Spy-x-War Showdown
Chapter 1158 - 1163: Waving the Tiger’s Skin

Chapter 1158: Chapter 1163: Waving the Tiger’s Skin

After a long time, Yang Yi met Gary Keene once again, though the circumstances this time were completely different from the last.

Last time, Yang Yi had fallen into Gary Keene’s hands, with his life entirely at the mercy of the other. The Organization of Water resorted to every trick in the book to extract him from MI5’s clutches.

This time, while the positions of the two weren’t entirely equal, they were certainly close enough.

At the very least, Yang Yi’s mindset had changed.

As for Gary Keene’s mindset, it might require a bit of adjustment from Yang Yi, though Yang Yi was more than willing to help Gary Keene adjust it.

Inside a restaurant that was famous—very famous—but one that only the British considered delicious, Yang Yi spotted Gary Keene sitting alone at a table.

"Mr. Keene, long time no see."

"Oh, hi. Yes, it really has been a long time."

"The weather is great today."

"Indeed, the sun is really lovely today."

Yang Yi sat down across from Gary Keene. Gary Keene smiled and waved his hand. When the waiter approached, Gary smiled and said, "Today, it’s my treat."

"Oh, thank you."

Yang Yi took the menu, ordered a main dish of fish and chips, and casually selected some side dishes before handing the menu back to the waiter. Then he smiled at Gary Keene and asked, "Where should we start?"

There was no need to waste time—Yang Yi intended to get straight to the point.

Gary Keene smiled and said, "Haven’t we already started? Hmm, what can you offer me?"

Yang Yi wasn’t carrying any special mission as a double agent, so Gary Keene had no idea what kind of intelligence he might gain from Yang Yi.

Yang Yi quietly pondered for a moment, then said to Gary Keene, "I think we might need to reacquaint ourselves."

"Oh?"

"I’m a CIA operative, but I’m also an intelligence broker. Saying intelligence broker doesn’t fully capture it—hmm, I’m a professional spy who collects and sells intelligence. So, while I’m technically a CIA agent, I much prefer identifying myself as an intelligence trader."

After saying this calmly, Yang Yi smiled at Gary Keene and added, "Yesterday, Mario died. Did you know?"

Gary Keene raised an eyebrow and replied with a chuckle, "Of course I know. That’s a big event in the intelligence world. Although I hadn’t worked extensively with them, the Cicero Family is an unavoidable presence for every intelligence agency, isn’t it? Not completely essential, but certainly capable of providing significant convenience."

Yang Yi let out a breath and said, "Justin will become the new head of the Cicero Family."

Gary Keene rubbed his lips and said, "That... is something most people working in intelligence should already know, right?"

Yang Yi laughed, then said in a calm voice, "It was me who helped him accomplish that."

Gary Keene’s expression immediately turned serious. He looked at Yang Yi with a hint of surprise but said nothing for a long while.

Yang Yi added in a composed tone, "Would you like me to prove it to you? I don’t think you’ll have much reason to come after me for Mario’s death, so I don’t mind providing you with some evidence."

Gary Keene hesitated for a long while before lowering his voice and saying, "Actually, I’m not familiar with the Cicero Family—I just understand their significance. I don’t deal with that side of things. But I know how weighty their influence is. Hmm, you and Justin... what kind of relationship do you have?"

"Partners. Equal partners. Of course, his scale is larger and his power stronger, but I’m the one responsible for action on the ground. You get what I mean, right?"

"Got it. Then... could you verify it for me?"

Yang Yi said calmly, "I’m in the UK to handle a few matters. Once I’m done, I’ll be meeting Justin. If you want to be more thorough, or if you want to establish a private connection with the new head of the Cicero Family, I can introduce you. You can come with me to meet him."

"That won’t be necessary. I don’t really need that."

"All right, let me make a phone call then."

Yang Yi took out his satellite phone and dialed Justin. When the call connected, he said in a deep voice, "Hey, buddy, I’m having lunch with a friend—a British MI5 guy. I want you to speak to him for a moment if you don’t mind. Mainly to leverage your identity to raise my credibility and provide some verification."

Justin laughed heartily and said, "Oh, my brother, it’s my honor. Please, let me talk to your friend."

Yang Yi handed the phone over. Gary Keene was thoroughly stunned. In all his years of professional experience, such a unique and straightforward conversational approach—especially with such revealing content—was unprecedented.

"Hello, Mr. Cicero."

Justin laughed again, the characteristic hearty laugh of an Italian. "Hello, I won’t ask for your name. I just want to say that the person dining with you is my brother. He helped me in my most difficult moment. He saved my life, so he is my closest brother. If you are his friend, then you are my friend. If there’s anything you need help with, please don’t hesitate."

A brother’s friend equals a friend. But what about a brother’s enemy?

Gary Keene thought for a moment and said, "Congratulations on becoming the new head of the Cicero Family. I imagine there’ll be many opportunities for us to work together in the future, won’t there?"

"Of course, of course. We’re all in the same business. Although our situations may differ, there’s always overlap, isn’t there? Oh, I’m hosting a ceremony next Thursday—it’s a family tradition. My brother must attend, and I’d also like to invite you. Would you honor us by coming?"

Gary Keene thought for a moment and said, "I’d really like to, but I probably won’t be able to, as I don’t rank high enough."

Gary Keene wasn’t sure whether he was being straightforward or politely declining. Justin, however, laughed and said, "Rank means nothing in our circles. I’ll make sure my brother hands you the invitation. The rest is up to your schedule. I’m delighted to talk to you, my friend."

"I’m glad as well. Hmm, I’ll hand the phone back to your brother now. Goodbye."

Gary Keene handed the phone back to Yang Yi. Yang Yi took it, then calmly said, "I’ll head to see you once I’ve finished my business in the UK."

"No problem. I’ll be waiting for you. You must come. Goodbye."

Yang Yi ended the call, then said to Gary Keene, "Hmm. Making this call wasn’t about showing off—I simply wanted you to have a better understanding of my true identity."

Gary Keene looked at Yang Yi and suddenly smiled. "I already understand. If you’ve helped Justin claim the position of head of the Cicero Family, then congratulations are in order. As an intelligence trader, building a strong and deep friendship with the Cicero Family—well, everyone understands what that means."