[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-rise-of-the-warlord":3,"chapter-rise-of-the-warlord-rise-of-the-warlord-chapter-49":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Rise of the Warlord",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1895530,2527,"Chapter 49: Poor Li Hong","rise-of-the-warlord-chapter-49",49,"\u003Cp>Seeing this, I flew straight over, launched a flying kick at one of the men, and then quickly struck the few people beside Su Xueya. When Su Xueya saw me, her expression was strange, but she still said to me, \"Thank you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ignored Su Xueya’s words and looked around. There were at least a dozen people here; a dozen people were clearly more than enough to deal with Chen Du. Fortunately, I had arrived, otherwise, Su Xueya would definitely have been dragged away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When these people saw me coming, they all stopped beating Chen Du and turned to attack me instead. Seeing the dozen or so people rushing over, I didn't panic at all. I shielded Su Xueya behind me, immediately flew up to kick the person in front of me, and turned to land a side kick on two others. In my current state, this group was no match for me. Before long, seven or eight of them had fallen. The remaining people, seeing this, stood there not daring to approach, and finally, the whole group turned and ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing them leave, I turned to look at Su Xueya and asked with concern, \"Are you alright? Are you hurt?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Xueya shook her head to indicate she was fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at Chen Du, who was beaten black and blue on the ground, walked over to help him up, and said, \"How are you? Are you okay?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Du slowly climbed up, his face looking terrible. He shook his head and said, \"I'm fine!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Su Xueya, standing nearby, didn't give him a pleasant look. Su Xueya said to Chen Du, \"I already told you to stop following me. You didn't listen. Isn't it annoying every single day? Don't follow me ever again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Su Xueya’s words, Chen Du’s expression dimmed. I understood Chen Du’s mood at this moment because I had experienced that same feeling before—the powerlessness of being unable to protect the girl you like, and the intense self-loathing. However, I didn't interject, because after all, this was their business, and it wasn't my place to interfere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, Chen Du said to Su Xueya, \"I'm sorry, I won't bother you again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew that when Chen Du said this, he had summoned great courage, and his heart must have been completely shattered. But there was nothing anyone could do about such things; the thing a man fears most is meeting the person he loves most at a time when he is powerless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Chen Du like this, Su Xueya also realized she had been a bit harsh. She said to Chen Du, \"That’s not what I meant. It’s just that I really don’t like you, and you aren’t my type. If you don’t mind, we can still be friends in the future!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Du smiled faintly and nodded without replying. I knew that in Chen Du’s heart, if he remained unable to protect Su Xueya, being friends would certainly be impossible, because that was a man’s self-respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Xueya then prepared to leave. I grabbed her and said, \"Be careful lately. If anyone gives you trouble, come find me. Or how about I walk you home after school?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need. As long as you guys stay away from me, I doubt anyone will bother me!\" Su Xueya said bluntly, turned around, and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, her words had invisibly stung Chen Du once again. I sighed slightly. Su Xueya was truly completely different from Su Xueyan; Su Xueya was like a little hedgehog that couldn't be approached. Of course, I knew this might also have to do with her sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gently patted Chen Du on the shoulder and said, \"It’s okay, don’t take it to heart. People always grow. I believe one day you will definitely become stronger!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Du suddenly looked conflicted, as if he had made a decision. He knelt on the ground and called out, \"Master, please teach me Wu Gong!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was completely stunned by this move from Chen Du. I hurriedly helped him up and said, \"What are you doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to learn martial arts. I can tell you must have practiced, so I want to take you as my master to learn Wu Gong!\" Chen Du knelt on the ground, waiting for my answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think you're overthinking it. I just started learning myself, and I don't even know how to teach you!\" I said helplessly. When the old beggar passed the skills to me, he specifically told me not to reveal them easily in front of others, and I didn't know how to teach. Was I supposed to touch his head and pass it on like the old beggar did? I didn't know how to do that at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s fine, as long as you let me watch from the side whenever you practice!\" Chen Du seemed determined to learn from me. The incident with Su Xueya had stimulated him quite a bit; it was clear he desperately wanted to become strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Du’s request wasn't too unreasonable. Usually, when Third Brother and I practiced, there was no one around, so letting him watch wouldn't hurt. However, I figured that even if he watched, it would be very difficult for him to learn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded and said to Chen Du, \"You can watch from the side, but there’s really no need to take me as a master. I don't have the ability to take on disciples!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, once I, Chen Du, have decided on something, no one can change it. From now on, you are my Master. Master, please accept this bow from your disciple!\" After saying this, he knelt directly on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, I was speechless at this moment. I really didn't know what was going on in this guy's head, that he actually wanted to take me as his master. I helplessly scratched my head and said, \"Suit yourself!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Li Hong was furious at this moment. He had finally found an opportunity to grab Su Xueya to threaten Chen Du, but it had been ruined by me. Now, this guy hated me to the bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I told Third Brother about today’s situation. After hearing it, Third Brother was so angry he cursed, \"Damn it, Li Hong is really pushing his luck. Damn, I’m going to go give him a lesson!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hurriedly grabbed Xu Hongzhi and said, \"What do you want to do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go beat someone up, obviously!\" Third Brother said abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying that, Third Brother walked straight out of the classroom door, and Wang Xiaopang and I hurriedly followed. Third Brother rushed straight into Li Hong’s classroom, completely ignoring the surrounding students, and went straight up to give Li Hong a beating. The people around tried to help, but they were no match for Third Brother. However, what I found strange was that Li Hong didn't resist at all. According to my thinking, this guy should have at least put up a symbolic fight, especially since Li Hong had connections to Li Heng and should know a bit of martial arts. But now it seemed I had overthought it. If that wasn't the case, then this guy was truly capable of enduring and hiding his true self.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After beating Li Hong up, Third Brother stepped on him in front of everyone and cursed, \"Let me tell you, Li Hong, I’m letting you off because I see you as a brat. If you dare to act up again, or touch our people, don't blame me for being ruthless next time!\" ===== CHAPTER 50 =====\u003C\u002Fp>",1304,"2026-06-11T15:09:04.179Z","2026-06-11T16:09:41.559Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","6593eef7952de6fd0c42138084d8139ca12c62e358d5a0973b5587c6200c5a6b","rise-of-the-warlord-chapter-50","rise-of-the-warlord-chapter-48",227,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frise-of-the-warlord-cover.jpg"]