Horse Guai, also known as Ma Tianba, is one of the characters that you can encounter during the first chapter of Black Myth: Wukong. This character appears multiple times throughout the game, and interacting with him is not mandatory. However, he has an enigmatic quest centered around him that’s deviously easy to miss.
The quest requires meeting Horse Guai in almost every chapter of Black Myth: Wukong, but it’s well worth completing for the final reward: the powerful Dark Thunder transformation technique. This guide details every location you must speak with Horse Guai in Black Myth: Wukong, along with an expanded section detailing the ins and outs of the Dark Thunder transformation.
You must exhaust all the dialogue options for the Horse Guai before proceeding to the next chapter. This is because this is one of the game’s missable quests, and if failed, you will have to retry it in their NG+ playthrough.
Updated by Jeff Brooks on October 31, 2025: This guide has been overhauled to adhere to updated formatting standards for Game Rant. In addition, the feature image has been updated, along with several in-text links to provide a streamlined reader experience. A new section that details information on the Dark Thunder transformation has also been included below.
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Chapter 1 (Bamboo Grove): Talk to Horse Guai Near Back Hills
After defeating Lingxuzi, you will reach the Back Hills Keeper’s Shrine. From this Shrine, head down the stairs, and when you see an enemy Yaoguai, head left into the cave. Inside, you will meet Ma Tianba for the first time.
Chapter 2 (Sandgate Village): Talk to Horse Guai Near Village Entrance
From the Village Entrance Keeper’s Shrine, head through the gates ahead and turn left toward the small structure. You will find the Horse Guai tied to one of the pillars. Exhaust his dialogues before proceeding to the next step.
Chapter 3 (New Thunderclap Temple): Talk to Horse Guai Near Mahavira Temple
Chapter 3 is packed with boss fights, so it’s easy to see how you might miss this Horse Guai encounter. Inside the New Thunderclap Temple, you will need to reach the Mahavira Hall Keeper’s Shrine. From the Shrine, turn around and go down the stairs. When you approach the building straight ahead, turn right and go down the steps to another building. Head inside the building, ignoring the blindfolded enemies, and climb the stairs to the second floor. Turn left to find the Horse Guai standing next to a hanging bell.
Chapter 4 (Webbed Hollow): Talk to Horse Guai Near Bonevault
From the Bonevault Keeper’s Shrine, head left and follow the path right to drop down into the boss arena for Centipede Guai. After the boss fight, head left of the arena and follow the path left until you spot a giant cocoon. Hit the cocoon a couple of times to trigger a cutscene. This will reveal Horse Guai, who was trapped inside the cocoon, and you can talk to him after the cutscene finishes.
Make sure to exhaust his dialogue here before proceeding through the rest of the area.
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Chapter 5 (Furnace Valley): Defeat Keeper of Flaming Mountains
Progress through the chapter until you reach Emerald Hall, where you fight Keeper of Flaming Mountains and Yin-Yang Fish. Defeating this boss is all you have to do for this step, but it’s a critical one.
Chapter 5 (Furnace Valley): Interact With the Broken Element Cart Near Valley Entrance
Head straight from the Valley Entrance Keeper’s Shrine, ignoring the rock enemies around you. Drop down into the lava area on the right once you are close to the shield enemy. Follow this path, and you can hear Ma Tianba’s voice nearby.
Deal with the enemies around the Element Cart, then head to the face of the cart and hit the interact button to ‘pull forcefully.’
Once you finish interacting with the whip, you will acquire the 
Dark Thunder Transformation, one of the stronger Transformations in Black Myth: Wukong.
Dark Thunder Transformation Details
Description: In darkness, cunning change doth brew, slow of step yet resolute. Transform into a horse guai, immune to Thunder Damage, inflicting Thunder Bane on the enemy. Focus built up before transformation can be converted for use afterward.
Might Cost: High
Talent Upgrade (Bolt Runner): Each talent level slightly increases Thunder Damage (six total talent levels).
Attack
Description
Light Attack: Lightning Lashes
Successively lash the enemy ahead, building up Focus with each strike.
Heavy Attack: Thunderbolt Sweep
Successively lash the enemies around, building up Focus with each strike.
Spell: Lightning Infusion
In transformation, this Spell can be released with full Focus. Raise the whip towards the sky, allowing thunder to infuse you through it, charging you into a Thrilled State.
Light Attack: Thunder Flurry (Thrilled State)
In Thrilled State, each lash of the whip calls forth a lightning strike to assail the enemy.
Heavy Attack: Thunder Domination (Thrilled State)
In Thrilled State, raise your whip to conjure a Thunder Formation, intermittently striking enemies within its reach.
Video Walkthrough of Horse Guai Locations in Black Myth: Wukong
Released
August 20, 2024
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Violence
