Halfhand secret identity clue

[Illyrio Mo'Parties]

I don't know where to put this, but I've pottering around noticing things that aren't there, and I thought I might've found something here, for those who belief that Qhorin Halfhand is someone else presumed dead and in disguise:

Quote

The Old Bear had seemed pleased by the dagger, but he preferred a steel knife at his belt, Jon had noticed. Mormont could offer no answers as to who might have buried the cloak or what it might mean. Perhaps Qhorin will know. The Halfhand had ventured deeper into the wild than any other living man.

-- Jon V, A Clash of Kings

Obviously that just means what it appears to mean, right? But there is another way of reading it. It might help you understand if I popped a comma or two in there:

The Halfhand had ventured deeper into the wild than any other, living, man.

[Illyrio Mo'Parties]

Maybe I should clarify:

The Halfhand had ventured deeper into the wild than any other living man, but not deeper than any other dead man, i.e. he's a dead man.

And who's the dead man that's ventured deeper than him? Lots of options: Mance (maybe), Coldhands, Bloodraven... there's probably some more.

[Lady Blizzardborn]

I think I'm missing something. How is this a secret identity clue?