Chapter 164: The Uchiha's Brain-Dead Arrogance
Uchiha Fugaku's birth banquet…
Those attending were all prominent figures of Konoha. Most were middle-aged or came from distinguished families. Someone like Hyuga Yizhen, a minor member of the Hyuga clan, simply wasn't qualified to attend.
The banquet was about to begin. Uchiha Yuuya stood outside the gate, anxious to the point of panic. "It's almost time. Why hasn't Captain shown up yet?"
"What? Li Jiexuan still hasn't arrived?"
Faced with questioning from a clan elder, Uchiha Yuuya could only lower his head. "He'll come. Captain promised me."
Everyone knew that, barring any accidents, Li Jiexuan would one day carry Konoha's banner and become Hokage. This time, for his sake, the clan had even made an exception and reserved a seat for him among the Uchiha's high-level honored guests…
That was precisely why Uchiha Yuuya was so nervous!
"Please don't stand me up, Captain!"
But in the end, with three beats of the gong, the banquet officially began. The regular guest seats were already fully occupied—yet Li Jiexuan had still not appeared…
No matter how much Uchiha Yuuya trusted him, he could only turn and leave.
Who would have thought that five minutes later, Li Jiexuan appeared at the Uchiha clan's gate with a helpless expression. Of all things, he had lost track of time browsing the system shop and ended up delaying the banquet…
Fortunately, it seemed there was still time!
Li Jiexuan stepped forward, intending to enter the Uchiha residence. But before he could cross the open space in front of the estate, an Uchiha clansman blocked his path.
"Kid, this isn't a place for you to play ninja games!" The cold-faced Uchiha glanced disdainfully at the forehead protector on Li Jiexuan's head and shoved him hard toward the outside.
But with Li Jiexuan's strength, how could a mere genin possibly budge him? He naturally remained unmoved and continued walking toward the gate. Judging by the force applied, if this had been an ordinary child, he would've been sent tumbling.
A trace of irritation rose in Li Jiexuan. Frowning, he asked, "Aren't you afraid of causing trouble by pushing me without even knowing who I am?"
"Causing trouble?"
Uchiha Menwei curled his lip in disdain. "The Uchiha clan fears no one. Remember this name—Uchiha Menwei. When you grow up, come find me for revenge!"
Hearing that only made Li Jiexuan angrier. The Uchiha might not excel at much else, but they were exceptionally skilled at irritating people. That inexplicable sense of superiority was enough to make anyone instinctively dislike them…
"No wonder you all got wiped out within a few generations."
Li Jiexuan shook his head helplessly. Under normal circumstances, he might've just turned around and left. After all, there was no need to waste words on a clan destined for extinction. But since he had already promised Uchiha Yuuya, he couldn't leave so easily.
"Did it ever occur to you that I might have an invitation?" Li Jiexuan tried to make Uchiha Menwei think twice.
However…
"Ha!"
Uchiha Menwei sneered. "At your age, you dare come to the Uchiha clan to freeload? The guests have all taken their seats already. Where would there be a place for you?"
Li Jiexuan glanced inside. The regular guest seats were indeed full, but on the high platform, one special seat remained empty.
"Maybe that's my seat?" Li Jiexuan pointed toward the distant platform. He refused to believe the Uchiha clan's arrogance had reached the point of brainlessness.
However…
"Hahaha!" Uchiha Menwei burst into laughter. "At an Uchiha banquet, what outsider would be qualified to sit there?"
"What, do you think you're the First Hokage?" In the face of the Uchiha's blind arrogance, perhaps only the name of Senju Hashirama carried any weight.
"What a fitting end for a clan doomed to destruction…"
Li Jiexuan shook his head and turned to leave. It wasn't that he intended to break his promise—he simply didn't want to escalate matters. He could stir up trouble with a clan fated for extinction, but there was no need…
Just then, a gleaming bald head poked out furtively.
"Is that Lord Jiexuan?" The sycophantic voice of the bald director was unmistakable. The moment he heard it, Li Jiexuan recognized him.
"Baldy, what are you doing here?" Li Jiexuan turned around in surprise. With his status, was the bald director even qualified to attend the Uchiha clan's so-called noble banquet?
"Haha, it's all thanks to you, Lord Jiexuan!" The bald director leaned close to Li Jiexuan's ear and whispered obsequiously, "The nearly hundred young ladies you introduced last time have all been arranged into their positions."
"Oh?"
Li Jiexuan nodded in satisfaction. Seeing the bald director's face blooming like a withered chrysanthemum, he immediately understood—he was here fishing for credit.
"When I have time, I'll give you another batch of Cure-All."
Upon receiving Li Jiexuan's promise, the bald director rubbed his hands together excitedly. The previous batch of Cure-All was almost sold out these past few days! Lately, he'd been so worried his hair was falling out even faster. In a few more days, he might have to change his title to Bald Dean…
To run into Li Jiexuan here today was nothing short of a miracle!
At that moment, a puzzled voice sounded from the side—
"Director Maeda, are you mistaken?" Uchiha Menwei forced a pale smile. "This brat is just some swindling freeloader from the lower class!"