The brooch remained silent for a long time.
When Netero's voice came through again, he sounded noticeably more interested.
"Bai Zhu? You mean that kid who's been making quite a stir lately?"
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Bai Zhu immediately straightened up at those words.
"Chairman, rumors require evidence. Up to now, I've been law-abiding. When have I ever caused trouble?"
Ging glanced at him.
"You haven't caused trouble? Every incident lately has caused massive damage."
"Those were purely accidents. They had nothing to do with my personal actions."
Laughter came from the other end of the brooch.
Only after Netero had laughed enough did he speak.
"Interesting. You're in Kakin, right?"
Ging gave a grunt.
"Come to Gina Island." Wind could be heard on Netero's end, along with the faint sound of a fishing line being tugged. "My airship is refueling there. Hurry up. This old man has little patience for waiting."
"Now?"
"Didn't you say he wanted to meet me in secret? If not now, then when? Don't tell me you have no way of getting here."
Ging said nothing further.
The communication cut off.
Bai Zhu stared at the black brooch on the table, unable to look away for a long while.
"This thing of yours is pretty high-level."
Ging fastened the brooch back onto his collar and casually patted it.
"A private line. Not many people in the Association know about it."
Bai Zhu looked him up and down.
"I used to think you were just some homeless freelance Hunter."
"And now?"
"Now I've realized you're not only homeless, you've also got powerful backing."
Ging scratched his hair and smiled.
"The Association isn't as clean as you think. On the Chairman's side, there's me, Botobai, Cheadle, and a few other old-timers. Pariston has plenty