Spy-x-War Showdown
Chapter 145 - 144 Intimidation and Incentives

Chapter 145: Chapter 144 Intimidation and Incentives

Hank’s refusal was very straightforward, which was no surprise.

Yang Yi had really hurt Hank badly, and Yang Yi certainly didn’t have the personal charisma to move Hank, to make Hank willing to follow him into the dark.

His powerful presence wasn’t enough to make his underlings submit with reverence; that kind of treatment was something Yang Yi couldn’t enjoy.

Recruiting underlings in prison was easy and satisfying because those underlings only sought his protection, but if Yang Yi immediately sent them to fight to the death without being able to protect them, only a fool would pledge allegiance to Yang Yi.

But Hank was different, Yang Yi wanted to take Hank out to work for him, and it was obvious with a mere thought that Hank would not mix with him.

What to do? Of course, it was time for threats and temptations, as if counting on moral persuasion would do any good.

Looking at Hank, Yang Yi began to smile.

Hank put on a helpless, bitter face and said, "Please, boss, spare me. You can’t keep hurting me until I die!"

Yang Yi sighed and said with a smile to Hank, "I am a qualified boss, really. If you’re my enemy, you would be in a sorry state, but I want you to follow me outside to do bigger things, so I will definitely treat you very well."

Hank’s mouth twitched, and then he gave a bitter smile, "I know you’d be a great boss, but the problem is, I don’t want to be a lackey, no no, I mean, I’ve lost my freedom in prison anyway, you’re my boss, and I can only do whatever you ask, but I don’t want to break out of jail, please, spare me, you won’t get my heart."

"What do I need your heart for? I want you, the person."

Yang Yi waved his hand and said, "Come on, let’s talk about something useful, Hank. You’re a thief, I know you’re used to being a loner, but things are different now. You think you can break out on your own and don’t need to team up with me, right?"

Hank didn’t speak, but since he managed to escape once, there was of course the possibility of a second successful escape in the future, so why follow Yang Yi at all?

Yang Yi shook his head with a smile and said, "Don’t dream on. If you refuse to come with me, you can forget about ever leaving this prison, believe me."

Hank whispered, "Is this a threat?"

"Of course, what else would it be? Surely I’m not begging you."

Hank clenched his teeth and said, "Even if I can never leave this prison, I won’t go with you!"

"You can’t beat me. I can stay up all night tonight, just in case I sleep and you kill me, and then, tomorrow you’ll be moved to a different cell, and then, Rodriguez will be very happy to beat you up every day, believe me, starting tomorrow you won’t get a full meal, you’ll no longer have the chance to take a hot bath, and actually, I don’t need to say too much, you know what happens to a prisoner who is targeted by everyone, right?"

Hank’s face looked terrible, he was angry and helpless, he knew that whatever he said was useless.

Enough threats had been made, Yang Yi changed his tone and smiled, "Now let’s talk about something that can cheer you up, do you know what I do?"

Hank looked at Yang Yi and remained silent.

Yang Yi sincerely said, "I am a spy, leading a vast Spy Organization. I’m only here to complete a very important mission. After that, I will leave, and that day won’t be far off."

This time, Hank was genuinely astonished. He stared wide-eyed and said, "A spy?"

Yang Yi smiled slightly, "Don’t believe me? I can prove it to you, but not now. Listen, you deserved to be sent to prison by a senator, but don’t you want revenge for being hunted down? You think living the life of a thief is fun, right? But you’ve been exposed, you already have a record. Whenever a sensational heist happens, the police will think of you first. So you can either stay in prison, or even if you manage to get out, you’ll have to give up your career as a master thief. Let me ask you, do you really like this life?"

Hank was still doubtful, "You’re a spy?"

Yang Yi kept his confident smile, "As a master thief, you can’t make it in the United States anymore, but working for me, you can continue doing what you love. I value you because you have special talent. You’re more skilled than the best lock-picking expert I have. I don’t deny this. Otherwise, why would I set my sights on you?"

Hank whispered, "Lock-picking expert, spy..."

"Think about it, you’ll have protection, a professional and vast team supporting you. What’s the point of just stealing from the rich? Don’t you want something more thrilling? Like that senator who wants to kill you—with my support, you could ruin him completely. You could experience a thrill that’s impossible for a mere thief."

Hank just stared blankly at Yang Yi.

"Do you like money? With me, you won’t lack it, believe me. You’ll have ample funds. Buddy, your cover’s blown, but with me, you won’t have to worry about the police catching you. Many people will be there to protect you, and as a spy, you won’t have to clock in and out. No one will restrict your freedom. When there’s no mission, you can do whatever you want."

Finally, Hank couldn’t help asking, "Which country do you work for?"

Yang Yi laughed and said, "Here’s the interesting part—we don’t work for any country; we work for money, get it? As long as you complete the mission, you get the cash. Think about it, buddy. Only by following me can you continue the career you love, and it’ll definitely be more thrilling and... interesting than before."

If you treat theft as a career, stealing out of interest, once a thief, always a thief. That’s what they mean by ’Old habits die hard.’ It’s impossible to quit it completely.

Hank swallowed and said in a deep voice, "I’ll think about it."

Yang Yi smiled and said, "You don’t need to think because you have no choice. I’ve told you what’s in your interest and made it sound appealing, but don’t forget the threat I made. Buddy, it’s your lucky day that I took an interest in you. And I am always good to my own people. You can doubt anything, but you don’t need to doubt that."

Hank’s lips were twitching, then he said softly, "If you are a spy, no, if you lead a vast Spy Organization, then why the need for a prison break?"

Yang Yi spread his hands and said, "Because we’re in prison, if we can’t be released, then of course we have to break out."

"But, if you lead a vast Spy Organization, why..."

Explaining too much would risk giving it away, so Yang Yi said resolutely, "There are no buts and no whys. Just focus on breaking out if you want to get out. I will take you out of here. Have you made up your mind now?"

After his expression changed for a while, Hank finally let out a long sigh and said in a low voice, "Do I have a choice?"