsman, wielding a blade as their weapon, earns the title by achieving mastery in the art of the sword and often using this skill to perform acts of chivalry and justice in Jianghu. A Swordsman is thus named for their adherence to the principles of honor and valor that the title implies.

Those who wield swords are known as Swordsmen, and naturally, those who wield knives are called Swordsmen as well. Swords are ceremonial weapons, symbolizing righteousness and benevolence. The Imperial Sword is a prime example of this. Knives, however, are considered weapons of aggression, often described as the “courage of all weapons.” When a Swordsman brandishes a knife, the whistle of the blade and the chilling gleam are overwhelming; one hears the slicing wind without seeing the wielder, a display of fierce bravery and robust strength. Thus, the Swordsman also represents the courageous.

Historically, the term Swordsman has two additional meanings. One refers to a secret society in Shaanxi at the end of the Qing dynasty, named for their customary weapon—a Guanshan knife about three feet long and two inches wide. The other usage dates to the early Republic of China, when bandits were also referred to as Swordsmen.