Spy-x-War Showdown
Chapter 225 - 224: The Mystery Itself

Chapter 225: Chapter 224: The Mystery Itself

Xiao Ran seemed to feel a sense of defeat.

After taking several deep breaths, Xiao Ran finally said, "Where was I? Ah, right, I was admitted to Trinity College. In fact, I could have had another kind of life — finish my studies, find a proper job, and then completely leave the underground world to lead the life of a normal person. But at that moment, the Cleaner once again sought me out, hoping I would go to Huaxia and establish contact with you."

"Because I changed your life?"

Seeing the surprised look on Yang Yi’s face, Xiao Ran hesitated for a moment and said, "That doesn’t seem entirely wrong. I really had planned to live the life of an ordinary person. If it weren’t for you, I couldn’t have received the Cleaner’s mission invitation."

Yang Yi said with regret, "I’m sorry, I really didn’t think I would affect your life, I’m truly sorry..."

Xiao Ran frowned and said, "Why apologize?"

"Weren’t you forced by the Cleaner to go?"

Xiao Ran laughed and said, "No way, I absolutely went there voluntarily. You see, I don’t want to live the life of an ordinary person at all. I’ve been trained to be an outstanding special agent since I was ten years old. Do you think after enduring so much hardship and setting such a great goal, I could be content returning to the life of an ordinary person? Don’t make me laugh."

Yang Yi was taken aback and said, "Then you really should thank me for changing your fate."

Xiao Ran gave Yang Yi a sideways glance and said, "I’ve realized you’re quite thick-skinned."

Yang Yi laughed and said, "It’s an advantage of mine that’s not easily discovered by others. Okay, go on with your story."

Xiao Ran shrugged and said, "Actually, there’s not much more to tell. As soon as I met you, I was investigated by the Huaxia intelligence department. The Cleaner scurried back into their hole like a frightened rat, and what else could I do? Of course, I left after you did."

Yang Yi frowned and asked, "Why, why is the Cleaner so timid, why would the Cleaner terminate their plan to enter Huaxia?"

Xiao Ran didn’t answer Yang Yi’s question directly but said in a grave tone, "In your opinion, what is the strength of an organization as mysterious as the Cleaner?"

"Their strength? I can’t say. I don’t know much about the Cleaner."

"Then what about the strength of the Grey-cloaked People?"

"The Grey-cloaked People, they are powerful. They can even covertly influence global affairs. They are formidable, like... I still don’t know."

Xiao Ran shook his head and said, "Let me tell you, whether it’s the Grey-cloaked People or the Cleaner, if they are mysterious organizations, their strength does not come from the number of people, the amount of money, or the vast power they possess. The strength of a mysterious organization lies in the mystery itself."

"Lies in the mystery itself, I see, that makes some sense."

Xiao Ran spoke earnestly, "Are the Grey-cloaked People really that powerful? If you knew where their headquarters were and who their members were, what would be scary about the Grey-cloaked People? Is it difficult for the United States, the United Kingdom, Huaxia, or Russia to deal with an organization that’s no longer mysterious? This world is orderly, and it’s the major powers that maintain this order. And the Cleaner can only hide in the shadows, existing in areas unnoticed by these countries."

Yang Yi nodded and said, "I understand now."

"Cleaners must not appear within the sight of any nation’s official residence, must not attract the attention of any nation; the underground world is the underground world, once it’s exposed to the sunlight it will perish, so Cleaners must be cautious, any action that could lead to exposure is absolutely unacceptable."

Xiao Ran spread his hands and said, "That’s why Cleaners are extremely cautious. It’s precisely because of their caution that the Grey-cloaked People have now become a thorn in the side of several countries. But the Cleaners are still well concealed, and the Grey-cloaked People, whether in the United States or Huaxia, these world powers’ official residences are aware of their existence but just can’t find them. So, it can be said that the Grey-cloaked People’s existence depends on their being enigmatic, not on being powerful."

Yang Yi frowned and said, "Whether it’s the Grey-cloaked People or the Cleaners, what is their purpose? For money? I find that unlikely. The Grey-cloaked People seem to trade primarily in information, but the existence of Cleaners is interesting—turns out they help people eliminate evidence of their crimes. I get it!"

Yang Yi suddenly exclaimed, then excitedly said, "It’s so easy to understand. Cleaners’ clients are those with power, the Cleaners help these people erase evidence of their crimes, and then, the Cleaners have a means to control them. Usually, Cleaners might not need anything from their clients, but once they need them to do something, do Cleaners’ clients have the right to refuse? Anyone who is a client of the Cleaners can only be manipulated by them, and all these clients are the elites of their respective countries..."

Xiao Ran said sharply, "Enough!"

Yang Yi stopped talking, and Xiao Ran spoke in a low voice, "It’s good enough that you know, why say so much?"

Xiao Ran took a deep breath and whispered, "To think about it, it’s quite terrifying..."

Xiao Ran said solemnly, "Anyway, it’s none of our business. Remember, don’t get your identity wrong. You and I, we are just minor characters, these matters are not for us to ponder."

Yang Yi nodded, then with some dejection, said, "So, are you controlled by the Cleaners?"

"No, the Cleaners don’t control their collaborators. You could say the Cleaners are magnanimous or confident enough, but the Cleaners really don’t need to control their collaborators."

"But you said Cleaners pursue secrecy intensely."

"Yes, what do you know about Cleaners? Who can you tell? Who can you reveal Cleaners’ secrets to in a way that threatens them? What evidence do you have? Apart from knowing you’re a collaborator of Cleaners, what else do you understand about them?"

A series of rhetorical questions left Yang Yi speechless. Xiao Ran said with serious emphasis, "The most crucial point is, do you think you have a chance to betray the Cleaners?"

Yang Yi raised his hands, smiling and said, "Hey, I certainly don’t want to betray the Cleaners. Absolutely not, I just want to take out the Grey-cloaked People, nothing more."

Xiao Ran also waved his hand and said, "I think your business is pretty interesting, so I decided to join."

Yang Yi was taken aback and said, "You want to join?"

Xiao Ran scoffed with a smile, "Go ahead, laugh, and cheer for your own good fortune."

Yang Yi said urgently, "No, why do you want to join us, have you lost your mind?"

Xiao Ran frowned and said, "Have you lost your mind? Didn’t I just make it clear? An ordinary life is not what I want, and you are the starting point for me to give up my ordinary identity. Most importantly, I know everything between the Cleaners and you. Although Cleaners don’t force collaborators to do anything, why didn’t Elvin let me leave the scene when he was talking to you? Do you think I have any other choice?"

Indeed, many matters simply leave no room for choice.

Yang Yi started to smile, then turned to Xiao Ran with a smile, "Welcome to the team. Now you can tell me what you’re good at. I need to review your skills, and then I can decide whether to let you join."