Shen Gongbao

Biodata

Power Progression

Background and history

Shen Gongbao joined the Chan Sect under Yuanshi, but felt looked down upon because of his origins. He ran errands and worked for the sect in hopes of winning his master’s approval, without receiving the attention or treasures he wanted 293 295. At the Sect of Interception’s Jade Purity Palace, he encountered Lin Chuan without realizing that the apparent tree spirit was a Saint. Lin Chuan took him as a disciple; Shen Gongbao initially feared that accepting a second master meant betraying the Chan Sect 293 295 298.

Lin Chuan’s help with his breakthrough and Tongtian’s gift of the Six Souls Banner changed Shen Gongbao’s view of his new sect. He came to regard the Sect of Interception as a family, even while expecting ridicule from his former fellow disciples 298 300. Later accounts describe Tongtian accepting him into the sect and Shen Gongbao addressing Lin Chuan as his senior brother rather than his master 652 655.

In Chaoge, Shen Gongbao became King Zhou’s Imperial Advisor. His advice helped redirect court policy, improve the king’s reputation and strengthen the Shang Dynasty’s position against Xiqi and the Eastern Yi Tribe 666 674 679. After Shang Rong retired, King Zhou appointed him Prime Minister, giving him greater freedom to act without seeking approval for every decision 708.

Personality

• Eloquent and perceptive: Shen Gongbao is known for persuasion and for reading others’ intentions. Lin Chuan considers him suited to work at his side for that reason 306 652.
• Ambitious: He openly enjoys recognition, influence and mortal prosperity. His appointment as Prime Minister satisfies a desire he does not try to deny 703 708.
• Cautious about survival: He chooses the defensive World Ending Black Lotus over the offensive God Slaying Spear, and hesitates to enter a fight against Zhen Yuanzi because he lacks combat experience 302 493 494.
• Resentful of Jiang Ziya: Yuanshi’s preference for Jiang Ziya fuels their rivalry. With Lin Chuan’s guidance, Shen Gongbao seeks to keep Jiang Ziya from gaining King Zhou’s trust 293 656.
• Ruthless when he deems it useful: He uses a staged illness to draw out enemies and decides Fei Zhong should be executed once he is no longer useful 679 708.

Abilities and skills

Persuasion and political strategy

• Persuades Su Hu to support Shang’s campaign against the Eastern Yi Tribe and guides decisions that improve King Zhou’s standing in Chaoge 666.
• Advises King Zhou to confiscate Bo Yikao’s gifts and release him rather than escalate a dispute with Zhou during the Eastern Yi conflict 664.
• Investigates Eastern Yi movements and supplies intelligence that helps Su Hu’s campaign; King Zhou subsequently begins developing a wider intelligence network 679.
• Arranges for Yin Jiao and Shang Qingjun to meet, rather than immediately imposing a marriage on them 710.

Cultivation and techniques

• Possesses a Law of Misfortune fragment that interests Lin Chuan. Shen Gongbao says he does not yet understand Law Power; Lin Chuan’s proposed use of it with the Six Souls Banner remains a conjecture 296 299 300.
• Learns Lin Chuan’s Great Dream of Three Thousand Years technique and uses it on Ji Chang to obtain the Book of Changes 720.
• Disguises himself as Jiang Ziya to take an Immortal Apricot before Yun Zhongzi can give it to Lei Zhenzi 706.

Equipment and items

• Six Souls Banner and seal — Tongtian gives him this innate spiritual treasure, then Lin Chuan takes it for safekeeping. The banner can kill a named target at a distance, but using it against someone of equal or higher cultivation causes severe backlash 298 301.
• World Ending Black Lotus — the defensive Innate Supreme Treasure he chooses when offered a choice between it and the God Slaying Spear 301 302.
• Treasure Distribution Rock — given to him by Duobao 300.
• Hundred Stars Armor — a star-power-storing defensive treasure that protects him during Chi Jingzi’s assassination attempt 672 674.
• Escape talisman — used to flee after Chi Jingzi strikes him; Shen Gongbao lets his attacker believe he was gravely injured 673.

Relationships

• Yuanshi / Primordial Heavenly Lord — former master whose treatment left Shen Gongbao bitter. Yuanshi later sends Chi Jingzi to kill him and regrets losing his talents 295 671 742.
• Lin Chuan — takes Shen Gongbao as a disciple in the earlier account and later directs his efforts in Chaoge. Shen Gongbao subsequently addresses him as a senior brother 294 656 655.
• Tongtian — welcomes him into the Sect of Interception and gives him the Six Souls Banner; a later account names Tongtian as his master 298 299 652 703.
• Jiang Ziya — rival whose favored position under Yuanshi and prospects at court Shen Gongbao resents and works to counter 293 656 703.
• King Zhou — ruler who trusts his advice and appoints him Imperial Advisor, then Prime Minister 674 703 708.
• Ao Xuan — fellow disciple whom Shen Gongbao bluntly criticizes before advising him about the Dragon Clan’s future 431 432.

Notable quotes

“In this cold Primordial World, I've finally found my family.” 300

“Fellow Daoist, please wait.” 495