Chapter 864 – A Porter Forged From Steel (2/2)

This could only mean that Xiao Zhang's injuries were more serious than imagined, so serious that he was not even willing to expend the energy for another strike of his spear.

As expected.

Several experts of the Imperial Court used the restlessness of the crowd to attack Xiao Zhang.

Xiao Zhang had successfully forced back those experts, but his body was beginning to sway, ready to fall at any moment.

”There are new injuries, and even more old wounds.”

Like Xiao Zhang, Zhexiu regarded battle as a way of life. His eyes had clearly picked out just where Xiao Zhang's problems lay.

After being pursued by the Imperial Court for three years, fighting endlessly without a moment for rest, even if Xiao Zhang's body really was forged from steel, he would still feel tired.

Once he was tired, his reaction speed would slow, making it easier for him to be injured.

Once he started getting injured, he would continue suffering more and more injuries. His true essence would dry up. He would become unbearably exhausted, and finally be powerless to fight back.

He was a peak Star Condensation expert of the Proclamation of Liberation, and it was rare for him to find someone that was a match for him beneath the Divine. He was like some giant beast roaming the wastelands alone. Unable to counterattack, he was pursued by those scavenging vultures that were the experts of the Imperial Court for so many days, forced to fight over his long journey. A day would eventually come when his body crashed onto the ground.

Xiao Zhang finally reached the highest point of Fengyang City.

He stood in front of the Seven Treasures Stronghold. Looking down at the river below, he squinted his eyes.

The morning sun had already risen over the mountains. Its blazing rays shone over the river and mountains, the gleam rather dazzling.

He could clearly see that the experts of the Imperial Court and the divine crossbowmen had already encircled Fengyang City.

Although his mind was still in order, he was somewhat annoyed, like he had seen a swarm of houseflies that he couldn't disperse.

A person like Xiao Zhang truly might consider himself like a giant beast that stalked the wasteland alone, but he would never admit that these Imperial Court experts that had pursued him for several years were vultures. In his eyes, these fellows were vexing flies and mosquitoes, buzzing by his ear every day, making it difficult for him to sleep, which was why he now felt so drowsy.

Yes, he was just somewhat drowsy.

He felt like all he needed was some sleep, as why else would his eyelids be so heavy, his lips so numb, his pursuers have caught up to him?

He felt drowsier and drowsier, his eyelids heavier and heavier. Even he found it difficult to distinguish whether his eyes were squinting or already closed.

The morning sun shone over Fengyang City, and also on his face.

He swayed twice, then fell to the floor.

But he did not roll down the steps.

With a thump, the end of his spear jabbed into the ground. At the most dangerous moment, it helped support his fatigued body.

At this sight, those people who had never forgotten all the good Xiao Zhang had done for Fengyang City could no longer bear to look, and turned around. But some people stood up.

The first to stand up was a tea merchant of Fengyang City, as well as ten-some shop assistants who worked in the tea business.

”Protect Master Xiao!”

The tea merchant grit his teeth and shouted, then brought those shop assistants up the stone steps to Seven Treasures Stronghold and stood in front of Xiao Zhang. Some of them took out the swords that they usually kept on their person for protection, but even more used carrying poles that were usually meant for transporting goods, pointing them at those approaching experts.

As a tea merchant, one would inevitably encounter some troubles while doing business and would inevitably get into conflict with other tea merchants in Fengyang City. This tea merchant was known for his fierce temper, and the shop assistants under him were also extremely valiant with quite some reputation in the city, but how could they alone stop these experts and divine crossbowmen of the Imperial Court?

But soon after, more tea merchants and common people joined them.

The stone steps of the Seven Treasures Stronghold were quickly packed with people.

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1.The specific term for 'porter' used here is '棒棒儿', which is a slang term specific to Chongqing. They are so called because they are usually seen with carrying poles/sticks, called '棒棒' by the locals.