Episode Summary
Gou Lingfeng and Zhuge Heng seek answers about Wuchang Xia, investigating a suspicious death and questioning Deng Yunfeng's motives. They confront Wuchang Xia in prison, while Ma Yingdan's return raises further doubts. Political intrigue intensifies as Gou Lingfeng is nominated for the Grand Hero Gathering.
Spoiler Alert
"Hidden Master" Episode 21 Recap & Spoilers: A Web of Secrets Tightens
So, things are getting seriously twisty in "Hidden Master"! Episode 21 sees Gou Lingfeng and Zhuge Heng swallowing their pride and paying a visit to He Changzai. They're practically begging for a chance to see Wuchang Xia (the Unpredictable Hero). Gou Lingfeng even apologizes for being a punk back in the day and disrespecting He Changzai. He Changzai, ever the politician, says he's cool with it, but Deng Yunfeng is the one calling the shots.
After getting the brush-off from He Changzai, Gou Lingfeng and Zhuge Heng head to Deng Yunfeng, but they get sidetracked. They stumble upon a crowd of people surrounding a distraught old man. Turns out, his son was saved by a mysterious benefactor, but after a brief recovery, he suddenly collapsed. Zhuge Heng, always sharp, asks if the old man ever encountered Wuchang Xia. The old man confirms it, hailing Wuchang Xia as his family's savior. This makes Gou Lingfeng and Zhuge Heng even more suspicious.
They rush to Deng Yunfeng to report their findings: another body, the eighth one, has turned up with that same creepy smile. And Wuchang Xia is still locked up, so how could he be responsible? Deng Yunfeng isn't buying it. He insists Wuchang Xia is a master manipulator. Gou Lingfeng brings up the missing Ma Yingdan, saying he wants to see Wuchang Xia to find out where she is. Deng Yunfeng remains unmoved, leaving Gou Lingfeng and Zhuge Heng frustrated.
But these guys aren't quitters. They sneak into Wuchang Xia's prison cell in the dead of night. Gou Lingfeng tells him he doesn't believe Wuchang Xia is the killer and demands to know Ma Yingdan's location. Wuchang Xia doesn't give anything away, but he does admit that the victims took a medicine he gave them. He claims it numbs the pain, but it drains their remaining energy, like a slow poison.
Gou Lingfeng is horrified, seeing it as a twisted form of murder. Wuchang Xia recognizes Gou Lingfeng as a student of Gui Xiansheng (Ghost Master), saying he and Gui Lao were old friends. He asks about Gui Xiansheng, and Gou Lingfeng sadly reveals that his master has passed away. Wuchang Xia is visibly shaken. He then pulls out Deng Yunfeng's comb and attempts to use it to break out. But Zhuge Heng urges Gou Lingfeng to leave.
Back at their place, Gou Lingfeng and Zhuge Heng are shocked to find Ma Yingdan safe and sound. She tells them Deng Yunfeng rescued her. This, of course, only makes Gou Lingfeng more distrustful of Deng Yunfeng.
Ma Yingdan tries to defend Deng Yunfeng, arguing that Wuchang Xia, while extreme, didn't act maliciously. Gou Lingfeng counters that Wuchang Xia took it upon himself to decide who lives and dies. Ma Yingdan throws it back at him, asking what he would have done in the same situation, leaving Gou Lingfeng speechless.
Meanwhile, Yu Yan'er visits Deng Yunfeng in prison, thanking him for saving her life. She reveals that she and the Emperor were childhood sweethearts, but she was afflicted with a terrible illness. Thanks to Wuchang Xia, her pain is gone, and she has no regrets, even if she doesn't have long to live. Wuchang Xia listens with a hint of sadness in his eyes.
Zhuge Heng cooks up a plan to impersonate Deng Yunfeng and break Wuchang Xia out of prison. Gou Lingfeng reluctantly agrees. They start plotting in secret. Later, Wuchang Xia is touched that Yu Yan'er would plead with Deng Yunfeng to save him. Gou Lingfeng and Zhuge Heng press Wuchang Xia about Ma Yingdan's poisoning and why he cried when he first saw her, but he dodges the questions.
That night, Wu Guangming (Bright Hero) scolds He Changzai and Deng Yunfeng for reporting the Wuchang Xia case to the court as a closed case, even though they know there's more to it. Wu Guangming approaches Gou Lingfeng separately, revealing that the upcoming Wulin (Martial Arts World) tournament is now controlled by Eunuch Deng. He wants to nominate Gou Lingfeng to participate in the Grand Hero Gathering to restore justice to the Wulin. If Gou Lingfeng wins and obtains the Grand Hero Order, he can take over Wu Guangming's position and lead the Jianghu (Martial Arts Community).
Since participants need to be at least Tiger-level Vigilantes, and Gou Lingfeng's missions often go wrong, Wu Guangming makes an exception and promotes him to Tiger-level Vigilante, bestowing upon him the title of "Loyal Hero." Meanwhile, Deng Yunfeng sits alone in a tavern, looking troubled. Linglong Princess arrives and reveals the details of the Grand Hero Gathering to him.
