C51: Clue
"Hand union?"
Li Ran lowered his head and whispered the name.
He had some impressions of the Hand—one of Daredevil's primary adversaries. The organization had long plagued Matt Murdock's life, entwined with both his personal and heroic identities. Most members of the Hand were portrayed as deadly, disciplined ninjas, shrouded in myth and mysticism. Beyond that, the specifics remained elusive.
Putting down the wine bottle in her hand, Jessica stared at Li Ran's face, noting every flicker of emotion. "You've heard of them, haven't you?"
"Why would you think that?" Li Ran looked up to meet her gaze. Though he felt a flicker of panic inside, he maintained a calm expression.
"You're not with that... what's it called? That secret killer group..." Jessica frowned, scratching at her already disheveled hair, struggling to recall.
Li Ran: "The Brotherhood of Assassins."
"Right, the League of Shadows... no, wait, that's the DC version. The Brotherhood of Assassins. That's what I meant." Jessica nodded, continuing, "If you're part of some ancient group like that, I figure you'd know a thing or two about the Hand."
"That logic's a bit flimsy. You really are a private investigator." Li Ran couldn't help but respond with faint exasperation.
Jessica shrugged. "Hey, I mostly work divorce cases. This cloak-and-dagger stuff is just bonus content."
Despite her loose reasoning, Li Ran had no choice but to stay in character as a liaison of the Brotherhood of Assassins, an organization he'd fabricated by blending bits of Ra's al Ghul's League of Shadows and Marvel's mystical lore. Seeing Jessica's skeptical yet expectant look, he lowered his tone and said mildly, "The Hand is a clandestine ninja clan—assassins, occultists, and mercenaries. According to intel retained by the Brotherhood, their leadership is composed of five shadowy figures referred to as The Fingers of the Hand. It's said they've lived for centuries, and wield powers that defy normal human limits, resurrection, sorcery, necromancy."
"Centuries? You're telling me these people are immortal?" Jessica's expression was one of blatant disbelief.
"A human being can't punch a hole through reinforced glass and lift a car with one hand either," Li Ran shot back meaningfully.
Jessica fell silent.
After a beat, she lifted her bottle again, downing the last sip before speaking. "Has your Brotherhood ever gone up against the Hand?"
Of course not. The Brotherhood was fiction, born from Li Ran's improvisation. But outwardly, he maintained his facade with cool poise. "There've been brief conflicts. Once, the Brotherhood targeted one of the Fingers, a high-ranking leader. The attempt failed. The assassin barely escaped, only to be relentlessly hunted by the Hand's elite ninja corps."
"What happened to that assassin?"
"In the end, after both sides suffered losses and the Brotherhood couldn't secure a clean kill, they withdrew. The Hand, calculating as ever, ceased pursuit at least on the surface. A temporary stalemate."
Though Li Ran kept the retelling vague, the drama of his words painted a vivid picture. Jessica could imagine the blood-soaked rooftops and whispered death in the shadows.
[Famousness from Jessica Jones +125]
As the system message flashed before him, Li Ran saw Jessica finally letting herself be convinced. He offered her a friendly warning, tone lighter now: "Look, I get it. The phone warning was aggressive, but if you're smart, you'll back off. The Hand doesn't pull punches. They're not just criminals, they're fanatics with centuries of blood on their hands. You're strong, Jessica, but this is different."
"I know how to handle myself," Jessica replied curtly.
Li Ran raised both hands in a noncommittal shrug. He had said what he needed to say. What Jessica chose to do next was on her.
Then again, with super strength and limited flight, Jessica had the edge to escape almost any trap if things went south.
Having gathered the information she needed, Jessica turned to leave.
"Tsk."
After a few steps, she hesitated, stopping mid-stride. Glancing back, she asked, "Kilgrave. The Purple Man. Has he shown up again?"
"No," Li Ran replied truthfully. He had kept an eye out for the manipulative psychopath who once mentally enslaved Jessica but Kilgrave hadn't resurfaced.
"The next time you see that bastard," Jessica muttered darkly, "don't hesitate. Shoot him in the head."
---
Harlem, inside Pop's Barbershop
The place was quiet. Luke Cage swept the floor in silence.
"Mr. Invulnerable, everything alright lately?"
Pop looked at Luke, flashing a smirk as he ushered out the last customer of the day.
"Pop, we've talked about this. I hate that name," Luke said with a wry smile.
"I've been hearing things," Pop continued. "Some vigilante's been cleaning up Harlem lately. Guy with bulletproof skin, handing out justice like it's candy."
"Harlem Paradise closed down. I needed something to keep me occupied," Luke admitted. He didn't outright say it, but he didn't need to. Pop knew.
"I told you before, Luke—look forward."
"I know." Luke stopped sweeping and met Pop's eyes. "I will."
Bang—
The barbershop door creaked open.
"Sorry, we're closed. If you're looking for a cut—" Pop began, then stopped when he saw the man entering.
It was a blind man with red glasses, tapping his guide cane as he entered.
He moved with uncanny grace, sidestepping chairs and avoiding obstacles as if he could see. With practiced ease, he approached them and stopped.
"Hello," the man said, smiling faintly. "My name is Matt Murdock. I'm a lawyer."
He paused.
"I came to Harlem because I heard a Chinese man named A Xing recently passed through here."
---