Eunuch, do you really know these martial arts?

“Jiang Nian, your judgment based on the analysis of organizational behavior patterns is very reasonable, but time is too tight.”

“And,” he paused, “you also need a reason to leave the crew.”

"I'll come up with a reason."

Jiang Nian's tone was flat.

"The crew will be filming a rooftop night scene tomorrow, which will be very emotionally taxing. After filming, my old injury will flare up and I'll need to rest for a day. This reason is reasonable enough. Director Zhang Yi will understand, and the media and fans won't investigate further."

This time, it was General Zhao who spoke, his voice crisp and decisive like a soldier's: "The operation plan must be significantly adjusted. The original three-day preparation period has been compressed to twenty-four hours, and many of the pre-planned ambush points and support routes cannot be deployed in time."

"Then let's simplify it."

Jiang Nian walked back to the table and quickly traced his fingers on the nautical chart.

"The ambush area is being narrowed down, with the primary objective being to capture or drive away the enemy, rather than striving for total annihilation."

"The support plan only retains the best and second-best levels, abandoning the worst-case scenario of strong firepower cover and replacing it with high-speed disengagement."

"The gamble is that the other side won't easily expose itself by initiating a large-scale firefight in international waters before verifying the operation."

"This bet is too big!"

General Zhao disagreed.

“We’ve been gambling all along.” Jiang Nian looked at the red dot on the screen representing the target sea area.

“Starting from Greenland, every step was a gamble. The gamble was that they were even less willing to lose than we were, and even more afraid of prematurely exposing the existence of the Ruins.”

Bai Yongxu made the final decision.

"Good! We'll adjust it according to Jiang Nian's plan! General Zhao, immediately convene the operations staff. We must ensure that the core aspects are flawless!"

"Old Qin," he switched channels, "no matter what method you use, I need to see the inhibition rate stabilize at over 50% within 24 hours!"

"Understood, Chief Bai! We'll get it done even if we don't eat or sleep!"

Communications cut off.

The room fell silent again.

Su Qing stepped forward and whispered.

"Teacher Jiang, what about tomorrow's rooftop night scene..."

"Film as usual, and act well."

"Yes."

Su Qing nodded.

Chen Meng said in a deep voice, "Advisor Jiang, shall Su Qing and I accompany you on tomorrow night's operation?"

“No.” Jiang Nian shook his head. “You guys stay here with the crew and maintain your roles as assistants and drivers.”

"On the other side, the base will send a more professional deep-sea operations team to provide support."

Chen Meng and Su Qing exchanged a glance. Although they were somewhat reluctant, they knew that this was the most reasonable arrangement.

……

At the same time, at the Xuanwu Base, in the deep biological laboratory.

The atmosphere was as tense as a bowstring.

Old Qin's eyes were bloodshot as he stood in front of the control panel, his hands resting on the surface, staring at the constantly changing data stream on the screen.

The researchers around him also looked tense, their fingers clicking rapidly on their keyboards.

"Simulation test, begin!" a researcher shouted.

On the screen, the curve representing the activity of the marker in Jiang Nian's body was originally at a stable low value.

As the simulated composite waveform is applied, the curve begins to show regular fluctuations.

"Not stable enough!" Old Qin frowned deeply. "The peak suppression rate fluctuates too much."

Dr. Fang walked over quickly, holding a freshly printed analysis report in his hand.

"Old Qin, we've made a discovery!"

She handed the report to Professor Qin: "This spike and heart rate change perfectly match the starting point of the inhibition of marker activity! We suspect that his unconscious internal regulation and the external waveform produced some kind of synergy!"

Old Qin grabbed the report and quickly scanned it: "Internal force coordination? Possibly!"

"Jiang Nian's internal energy cultivation has reached the Grandmaster level, and his control over his own body far surpasses that of ordinary people."

"When an external field attempts to influence him, his internal force system will automatically generate resistance, and the frequency band of this resistance may just happen to resonate with the suppression wave that we are trying to induce!"

He looked up abruptly, hope rekindling in his eyes: "Quick! Remodel! Add the basic spectral characteristic parameters of Jiang's internal force operation to the simulation!"

“We don’t need to completely control the fluctuations; we just need to create a trigger, an initial condition that makes it easier for his own internal energy system to be guided out of the suppressed state!”

The laboratory was running at high speed again.

……

On the huge electronic sand table, the three-dimensional topography of the target sea area in the South China Sea is clearly presented.

General Zhao and a dozen senior staff officers surrounded the sand table, each with a tired face but sharp eyes.

"The time window is only thirty minutes. From the moment Consultant Jiang dives down to release the signal to the organization's maximum possible reaction time, we must complete the contact, assessment, decision-making, and action within this time."

A young colonel pointed to several marked points on the sand table.

"What about the capture plan?" General Zhao asked.

Another lieutenant colonel in charge of equipment replied, "The Haiying submarine is equipped with a new type of robotic arm and an underwater net launcher. If a small or medium-sized underwater vehicle appears, we are confident that we can capture it without destroying it."

"But what if the target is a large unit, or exhibits strong hostility..."

"Then destroy it."

General Zhao said coldly, "The primary objective is to ensure Jiang Nian's safe evacuation, followed by obtaining organizational technology samples, and finally capturing the complete unit. The priorities must be clear."

"Consultant Jiang's evacuation route?" someone asked.

"After the signal is released, regardless of whether the target is found, Consultant Jiang must begin to ascend within twenty seconds."

"Haiying will rise to a depth of 200 meters to provide support. At the same time, a high-speed speedboat disguised as a fisheries monitoring vessel will be on standby on the surface to provide immediate support and transfer once Consultant Jiang comes to the surface."

General Zhao traced a virtual line with his finger.

"The entire ascent and rescue process must be completed within five minutes. The longer it takes, the greater the variables will become."

"What if the other side uses air power or surface ships to interfere?"

“That area is international waters, but it is close to our traditional control area.”

General Zhao looked at the sand table and said, "We have coordinated with the South China Sea Fleet. Two anti-submarine patrol aircraft and one frigate will conduct routine training fifty nautical miles away, maintaining radar silence but ready to intervene at any time."

"This is a bottom-line force, and it will never be used unless absolutely necessary, in order to avoid escalating into open conflict."

The staff officers discussed the details in hushed tones, constantly revising the plan.

General Zhao walked to the side and connected to Bai Yongxu's private line: "Old Bai, the framework of the plan is out. The risk is at least 20 percent higher than the original plan, especially the evacuation after Jiang Nian's exposure. The timing is too tight."

Bai Yongxu's voice came through the receiver, also hoarse from staying up all night.

“There is no perfect plan. Jiang Nian chose this path himself, and he knows the risks. What we need to do now is to do the things we can control to the best of our ability. Is there any progress on Elder Qin's side?”

"I just received news that they are trying to use Jiang Nian's own internal energy reaction as a trigger for the fluctuation. It sounds a bit far-fetched, but Elder Qin is very confident." "Then trust the experts."

Bai Yongxu paused for a moment, then said, "Tell all personnel involved in the operation that this is not an ordinary military mission."

"We are facing an enemy and technology that are beyond conventional understanding."

"Be flexible and adaptable, and authorize the use of all means to ensure the safety of key personnel if the on-site commander deems it necessary."

"understand!"

……

On the set of "Lifeline".

"Good morning, Teacher Jiang!"

Chen Xiao was the first to greet him, his eyes full of admiration.

"I heard you're filming that important rooftop scene today, so I read the script several times last night."

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness." Jiang Nian nodded.

Lin Wan also came over, holding a thermos cup: "Teacher Jiang, I brought you some ginseng tea. My mother sent it, saying it's good for your energy. Today's scene was too mentally taxing."

"Thank you."

Jiang Nian accepted it without refusing.

Director Zhang Yi saw Jiang Nian, beckoned him over to the monitor, and pointed to the storyboard: "Jiang Nian, this rooftop scene is Lu Chenxi's emotional outburst after experiencing a series of failed surgeries and doubts from her colleagues."

"But after the outbreak comes a deeper despair and loneliness. I need to see the layers."

Jiang Nian looked at the lonely figure in the storyboard, remained silent for a moment, and slowly said, "I can understand that feeling."

Zhang Yi glanced at him and patted him on the shoulder: "Okay, I believe in you. Go and get ready. In the morning, we'll do some rehearsals to familiarize ourselves with the rooftop environment. We'll start the actual filming in the afternoon and evening, when it's completely dark. We need that sense of loneliness under the neon lights of the city."

"clear."

Following the director's instructions, Jiang Nian moved around the positions again and again, adjusting the angle and rhythm of each turn and each pause.

His expression was focused; he was completely immersed in the role.

Su Qing and Chen Meng kept watch downstairs while maintaining contact with the base via an encrypted channel.

"All operational forces are in position and are making covert maneuvers toward the designated sea area. The Haiying submarine reports that it is expected to arrive at its ambush position at 6 p.m. today."

Everything is proceeding according to the revised plan.

During the lunch break, Jiang Nian declined the invitation to have lunch with the others and returned to the nanny van alone.

Su Qing handed him a specially prepared nutritious meal and whispered, "The base's medical team recommends that you receive a mild nerve stimulant injection before the afternoon's filming to help you control your emotional expenditure more precisely and prepare your body for the evening's performance."

"The dosage is very small and will not affect judgment or the ability to act."

Jiang Nian took the lunchbox: "Okay. When should I get the injection?"

"Four o'clock in the afternoon, two hours before filming. I will be in charge; the medication is ready," Su Qing replied.

"it is good."

At 3 p.m., the crew began making final preparations for the rooftop night scene.

The lighting team set up large soft lights and background lights, while the props team arranged water tanks, ventilation ducts, and other miscellaneous items on the rooftop to create a realistic effect.

Jiang Nian closed her eyes to rest in the dressing room.

Su Qing entered under the pretext of touching up her makeup and used a specially made syringe disguised as a makeup brush to quickly inject Jiang Nian's neck.

"The medication lasts for about six hours, which covers the filming and subsequent hospitalization time," Su Qing said in a low voice as she quickly packed her things.

At six o'clock in the evening, the sky began to darken.

The city's neon lights gradually came on, and the faint sound of traffic could be heard in the distance.

The rooftop lights have been adjusted, creating a lonely atmosphere that is surrounded by urban light yet isolated from it.

"All departments, prepare!" Director Zhang Yi's voice came through the walkie-talkie. "Actors, take your positions!"

Jiang Nian, dressed in a thin doctor's scrubs with a wrinkled white coat over them, walked onto the rooftop. A cool night breeze blew by, causing the hem of her coat to flutter slightly.

Lin Wan, who plays Su Mian, follows behind him, wearing a nurse's uniform and with a worried look on her face.

"Lifeline, Scene 89, Shot 1, Action!"

Jiang Nian slowly walked to the edge of the rooftop, placed his hands on the cold railing, his back straight yet revealing deep exhaustion.

He didn't speak immediately, but just stared at the flickering lights in the distance, his breath forming a thin white mist in the cold air.

The camera slowly zoomed in, capturing the contours of his profile and his eyes.

The calmness and authority that Lu Chenxi usually possessed were gone from her eyes; only an emptiness, like ruins, remained, after being crushed by countless disappointments and the weight of life and death.

Lin Wan slowly approached and stopped two steps behind him, hesitant to speak.

"They all think I'm wrong."

Jiang Nian suddenly spoke, her voice so soft it was almost carried away by the wind, yet it came through the microphone clearly: “Conservative, stubborn, and unwilling to take risks.”

He paused, a faint, bitter smile curving his lips: "Perhaps they are right."

"Dr. Lu..."

Lin Wan couldn't help but speak up.

Jiang Nian didn't turn around, continuing to look into the distance: "Su Mian, do you know what's the scariest thing about being a doctor?"

"It's not about facing death. Death is the result, and we've seen it far too often."

"The scariest thing is that you know the path might be wrong, but you have no other choice."

"You can only watch helplessly as you use your own hands to push that person who is still warm and breathing, step by step, toward the outcome you know is likely to be bad."

His voice remained calm, but the knuckles of his fingers gripping the railing turned slightly white from the force, and the subtle trembling was precisely captured by the high-definition camera.

"Then you tell yourself that you did your best. Use this sentence to cover up all the uncertainty, all the helplessness, and all the 'what ifs' that pop up in the middle of the night."

He suddenly raised a hand, pointing down towards the film set, or perhaps towards the hospital further away, which was out of sight. His voice finally trembled slightly, as if he could barely contain himself: “Look down there, so many people, so many lights, it’s so lively. But I feel… especially cold.”

Lin Wan's eyes instantly reddened. She took a step forward, wanting to say something.

Jiang Nian suddenly turned around, facing her and the camera. His eyes, illuminated by the neon lights in the background, were frighteningly bright, yet terrifyingly empty.

"I tried my best!"

He suddenly raised his voice, shouting at the night sky, as if he were roaring at an invisible fate.

But the roar wasn't hysterical; it was more like a dry, mournful cry squeezed from the depths of the chest after exhausting all strength.

After yelling, he seemed to have all his strength drained away. His shoulders slumped, and he took two steps back, leaning against the water tank before slowly sliding to the ground.

Her head was buried deep in her arms, leaving only a trembling, silent back view.

The entire rooftop was silent, save for the sound of the wind and the distant hustle and bustle of the city.

Lin Wan's tears fell silently. She squatted down and reached out her hand, but stopped just before touching his shoulder. In the end, she simply covered her mouth tightly.

"Cut!!!" (End of Chapter)