Chapter 56: Desolate Mountains, the Secret Land of the Hand Association
"I see. Then take me to Lake Biwa."
Hearing this, Jiang Feng's eyes showed a thoughtful gleam.
The driver's words revealed a piece of folklore that could not be found anywhere on the internet.
And that, precisely, exposed the fatal weakness of artificial intelligence.
Although Linglong wielded immense power within the vast network—an undisputed ruler of the digital world—
if the Hand Association had long since withdrawn into some secluded corner of the earth,
where neither surveillance cameras nor network signals could reach,
leaving no trace within the virtual realm,
then even an artificial intelligence as formidable as Linglong would find it difficult to locate the remnants of the Hand Association.
"Understood, sir," the driver replied respectfully.
He then deftly turned the steering wheel, guiding the luxurious Rolls-Royce in the direction of Lake Biwa.
During the journey, Jiang Feng showed no interest in conversation.
He simply gazed quietly out the window, watching the scenery blur past.
Beside him, the young woman had already fallen completely under the spell of Jiang Feng's flawless profile.
The fascination on her face was undisguised, as though nothing else in the world could draw her attention.
After more than an hour, the Rolls-Royce finally arrived at the Lake Biwa scenic area.
Nestled between mountains and water, the place was breathtakingly beautiful.
The shimmering lake, like a brilliant gem, lay cradled among the rolling peaks.
The front half of Lake Biwa had long been developed into a tourist area,
drawing countless visitors each year to admire nature's craftsmanship.
However, the rear half remained wild and untouched—
a dense, ancient forest shrouded in mist, as mysterious as a primordial secret land.
Few dared to venture there.
Anyone who got lost in that primitive jungle might never return,
their bones fated to rest forever among the mountains.
It was the height of summer in Kyoto.
Yet the cool breeze around Lake Biwa made it a favored summer retreat.
Crowds of tourists gathered along the lakeshore—some fishing, others snapping photos—
the entire scene full of leisure and contentment.
"Look! That's a Rolls-Royce! That car's worth a fortune! Who could it be—some Kyoto millionaire?"
"Who knows? Maybe just a nouveau riche trying to show off. These days, real tycoons wouldn't drive such cars into the mountains."
The sudden appearance of the luxurious car drew everyone's attention,
their chatter filled with curiosity and envy.
The car door slowly opened.
A young woman in an elegant suit stepped out first.
With perfect grace, she opened the back door and waited respectfully.
Then Jiang Feng emerged.
In an instant, his tall, commanding figure stepped out from the confined space of the car.
Standing nearly two meters tall, his muscular form was sculpted like a Greek statue—strong and flawless.
Among the shorter island tourists, he stood out like a crane among chickens.
"Oh my god, he's so tall! And so handsome!"
"That physique, that presence—he looks like a movie star!"
Gasps of admiration rippled through the crowd.
Many female tourists stared at him, eyes shining with open fascination and desire.
Jiang Feng ignored their stares completely, his expression calm and detached.
Without turning back, he spoke to the driver and the girl.
"Wait for me here. I'll take a look inside the area."
With that, he strode off toward the scenic park entrance, his steps firm and powerful.
"Sir! Sir!"
The driver leaned out the window, shouting after him.
"Do you not need a guide? I'm a local from Kyoto! I know every tree and path here!"
But Jiang Feng acted as though he hadn't heard.
His tall figure quickly vanished from sight.
"What a strange and mysterious man…"
The driver sighed, shaking his head.
The girl beside him nodded unconsciously.
Though Jiang Feng's appearance and aura were flawless,
the mystery surrounding him was like a thick fog—
impossible to see through, as if he carried countless secrets unknown to the world.
"Ticket, 1000 yen. Thank you for visiting."
Jiang Feng bought a ticket at the entrance and immediately headed toward the deepest part of Lake Biwa.
His smart glasses scanned the surroundings like radar,
sweeping over every suspicious area without missing a single detail.
If the Hand Association truly had a base here,
it would not be in the bustling tourist zone—
it would be hidden deep within the remote mountains behind the lake,
in places where few dared to tread.
Those desolate mountain ranges, ignored by man,
were the perfect refuge for an ancient ninja organization—
a place where they could linger like ghosts,
preserving their traditions beyond the knowledge of the modern world.
Ignoring the curious stares of the tourists,
Jiang Feng moved through the crowd as calmly as if he were taking a stroll,
soon finding a secluded corner within the park.
Then, with a light leap,
he vaulted over the protective railing like a nimble ape,
racing toward the wilderness beyond.
With no one watching,
Jiang Feng unleashed the full power of his beast-like body.
He burst forward like a tiger returning to the wild,
covering ten meters in a single bound before vanishing into the dense forest.
From his backpack, he retrieved several sets of Iron Man–style armor.
At his command, Linglong took control of them all.
The suits launched into the sky like steel eagles,
conducting a carpet search from above,
providing Jiang Feng with full aerial reconnaissance support.
Time passed swiftly.
Using his superhuman stamina, Jiang Feng traversed the rugged mountain terrain at high speed.
Soon, he reached a desolate area far from the tourist zone of Lake Biwa.
The place was truly lifeless,
save for the occasional cry of wild beasts echoing in the distance.
But Heaven rewards perseverance.
After relentless searching, Jiang Feng finally found something.
Through the precise scan of his smart glasses,
he detected an artificial hollow space inside what appeared to be an ordinary small mountain.
Within that hidden space,
thermal readings revealed multiple human life signs moving slowly inside.
It was no coincidence.
"So, this is the place. Today marks the final day of the Hand Association's existence."
A cold gleam flashed in Jiang Feng's eyes.
With that, he sprinted toward the mountain like a hunting tiger.
High above, the suits of armor swooped down in formation,
beginning a full 360-degree scan of the mountain from every angle.