Investiture of the Gods Shen Gongbao

Shen Gongbao (申公豹) is a key antagonist in the classic Chinese novel Investiture of the Gods (Fengshen Yanyi). A cunning and ambitious Daoist, he was once a fellow disciple of Jiang Ziya under the immortal Yuanshi Tianzun but turned against his former comrade due to jealousy and resentment. Unlike Jiang Ziya, who chose to aid the righteous Zhou dynasty in overthrowing the corrupt Shang dynasty, Shen Gongbao sided with the Shang, using his persuasive skills and mystical abilities to recruit powerful demons, spirits, and immortals in an effort to thwart the Zhou cause.

Throughout the novel, Shen Gongbao serves as a manipulative schemer, constantly plotting against Jiang Ziya and the forces of destiny. Despite his considerable knowledge of magic and strategy, his efforts ultimately fail, as the fall of the Shang dynasty is preordained by the will of Heaven.