Chapter Fifty-Three: Ninja Guard Emon Goro

Chen Zi'ang saw that although the entrance to the martial arts arena wasn't far, the line twisted and turned, taking nearly half an hour just to reach the ticket checkpoint. Along the way, countless fans who hadn't managed to get tickets waved signs offering "high prices for tickets," with prices ranging from a thousand to twenty-five hundred. Whether they were genuine fans or scalpers, it was hard to tell.

The Martial Arts Arena was the largest stadium in Polar North City. Back in the old era, when Takamagahara Planet was still occupied by interstellar pirates, it was known by a far bloodier name: the Colosseum.

It was said that the pirates would throw slaves and wild wolves into this place, then gamble on the outcome as they fought each other to the death.

After Imperial Governor Shi Zhiqing led his fleet to reclaim Takamagahara, this Colosseum stood abandoned for many years. Eventually, Polar North City renovated it into the Martial Arts Arena, dedicated to hosting two of the Empire's traditional sporting events: marksmanship and racing.

Marksmanship was manageable, but racing required an enormous space, which spoke to the arena's vast size.

Chen Zi'ang pushed his sister's wheelchair, entering the venue with Tsukimiya Suzuna. What met their eyes was a dense, orderly array of seats packed with spectators, streams of people flowing through the aisles, and a massive stage looming in the distance.

Because of the arena's vastness, it was nearly impossible for those in the middle and back rows to see the stage clearly. As a result, the arena was equipped with state-of-the-art holographic projectors, which could magnify the stars on stage into life-sized, crystal-clear holograms, allowing every audience member to witness their brilliance.

Every event held here thus incurred astronomical costs.

To host an event at the Martial Arts Arena, the price alone would deter most talent agencies. The city authorities also imposed strict reviews: applicants needed a certain level of fame, the event had to be positive and uplifting in tone, and there had to be educational value and social merit...

In short, for any performer, being able to hold a concert in the Martial Arts Arena was a lifetime achievement worth boasting about.

But for the superstar Maki Kiryu, it was merely a milestone in her singing career.

Tickets went on sale half a month in advance, but it was said that within three days, over ninety-five percent had already sold out.

Looking around again, Chen Zi'ang saw that the venue was almost completely full. There were even many frenzied fans who, by some means, had snuck in without tickets. With nowhere to sit, they drifted anxiously through the aisles, pretending to be searching for seats or heading to the restroom.

After settling his sister into her seat, Suzuna, having folded the wheelchair, sat on Chen Zi'ang's other side.

"Would you like something to drink?" she asked with a bright smile. "I'll go buy it."

"No need," Chen Zi'ang replied hesitantly. "It's so crowded out there, going out and coming back would be too much trouble. Plus, I brought water."

"Oh, let me clarify." Suzuna spoke lightly. "I don't mean I'll go out to buy it—I already asked Uncle Emon to bring us some."

Chen Zi'ang: ...

So this is what it means to be a young lady of privilege? Truly eye-opening.

Since he had no objections, Suzuna dialed her phone:

"Hello, Uncle Emon? We're in Section E, Row 35, Seat 127. Could you bring us some drinks? ...Senpai, what would you like? Beer, juice, or marble soda?"

This world didn't have any "gamer sodas," but there were countless brands of carbonated drinks. In the early days, due to imperfect sealing technology, glass marbles were added to the bottles, using internal pressure to keep the marble in place and prevent gas from escaping. Though marbles had long since been phased out, the name "marble soda" persisted, now simply referring to carbonated beverages.

"Juice, I suppose," said Chen Zi'ang. "I'll have the same as Xiaozhu."

"If your little sister can have juice, then senpai can drink beer with me, right?" Suzuna teased, smiling.

"Alright," Chen Zi'ang agreed, not wanting to be picky—after all, Suzuna was treating them.

"Uncle Emon, one watermelon juice and two Kinmugi draft beers," Suzuna instructed.

After a brief pause, Chen Zi'ang couldn't help but ask, "Suzuna, how did you know Xiaozhu's favorite fruit is watermelon?"

"She told me last time," Suzuna replied offhandedly.

Last time? Which time was that…? Chen Zi'ang wondered, but he wasn't the type to pursue such things. Just then, the lights around them suddenly dimmed, so he turned his attention to the distant stage.

The three tickets given by Xia Zili were for excellent seats: close enough to see the stage directly, and with a slight tilt of the head, the holographic projection was perfectly visible—too near or too far, and you'd only get one or the other.

The stage lights began flashing in rapid, chaotic succession; clearly, the technicians were making final adjustments before the show.

"Miss," called Emon Goro, striding out of the packed aisle with a plastic bag. He squeezed in beside Chen Zi'ang and Suzuna, wearing a respectful smile. "Here are your beers and watermelon juice. I also brought some of your favorite snacks in case you get hungry later…"

"No need for snacks now," Suzuna replied. "Just the beer and watermelon juice, please."

She took the drinks from his hands, and Emon Goro nodded. "Very well, then I'll take my leave. If you need anything, Miss, just call me—I'll be nearby."

"Why don't you sit with us, Uncle Emon?" Chen Zi'ang offered quickly. "There are a few empty seats around here."

"No need," Emon Goro replied calmly. "These seats are all reserved for others; taking them without permission would harm the reputation of the Tsukimiya family."

"Then where will you go?"

"No need to worry, young master. I won't get caught," Emon Goro replied with composure. Suddenly, his expression changed; he turned and slipped into the crowd, vanishing in an instant.

Looking out, Chen Zi'ang saw that the number of ticketless fans in the aisles had swelled, blocking the way for those with tickets. The arena staff, having received complaints, were now clearing the area and removing trespassers.

Many ticketless fans were caught, and despite their pleas, were pushed and herded out of the venue by staff.

Among the Islanders, public opinion favored "the one in the right." Since these fans entered without tickets and were in the wrong, even if the staff used force to remove them, there would be little public sympathy once it made the rounds online—if you broke the rules, you were guilty, and any form of rough treatment was considered fair.

The Continental people, on the other hand, followed the logic of "taking sides": no matter how unreasonable an online post might be, as long as someone sided with the author, they'd blindly support them—facts aside, that's just how they felt, and they refused to be reasoned with.

Because of this, anyone caught by staff would inevitably be thrown out.

Chen Zi'ang craned his neck, seeing that those who ran slowly were blocked by the quick-footed in front. Even with superhuman abilities, there was no way to break through the crowd, and with a coordinated team of staff closing in from behind, all they could do was surrender in frustration.

Yet Emon Goro was a different breed.

Having lingered in the seats to talk, he started late, but somehow, with a subtle twist of his body, he slipped nimbly into the tightly packed crowd and vanished in a few deft moves.

This butler uncle—was he a ninja in disguise?