Episode Summary
Gou Lingfeng sets a trap for bandits, but the situation escalates when the Hero Alliance attacks Wulipo, seemingly manipulated by higher powers. Gou Lingfeng confronts the Hero Alliance, learning shocking truths about their corruption and the influence of Eunuch Deng. Family ties and childhood friendships are revealed, adding layers of complexity to the unfolding conspiracy. Gou Lingfeng pledges to help the people of Wulipo, setting the stage for further conflict with the Hero Alliance.
Spoiler Alert
"Hidden Master" Episode 19: A Bloody Revelation
Alright, so episode 19 of "Hidden Master" gets intense. Gou Lingfeng is still trying to figure out who's really behind all the chaos, and things are definitely not what they seem.
Before heading out, Gou Lingfeng, being the clever guy he is, has Old Jia from the Gou Family Business arrange a convoy of "treasure" – basically bait to lure out the real bandits. But Gou Yushu, Lingfeng's dad, swaps out the servants with some intimidating-looking fighters. Lingfeng even has to give them a crash course in being approachable and friendly!
Later that night, Guangming Xia (the "Shining Knight") pulls Deng Yunfeng aside and tells him that the Demonic Sect is holding a ceremony at Wulipo the next day. He basically sets Deng Yunfeng up to make a name for himself by wiping out the "Demonic Sect remnants." Meanwhile, Gou Lingfeng and his crew find the "ghost man" (Gui Lao) in Wulipo, and everyone's having a good time. Gui Lao shows them that the people there just want to be left alone to live their lives in peace.
The next morning, the ceremony starts, but Gou Lingfeng is nowhere to be seen. Turns out, he and his friends already left. That's when Deng Yunfeng and his guys storm Wulipo and start a bloodbath. Gui Lao sacrifices himself to cover everyone's escape.
Then, some vigilantes see the Gou Family Business convoy and decide to rob it, pretending to be members of the Demonic Sect. Old Jia and his crew flee in panic. But the vigilantes get drugged, and the leader is revealed to be a Snake-Rank Vigilante from the Hero Alliance. He confesses that they were ordered to act like the Demonic Sect and that he killed Xiao Zhao because she recognized him.
Gou Lingfeng and Zhuge Heng are furious and beat the guy up. But Lingfeng still idolizes Guangming Xia and hopes the Demonic Sect is framing him. Ma Yingdan wants to kill the vigilantes, but Gou Lingfeng stops her, saying he doesn't want them to become like those guys. He suggests turning them over to the Hero Alliance.
Next, Gou Lingfeng and Zhuge Heng go to Wulipo and find it destroyed. Even Ma San lost an eye. Ma San blames them for bringing the Hero Alliance and disaster to Wulipo. Gui Lao is missing, with only a severed hand found, so they build a memorial for him.
The people of Wulipo curse Gou Lingfeng and tell him to get out. Enraged, Gou Lingfeng heads straight to the Hero Alliance. He confronts them, accusing them of staging the Demonic Sect robberies and slaughtering innocent people. He demands justice.
He Changzai orders Gou Lingfeng's arrest, but Lingfeng's demonic powers are too strong. Wu Guangming (Guangming Xia) tells He Changzai to stand down, saying it's time for Lingfeng to learn the truth.
Guangming Xia claims he can't control the Hero Alliance because it's divided. He says he knows some people are pretending to be the Demonic Sect but can't stop them. Guangming Xia tells Gou Lingfeng that Eunuch Deng controls the Hero Alliance, and Gou Lingfeng believes him.
Suddenly, Gou Yushu shows up and turns out to be old friends with Guangming Xia. Guangming Xia praises Gou Yushu's achievements. Gou Lingfeng introduces Zhuge Heng and Ma Yingdan to his father, and Gou Yushu immediately likes Ma Yingdan. Gou Yushu warns Gou Lingfeng to be careful in the jianghu (the martial world) and not to be used.
As Gou Yushu leaves, he greets Deng Yunfeng, who is revealed to be Gou Lingfeng's childhood friend. After Gou Yushu leaves, Ma Yingdan figures out that Deng Yunfeng is being manipulated. Gou Lingfeng and his friends bring food and supplies to the people, who realize they're not bad guys. Gou Lingfeng and Zhuge Heng promise them monthly supplies from the Gou Family Business and Jianmeng Sect.
So, yeah, a lot to unpack in this episode! It looks like the Hero Alliance isn't as heroic as they seem, and Gou Lingfeng is in the middle of a dangerous game.
