Chapter 23: The Calm Before the Storm
Section I: Undercurrents Beneath the Surface
The night was ink-black, and the wind howled through the hollowed-out corridors of the ruined school building like a mournful sigh. It carried an unspoken foreboding, seeping unease into every heart.
In a hidden chamber beneath the abandoned library, dim lights flickered over walls plastered with tactical diagrams, maps of power distribution, and charts of network relationships. Jason sat at the far end of the conference table, his expression calm yet fixed with intense focus. Lisa, Zhao Mingxuan, and others surrounded him, the air thick with tension.
"According to the latest intelligence, TRACE seems to be preparing for a large-scale operation," Jason said slowly, his voice low but carrying undeniable weight. "We must prepare countermeasures in advance."
Zhao Mingxuan frowned, his tone edged with anxiety. "But what can we really do? They're clearly much stronger than us."
Lisa nodded in agreement.
Jason lifted his gaze, his voice composed yet unwavering. "Strength isn't always the deciding factor in victory. We must use our minds—our strategy—to find their weaknesses."
[System Prompt]
䷺ Wind Over Water – Huan
Scattered and unsettled, the situation flows like water. Go with the current, do not force outcomes. Though the enemy's strength is great, there are openings to strike.
He stood and approached the marked map pinned to the wall. "First, we need more intel on TRACE's plans," he said, pointing to several key locations. "Second, we must reinforce internal defenses so each node remains stable when crisis strikes."
Zhao Mingxuan nodded thoughtfully, though concern still clouded his face. "And how exactly do we do that?"
Just then, the door burst open. A scout from the outer ring rushed in, breathless.
"Jason, urgent news! One of our observation points outside campus reported unusual activity—TRACE scouts might be assembling."
Jason turned sharply, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"It seems the storm is coming faster than we expected," he said calmly. "Everyone, move to full combat readiness. Follow the contingency plan. Remember—we don't fight them head-on. We look for their cracks."
Tension gripped the room. Everyone knew this wasn't just about external threats—the real danger also lay within.
At that moment, all eyes turned to Jason.
[System Prompt]
☵ Water Above, Water Below – Kan
Soft yet unyielding, flowing yet powerful. Move with the current, and you will survive.
"Lisa, coordinate resource distribution across the outer nodes. Zhao Mingxuan, monitor TRACE movements closely and report any anomalies. Everyone else, follow your assigned roles—no mistakes."
Lisa nodded and quickly jotted down the task notes. "Understood," she said firmly.
Zhao Mingxuan clenched his fists. "We'll give it our all."
Jason looked around at his team, a flicker of quiet pride in his eyes.
"Good. Now back to your posts. Get ready."
As he turned toward the door, a silent pressure settled over him—a weight growing heavier by the second. This wasn't just a battle; it was a test of faith, trust, and the future itself.
Yet he knew one thing: as long as they held together, no challenge was insurmountable.
---
Section II: Fractures Within
Though night had not fully fallen, an electric tension already pulsed in the air.
In the abandoned parking lot west of the school building—an impromptu "node联络站"—several shadowy figures huddled near idling vehicles, exchanging whispered words laced with frustration and unrest.
"You really think we should keep following 'Commander' blindly?" Tommy Greene leaned against a dented cargo van, his tone sharp. "He never shows his face, never explains the mission. We just follow orders like machines."
A few exchanged uneasy glances. Some nodded, others hesitated.
"But… but Jason did save us," a girl murmured. "If he hadn't ordered the evacuation, we'd all be dead that day."
"He needed us," Tommy snapped. "You think he actually cares? He sees every one of us as a pawn."
Silence fell for a beat.
Then a calm voice cut through the darkness. "You're right—I do need you. But you need me too."
Everyone spun around—Jason stood at the entrance, flanked by Lisa and Zhao Mingxuan.
[System Prompt]
䷺ Wind Over Water – Huan (Part II)
The winds shift. Truths rise when stirred. Use provocation to reveal desire—and control it.
Tommy stiffened. "You were spying on us?"
"No need," Jason said evenly, stepping forward. His eyes swept the group. "I just know some winds will always blow through. And I only need to determine where they come from—friend or foe."
Lisa added coolly, "If you think this place has no rules, feel free to leave. No one's stopping you."
Tommy gritted his teeth but didn't argue.
Jason moved to the center of the room, meeting each gaze.
"I know you have questions. Resentments. That's normal. I'm not here to lecture or threaten. I'm here to say one thing—"
His voice softened slightly. "You're not tools. You chose to play the game."
He paused. "If you can handle TRACE, Black Vines, and unstable allies on your own, walk away. I won't stop you."
A brief silence followed. Then a boy asked quietly, "Then what exactly is your goal? What's your plan?"
Jason hesitated briefly before answering. "My goal's never been hidden. I want to break this closed system and let anyone with the will and ability shape their own future. But first—we have to survive."
[System Prompt]
☵ Water Above, Water Below – Kan (Part II)
In times of crisis, trust wavers easily. Understand its nature to stabilize it.
He met Tommy's stare directly. "You don't have to believe me. But I won't abandon you because of doubt. Only if you betray the team will I turn my back."
His tone was even, yet firm.
Lisa stepped forward. "You can choose to stay… or leave. But once you stay, no more sowing division. Not a command—this is the line."
Tommy opened his mouth, then scoffed and stormed out.
Others followed suit—most stayed, but two or three left with him.
After they departed, Zhao Mingxuan asked cautiously, "Won't they leak information? Or attack us later?"
"They'll soon learn the world beyond these walls is far more dangerous," Jason said flatly. "They may return. Or they may vanish completely. Either way, it's part of the cost."
Lisa studied him quietly. "You're sounding more like a true leader now."
"I've just learned to accept reality," he replied. "Idealism can't be built on ruins of trust. We need strong bonds—not blind obedience."
Zhao Mingxuan nodded. "So… what now?"
"Now," Jason said, gazing into the darkened sky beyond the window, "we begin cleaning up the fractures we can't afford to ignore."
[System Prompt]
䷪ Earth Over Heaven – Tai
Open communication above and below. Internal instability can be stabilized if controlled.
---
Section III: The External Threat
Wind howled through the broken windows of the western wing, carrying the cold bite of night.
Somewhere beyond the walls, the distant rumble of vehicles echoed—a quiet omen.
Jason stood at the edge of the rooftop of the abandoned lab building, overlooking the southern sector of the campus.
This was one of the key surveillance zones—also the most frequently monitored due to recent anomalies.
"They're here," Zhao Mingxuan murmured, eyes fixed on the scope of his binoculars.
Lisa checked the comms beside him, ensuring all squads were on standby.
"Are you sure it's TRACE?" she asked.
Jason nodded, voice calm. "Not ordinary spies, not Black Vines mercenaries either. Their movement patterns are too coordinated. Their gear is too advanced."
[System Prompt]
䷷ Mountain Above – Gen
Between motion and stillness, defense is wiser than offense. When enemy intentions remain unclear, observe before acting.
He closed his eyes, letting the image of a hexagram surface in his mind. *Gen*, the Mountain—symbolizing stillness and stability. It meant they should wait, not rush.
"They're testing our layout," he said. "But it won't be their only move."
Sure enough, within ten minutes, a five-man squad approached from the southeast.
Equipped with optical camouflage suits and clearly trained recon operatives, they moved silently but purposefully.
"They won't spot our traps, right?" Zhao asked nervously.
"They'll see something—but not necessarily what's real," Jason replied, lips curling slightly. "Let them go deeper."
[System Prompt]
䷵ Fire Over Wind – Ding
Redefine the battlefield. Lure the enemy inward. Control the illusion to reverse the advantage.
Minutes later, the team entered the designated zone. Jason pressed the comm button. "Cut power on the east side."
Click—
A surge of static, then the streetlights blinked out.
Darkness swallowed the area.
Then, ambush teams activated signal jammers from three directions, generating false thermal signatures to steer the enemy off course.
"They're taking the bait," Lisa observed, watching the heat map. "Moving straight toward our 'hunting circle.'"
Jason gave the order: "Signal Third Squad—prepare to close in."
Just then, a scout rushed over. "Jason, we have a problem! They've called for backup—and… there's a woman among them, wearing an eyepiece. Doesn't look like a fighter."
The group exchanged glances.
"You mean this isn't just a reconnaissance mission?" Zhao frowned.
"Possibly not," Jason's gaze sharpened. "Capture the woman. Take the rest alive."
Orders given. The ambush unit sprang into action. A low explosion erupted from the ground, releasing a smoke screen that masked their movements.
Seconds later, all five targets were subdued. One figure—dressed in black robes, face obscured by a translucent eyecover—was being escorted forward.
Lisa stepped closer, brows furrowing. "Isn't this the 'Oracle' Kyle mentioned before?"
The woman looked about twenty, her expression calm, as if she'd foreseen everything.
"You must be Jason," she said softly, yet with an unsettling presence. "You do realize—you're playing exactly as fate intended."
Everyone froze.
Jason didn't flinch. He crouched down, meeting her hidden gaze.
"And what," he asked slowly, "is fate?"
She smiled faintly. "Something you cannot control."
For a breath, time seemed to stop.
Then Jason rose. "Take her back for interrogation. I want to know what she knows."
Lisa nodded, signaling the guards.
Zhao hesitated. "You're not worried she might be… some kind of psychic? Or someone with mental abilities?"
"I don't believe in destiny," Jason said firmly. "Only choices. She may know things—but that doesn't mean we have to follow her script."
[System Prompt]
䷒ Thunder Above – Wu Wang
Unexpected encounters require caution. Even unintended threats can bring danger.
The wind picked up, swirling dust across the ground.
Distant footsteps echoed. More enemies approaching.
"It seems the storm is even bigger than we thought," Jason said, tilting his head toward the dark sky.
In his eyes, a flicker of determination burned.
And he knew—this was only the beginning.
---
Section IV: Reconstructing Faith
Cold, white light flooded the underground chamber, sharp against the old concrete walls.
At the center sat a simple iron chair. The woman—still blindfolded—sat bound, silent and still, as if she already saw everything.
Lisa stood nearby, arms crossed, studying her warily.
"Who are you?" she asked, voice cool and probing. "Why were you there?"
The woman offered a small smile. No answer—until Jason walked in and sat directly across from her.
"My name," she finally spoke, "is *Night*."
*"Not your real name,"* Lisa muttered.
"Perhaps not," Night replied, lowering her head slightly. "But you don't need my past. You need answers."
Jason studied her for a few seconds before asking, "Do you know who we are?"
"I do," she said calmly. "You are those who try to break free from chains of fate. And I am merely a grain of sand within that fate."
[System Prompt]
䷝ Earth Over Thunder – Fu
When darkness reaches its peak, light begins to stir. Destruction paves way for rebirth. Old beliefs fall—and new ones rise.
The air thickened, heavy with unspoken tension.
"Fate?" Jason repeated, a hint of mockery in his tone. "I don't believe in fate. I believe in choice."
"Then have you ever wondered," she asked quietly, "if every choice you've made was already written?"
Her words pierced like needles.
"Your instincts—why do you see things others miss? Why do you predict enemy moves before they happen?"
Silence fell. Lisa glanced at Jason, unease flickering in her eyes. Zhao Mingxuan's brow furrowed.
"If you're right…" Zhao began, "then what we're doing now—is it all meaningless?"
"No," Jason said firmly, rising. "Even if the script exists—I will tear it apart myself. Even if every page says failure, I'll rewrite it as victory."
At that moment, deep within his consciousness, the *Fu Xi System* whispered in response.
"You claim to come from fate," he leaned forward. "Then explain this—"
He did nothing outwardly, yet something passed between them.
For the first time, *Night* showed a flicker of uncertainty.
[System Prompt]
䷙ Fire Over Mountain – Lv
Traveling through danger, clarity remains vital. Understand your enemy's belief—to dismantle it.
"What do you want?" Lisa asked suddenly.
"To make you understand," Night said softly. "You are not alone in rebellion. Others hide, waiting their turn."
"So you came here… to tell us that?" Zhao asked, confused.
"To test you," she said, eyes turning to Jason. "To see if you truly deserve to be the one who breaks the chains."
Silence again.
Then Jason turned to Lisa. "Lock her up. We can't let her go—not yet."
Lisa obeyed, leading Night away with two scouts.
Zhao stared at the empty chair, shaking his head. "Now I'm not sure—are we chasing truth, or is truth guiding us?"
"Don't question it," Jason said simply. "As long as the path is right—we walk it."
He opened his terminal, pulling up the latest Hexagram Analysis from Fu Xi.
Onscreen, a dynamic web of influence between TRACE, Black Vines, Gray Wing, and their own network nodes appeared.
"They're closing in," Zhao noted. "What next?"
Jason's eyes locked onto the red icon at the center of the display.
"Next," he said, voice steady. "We'll show them all—one thing."
His voice dropped low, almost reverent.
"This isn't their story anymore."
[System Prompt]
䷩ Water Over Heaven – Xu
Wait. Gather strength. The tide will shift when it's ready.
---
Section V: The Crescendo Breaks
The wind tore through the night, thick clouds blotting out the moonlight.
Beyond the campus walls, headlights sliced through the darkness like predator eyes.
Inside the command room, Zhao stared at the monitors, his face growing tight.
"They're coming. Five vehicles—at least twenty men."
Lisa stood behind him, fingers resting lightly on her earpiece. "Is everyone in position?"
"Outer nodes confirmed combat-ready," a scout reported. "Ambush zones, decoy units, support teams—all set."
Zhao turned to Jason, sitting silently in the corner.
"Are we really going to keep waiting?"
Jason didn't answer immediately. His mind drifted into the familiar gray space of the *Fu Xi System*, where shifting trigrams danced and reformed endlessly.
[System Prompt]
䷈ Water Over Mountain – Ton
Within crisis lies opportunity. Stillness holds motion. Defense becomes offense—let the enemy unravel themselves.
Moments later, he opened his eyes, resolve crystallized.
"Let them in."
Minutes later, the first armored SUV rolled into the main road. A high-sensitivity scanner rotated on its roof. Inside, elite TRACE agents.
They hadn't expected such eerie silence.
"Report status," the commander ordered.
"No signs of resistance. Thermal readings minimal," the co-pilot scanned. "Looks like they're not prepared."
"Move in," the commander raised his hand. "Split into three groups—surround the school. Capture Command alive."
But the second they stepped onto the cement steps, the ground trembled. An EMP blast surged from below, disabling all electronic devices.
"Shield field? That's impossible!" someone shouted.
At once, piercing alarms blared from every speaker, followed by a deep, calm voice:
"You came too early."
It was Jason.
Then, the night shattered in gunfire and explosions. Chaos erupted across the entire