Episode Summary
Episode 22 was a wild ride, setting the stage for some major conflicts and character development. I can't wait to see what happens next!
"Hidden Master" Episode 22 Summary: Gou Lingfeng gains fame but risks losing himself, while Zhuge Heng faces business struggles and is urged to join the Hero Conference to counter Gou Lingfeng's growing arrogance.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 22: Fame, Fortune, and Questionable Choices
So, Gou Lingfeng might be a Tiger-level vigilante now, but turns out, being a top dog in the Jianghu (martial arts world) isn't just about kicking butt. It's a whole package deal: martial arts skills (check!), cash (Gou Family Business, baby!), a solid crew (Zhuge Heng and Baihua Xia are ride-or-dies), and...reputation. And that's where Gou Lingfeng is lacking. He's got the skills, but nobody really respects him yet. Enter Guangming Xia, the "Bright Hero," who decides to give Gou Lingfeng a serious image makeover.
First up: appearance. Wu Guangming drags Gou Lingfeng to a beauty salon because apparently, our hero's look is a little too "rough around the edges" for the big leagues. Ling'er works her magic to hide Gou Lingfeng's scar, and Wu Guangming picks out a crisp, white robe that finally meets his standards.
Next, it's time for the press conference. Gou Lingfeng is forced to memorize a speech, which he hates. He thought being a hero was about fighting bad guys, not schmoozing and building a brand. Just when he's about to lose it, Wang Zipeng shows up – Guangming Xia hired him to write some glowing articles about Gou Lingfeng. Wang Zipeng, however, doesn't seem impressed and reports everything to Linglong Princess. However, the Linglong Princess knows that Gou Lingfeng will stir up the Jianghu. Wang Zipeng reluctantly writes the flattering articles Wu Guangming wants.
The day of the big ceremony arrives, and Gou Lingfeng chokes. He stumbles over the prepared speech, and the crowd starts to boo. Mortified, Gou Lingfeng throws the script away and speaks from the heart. He talks about witnessing a massacre as a kid and his vow to become a hero so that the strong won't prey on the weak. The crowd goes wild! Guangming Xia is thrilled and promises to help Gou Lingfeng with his "Demonic Sect" problem.
But here's where things get a little dicey. Gou Lingfeng's newfound fame goes to his head. Ma Yingdan and Zhuge Heng worry that he's losing himself and becoming a phony. They try to talk to him, but he's too busy enjoying the attention.
Meanwhile, Zhuge Heng's family business is struggling. A new merchant group is undercutting his prices. When Zhuge Heng invites the merchants to a banquet, they mock him. Gou Lingfeng barges in and saves the day with a massive order from the Gou Family Business. Zhuge Heng realizes that money talks, and sometimes, it talks louder than heroism.
Then, the Dragon-level hero, Quan Nengxia, rolls into town. But beneath the friendly facade, there's something unsettling about him.
Zhuge Heng, inspired by Ling'er, decides to get Quan Nengxia to endorse Jianmeng Sect to revive their family business. Gou Lingfeng, however, wants to endorse it himself. Quan Nengxia finds Gou Lingfeng rude and leaves.
Gou Lingfeng, drunk with power, starts throwing his weight around, ordering the guards to let vigilantes pass without checking their IDs. The people aren't happy. Guangming Xia, seeing Gou Lingfeng's ego spiraling out of control, asks Zhuge Heng to participate in the Hero Conference, hoping he can set things right. Zhuge Heng agrees and reassures Ling'er that he won't lose himself like Gou Lingfeng.
