Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Episode 15 Recap
> Novoland: Pearl Eclipse Recap
Following the naval skirmish at Xiping Port, Fang Jianming devised a strategy to counter the Leizhou army, whose advance was aided by an unusual reversal of the sea currents. He noted that the nearby Moon Bay was sheltered and separate from the main port. To exploit this, he spread a rumor that he was personally scouting in Moon Bay, using himself as bait. He then ordered his troops to feign defeat, luring the enemy into the bay.
Once trapped, a fire attack would force the naval combat experts ashore, where they would be at a significant disadvantage. Meanwhile, Fang Haishi led a group to the Red Plain to find the displaced Jiamanese. The plain was named after Princess Hongyao, the rebellious Prince Yi's elder half-sister, who had been sent to Huku for a political marriage. During Prince Yi’s rebellion, she sent her forces to support him.
In response, Emperor Di Xu and Fang Jianming led a fierce campaign into Huku, battling for four days and five nights. The conflict ended with the devastation of the Huku army, the death of Princess Hongyao in the chaos, and the disappearance of her youngest son. The battlefield was left so gruesome that the sparse grass that grew the following year was called "Corpse Grass" by locals.
Hearing the story, Fang Haishi understood the immense brutality of the era's political conflicts. While searching for the Jiamanese, Fang Haishi’s group was ambushed by the Right Tribe of Huku, who were capturing refugees as slaves. They were all taken to the tribe’s settlement in Lanzi. Among the Huku, Fang Haishi was already known as the one who had killed the Left Pudun Lord, a reputation that preceded her small stature.
Lord Earlji, leader of the Right Pudun, recognized her talent and tried to recruit her. Fang Haishi challenged him to a duel: if she lost, she would submit; if he lost, he must release her companions and the Jiamanese. Earlji, confident, agreed to fight bare-handed against her dagger. After Fang Haishi secured a narrow victory, the sly Earlji went back on his word, arguing he never promised an immediate release and would only free the captives in batches.
Enraged by his betrayal, Haishi was thrown into solitary confinement. When news of Haishi's capture reached Fang Jianming, he was ambushed by his subordinate, Xiu Feng. Claiming he was repaying a debt, Xiu Feng expressed his regret before taking his own life. Though severely wounded, Fang Jianming continued to direct the battle, ordering the annihilation of the remaining enemy ships and demanding his injury be kept secret to maintain morale.
Elsewhere, Chief Stewardess Ju, who harbored a deep grudge against Fang Jianming for rejecting a past family arrangement for marriage, received the intelligence about Haishi's capture with unconcealed delight. In prison, General Luerdan, jealous of the favor Earlji showed Haishi, plotted her assassination. He had the lock on her cell loosened and archers placed outside, ready to shoot if she "escaped." However, Haishi discovered her food was poisoned and devised a counter-plan.
She asked for water to wash, used it to dampen her animal-hide clothes, and then kicked over a brazier to set her cell on fire. The blaze attracted Earlji, thwarting Luerdan's plan. Haishi seized the moment to expose the entire plot—the poison, the loose lock, and the archers—to Earlji, securing her safety. Shortly after, Duoluo, the new Left Pudun Lord, arrived at Lanzi with his army, demanding Earlji hand over his predecessor's killer.
Unwilling to give up such a talent to his rival, Earlji stalled. At this critical moment, a message arrived revealing Haishi's female identity. Delighted, Earlji forced Haishi to don Huku women's attire and presented her on the city wall as his new favorite, "Tidi." As Duoluo remained unconvinced, Luerdan arrived with a charred corpse, falsely claiming it was Haishi, who he said died in the prison fire. Deceived, Duoluo departed, warning of destruction if the body was proven fake.
Later, when Haishi asked Earlji how he knew her secret, he cryptically replied he would tell her everything after she became his empress, his "Davana," an offer she flatly rejected. Back in Earlji's mansion, Haishi threatened suicide to force him to honor his promise of releasing the prisoners. She vowed not to harm herself or escape until all captives were freed, earning a measure of his trust.
She then suggested they distribute food in the prison, using the opportunity to subtly pass intelligence to Zhang Chengqian, who was disguised as a captive. During the distribution, she hinted at the weak defenses of Lanzi’s western gate, knowing the newly released prisoners would carry the message out. Despite his severe injuries, Fang Jianming began a grueling, non-stop journey to Huangquan Battalion, exhausting several horses.
His urgency intensified when he received word that Haishi's female identity was exposed and Earlji intended to forcibly marry her. Meanwhile, Earlji learned of Fang Jianming’s approach to Huangquan Pass. Consumed by a desire to avenge his past defeat at the Red Plain, he saw his chance. Believing Fang Jianming was the common enemy of all Huku, he sent word to the other tribes, confident they would converge on Lanzi for a decisive battle to finally erase his long-held shame.
