The following is a list of characters from the wuxia novel A Deadly Secret by Jin Yong.
Main characters
Di Yun () is the protagonist of the novel. He is framed for larceny and wrongly imprisoned. He learns the "Divine Light Skill" () from Ding Dian and escapes from prison to take revenge and uncover the truth. He becomes disillusioned with the dark side of human nature after witnessing how his master and other villains attempt to seize the prized Liancheng Swordplay manual by resorting to unscrupulous means. He remains faithful to his principles and is eventually rewarded for his goodness. Ding Dian () is Di Yun's fellow inmate in prison. He accuses Di Yun of being a spy and beats him up regularly. However, he is finally convinced that Di Yun is not a spy after Di attempts suicide, and becomes close friends with Di. He obtains the highly coveted Liancheng Swordplay manual from Mei Niansheng and becomes the target of several martial artists who are after the prized book. He is poisoned and killed by Ling Tuisi. Qi Fang () is Qi Zhangfa's daughter and Di Yun's first love interest. She marries Wan Gui after giving up on Di Yun, whom she believes is guilty after being tricked by Wan Gui. She is killed by her husband when he suspects her of infidelity. Shui Sheng () is Shui Dai's daughter. She is taken hostage by Grandmaster Xuedao and brought to Sichuan. She is suspicious of Di Yun initially but falls in love with him gradually as she sees his kind nature. They are forced to separate when Hua Tiegan falsely accuses her of sexual immorality in front of her fiancé. She is reunited with Di Yun at the end of the novel. Qi Zhangfa () is Di Yun's martial arts master and Mei Niansheng's second apprentice. He murdered his master to seize the Liancheng Swordplay manual. He becomes insane after coming into contact with the cursed jewels. Wan Zhenshan () is Mei Niansheng's first apprentice. He murders his master to seize the Liancheng Swordplay manual, and discovers the secret of the book unexpectedly when his blood soaks through a book of Tang poetry. He is murdered in cold blood by Qi Zhangfa. Yan Daping () is Mei Niansheng's third apprentice. He collaborates with his two seniors to murder their master and seize the Liancheng Swordplay manual. He disguises himself as an old beggar and teaches Di Yun some swordplay techniques as part of a conspiracy to frame Di for larceny. He is murdered in cold blood by Qi Zhangfa.
Wan Zhenshan's associates
Wan Gui () is Wan Zhenshan's son. He lusts for Qi Fang and tricks her into believing that Di Yun is guilty while hypocritically playing the role of a good man by pretending to help Di. Qi Fang falls for his lies and gives up on Di Yun and marries him instead. He conspires with his father to seize the Liancheng Swordplay manual and kills his wife when she discovers their conspiracy. He becomes insane after coming into contact with the cursed jewels. Wan Zhenshan's apprentices are attracted to Qi Fang and they devise a scheme to get rid of Di Yun to win her affection. They are: Lu Kun () Zhou Yin () is killed by Di Yun. Sun Jun () Bu Yuan () Wu Kan () is killed by Wan Zhenshan. Feng Tan () Shen Cheng ()
Blood Sabre School
Grandmaster Xuedao () is the leader of the Blood Sabre School (). He mistakes Di Yun for a grand-apprentice and saves him from death and teaches him martial arts. Later, he discovers that Di Yun is an impostor and attempts to kill him but unexpectedly helps Di complete his inner energy cycle. Di Yun turns the tables on him and kills him. Baoxiang () is one of Xuedao's apprentices. He is involved in a fight with Ding Dian in prison but manages to escape. Later, he meets Di Yun by chance in a temple and attempts to kill him for food. He is outwitted and poisoned to death by Di. Xuedao's apprentices Shanyong () and Shengdi () are killed by Ding Dian in a fight in prison while trying to force him to reveal the whereabouts of the Liancheng Swordplay manual.
Luohua Liushui
The "Luohua Liushui" () is a group of four martial artists from orthodox schools. They track down Grandmaster Xuedao and Di Yun to Tibet to rescue Shui Sheng, who has been taken hostage by Xuedao.