The fourth line contains both favorable and unfavorable factors for the focal player.

On the favorable side, Qian becomes Xun, which can represent yielding and gains. The other player appears to yield and allow Dui to obtain benefits. Zhen at the top of Hidden L4 also seems to place the focal player in an advantageous position. On the surface, the scene still resembles the scenario of the opening statement — the parasite is attached and feeding continues. Therefore, the text says, “attaching to the tiger’s tail”.

Transformed L4 also reveals an unfavorable side. Li in lines two, three, and four disappears, becoming overlapping Gen and Zhen in lines two through five. Li represents friendship; the additional yin line within it creates a rift. Upper Xun no longer overlaps Qian, which previously represented fullness, benevolence, and abundant benefits. Abundance is no longer available, and the other player’s benevolent attitude has changed.

The Xun–Dui structure supports several related readings. If Dui represents the mouth and feeding, Xun as inverted Dui suggests something unsuitable to ingest. If Dui means smallness and Xun gain, the gain is limited or impaired. If Xun means failure, the Dui side fails. The apparent benefits therefore do not provide an uncomplicated advantage.

Hidden L4 is Zhen above Gen. If Zhen means action and Gen an obstacle, the focal player is obstructed. If Zhen means gaining the upper hand, the same structure can indicate that the Gen side gains an advantage. Upright and inverted Dui in lines two through five also suggest disputes and friction between the parties.

As Dui advances, it meets the opposing energy of Xun; as Zhen rises, it meets the opposing energy of Gen. The focal player’s movement conflicts with the other player’s movement. Therefore, the text says, “efforts meet resistance”.

For the parasite case, the tiger may swing its tail violently or rub against a tree to remove the parasite. Both oppose its direction and may dislodge it.

In the domain of social relationships, flattery may backfire and bring blame or other adverse consequences.

The favorable and unfavorable readings can be reconciled along a time sequence. The focal player appears to gain an advantage at first, but that advantage leads toward culpability and obstruction. As its prospects diminish, withdrawal becomes the best available course. Therefore, the text says, “withdrawing is auspicious”.

In the parasite scene, the host moves against the creature and shakes it off. A full tick may drop off of its own accord; dislodgment can therefore coincide with its opportunity to leave. In the domain of social relationships, the phrase advises timely withdrawal. The parties’ intentions diverge, and the other player is about to awaken and injure the focal player. Ending the attachment before that injury arrives is favorable to the focal player.

In Transformed L4, Gen and Zhen overlap in lines two through five. I call this configuration shortsightedness. It resembles Li with an extra central yin line. Li represents wisdom and vision; the added yin suggests impaired sight, mistaken judgment, or a deliberate trap. Some decisive information is missing, and the focal player misjudges the apparent opportunity.

Qian voluntarily gives up a yang line and becomes Xun. Xun can mean gains, but as inverted Dui it can also represent something unsuitable for the Dui side to consume. The offered benefit may be bait. What appears to be a concession from the other player can conceal a danger to the focal player.

Hidden L4 is Xiaoguo, a hexagram involving mutual traps and deception. Apparent gains may be temporary advantages deliberately created by concessions, as in a sting operation. The fifth line’s broken attachment supports this possibility.

If the focal player ends the action, the same images take on a favorable meaning. Xun in Transformed L4 can mean retreat, so the Dui side withdraws. Gen in Hidden L4 can mean safety, so the Zhen side becomes safe. The focal player escapes intact before the other player attacks openly. The auspicious result depends on withdrawing.

The fourth line often prepares for the fifth. Here, benefits are near exhaustion and danger emerges: the situation turns against the focal player. The other player is gradually awakening and prepares to act, making an open rupture at the fifth inevitable.