The construct's eyes flickered with red light, evidently at a loss for this situation. It clumsily exerted force, and the lantern frame creaked as if it would collapse at any moment.
Its strength was astonishing, but Xiangzi wouldn't give it a chance to turn the tables. After rolling on the ground, he got up and kicked the construct's chest, causing it to lose its balance and fall backward.
Xiangzi released the short staff and pushed forward with his left hand. This time, his target was not the construct but a tall bookshelf to the side.
The bookshelf flew sideways, colliding with the off-balance construct, sending both the construct and the lantern frame crashing into the slanted deck's bulkhead.
