Back at the apartment, Zhang Jie uncommonly didn't run into Mrs. Schneider, which was good; his ears wouldn't have to suffer.
He quickly returned to his room and tidied up a little.
His mind was a mess now, too, with all sorts of clues mixed together, leaving him completely clueless.
Finally, Zhang Jie lay spreadeagled on the bed, then thought better of it and started cleaning his Pistol, which helped him relax a little.
No longer thinking about all those messy things, Zhang Jie sat on the sofa.
He wiped the glock 34 that John had given him; the Pistol was well-maintained, and the bullets in the magazine were neatly arranged.
This was also a way for Zhang Jie to relax; diligent maintenance of firearms could reduce the chance of malfunctions in combat, thereby saving his life—a very good habit.
Suddenly, his phone on the table vibrated.
Zhang Jie picked up his phone and unlocked it; a High Table APP push notification popped up on the screen:
"Bounty Order"
Target: John Wick
Publisher: Viggo Tarasov
Amount: 2 million USD
Rules: Effective throughout New York, exempt within the Continental Hotel.
Zhang Jie's fingers froze.
"Daisy..."
This beagle was actually killed?
That meant the plot of the first movie had begun.
He stood up abruptly, and the chair clattered to the floor.
John's dog was killed?
Holy crap!
The bond between Daisy and John was, of course, undeniable, but Daisy and his own relationship was also excellent; Zhang Jie also liked Daisy very much and often brought it treats.
He never expected that despite all precautions, Daisy was still killed!
It had only been a little over a month since they last met!
That Russian was dead for sure!
Zhang Jie immediately called John.
It rang for a long time before the other side picked up.
"John!"
Heavy breathing came from the other end of the phone, with gunshots, glass shattering, and some unlucky person's screams mixed in the background.
"Zhang Jie..." John's voice was low and hoarse, as if squeezed from hell, "Don't get involved."
"Where the hell are you?"
...No time.
Bang!
The call ended.
Zhang Jie stared at his phone screen, his clenched knuckles turning white.
John didn't want him to help.
Then he would help in secret.
Zhang Jie didn't have much equipment, but it was deadly enough.
Main weapon: glock 34 (given by John, magazine 17+1)
Spare magazines: 2 (total 34 rounds)
Melee: Tactical dagger (handle engraved with "Good Luck")
Armor: None (poor, couldn't afford a bulletproof vest yet)
He opened the High Table APP and searched for bounty information on the Tarasov Family; the APP could only receive and publish bounties.
Since it was revenge, it had to be thorough; John would get his.
I'll get mine!
This Ivan was also a member of the Tarasov Family, he must be eliminated!
Red Bear Bar.
Ivan Petrov.
Zhang Jie sneered and stuffed his phone into his pocket.
"Ivan, you can't escape this time."
The neon sign of the Red Bear Bar still had one missing bear eye, but tonight's atmosphere was even more oppressive than last time.
Four Russian bodyguards stood at the entrance, their waists bulky, clearly all carrying guns.
Zhang Jie didn't use the front door.
He went around to the back alley, climbed the fire escape, and entered through the ventilation shaft on the second floor.
The bar was filled with smoke; Ivan sat in the innermost booth, surrounded by six thugs, with vodka and AK-47s covering the table.
...That madman has already killed twelve of our men!
Ivan took a swig of liquor and slammed the bottle onto the table, "Mr. Viggo said, whoever kills him gets another million!"
The thugs laughed and raised their glasses, one bald strongman grinning to reveal a gold tooth: "No matter how good John Wick is, can he dodge a sniper rifle?"
Zhang Jie crouched in the ventilation shaft, narrowing his eyes.
Good, they're all here.
First target: sniper.
The gold-toothed strongman's seat was directly facing the window, with a long guitar case beside him, too conspicuous.
Zhang Jie lightly dropped from the ventilation shaft and moved along the shadows of the corner.
Distance: 8 meters.
Environment: Noisy, smoky.
Optimal Shooting angle: 45 degrees from the rear-side.
He drew his glock, took a deep breath, adjusted to the Mozambique Shooting stance, two shots to the chest, one to the head.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Two blood blossoms burst on the gold-toothed strongman's chest, and the third bullet precisely blew off the top of his skull.
Red and white matter splattered!
The bar instantly erupted into chaos.
Second target: suppressive fire.
The remaining five thugs frantically drew their guns, but Zhang Jie had already ducked behind the bar; if he didn't, he'd be riddled with bullets.
"He's over there!"
Ivan roared, grabbing an AK-47 and wildly spraying bullets at the bar.
Wood chips flew, Zhang Jie curled up, silently counting the gunshots.
A 30-round magazine, full-auto Shooting, emptied in 5 seconds.
The moment the gunshots ceased, he suddenly leaned out, firing two quick shots.
Bang! Bang!
Two thugs were shot in the forehead and fell straight down.
Accurate enough!
Zhang Jie grabbed a liquor bottle from the bar and smashed it against the fire sprinkler head on the ceiling.
"Splash—"
A cold curtain of water poured down, the Russians cursing and wiping their faces, their vision completely obscured.
Too close!
Then it's a close-quarters fight!
Zhang Jie seized the opportunity to rush them, his dagger unsheathed.
First one, throat slit.
Second one, heart.
Third one, kidney.
Swish swish swish, several consecutive stabs!
Very good, everything was within his plan; today's operation was completed well!
When the three men fell, Ivan finally reacted and bolted for the door.
"Trying to run?"
Zhang Jie raised his hand and fired a shot, piercing Ivan's knee.
"F*ck!!!"
The Russian screamed and fell to his knees, his Makarov clattering to the floor.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Before he could reach for the Pistol, Zhang Jie had already finished off the three men with additional shots.
What if a legendary unkillable king appeared? He would be screwed!
So, follow-up shots were necessary; this was what John had repeatedly told him.
It was also Zhang Jie's own requirement: don't just assume, make sure it's a fact!
"Slap!"
Bang!
He kicked the Makarov on the floor away and then shot Ivan in the arm!
Zhang Jie walked up to Ivan and stomped on his wrist.
The pain made him twitch.
"Last time you said... what list did Lisa bring?"
Ivan, his face covered in blood, sneered, "You f*cking... don't know anything?"
"I know you won't live past tonight."
Zhang Jie raised his Pistol, aiming at Ivan's forehead.
"Wait!" Ivan suddenly struggled, "Lisa... she's 'Qian Mian'! She tricked everyone!"
Zhang Jie's finger paused slightly.
"Keep talking."
"She's not your girlfriend at all... she just used you to get close to the High Table!" Ivan coughed up a mouthful of blood, "That list... it's fake... we were all played..."
Zhang Jie was silent for a second, then said in a relaxed tone: "There's an old Chinese saying: If you don't cut the weeds at the roots, they will grow again with the spring breeze!"
Ivan: ?
Wait! I don't understand Chinese!
He pulled the trigger.
Bang!
Ivan's head snapped back, red and white matter splattering on the wall behind him.
Zhang Jie put away his Pistol and turned to leave.
Everyone in the bar had been cleared out; this couldn't be considered assisting John, could it?
I'm just a person seeking revenge.
Outside the bar, police sirens grew louder from a distance.
He pulled out his phone and sent a text message to John:
"Where are you?"
He waited a long time without a reply, and Zhang Jie also checked his ammunition, immediately looking troubled.
"Only seven bullets left!"
He still needed to make money!
What? You ask why he didn't pick up the guns?
Zhang Jie didn't know if these people had their own little habits; if he couldn't fire the gun then, it would be troublesome, and he was in a hurry, otherwise John would start killing people in the hotel.
He had to get to the Continental Hotel quickly, or it would be too late!