"Uchiha Chen, don't push your luck!"
Uchiha Sanhe did his best to suppress his anger. He felt as if decades of self-restraint were about to be spent right here.
"Emmm, all right. For the sake of that billion, I won't bring up money again. I'm not a monster, after all. So, can I make one tiny little request?"
Uchiha Chen slapped his forehead, as if he genuinely thought his previous demand had been too much.
"Fine. Let's hear it."
Uchiha Sanhe's expression softened, and even his tone improved considerably.
"Brother Chen!"
Uchiha Itachi was getting anxious too. Thinking Uchiha Chen was really going to side with Uchiha Sanhe, he hurried over and tugged at the hem of Uchiha Chen's clothes.
"Don't worry, Itachi."
Uchiha Chen smiled faintly and ruffled Uchiha Itachi's hair.
"Mm, I trust you, Brother Chen!"
Seeing the familiar smile on Uchiha Chen's face, Uchiha Itachi nodded in relief and stepped aside.
"Haha, Fourth Elder, he's just a clingy child. Don't take offense. Now, where were we?"
Uchiha Sanhe's mouth twitched, but he could only nod helplessly.
"Heh heh, Fourth Elder, don't worry. I'm an honest man. I said I wouldn't make any unreasonable demands, and I won't."
Uchiha Chen still wore the same sleazy grin as before.
Hearing that, everyone couldn't help thinking, If you're an honest man, then there must not be a single deceitful person in the world!
Noticing everyone's stares, Uchiha Chen merely shrugged, unconcerned with what they thought. He paced back and forth, speaking to himself.
"Fourth Elder, I'm not an ambitious person. All I care about is having peace of mind. But one of your subordinates has offended me. Just thinking that, if I became your subordinate, I'd have to work with him makes my mind ill at ease!"
"Get to the point. How do you want me to punish him?"
Uchiha Sanhe shot Uchiha Hikari a cold look. He knew exactly who Uchiha Chen meant.
Under Uchiha Sanhe's gaze, Uchiha Hikari stiffened, and his legs began to tremble uncontrollably.
Could it be that the Fourth Elder is already prepared to sacrifice me?
"Heh heh, as I said, I'm no monster. It's simple: if you personally break both his legs, Fourth Elder, and put my mind at ease, I'll seriously consider your offer."
Uchiha Chen pointed at Uchiha Hikari and gave him a cruel smile.
Seeing this, Uchiha Hikari immediately dropped to his knees before Fourth Elder Uchiha Sanhe, tears streaming down his face.
"Fourth Elder, please, no! I've always been loyal to you. For all these years, I've served you with all my heart!"
"Besides, he's just taking revenge on me. He doesn't really intend to join you. Fourth Elder, don't let him fool you!"
But Uchiha Sanhe only stared expressionlessly at the kneeling Uchiha Hikari, his eyes shifting uncertainly. In the end, however, he gave the order.
"Break both his legs!"
"Yes!"
The few subordinates behind Uchiha Sanhe remained impassive. At his command, two of them immediately moved to Uchiha Hikari's sides and grabbed him.
"Fourth Elder, spare me!"
Uchiha Hikari didn't dare resist. He could only keep begging for mercy.
If he dared to fight back, he would likely suffer more than just two broken legs.
The brawny man who had kicked the door flying moved with lightning speed and stomped on both of Uchiha Hikari's legs.
"Crack!"
"Ah!!!"
As the sound of breaking bones rang out, Uchiha Hikari let out a long, agonized scream, then passed out.
"Well? Are you satisfied now?"
Uchiha Sanhe turned his gaze to Uchiha Chen, still expressionless.
"Not bad. I'm quite satisfied. You can go back for now. As for my answer, I'll give it to you when I'm in the mood."
Uchiha Chen waved him away, looking completely unconcerned.
"Uchiha Chen, I've shown you my sincerity. Shouldn't you show me some in return? I want your answer today!"
Uchiha Sanhe narrowed his eyes, cold light flashing in them. He was clearly at the end of his patience.
"All right. Since you're in such a hurry, I might as well give you my answer.
Sorry, but I reject your offer!"
Uchiha Chen looked at Uchiha Sanhe with a faintly amused expression. He just wanted to see how much longer Uchiha Sanhe could hold back.
"Yeah!"
Behind him, Uchiha Itachi excitedly clenched his little fists. He knew Brother Chen wouldn't let him down.
"Hahaha, good, good! You really were playing me!"
"Uchiha Chen, you're the first person who's ever dared to toy with me!"
Uchiha Sanhe across from him laughed in fury.
"Uh, seriously? You knew I was playing you, so why did you break his legs?"
Uchiha Chen gestured pitifully at the unconscious Uchiha Hikari.
At the same time, he couldn't help thinking, Looks like this villain has a brain after all. Not much of one, though.
"I was taking a gamble, wagering his legs. If they could win me your allegiance, it would have been worth it. He should feel honored to be of use to me. Unfortunately, you still don't know what's good for you. I lost the bet."
Uchiha Sanhe spoke without a trace of emotion, as though discussing something trivial.
Uchiha Chen was speechless.
Perhaps that's what it means to be a person in power: aloof, cold, and arrogant.
"Uchiha Chen, why won't you serve me? Were the terms I offered not good enough? Whatever Uchiha Fugaku offered you, I'll offer you twice as much!"
Uchiha Sanhe was seething. If not for that person's orders, he would have tortured Uchiha Chen to death long ago. Why else would he still be wasting time negotiating with him?
Of course, this was what puzzled Uchiha Chen too. Uchiha Sanhe was far too patient. After all this, why was he still trying to recruit him?
Was it because he valued his talent? Obviously not.
Only Uchiha Fugaku should know that he had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. And given Uchiha Fugaku's cunning, he certainly wouldn't let the Hawk Faction learn about it.
Forget it. Why bother thinking about it?
Uchiha Chen shook his head. His expression turned serious in an instant, and he straightened his back. Taking a step forward, he declared clearly and emphatically,
"A true man is born between heaven and earth. How can he spend his life under another man's thumb?"
Then he suddenly grinned at Uchiha Sanhe, showing two rows of pearly white teeth, and pointed at the unlucky man lying unconscious on the ground.
"Besides, isn't it obvious what happens to your subordinates?"
"And you lot—one day, any one of you could be the one lying there. Do you really want to follow a superior like that?"
"Shut up! What are you waiting for? Seize him!"
Uchiha Sanhe finally snapped. This brat actually dared to sow discord right in front of him!