Something I've thought about with Dongfang Qingcang is that he never really explains to the Moon Tribe, or anyone in it, where he's been for the past thirty thousand years. I imagine, in a post-series environment, the information would get around. After all, everyone in Shuiyuntian is going to figure out that the 'escaped criminal' must have been DFQC considering he showed up right after (it would be interesting to see the people of Shuiyuntian's reaction to being lied to about his death, btw). However, at the point we see in the series, it's literally just 'he returned'.
And I find that so interesting. Because when he talks to the old hunter woman when they're in Dark Pine Forest, she scolds him for this. We've need you. Where have you been? She's pissed. And he doesn't go 'I've literally been trapped in the highest security prison in the universe, unconscious. I wasn't slacking off' or whatever. Which you'd think he would, instead of just letting this lady believe he was chilling somewhere. He could even use it as fuel to inspire the Moon Tribe to avenge him, but he doesn't.
And I think there are two reasons for this.
The result is no different either way. In his eyes, he failed to protect them. Whether he was drinking mojitos in Shuiyuntian or he was trapped in the Haotian Matrix, the Moon Tribe suffered the same in his absence. He allowed himself to be captured, period. He let his people down. In his eyes, that's no better than just leaving for 30k years.
Going back to what we discussed, how DFQC will always use himself as the scapegoat before allowing anyone in his kingdom, or anyone he loves to come to harm: Dongfang Qingcang refuses to allow the people of Cangyan Sea to think he can be beaten. But this is not even because of his pride, it's because it is that important to him that they feel he is invincible for their safety and comfort. He doesn't care about being viewed badly. He already views himself that way. He considers himself a 'beast', 'evil', and 'the worst person in the three realms' (at first, he says this just as if it's a fact, but later, once his emotions return, he says it in shame). If the people of Cangyan Sea think he's horrible, he's willing to accept that. It's better than them thinking he can be defeated by Shuiyuntian. He has to maintain the impossibility of that, because it is what the hope of his people hangs on. They don't have to like him, but they have to know he can't possibly be defeated. It's not about pride, it's about protection, at the sake of himself, as always.
There's no point in the series where he defends himself, which he has every right to do! He fully takes everything as his responsibility, lets them draw the worst conclusions possible, and moves forward to solve the problem. The only time he says 'no, this is not the case', is when they try and blame Xiao Lanhua.
