As they moved farther from Wuli Gang, the narrow forest path gradually widened. It was no longer just two groups traveling now; ox-drawn carts, horse-drawn wagons, and farmers carrying loads on shoulder poles began to join them on the road.
The increasingly dense footprints and piles of animal droppings made Li Huowang realize that they must be getting close to Jianye Town.
"Zhao Wu, are people like Lyu Ban Zhu who perform operas considered low-status?" Li Huowang asked Zhao Wu, who was focused on practicing writing characters.
Zhao Wu, holding a twig and copying characters on the dirt ground, looked up at Li Huowang with a hint of surprise. Then he glanced ahead at the Lyu family troupe.
"Well, although opera singers can receive applause from the audience while performing, their status is similar to that of women in pleasure houses. People might enjoy them, but their standing in society is entirely different. Singers are considered the lowest of the 'Nine Classes' (Jiu Liu)," Zhao Wu explained.
"Nine Classes? What are those?" Li Huowang asked, intrigued.
"One: Emperors and ministers. Two: Government officials and generals. Three: Scholars and merchants. Four: Clergy and sect leaders. Five: Craftsmen and artisans. Six: Farmers, doctors, and landowners. Seven: Shamans, beggars, and slaves. Eight: Thieves, con artists, and bandits. Nine: Entertainers, actors, and courtesans."
Annotation: The "Nine Classes" (九流) is a historical concept that classified people in traditional Chinese society into hierarchical categories. While it does not align perfectly with modern Western class systems, it reflects societal attitudes toward professions. Entertainers were often grouped with courtesans and seen as lowly, despite their skills being highly admired in certain contexts.
Zhao Wu continued, "The disdain isn't just societal; there are practical implications too. For instance, people in the lower three classes can't marry into 'respectable' families, and their attire and modes of transportation are restricted. They can't ride horses or sit in sedans, and they're barred from wearing luxurious fabrics like silk. Even in court, their testimonies carry less weight."
Hearing Zhao Wu rattle off this information like a practiced recital, Li Huowang was visibly impressed. "I didn't expect you to know so much."
Zhao Wu chuckled humbly. "My family lives in town, so I've picked up some knowledge over the years. These are common facts here. Li Shixiong, where are you originally from? How do you not know this?"
Li Huowang smiled faintly. "A very, very faraway place."
Not wanting to explain further, he redirected the conversation. Zhao Wu, understanding his reluctance, let the matter drop and resumed his explanation.
"We're actually lucky. At least here, no matter the class, the emperor allows everyone to sit for the imperial exams. While it's rare for someone in the lower three classes to succeed, at least it's a dream. I've heard that in other regions, people in the lower classes aren't even allowed to take the exams. Their descendants are doomed to remain in their station for generations. A singer's child will always be a singer."
"I see," Li Huowang murmured, absorbing the insight.
"What about someone like me—a Daoist priest? What's my status?" he asked next.
"Daoists are part of the Three Teachings and aren't categorized within the Nine Classes. Most people treat Daoists with respect, or at least keep their distance out of caution. After all, matters involving gods and ghosts are things no one wants to trifle with," Zhao Wu replied.
Annotation: The "Three Teachings" (三教) refers to Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism, which were considered the foundational philosophical and religious systems in traditional Chinese culture. People often viewed practitioners of these teachings with a mixture of reverence and fear due to their perceived connection to the divine or supernatural.
Hearing this, Li Huowang decided to keep wearing his Daoist robe. If he was to travel through unfamiliar places, this attire would afford him certain advantages.
"What about someone like Dan Yangzi? Where does someone with his abilities fit in?" Li Huowang pressed further.
Zhao Wu shook his head. "Li Shixiong, I wouldn't know. Before he kidnapped me, I didn't believe people like him even existed. I thought those stories were just fabrications from storytellers."
"I see..." Li Huowang mused. It seemed that information about people like Dan Yangzi wasn't widespread. It was strange; someone as powerful as Dan Yangzi shouldn't be so unknown. Perhaps there were others like him, but they kept to themselves.
"Li Shixiong, look! The town gates! We've arrived!" Lyu Zhuangyuan's excited shout interrupted Li Huowang's thoughts. He looked up and saw the end of the road—a low stone wall covered in moss. Behind it lay Jianye Town, their destination.
The Lyu family troupe entered the town without issue, but Li Huowang and his group weren't so lucky. Their unusual appearances quickly drew the attention of the town constable, who approached them with his men.
"Stop right there!" The constable, holding his saber, looked at them with a mixture of suspicion and unease. "What's going on here?"
"Constable Yan, it's me, Zhao Wu. These people are with me—they're friends who escorted me home," Zhao Wu called out from the donkey cart.
The constable's demeanor shifted immediately upon recognizing Zhao Wu. He sheathed his saber and nodded. "Ah, it's you, Zhao Wu! Where have you been all this time? Make sure your friends behave themselves. Have them buy some hats or veils—don't scare the townsfolk."
"Thank you, Constable. How's my family been?"
"They're doing well! Your second sister got married recently—into a good family. Go home and see them!"
Taking the constable's advice, Li Huowang led the group to a hat vendor and purchased several straw hats with veils. Although their appearance was still conspicuous, it was less alarming to passersby.
After settling their next meeting with the Lyu family, Li Huowang turned to Zhao Wu. "Where's your home? Let's go there first."
As they made their way through the bustling town, Zhao Wu's emotions were evident. He didn't wear a hat, as most people in Jianye Town already knew him. Using the long sword Li Huowang lent him as a makeshift cane, he staggered forward.
It didn't take long to find his house—a modest rice shop. Zhao Wu's eyes filled with tears as he called out, "Father! I'm home!"
The shout brought everyone in the shop to a halt.
"Fifth Brother!" A shirtless, muscular young man carrying a sack of rice immediately dropped it and ran to embrace Zhao Wu tightly.
A young girl with pigtails also rushed out, circling around Zhao Wu in excitement.
However, as the reunion unfolded, Li Huowang noticed something strange. The other people in the shop—presumably Zhao Wu's family—remained indifferent. Their faces betrayed no joy or surprise.
"Li Shixiong, what's wrong?" Bai Lingmiao, sensing the odd atmosphere, tugged at Li Huowang's sleeve.
Li Huowang gently patted her hand but said nothing, his eyes fixed on the rice shop.