Chen Dahai

Chen Dahai (simplified: 陈达海, traditional: 陳達海, pinyin: Chén Dàhǎi, jyutping: can4 daat6 hoi2), known as the Green Python Sword (青蟒剑, Qīng Mǎng Jiàn), was one of the Three Heroes of Lüliang (吕梁三杰) and a bandit who participated in the killing of Li Wenxiu’s parents in White Horse Neighing in the West Wind.

Biography

Early life and the Three Heroes

Chen Dahai was originally a bandit from Liaodong (辽东), but he later settled in Shanxi and joined forces with Huo Yuanlong and Shi Zhongjun to form the Three Heroes of Lüliang. The three sworn brothers established the Jinwei Escort Bureau (晋威镖局) in Taigu County, Shanxi Province.

Chen Dahai was known as the Green Python Sword (青蟒剑) for his mastery of the Green Python Sword Style, a sword technique characterised by swift and deadly attacks.

Pursuit of Li San and Shangguan Hong

Chen Dahai, along with his sworn brothers, led a band of sixty bandits in pursuit of Li San the White Horse and Shangguan Hong the Three Lady of the Gold and Silver Swords. They sought a map to the legendary Gaochang Maze that was in the couple’s possession.

The pursuit lasted from the Gansu-Liangzhou road (甘凉道) all the way to the Western Regions (回疆), demonstrating the bandits’ determination and persistence. During the final confrontation, Li San was killed, and Shangguan Hong, after killing Shi Zhongjun, committed suicide.

Discovery of the map’s location

After the deaths of Li San and Shangguan Hong, Chen Dahai and Huo Yuanlong searched their bodies but could not find the map. It was Chen Dahai who realised that the map must have been given to the couple’s young daughter, Li Wenxiu, who had fled on horseback.

Chen Dahai urged Huo Yuanlong to pursue the child, leading to a chase across the desert that was interrupted by a massive sandstorm, during which Li Wenxiu escaped.

Later pursuit and defeat

Years later, Chen Dahai reappeared in Kazakh territory, still searching for the Gaochang Maze map. During a snowstorm, he and his men took shelter at Old Man Ji’s (Ma Jiajun’s) home, where Li Wenxiu was living.

There, Chen Dahai discovered that Li Wenxiu’s handkerchief was actually the map he had been seeking for years. After obtaining the map, he attempted to kill everyone who knew about it, but was defeated by Li Wenxiu, who had developed into a first-class martial artist under Hua Hui’s instruction.

Journey to the Gaochang Maze

Chen Dahai escaped with the map and led the way to the Gaochang Maze, followed by Li Wenxiu, Supu, Suluk, and Aman. In the maze, the supposed treasures turned out to be merely everyday items from Central China, revealing the futility of his long quest.

Personality and traits

Ruthless and determined

Chen Dahai demonstrated ruthless determination in his pursuit of the Gaochang Maze map, showing no hesitation in killing Li San and Shangguan Hong or in attempting to eliminate witnesses to his discovery of the map.

Skilled but outmatched

While Chen Dahai was a skilled martial artist, his abilities were no match for Li Wenxiu after her training under Hua Hui, demonstrating how she had grown beyond her parents’ killers.

Martial arts abilities

Green Python Sword Style

Chen Dahai’s signature martial art was the Green Python Sword Style (青蟒剑法), a sword technique known for its swift and deadly attacks. His epithet “Green Python Sword” reflected his mastery of this style.

Relationships

Sworn brothers

Huo Yuanlong — The eldest of the Three Heroes, known as the Divine Sabre Shakes Guanxi
Shi Zhongjun — The second of the Three Heroes, known as the Plum Blossom Spear, who was killed by Shangguan Hong

Enemies

Li San — One of his victims, killed during the pursuit
Shangguan Hong — One of his victims, who committed suicide after killing Shi Zhongjun
Li Wenxiu — The daughter of his victims, who later defeated him and discovered the truth about the Gaochang Maze

Behind the scenes

Chen Dahai represents the destructive power of greed and the futility of material pursuits. His long quest for the Gaochang Maze treasures, which turned out to be worthless, serves as a critique of the lengths people will go to pursue wealth and power.

His character also serves as a contrast to Li Wenxiu’s growth, showing how she has developed from a helpless child into a skilled martial artist capable of defeating one of her parents’ killers.

Portrayals

Chen Dahai has been portrayed in various adaptations of White Horse Neighing in the West Wind.