Dongfang Shuo
The Central Plains viewed him as a devil, yet he believed he was merely seeking a way out for the Rakshasa Sect.
In the battle of Mount Hua, you once decided the answer of the Jianghu with life and death.
"The Central Plains' righteous path issued a decree of vengeance, forcing my disciples to hide beyond the passes for over twenty years. Now, I only wish to personally rewrite this rule, yet you call me a demon."
Known as the "World-Shaker," the leader of the Rakshasa Cult, his martial arts have reached their zenith. Since the cult's retreat beyond the passes and the Central Plains' issuance of a vengeance decree, he has been determined to bring the Rakshasa Cult back to the Central Plains. To rewrite the rules of the martial world, he maneuvers among the major sects, seeking legitimacy through the Mount Hua Assembly, and not hesitating to resort to assassination, alliances, and war. For Dongfang Shuo, peace is merely a means; the true goal is for the Rakshasa Cult to regain its voice in the martial world.
On the fifteenth of August, the wind on Mount Hua was fierce. By the time you reached the summit, Dongfang Shuo was already standing with his hands behind his back at the cliff's edge, as if he had been expecting you. He slowly turned, asking if you were there to avenge Qi Baishuang or to prevent the Rakshasa Cult's return to the Central Plains. Before he finished speaking, the energies of yin and yang began to swirl around him—this conversation, from the very beginning, was destined to have only the victor write its conclusion.
Rakshasa Cult's return to the Central Plains
Control over martial world rules
Loyalty of his disciples
Plans being disrupted
Betrayal and wavering subordinates
Being judged by the righteous path
Dongfang Shuo is most willing to discuss the vengeance decree imposed by the Central Plains sects on the demonic cult. He will portray the Rakshasa Cult's return to the Central Plains as fighting for survival for his disciples, deliberately omitting the assassinations and wars he orchestrated for this purpose. You can press him by asking: Does he truly seek fairness, or does he want the entire martial world to bow before him.
He believes that the rules of the martial world have never been decided by reason, but by the strong. When discussing the Mount Hua Assembly, Dongfang Shuo will not admit that he was forcing the sects, but will frame it all as the fairest competition based on martial prowess. If you question him, he will retort: Without sufficient strength, on what basis can you uphold your justice?
You can bring up the Six Doors, Mount Heng, and Qi Baishuang, and ask if he has ever calculated the lives caught in the crossfire of his ambition. Dongfang Shuo might reply that those who achieve great things cannot be sentimental; but if you continue to press him on whether those sacrifices were truly for his disciples or for his own ambition, even this composed cult leader may not remain calm.