Yan Daping (simplified: 言达平, traditional: 言達平, pinyin: Yán Dápíng, jyutping: jin4 daat6 ping4), known as “Land Dragon” (陆地神龙), was Mei Niansheng’s second apprentice and one of the three disciples who betrayed their master to obtain the Liancheng Swordplay manual.
Biography
Apprenticeship and betrayal
Yan Daping was the second of Mei Niansheng’s three apprentices, between Wan Zhenshan and Qi Zhangfa. Together, the three conspired to kill their master and steal the Liancheng Swordplay manual.
Disguised as a beggar
When Di Yun and Qi Fang traveled to Jingzhou for Wan Zhenshan’s birthday celebration, Yan Daping appeared disguised as a beggar. He helped Di Yun defeat Lü Tong, a bandit chief who had come to seek revenge against Wan Zhenshan.
Conflict with Wan Zhenshan
Yan Daping had a long-standing conflict with Wan Zhenshan over the Liancheng Swordplay manual. The two brothers fought each other, revealing their corrupted martial arts techniques that emphasized complex movements but lacked internal power.
Character
Yan Daping was portrayed as more cunning than Wan Zhenshan but less scheming than Qi Zhangfa. His nickname “Land Dragon” suggested his skill and reputation in the jianghu, though his martial arts were ultimately flawed due to the corrupted teachings he had received.
Martial arts
Yan Daping practiced the Tangshi Swordplay (唐诗剑法), which was actually the corrupted version of the Liancheng Swordplay (连城剑法). Like his brothers, his techniques were overly complex and lacked internal power, making them ineffective against opponents with superior internal strength.