Chapter 44: Gunfight
The sudden gunfire startled the Black-Clothed Person boss. He instinctively raised his machine gun and sprayed bullets outwards. His two remaining companions did the same, their machine guns continuously spitting bullets, and the gunfire from outside was quickly suppressed.
The Black-Clothed Person boss looked down at his two companions lying on the ground. Although both were wearing bulletproof gear, one had been shot in the forehead and the other's carotid artery had been pierced. These two were beyond saving.
"Go!" The Black-Clothed Person boss quickly retrieved the gems from his two companions, and with the other two, he fired outwards while rapidly retreating towards the main entrance.
The continuous spray of bullets firmly suppressed the museum guards. Even their occasional counterattacks either missed or hit bulletproof vests, at most causing these men to stumble a few steps, but never halting their advance.
In almost just ten seconds, the three men had already rushed out to the museum's front door. Only then did they see that their two original companions had been killed at some unknown point.
As soon as they rushed out of the museum, the three men heard piercing police sirens in the distance. Less than a minute had passed since the alarm sounded, and police officers who received the alert had already arrived nearby.
The Black-Clothed Person boss's expression hardened. He rushed towards a street several hundred meters ahead to the right of the museum, while behind him, a dozen guards also rushed out, continuously firing at the three men.
With a slight lapse in attention, one of the companions was shot in the arm. However, he dared not make a sound at this moment, nor did he dare let the injury delay his steps, because he knew clearly that once he was delayed, only one outcome awaited him: death. His own boss would even personally shoot him to end his life. Thinking of this, the injured Black-Clothed Person quickened his pace even more.
The distance of several hundred meters would normally take less than a minute at top speed, but these three men, while running, also had to turn back and fire to suppress the pursuing guards. This time was extended by more than double; they could even see the flashing red police lights in the distant fog.
Suddenly, a large SUV flashed out from a nearby alley, quickly stopping on the street less than a hundred meters in front of the three Black-Clothed Persons.
The SUV doors opened, and two Black-Clothed Persons immediately rushed out of the car, each carrying a machine gun and continuously spraying bullets at the pursuers behind the three men. At the same time, behind the pursuing guards, gunfire suddenly erupted, clearly from the five men who had previously remained in the underground treasure vault, who had now rushed up.
At this point, the Black-Clothed Person leader, who had already rushed into the SUV, finally breathed a sigh of relief. If he had chosen to stay and wait for those companions, they might have lost a few more men by the time the elevator reached the first floor.
Fortunately, they had gone ahead, using the lives of two companions and their own presence to firmly attract the pursuing guards, which allowed their companions behind to catch those guards off guard.
Listening to the wails coming from behind, the Black-Clothed Person boss's face immediately showed a satisfied smile. However, before his smile could linger on his face for a few more seconds, the piercing police sirens from nearby made his expression change instantly.
"Damn it!" The Black-Clothed Person boss cursed fiercely, looking at his team members who were about to rush past the guards towards him. A trace of reluctance appeared on his face, but his expression immediately firmed up. He coldly said into his communication device, "Execute Plan B!"
Their wireless communication devices had been forcibly blocked inside the museum, but now that they were outside the museum, these devices naturally worked without hindrance.
As soon as "Plan B" was given, the Black-Clothed Persons who had been outside the large SUV providing suppressive fire against the museum guards immediately returned to the car. Before the doors even closed, the driver, urged by the boss, suddenly started the car and sped off towards the west, towards the direction of the sea.
Just as their car sped away, two police cars suddenly rushed over and stopped in the direction where the large SUV had been previously.
As if communicating with headquarters, a few seconds later, one police car suddenly started and pursued the large SUV in the direction it had left, while the other police car remained stationary. Two police officers, holding pistols, used the car body as cover and fired at the four Black-Clothed Persons emerging from the museum.
That's right, not five, but four, because one Black-Clothed Person was shot and killed during the exchange of fire with the guards.
The Black-Clothed Person boss didn't not want to drive in and pick up his companions, but there was a ring of underground vehicle barriers around the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles. If he dared to drive in, he would never be able to get out.
The large SUV sped west. To the west of the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles, following Santa Monica Boulevard to its end, besides the beach, the Los Angeles International Airport was also there.
Although he didn't know what arrangements the Black-Clothed Persons had, anyone would understand that once they were out of sight, it would be impossible to find them again, especially in such thick fog.
Although the police car drove at maximum speed, it was no match for the horsepower of the large SUV. Although they continuously contacted headquarters, dispatching police forces to pursue and intercept this group, as soon as they lost track of the other side, those people would quickly scatter into the streets and alleys of Los Angeles, just as now, the large SUV flashed around a corner and suddenly disappeared.
The police car behind quickly floored the accelerator and chased after it. Fortunately, after turning the corner, they could still see the car's silhouette, so they didn't think much and immediately gave chase.
The streets of Los Angeles in the fog had very few vehicles, so the chase and escape of the two parties were not much disturbed, speeding through the streets.
Ling Xiao, standing on the tall building, saw this scene and smiled coldly. Poor Los Angeles police, they had no idea that in just a few short seconds, five Black-Clothed Persons had already gotten out of the car and slipped into a nearby alley.
Moreover, the Black-Clothed Person boss was extremely clever. After advancing a certain distance, he immediately ordered the others to disperse and flee for their lives.
The other four had no objection to this decision; they were eager to do so, as each had their own escape methods, and being together made them a bigger target. Of course, they also had their own concerns.
"As per the old rules, after the employer transfers the money to me, I will deposit your respective shares into your accounts." After quickly saying this, the Black-Clothed Person boss again sternly instructed, "Remember, no one is to contact each other, nor are you allowed to inquire about others' whereabouts."
"Yes, Boss," the other four Black-Clothed Persons responded in unison, very decisively. Immediately after, the group dispersed at various street corners.
"Interesting!" Ling Xiao, standing on the tall building, his sharp eyes piercing through the thin fog, saw everything clearly. If his cultivation had not achieved a Breakthrough to the Fusion stage, Ling Xiao probably couldn't use this ability now. What Ling Xiao found interesting was that on a tall building beside the Black-Clothed Person boss, an agile figure was continuously leaping between buildings, actually following the Black-Clothed Person boss without losing him.
The Black-Clothed Person boss quickly darted into an alley. After three or two turns, no trace of him could be seen in any direction.
He had long rented an apartment nearby, and even half a month ago, when he first took on this job, he had already started making preparations. No one would think he would hide not far from the Natural History Museum, where the incident occurred.
However, before a smile could even form on the Black-Clothed Person boss's face, his steps instantly halted, because ahead, a figure blocked his path.