Episode Summary
In Episode 3, Gu Yuan, while investigating Nan Chui Meng, fails to prevent an assassination attempt on Chu Meng Die. He rescues the sole witness, Li Song'er, and convinces her to impersonate the supposedly deceased Chu Meng Die in exchange for an antidote. Under the aliases of Nan Chui Meng and Chu Meng Die, they arrive at Fengyu Valley where they face immediate suspicion and testing from the shrewd Uncle Bai and Senior Brother Zhou Heng. Their cover is nearly blown multiple times. In a major twist, the real Chu Meng Die is revealed to have survived the attack and is saved by a mysterious man named Baili. The episode ends with new suspicions arising after Li Song'er's unusual request for cosmetics raises alarms, prompting a deeper investigation from Zhou Heng.
Spoiler Alert
To Get Master Episode 3 Recap & Spoilers: A Dangerous Deception
The stakes are raised in the latest episode as a calculated plot goes awry, forcing an unlikely alliance built on secrets and lies. Gu Yuan and Li Song'er find themselves in a viper's nest at Fengyu Valley, where every word is a test and one wrong move could expose their entire charade.
An Assassination and a Desperate Deal
The episode opens with Gu Yuan actively searching for Nan Chui Meng while also learning of a plot to assassinate Chu Meng Die. He dispatches men to protect her, but they arrive too late, finding her already dead. Meanwhile, Li Song'er, on her own journey to Fengyu Valley, curiously follows Chu Meng Die's bridal sedan. She becomes an unwitting witness to the assassination and, in a moment of sheer panic, runs out and kneels before the killer, begging for her life. To her immense relief, she opens her eyes to find her savior is none other than Gu Yuan.
Seeing an opportunity in the chaos, Gu Yuan concocts a new plan. Since no one in Fengyu Valley has ever seen the real Chu Meng Die, he proposes a deal to Li Song'er: if she agrees to impersonate Chu Meng Die, he will give her the antidote she desperately needs. Li Song'er recalls advice from a mysterious old man and realizes that staying by Gu Yuan's side might be the perfect opportunity to eliminate him and find her way back to her own world. She agrees to the dangerous bargain. With the deal struck, Gu Yuan assumes the identity of Nan Chui Meng, and the two head to Fengyu Valley together.
A Treacherous Welcome
Upon their arrival, they are greeted by Senior Brother Zhou Heng. Having not seen Nan Chui Meng for over two decades, Zhou Heng doesn't suspect that Gu Yuan is an imposter and warmly welcomes them. However, the acting sect leader, Uncle Bai, proves to be far more perceptive and immediately begins to probe for weaknesses in Gu Yuan's story.
During a seemingly casual conversation, Uncle Bai brings up childhood memories of Nan Chui Meng. Gu Yuan, having prepared for this, casually recounts specific details that satisfy the old master's curiosity for the moment. Uncle Bai then tries a different tactic, attempting to get a glimpse of a distinctive burn scar on Nan Chui Meng's arm. Once again, Gu Yuan is ready and skillfully avoids the trap. The tension is palpable as Li Song'er makes a verbal gaffe, referring to Uncle Bai with a less formal title, which clearly irritates him and confirms his low opinion of "Chu Meng Die's" etiquette. Worried she might further jeopardize their mission at a planned banquet, Gu Yuan feigns concern for her health, claiming she is exhausted from the journey, and swiftly carries her back to their room, an act she has no choice but to play along with.
A Major Twist: The Real Chu Meng Die Lives
In a stunning reveal, the real Chu Meng Die is not dead. She was severely wounded in the attack and managed to take refuge in a remote hut to recover. When her would-be killers track her down, a mysterious martial artist named Baili appears and dispatches them with ease before leaving as quickly as he arrived. Shaken by the relentless attempts on her life, Chu Meng Die realizes that obtaining the coveted "Xiaoyao Jue" manual will be far more difficult than she imagined and resolves to change her strategy.
New Suspicions Arise
Back in Fengyu Valley, Li Song'er creates a new problem for them. She asks her handmaiden, Han Yan, to purchase a large quantity of cosmetics. This act immediately raises red flags, as it is well-known that the real Chu Meng Die disdained such "vulgar" items. The news reaches Uncle Bai, who orders Zhou Heng to investigate.
Anticipating the scrutiny, Gu Yuan and Li Song'er quickly improvise a scene when Zhou Heng pays them a "friendly" visit. Li Song'er claims that applying the cosmetics is part of a trendy new martial arts training regimen. While Zhou Heng pretends to accept their bizarre explanation, his suspicions are clearly aroused. He secretly sends his men to verify her claim, all while his subordinates worry that their original assassination plot has been discovered by the man they believe to be Nan Chui Meng. With threats closing in from all sides, Gu Yuan and Li Song'er's deception becomes more precarious than ever.
