Episode Summary
Liu Guang consumes a toxic pill made from Ma Yingdan's blood, gaining immense power. Gou Lingfeng overcomes his inner turmoil and defeats Liu Guang, but Ma Linglan sacrifices herself and Liu Guang to prevent further conflict. Gou Lingfeng is appointed to a high-ranking position and proposes disbanding the Wulin assembly. Ma Yingdan learns the truth about the pill and finds peace. The episode concludes with a glimpse into the peaceful lives of the characters.
Spoiler Alert
"Hidden Master" Episode 30: Recap & Spoilers
Okay, things get real intense in this episode. Zhuge Heng and Gou Lingfeng are still no match for Liu Guang at first. Luckily, the "Ghost Guy" (Gui Lao) is there to give Zhuge Heng some pointers, telling him to use the Yuehua Phantom Sword. Together, Zhuge Heng and Gou Lingfeng manage to hold their own for a bit, but then Liu Guang pulls a seriously dirty trick.
Out of nowhere, Liu Guang whips out a blood-red pill. He's clearly conflicted, but shouts that they've pushed him too far. Turns out, this pill is made from Ma Yingdan's naturally toxic blood! Ma Yingdan is understandably horrified – she thought her dad was taking her blood to cure her, not use it as a power-up!
The pill kicks in, and Liu Guang's power skyrockets. Gou Lingfeng and Zhuge Heng get thrown back. Deng Yunfeng jumps in to fight, while the Ghost Guy starts transferring energy to Zhuge Heng. Ma Yingdan, in a desperate move, feeds her blood to Gou Lingfeng to help him regain his senses. Linglong Princess catches Deng Yunfeng when he gets tossed aside.
Gou Lingfeng, using his sword for support, slowly gets up. He reflects on all the negativity he's faced because of his appearance and his demonic powers. But then it hits him: his master's words! There's no good or evil in martial arts, and being a hero isn't about grand gestures, but about staying true to yourself. This speech clearly resonates with everyone, even Deng Yunfeng, who's always been skeptical of Gou Lingfeng.
Gou Lingfeng closes his eyes, and his demonic energy transforms into righteous power. He goes back at it with Liu Guang. After a fierce battle, Liu Guang finally collapses. Ma Linglan suddenly appears, begging Gou Lingfeng not to kill Liu Guang. Despite everything, he's still Ma Yingdan's father, and his death at Gou Lingfeng's hands would forever ruin their relationship.
Gou Lingfeng hesitates, his hand trembling on his sword. He confronts Liu Guang, asking why he killed his wet nurse. Liu Guang coldly admits that he staged Gou Lingfeng's rescue to gain the support of the Gou Family Business for his leadership of the Heroic Society. Unrepentant and refusing to be imprisoned, Ma Linglan, unable to bear her husband's suffering, stabs Liu Guang in the heart and then takes her own life. Ma Yingdan can only reach out and touch her parents' bodies, and the wooden doll her mother left for her.
Just then, Prince of Chang shows up to announce that Gou Lingfeng is now General Who Pacifies Bandits and Chief Supervisor of the Eastern and Western Investigation Bureau, in charge of both the Wulin Heroic Society and the two investigation bureaus. Gou Yushu arrives, relieved to see his son safe. Eunuch Deng recognizes Gou Lingfeng, and they share a tearful reunion. Gou Yushu tells him to eat well in prison, and Gou Lingfeng realizes that his father and Eunuch Deng really do have a past.
Then, Gou Lingfeng shocks everyone by proposing to disband the Wulin assembly, arguing that heroism comes from the heart, not from formal structures. Prince of Chang is impressed. Linglong Princess pleads for Deng Yunfeng, suggesting they work together for the court. Prince of Chang agrees and asks Deng Yunfeng what he thinks. Deng Yunfeng, looking at Linglong Princess's hopeful gaze, hesitates and says he needs to think about it, annoying Linglong Princess.
Ma Yingdan buries her parents on a mountaintop. Knowing she doesn't have much time left, she takes out a pill given to her by the Unattached Hero, but Gou Lingfeng stops her. The Unattached Hero rushes in, explaining that the pill is actually an antidote made by Liu Guang using Ma Yingdan's blood! Despite his evil deeds, Liu Guang did care about his daughter. The Unattached Hero vows to dedicate his life to finding cures for the world's ills.
Life in Yunzhou City returns to normal. The Zhuge Family Sword Alliance trade association is established, and the Zhuge and Gou families are reunited. Liu Sanniang's meat bun shop is thriving. She sees He Changzai stealing buns, but doesn't stop him. Liu Sanniang expresses her frustration, and He Changzai decides to face his problems head-on. They confess their feelings for each other.
Gou Lingfeng and Ma Yingdan pass by Linglong Princess's residence and see Deng Yunfeng trying to woo her with newly picked peonies. Linglong Princess drags him inside, wanting him to return to the Imperial City with her and formalize their marriage. Gou Lingfeng hears Linglong Princess forcibly kissing Deng Yunfeng, and he brings buns to his master, the Ghost Guy. A neighbor asks Gou Lingfeng for help, and he retrieves a kite from a tree for a child, adding another heroic deed to his day. As evening falls, Gou Lingfeng buys Ma Yingdan's favorite rabbit. The Ghost Guy gets bitten by his turtle, and they all laugh together, creating a warm atmosphere in their little courtyard.
