Spy-x-War Showdown
Chapter 205 - 204 Help Him

Chapter 205: Chapter 204 Help Him

Mike asked in great detail, and Yang Yi answered just as meticulously, so by the time Mike and Yang Yi returned to the living room, more than an hour had already passed.

Back in the living room, Mike went straight to Brian, who had been sitting there for over an hour, saying, "We need to talk."

Brian nodded, then he said in a deep voice, "What do you want to talk about?"

Mike gestured toward Yang Yi and said solemnly, "Let’s start with the Grey-cloaked People."

Yang Yi was very concerned about the Grey-cloaked People; he wanted to know anything related to them, while Brian saw no need to understand them. However, after glancing at Yang Yi, Brian still nodded and said, "Then please begin."

"The Grey-cloaked People are a very mysterious organization, and also a very powerful one. Most importantly, none of us knows the purpose of their existence, nor the goals of the Grey-cloaked People. So, due to the unknown, they are mysterious, and due to the unknown, they are dangerous."

After speaking for a bit, Mike turned to Yang Yi and said in a low voice, "Your father died because of the Grey-cloaked People, and I had to fake my death because the Grey-cloaked People came after me."

Charles couldn’t help but ask, "What did the Grey-cloaked People want from you?"

Mike shook his head and said, "I don’t know what the Grey-cloaked People wanted from me. They’ve always kept a low profile, hardly ever making public appearances. In fact, there are very few who even know their name. But six years ago, the Grey-cloaked People suddenly began to be more active. I held a certain status in the world of intelligence, and my role in the chain of intelligence trading was significant, for I was a person who obtained intelligence firsthand."

Yang Yi said softly, "What do you mean?"

"The Cicero Family controls the information trading platform, they buy intelligence, but who sells it? Who actually gathers the intelligence? Me, I was one of the best, an intelligence trafficker and also a broker. At the same time, I had my own team. So when someone claiming to be from the Grey-cloaked People approached me and asked me to join them, I knew trouble had arrived.

If I joined the Grey-cloaked People, I would become one of their controlled members, and I would no longer be free. Losing my freedom didn’t mean much to me, but there were many who followed me. If I became one of the Grey-cloaked People, then they too would have to become chess pieces under the Grey-cloaked People’s control. I didn’t work hard for decades to become a puppet controlled by a mysterious organization in my old age."

Charles said from the side, "That’s understandable."

"That’s why I chose to fake my death. I didn’t expect to really fool the Grey-cloaked People, but I at least wanted to express my stance to them: that I would rather leave the world of intelligence than serve them. But..."

Mike sighed and said, "I don’t want to be an intelligence trafficker anymore. Actually, retirement was quite nice, but I underestimated how boring retired life could be."

After a wry smile, Mike looked at Brian and said, "Now, you have all come looking for me, so I can’t hide here anymore. Since I can’t hide, why not take this opportunity to make a comeback."

Brian responded indifferently, "Welcome back, but we don’t have anyone following us, nobody’s watching over us."

Mike replied without hesitation, "You’re out of touch, Brian. The old ways you’re familiar with are outdated. You think you’re safe? Bullshit! If the CIA wants to find you, they will definitely find you. Your past successful experiences can now only bring you failure."

Looking at Brian’s dismissive face, Mike said sternly, "Do you know why the CIA hasn’t found you yet?"

"Why?"

"Because the CIA isn’t looking for you. Someone suppressed the case, and more than twenty years have passed. Not everyone in the CIA remembers you, the traitor, but the mole is different. He wants to kill you now, not just capture you. If the CIA were actively searching for you, facial recognition technology alone would be sufficient; there’s no way you could have made it to me."

Brian looked at Charles and said, "Facial recognition technology?"

Charles nodded, "Yes, we are in the era of the internet, the era of big data. As long as your facial features are entered into a computer, even with just a single photograph, the system can distinguish you from countless others captured by cameras."

Brian frowned, "How’s that possible? They’d have to first know where I am to find me, unless..."

Mike interrupted sharply, "Enough, your experience is outdated. Do you think they need to narrow down your location to a tiny area to find you? Stop dreaming. Let me tell you, any airport, train station, street corner, intersection—anywhere there’s a camera, it doesn’t matter if you’re in New York or Los Angeles, as soon as a camera catches you, the computer can identify you."

Brian said with a look of distress, "I didn’t realize technology had become this powerful."

With a cold expression, Mike said, "It would be fine if the database didn’t have your information, but once it does—ha, and with over twenty years in prison, guess if they have your information."

Brian said impatiently, "Alright, state your terms."

Mike didn’t state his terms but leisurely said, "Why are you in such a rush to leave the United States? What do you most want to do next?"

After a moment’s hesitation, Brian finally whispered, "Find Kate!"

Mike let out a disdainful laugh, then said sternly, "Do you think you can succeed?"

"The odds are slim, but I have to try."

Mike pointed to himself and said, "With my help, you might have a chance to find that woman. Without my help, you’ve got no chance of finding her."

Brian, with a stern face, replied, "If you’re willing to help me, my chances of success are greater. If you’re not, then I’ll just have to find another way. Mike, stop putting meaningless pressure on me; name your terms now. What will it take for you to help us?"

Mike chuckled, "I won’t help you. I will never do anything for you, because I could never forgive a traitor!"

Paul squinted at Yang Jing with a hostile look, while Charles, clearly displeased, said, "Mike, this isn’t the way to treat an old friend. You know that it wasn’t Brian who betrayed you, so why are you still clinging to the past?"

Mike said gravely, "Treason is treason. I am friendly with you because you were not a traitor, just implicated. But him—he betrayed his country. No matter what you say, it can’t cover up that fact."

Brian sighed softly, "Then there’s nothing to discuss. Well, I’m sorry for disturbing you. I trust you won’t report our visit to the CIA. I hope it’s the case because I don’t want to be your enemy. Nothing more to say, then. Let’s leave it here."

Mike pointed at Yang Yi and said, "Don’t rush, I won’t help you, but I want to help him, so our discussion isn’t over yet."