Episode Summary
Episode 27 sees Deng Yunfeng trying to keep the Demonic Sect's return under wraps while dealing with Ma Yingdan's complicated family reunion. Political intrigue ramps up as Linglong Princess plots against the Wulin Alliance, leading to public unrest. He Changzai is poisoned, and the blame game begins, pointing fingers at Eunuch Deng. The Grand Heroes Gathering brings shocking announcements and a confrontation between Gou Lingfeng and Eunuch Deng.
Spoiler Alert
"Hidden Master" Episode 27 Recap & Spoilers: Political Intrigue and Poison Plots
So, things are really heating up in the jianghu! Episode 27 sees loyal subordinates informing Deng Yunfeng about the Demonic Sect Leader's reappearance in Poison Immortal Valley. They want to tell Eunuch Deng (Deng Gonggong), but Deng Yunfeng is worried someone will use this to stir up trouble and make Ma Yingdan look bad. He tells them to keep it quiet. He believes the real problem is the Wulin (martial arts) Alliance, and he's determined to fix its rotten core.
Meanwhile, Ma Yingdan has reunited with her father, Liu Guang, but she's still not calling him "Dad." Deng Yunfeng suspects Liu Guang is behind it all and wants him back at the Prison Guard Division. Gou Lingfeng and Ma Linglan step in to defend Liu Guang, with Ma Linglan arguing that while he's made mistakes, he's not evil. She even mentions that the blood extraction was to develop an antidote for their daughter's affliction.
Because of Ma Yingdan, Deng Yunfeng lets Liu Guang go. Ma Linglan advises Gou Lingfeng to cooperate with Deng Yunfeng. Ma Yingdan wants her mother to leave with them, but she refuses, saying she's used to living there and the poison is gone from her body. Liu Guang and Ma Linglan share a tearful goodbye, and Liu Guang, Gou Lingfeng, Zhuge Heng, and the others leave Poison Immortal Valley to find a cure for Ma Yingdan.
Elsewhere, Wang Zipeng tells Linglong Princess about Poison Immortal Valley. The princess is surprised that Liu Guang is back and wants Wang Zipeng to stir up more trouble. Her goal is to expose the true colors of the Wulin Alliance to Gou Lingfeng so that he will work for the imperial court. Wang Zipeng writes inflammatory articles that anger vigilantes and commoners, leading to a mob attacking Ma Yingdan and Gou Lingfeng, accusing them of being Demonic Sect remnants. Wu Guangming steps in to defend them. Then, news arrives that He Changzai has been poisoned, and Ma Yingdan is asked by Wu Guangming to save him.
Ma Yingdan quickly writes a prescription for Liu Sanniang to fill. Wu Guangming is concerned and asks He Changzai how he was poisoned. He Changzai weakly explains that he waited for Wu Guangming at his residence, but when he didn't show up, he drank a cup of tea and collapsed. He warns Wu Guangming that the poisoner was after him and to be careful. Gou Lingfeng discovers the poison came from the Demonic Sect's Pill Hall, whose members were supposedly arrested by Deng Yunfeng, confirming that Eunuch Deng has ulterior motives.
Gou Lingfeng and Zhuge Heng are angry that Deng Yunfeng is helping the wicked, but Ma Yingdan trusts him. Deng Yunfeng arrives to talk to Gou Lingfeng about working together, but their conflicting loyalties lead to another argument. Meanwhile, Liu Guang meets with his old comrades at Five Mile Slope, telling them that a major event in the Demonic Sect is about to happen, and he needs their support.
Finally, the day of the Grand Heroes Gathering arrives. Eunuch Deng and his entourage make a grand entrance. Wu Guangming calmly states that He Changzai is in charge of the event and asks him to introduce it. Deng Yunfeng steps forward and reads out He Changzai's crimes. Eunuch Deng asks Wu Guangming how to deal with the situation. Wu Guangming suggests detaining He Changzai until the gathering is over to avoid causing trouble. Eunuch Deng agrees.
Then, Eunuch Deng pulls out an imperial decree, stating that the position of leader cannot be held for more than two terms to bring in new blood. Wu Guangming is shocked and kneels to accept the decree. Gou Lingfeng angrily points out that Wu Guangming is the only leader and has worked hard for the alliance, so this is clearly a targeted move. Eunuch Deng turns on Gou Lingfeng, saying that someone who practices demonic arts has no right to participate in the gathering and should be disqualified.
Wu Guangming stops him, explaining that Gou Lingfeng practices demonic arts for self-defense, and tells him to apologize to Eunuch Deng. Gou Lingfeng bows, but it's a funeral bow for the dead, enraging Eunuch Deng. Gou Lingfeng runs away before Eunuch Deng can react, leaving him fuming. Wu Guangming tries to calm him down.
