Chen Long's forbearance paid off. The gunshots in the parking lot attracted the attention of airport security. As security at a US airport, they were naturally armed and all veteran ex-military personnel, seasoned in combat.
Even with only low-powered handguns, their element of surprise allowed them to eliminate one of the five rioters.
The remaining four rioters reacted immediately, turning their weapons and unleashing a barrage of gunfire at the approaching airport security.
Facing the heavily armed four rioters, the trained airport security personnel remained unfazed. They naturally sought cover behind nearby objects, held their breath, and after a few probing glances to confirm the enemy's positions, they struck quickly during a reload, eliminating two rioters with precise shots, wasting not a single extra bullet.
Seeing their teammates so easily dispatched, the last rioter's courage evaporated. He lost the will to continue fighting. Although they had received orders to intercept a Chinese man named Chen Long, continuing would likely cost him his life.
While the rioter feared Tie Tou's wrath, he feared losing his life even more.
Seeing the last rioter turn and flee, the security guards hiding behind cover exchanged glances, as if communicating something. Finally, a portly white security guard stepped forward and put an end to the last rioter's escape.
After dealing with the rioters, the security guards visibly relaxed. Most stayed behind to secure the scene, while the security captain, accompanied by one man, went to check on Chen Long's situation behind the car where he had taken cover.
"Sir, are you alright?"
Seeing Chen Long looking somewhat disheveled, the security captain apologized with a hint of guilt. "We are truly sorry for the unpleasant experience you've had due to our oversight."
"Ah, no, I'm fine."
Chen Long stood up from behind the car, smiling and rubbing his head. "There are shootings happening all the time in the US, and it's not something you can completely control. I'm still very grateful you saved my life."
As Chen Long spoke with the security captain, neither of them noticed the glint of malice in the eyes of the security guard who had accompanied the captain. He then drew his sidearm and fired two shots at Chen Long's head at close range.
Fortunately, the security captain reacted swiftly. The moment the guard drew his weapon, the captain instinctively placed his hand on Chen Long's shoulder, forcefully pushing him down.
This push caused the guard's bullets to narrowly miss Chen Long, grazing his scalp. It was a close call; Chen Long could have easily met his demise.
Of course, the security captain hadn't anticipated his subordinate would attempt to kill this seemingly ordinary Chinese man. When the guard drew his weapon, the captain had assumed he'd spotted other hidden rioters and was instinctively protecting Chen Long.
However, upon realizing that the target of his subordinate's attack was not a rioter but the Chinese man in front of him, the security captain didn't hesitate. He tripped the attacker with a sweeping leg, then moved in swiftly, disarmed him, and subdued him on the ground.
"Bob, tell me, why did you try to kill this gentleman!"
The security captain's eyes were red, his voice heavy with anger.
It was no laughing matter. As the security captain, he would be held accountable for any passenger killed within or near the airport, let alone a passenger being shot and killed right before his eyes by one of his own men. That would surely be the end of his career.
He thought of his wife and children at home, the heavy mortgage and car payments. If he lost his job, the security captain truly didn't know how he would manage in the future.
As for why this security guard had tried to shoot Chen Long, there was no need to ask; it was Tie Tou's doing.
As the de facto controller of New York's underground black and gray markets, Tie Tou, though lacking Fisk's cunning and intellect, was adept at certain operations. He used money to buy the loyalty of all sorts of people, or he infiltrated every corner of New York through drugs, loan sharking, and other means.
Now that Bai Qi was focused on intercepting Chen Long, Tie Tou was mobilizing all available personnel and resources to satisfy his father.
This led to the explosion, the public shooting by rioters, and the sneak attack by the security guard.
Chen Long, having narrowly escaped death twice, sensed something was wrong. He didn't linger and quickly went to the roadside, hailing a taxi.
Once Chen Long was in the car, the driver cheerfully asked, "Please buckle up, sir. Where are we going?"
"Old Man's Antique Shop, thank you."
Upon hearing "Old Man's Antique Shop," the driver's previously cheerful demeanor vanished. A hint of ruthlessness flashed across his face before he quickly regained his composure.
To confirm, the driver checked his phone for a broadcast message while driving, then glanced at Chen Long in the rearview mirror. He was now completely certain that the person in his backseat was indeed the target.
Thinking of the reward promised by his superiors, enough money to drive a taxi for over ten years upon completion, he felt he had struck gold.
Chen Long's nerves were on edge, his gaze constantly scanning the streets outside the car window, fearing another rioter might jump out and open fire.
But he soon realized something was amiss.
Chen Long had traveled the route from the airport to Old Man's Antique Shop many times, taking various roads. He was certain they were not currently on the correct path to the antique shop.
Coupled with the recent attack by rioters, Chen Long tensed up, but he refrained from acting rashly. Instead, he cautiously asked, "Driver, aren't we going the wrong way? I'm headed to Old Man's Antique Shop. Did you take a wrong turn?"
The driver, with a smile, replied, "No, sir. This is a shortcut. Trust me, it's the right way."
Trust him? That was the last thing Chen Long would do.
Sensing trouble, Chen Long immediately said, "Driver, stop the car. I want to get out."
"Get out?"
The driver's eyebrows shot up. "Sir, trust me, we're almost there. I'm not taking you on a detour, really."
"No, thank you. Here's the fare, please let me out."
Chen Long produced some bills and moved to exit the car, but at that moment, a dark muzzle pressed against his head.
"Alright, now sit tight. Otherwise, you'll see your brains splattered. Believe me, this is no joke."