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Chapter 96.1: Gathering Information - Part 1

"That's because they discovered something that Master Yang desires to know but they don't want to talk. They would rather die than share their research," Tian explained. "They weren't just any researchers either. Master Yang gave them millions in funding but as soon as they had a breakthrough, they decided to destroy all the results."

Liu Ye frowned, knowing that didn't help his decision at all. He had no idea what his parents worked on as they never shared anything work-related with him. They only told him they worked for very influential people but that didn't tell him anything.

"What did they research on?" Liu Ye questioned further.

"I don't know much about it. I only joined the organization when they were already locked up. Anything I learned came from the rumors," Tian replied calmly but immediately regretted it.

"If you don't know anything then why should I keep you alive? Why would Master Yang trade you for my parents if you are not that important?" Liu Ye asked while threatening to kill him again.

"Wait!" Tian stopped him hurriedly. "I'm sure it's connected to the Spirit World!"

Avi's expression changed when the last two words left Tian's mouth and it didn't escape Liu Ye's eyes.

"Spirit World?" Liu Ye repeated as he watched Avi's movements just in case she tried to kill. "Tell me more about it."

"It seems like they didn't tell you much, huh?" Tian replied with a smile. "The Spirit World is the main reason why our two organizations fight each other. While they want to keep it closed and control the whole world, we want to bring balance by opening it and let humanity evolve."

"Balance? That's what we want, not you. All you want to see is destruction and darkness," Avi corrected right away. "If the Spirit World fully opens, the natural order of the Earth will be disturbed and millions of people will die."

"Sacrifices are necessary for the greater good of humanity," Tian commented as he gave Avi a glance. "At least we are not trying to take all the power for ourselves and control all the new Benders using some game."

Liu Ye squinted his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Didn't you find it suspicious how they created a game that allows one to awaken in real life? Anyone who plays the game has entered their trap," Tian revealed. "They will know if someone is close to awakening and then they will appear to recruit them into their army. Once they have enough benders, no one will be able to stop them and they will take over the world."

"That's enough," Avi announced while tightening the ice around Tian's body. "Say one more word and this ice will explode together with your insides."

Tian didn't try to test her resolve and momentarily shut his mouth. Liu Ye wasn't done though. The way Avi tried to silence Tian's words was at least suspicious. It wasn't like Liu Ye would believe anything he said.

"I still have questions to him," Liu Ye reminded sternly. "How can I trust you if you kill the only lead I have to my parents? If there is a chance there are still alive, I need to know more."

Avi shrugged and presented her own earpiece to him. "I'm simply fulfilling the orders. You talk to her if you want."

He didn't hesitate and walked a few steps away as he wore the earpiece. "Who is this?"

"Liu Ye, can you please pass the earpiece back to Avi?"

Although the woman didn't introduce herself, Liu Ye naturally recognized Katherine's voice. Her annoyed sigh at the start clearly showed she wasn't happy to hear him.

"No, you are talking to me now," Liu Ye denied on the spot. "If you plan to order her to kill him then that's not happening. At least not until I learn everything I want from him."

"Anything that man knows, we already know it too. With that in mind, he is useless to us and the higher-ups have decided to execute him," Katherine informed calmly. "This is a great opportunity to weaken our enemy's strength since they didn't know we were involved. Right now that man is only stalling for time while waiting for backup so we cannot give him that chance to survive."

"Are you going to give me information about my parents then?" Liu Ye questioned stubbornly.

This was the first time for years that he was able to hear anything related to his parents. There was no way in hell, he was letting this opportunity pass.

"Liu Ye, I can assure you that we are working on it. Our intel is already gathering information and I should get it on my table by tonight. If your parents are alive, we will find them," Katherine assured. "Trust me, I want to learn about them even more than you do."

"So you have nothing for me right now, correct?" Liu Ye asked for confirmation. His voice was cold enough for her to know he wasn't in a joking mood.

"Liu Ye, I can't tell you anything over the phone but when we meet face to face, you and your sister can ask me anything and I will answer everything honestly. How does that sound?" Katherine proposed after a short pause. "We will also do everything in our power to locate your parents and rescue them if they are really alive. I can promise you that. For now, just let Avi return back to her work."

"I have a suggestion too," Liu Ye began while looking back at Avi. "I will gather my information and you will gather yours. When we meet in real life, we will compare them and correct ourselves if needed. How does that sound?"

"Liu Ye! You don't have time to get any valuable information from him! By the time you get anything we don't know, he will be rescued by very powerful individuals! This is not a joke!" Katherine raised her voice. "You have to kill him before relocating immediately otherwise you will be tracked in no time. Please, give the earpiece back to Avi so I can give her the instructions."

"Oh, what did you say? I couldn't hear you," Liu Ye acted confused. "I think we are losing the signal. We will talk to you later, okay?"

"Liu Ye—"

Katherine's voice got cut off as he took off the earpiece and threw it on the ground. It crunched with a single step and he returned back with a broken earpiece at hand.

"What happened?" Avi questioned speechlessly.

"I don't know, I think it broke," Liu Ye replied with a shrug and returned it back to her. "Anyway, she gave us a free hand to do what we want. Shall we continue?"