That afternoon, his subordinates came to report again. They had discovered dozens of Artifact Dao artisans among the captives, including one who held the rank of Master Artisan.
There were also dozens of Puppet Master Craftsmen and Master Artisans abducted from the Azure Sea region, the Eastern Victory Continent, and elsewhere, along with descendants of other slave workers.
Li Chen issued an order through Hu Ze's Avatar. "Bring them here."
"Yes!"
Soon, the Artifact Dao artisans and the Puppet Dao slave workers were brought before him.
Li Chen had the Master Artisan among the Artifact Dao experts step forward. He was a middle-aged man with graying hair, dressed in thick cloth robes. His sturdy build made him look physically powerful, but his bearing was timid and shrinking, far removed from the spirited confidence of the Grand Artisans and Grandmaster Artisans in lands ruled by the Puppet Dao.
Hu Ze's Avatar asked, "What is your name?"
The Artifact Dao Master Artisan replied respectfully, "This humble one is Ma Cheng. My fellow artisans flatter me by calling me Master Artisan Ma."
Hu Ze's Avatar said, "So you are Master Artisan Ma. How long have you been working under Prince Gong?"
Master Artisan Ma replied, "It has been quite a few years. Let me think. I was sold to Prince Gong's estate at sixteen and became an apprentice at the sword-forging workshop there. I am now a hundred and eight, so ninety-two years in all."
Hu Ze's Avatar asked the others, "And you?"
"Reporting to the Great General, this humble one has been here for over thirty years..."
"This humble one has been here for sixty years..."
"This humble one was only recently conscripted. Before that, I served as a smelting overseer at a mine..."
The others answered in turn.
Li Chen found