Episode Summary
Episode 15 sees Gou Lingfeng faking injury for attention, while Baihe Xia and Hei Chu Xia rebuild the Shendao Sect HQ. Deng Yunfeng's arrival, followed by Linglong Princess, stirs up drama. Deng Yunfeng's past connection to Ma Yingdan is revealed. Zhuge Heng promises to marry Ling'er but secretly learns swordplay from Linglong Princess. News of Deng Yunfeng's attack and Zhuge Heng's father's death sets the stage for the next episode.
Spoiler Alert
"Hidden Master" Episode 15: Recap & Spoilers
The episode opens with a classic spooky scene: it's the dead of night, and a shadowy figure is creeping around, scaring the bejeezus out of the local watchman, who's convinced it's someone from the Demonic Sect.
Meanwhile, Gou Lingfeng, ever the drama king, is milking his finger injury for all it's worth, hoping to get some TLC from Ma Yingdan. But Ma Yingdan sees right through him. She reveals to everyone that Baihe Xia and Hei Chu Xia are rebuilding the old Knife God's residence, planning to make it the new headquarters for the Shendao Sect. It seems those two are getting along better than ever, co-managing the sect like a well-oiled machine.
Then, Deng Yunfeng shows up unexpectedly, bearing gifts – osmanthus cakes from the capital. But right on his heels is Linglong Princess. At dinner, Deng Yunfeng, ignoring Gou Lingfeng's obvious annoyance, tries to recruit him and Zhuge Heng to work for the imperial court. Gou Lingfeng quickly shuts that down. Linglong Princess chimes in, reminding Gou Lingfeng that he was only able to escape the Demonic Sect mess thanks to Eunuch Deng's special pardon, subtly implying she's doing him a favor. She then invites everyone to eat and drink up, enjoying the good food.
During the meal, Ling'er sweetly serves Zhuge Heng, which doesn't go unnoticed by Linglong Princess, who gives a subtle side eye. Gou Lingfeng, not to be outdone, playfully feeds Ma Yingdan. Deng Yunfeng's grip tightens on his cup. After dinner, as it gets dark, Deng Yunfeng finds a moment alone with Ma Yingdan. He pulls out a porcelain bottle, and Ma Yingdan is stunned. It turns out, when they were kids, she gave medicine to a young boy named Xiao Shitou when she was suffering from a severe poison.
Ma Yingdan has never forgotten that encounter, and neither has Deng Yunfeng. He's been searching for her for years and finally recognized her at the martial arts gathering. But he was afraid of her reaction and hesitated to reveal himself. Ma Yingdan demands to know why he disappeared back then. Deng Yunfeng claims he had no choice and has now returned to make amends. But Ma Yingdan, seeing how late it is, coldly tells him to leave.
Under the moonlight, Zhuge Heng and Ling'er are sitting side-by-side, enjoying the night. Zhuge Heng is bummed about the lost Moonflower Swordplay clues and the missing Demonic Sect manual. Ling'er offers him some comfort, promising to always be by his side. Zhuge Heng is touched and vows to marry her once he's avenged his family, promising to love her forever.
He then laments that he has nothing to offer her but empty promises. Ling'er reassures him that he's given her a home after a life of wandering. Just then, Zhuge Heng spots Linglong Princess practicing Moonflower Swordplay under the moonlight. Without explaining to Ling'er, he rushes off to Linglong Princess's residence, begging her to teach him. Linglong Princess agrees, but tells him to keep it a secret and come every night to practice. Zhuge Heng is thrilled.
The next morning, Gou Lingfeng wakes up to find Ma Yingdan asleep at her desk. He thoughtfully covers her with a blanket. He learns that Deng Yunfeng visited her last night and gets jealous. Just then, someone from the martial arts alliance arrives with news that Deng Yunfeng has been seriously injured in an attack. The group rushes to the alliance, and Gou Lingfeng can't hide his glee, calling it karma.
Later, Ma Yingdan and the others visit Deng Yunfeng. Ma Yingdan brings medicine, which pleases Deng Yunfeng. Deng Yunfeng claims the attacker was from the Demonic Sect, but Zhuge Heng and Gou Lingfeng suspect the attacker used the Wan Ying Sword technique from the Jianmeng Sect (Sword Alliance). Ma Yingdan wants to investigate the Jianmeng Sect immediately, but Zhuge Heng makes up an excuse to delay it for a couple of days. Gou Lingfeng notices that Zhuge Heng has been coming home late every night and suspects he's been spending his nights in Ling'er's room.
But the truth is, Zhuge Heng has been secretly learning swordsmanship from Linglong Princess every night. Linglong Princess throws a banquet and invites Zhuge Heng alone. Ling'er sees this from outside the window, her nails digging into her palms, upset that he's changed his mind so quickly. Meanwhile, He Changzai urgently summons Gou Lingfeng, informing him that Zhuge Heng's father has suddenly died. They discuss how to break the news to him. Gou Lingfeng is shocked and, after some hesitation with Ma Yingdan and the others, they decide to tell him the truth.
Zhuge Heng initially dismisses the news, saying his father, Zhuge Yu, is known for faking his death to manipulate people. But after some thought, he decides to go home and check it out. Gou Lingfeng and Ma Yingdan decide to accompany him. After a long journey, the trio finally arrives at the Jianmeng Sect. Zhuge Heng tries to remain hidden, but he is recognized by a passerby, leaving him no choice but to meet his second uncle.
