Reverend Insanity has been that special novel for me where some of the thoughts of the main character resonate with me deeply. While I don’t personally find the world to be completely cruel and cold, I’ve learned that investing too much own time in society or other people is unpredictable—sometimes rewarding, often disappointing. Over two decades, I’ve experienced how the real world can respond to kindness with betrayal. Though not every interaction has been negative, the painful experiences tend to leave a stronger impression than the positive ones.
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The best part of Reverend Insanity has always been the determination of the main character that doesn’t waver in the sight of difficulties, emotions, and whatever comes in his way. Is Fang Yuan evil? No doubt about it. But look at the world he is in. He started from kindness, yet the world made him cruel and evil.
What best describes Fang Yuan? For me, he is a rebel. At his core, Fang Yuan is a rebel. He views the established order—Heaven’s Will, moral codes, and societal restraints—as shackles that inhibit true freedom. His constant struggle against these forces is not mere contrariness but a profound statement about the right to self-determination, even if it means treading a path few dare follow.
This article is the study of Fang Yuan, his ambition, his amorality and his motivations.
A Study of Ambition, Amorality, and Existential Purpose
The protagonist of Reverend Insanity, Fang Yuan, stands as one of the most morally ambiguous and psychologically intricate characters in modern web novel literature. Unlike traditional heroes or even anti-heroes who operate within blurred ethical boundaries, Fang Yuan embodies a philosophy of pure self-interest, rejecting societal norms and moral frameworks entirely.
His singular pursuit of immortality drives him to commit acts of calculated cruelty, strategic betrayal, and existential defiance, making him a villain by conventional standards yet a fascinating study in uncompromising individualism.
This article examines Fang Yuan’s psychology through the lens of his motivations, philosophical underpinnings, and the socio-environmental forces that shaped him, while analyzing why such a character resonates deeply with readers despite his overtly antagonistic traits.
Related: Best Web Novels with Evil Main Character
I. Contextualizing Reverend Insanity and Fang Yuan’s Role
The Gu World: A Darwinian Landscape
Reverend Insanity (Chinese: Gu Zhen Ren) is set in the Gu World, a realm governed by the cultivation of “Gu”—parasitic creatures that grant supernatural abilities. Power here is derived not from virtue but from ruthlessness, resourcefulness, and the ability to manipulate others.
The world operates on a social Darwinist framework where the strong dominate and the weak are exploited or eradicated. Fang Yuan, a transmigrator from modern Earth, enters this world with memories of his past life, but over 500 years of survival in the Gu World, he sheds any remnants of idealism.
Fang Yuan’s Position: Protagonist as Antagonist
Fang Yuan defies categorization as a hero or villain in traditional terms. He is the narrative’s focal point, yet his actions align with classic villainy: mass murder, betrayal, and manipulation. However, within the Gu World’s moral vacuum, his behavior is rationalized as pragmatic survival.
The novel’s Chinese title, Gu Zhen Ren (“True Human of Gu”), hints at this duality. The term Zhen Ren originates from Daoist philosophy, denoting one who embodies their “true nature” beyond societal constraints. Fang Yuan’s villainy, therefore, is not a deviation from but an affirmation of the Gu World’s inherent logic.
II. Psychological Drivers: The Pursuit of Immortality
Immortality as Existential Imperative
Fang Yuan’s sole motivation is achieving eternal life, a goal he pursues with monomaniacal focus. This obsession stems not from fear of death but from a desire to transcend all limitations—physical, temporal, and existential. As he states:
“I have lived long enough that I am already sick of wearing a mask to live. I do not fear death at all. Right now, I only want to live using my truest emotions and feelings, I will achieve my goals in my own way.”
His pursuit is less about longevity and more about asserting absolute autonomy over his existence. Immortality represents the ultimate form of self-actualization, a state where no external force—be it morality, loyalty, or emotion—can constrain his will.
The Role of Nihilism and Absurdism
Fang Yuan’s worldview echoes existential nihilism. Having lived through countless cycles of betrayal and loss, he rejects inherent meaning in life, relationships, or societal structures. In one reflection, he notes:
“The world is inherently meaningless. Only by creating our own purpose can we endure its absurdity.”
This nihilism fuels his instrumental view of others. Allies, enemies, and innocents alike are reduced to tools or obstacles, their value determined solely by their utility to his goal.
III. Core Psychological Traits
Radical Pragmatism
Fang Yuan’s decision-making is devoid of emotional influence. He employs cost-benefit analyses for every action, whether sacrificing a loyal subordinate or sparing an enemy for future gain.
For instance, he once annihilated a village not out of malice but to acquire a rare Gu insect, calculating that the marginal benefit outweighed any reputational cost. This Machiavellian pragmatism makes him unpredictable and terrifying, as even self-preservation is negotiable if it advances his long-term objectives.
Absence of Cognitive Dissonance
Unlike anti-heroes who rationalize their misdeeds, Fang Yuan acknowledges his amorality without guilt. He states:
“I am a demon. Demons do not need reasons to act. We simply do as we please.”
This lack of inner conflict is psychologically jarring yet consistent. His alignment with the label “demonic” reflects complete acceptance of his nature, eliminating the friction between action and identity seen in morally conflicted characters.
Mastery of Masks
A survival tactic honed over centuries, Fang Yuan adopts personas—humble scholar, loyal ally, ruthless tyrant—to manipulate others. However, unlike dissociative identity disorder, these masks are conscious tools. He explains:
“Coldness, arrogance, humility—these are all costumes. Wear them when beneficial, discard them when unnecessary.”
This chameleonic ability underscores his understanding of human psychology and his detachment from ego. Identity, to him, is mutable and transactional.
IV. Environmental and Philosophical Influences
The Gu World as a Crucible
Fang Yuan’s psychology is inextricable from the Gu World’s harshness. Early in his first life, he was naive and trusting, but repeated betrayals—such as being sold into slavery by a “friend”—taught him that vulnerability invites exploitation.
Over centuries, he internalized the world’s brutality, concluding that kindness and trust are weaknesses. His eventual philosophy—“Bully the weak and fear the strong”—is less a moral stance than an adaptive survival strategy.
Daoist and Zhuangzi Parallels
The novel’s title references Zhuangzi’s concept of Zhen Ren (“True Person”), who lives in harmony with their innate nature, unburdened by societal expectations. Fang Yuan embodies this ideal, rejecting external moral codes to follow his “true emotions”.
However, Zhuangzi’s Zhen Ren seeks harmony with the Dao, whereas Fang Yuan seeks to dominate it, creating tension between Daoist acceptance and his Nietzschean will-to-power.
V. Reader Appeal: Why Fang Yuan Resonates
Rejection of Hypocrisy
Modern audiences often critique protagonists who preach morality while committing atrocities. Fang Yuan’s transparency—he never pretends to be righteous—subverts this hypocrisy. As one Reddit user notes:
“Most ‘good’ main characters today bend to their conscience but act tough. Fang Yuan does neither. He owns his demonic nature.”
This authenticity, however horrific, is refreshing in a landscape of morally conflicted heroes.
Power Fantasy Through Agency
Fang Yuan appeals as a power fantasy not through strength but through agency. He is neither the most talented nor luckiest, yet he thrives via sheer calculative brilliance and willpower. Readers admire his refusal to be victimized by circumstances, a stark contrast to protagonists reliant on plot armor.
Philosophical Depth
His existential musings elevate him beyond a mere villain. Questions like “What is the purpose of an eternal life?” and “Can one remain ‘human’ while pursuing transcendence?” invite readers to engage with the narrative philosophically, not just emotionally.
VI. Comparative Analysis: Fang Yuan vs. Traditional Anti-Heroes
Walter White (Breaking Bad)
Both characters embrace their darker selves, but Walter’s transformation is driven by ego and insecurity, whereas Fang Yuan’s is a deliberate shedding of delusions. Walter seeks legacy; Fang Yuan seeks oblivion of all legacies but his own.
Thanos (Avengers)
Thanos’ genocidal acts stem from a warped altruism (“saving” the universe). Fang Yuan’s violence serves no higher purpose—it is purely transactional, making him more unsettling.
Light Yagami (Death Note)
Light justifies his tyranny as “creating a better world.” Fang Yuan would deem this delusional, as he acknowledges no “better world” exists beyond his ambition.
VII. Conclusion: The Paradox of Fang Yuan’s Humanity
Fang Yuan’s psychology presents a paradox: he is both inhuman in his actions and profoundly human in his existential striving. By rejecting societal constructs, he exposes the raw drives—ambition, self-preservation, curiosity—that underpin human nature. His villainy is not a deviation but an amplification of these drives, stripped of civilizing pretenses.
For readers, Fang Yuan’s appeal lies in this unflinching portrayal of self-mastery. He embodies the terrifying freedom of existing beyond moral binaries, challenging audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about agency, purpose, and the price of transcendence. In a literary landscape crowded with heroes constrained by conscience, Fang Yuan’s demonic clarity offers a dark mirror to our own latent potential for ruthlessness—and the existential cost of embracing it.
In a nutshell, Fang Yuan is more than just a villain or an anti-hero; he’s a study in the paradox of ambition. His single-minded dedication to immortality drives him to shatter conventions, yet in doing so, he reveals the fragile core of human emotion beneath his steely exterior. In a world where morality is often dictated by survival, Fang Yuan chooses to live—and scheme—by his own rules.
This deep dive shows that his genius isn’t in mindless cruelty but in his nuanced understanding of life’s transient nature and his willingness to sacrifice anything for what he sees as the only truly meaningful pursuit: eternal life.