Role in The Novel
Dongfang is first introduced as a deputy to Ren Woxing, leader of the Sun Moon Holy Cult. Through a scheme, he ousts Ren Woxing from power and imprisons the latter in an underground dungeon in Hangzhou, and thereafter seizes the leadership. Dongfang treats his subordinates cruelly, forcing them to submit to him by making them consume poison pills. After taking the pill, the person will be subjected to severe agony and suffer a long and painful death. If the person agrees to submit to Dongfang and obey him, he/she will be given an antidote to temporarily ease their suffering.
Dongfang castrated himself in order to master the skills in the Sunflower Manual and becomes extremely formidable. His personality also becomes more feminine and he develops a close relationship with a male lover, Yang Lianting. He neglects the cult's affairs and leaves them to Yang.
Ren Woxing eventually escapes from the dungeon with Linghu Chong's help and gradually wins back allegiance from his former followers. Ren Woxing, together with his daughter Ren Yingying, Linghu, and another follower Xiang Wentian, sneak back to the cult to confront Dongfang. In the ensuing fight, Dongfang is invincible and remains on the victorious edge despite being outnumbered three to one. However, he loses concentration after Yang Lianting is injured and abused by Ren Yingying on the sidelines. His three opponents use the opportunity to deal devastating blows to him. Dongfang is critically wounded and eventually killed by Ren Woxing. Just right before his death, he manages to blind Ren in one eye with his needles.
Read more about this topic: Dongfang Bubai
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