Chapter 37: Nine Streams

Some time had passed since leaving Wuligang. The narrow forest path gradually widened, and now there were more than just two groups of people. Horse carts, ox carts, and farmers carrying shoulder poles were all heading in the same direction.

The increasingly dense footprints and animal droppings on the ground indicated to Li Huowang that Jianye Town must be near.

"Zhao Wu," Li Huowang asked Zhao Wu, who was concentrating on learning to write, "Are performers like Troupe Leader Lu considered to be of very low status?"

Zhao Wu, who was using a twig to practice writing, looked up, glanced at Li Huowang in surprise, then turned his gaze towards the Zhao family troupe ahead.

"Yes, even though they can be cheered by the audience when performing, their situation is much like that of women in pleasure houses," Zhao Wu explained. "Admiration is one thing, but social standing is another. Actors are considered the lowest of the nine social classes."

"Really? Which nine classes?" Li Huowang asked, surprised. He hadn't realized this before, if not for their recent encounter.

"The nine classes are: first, emperors and high officials; second, military officers and generals; third, gentry, merchants, and traders; fourth, various religious sects and gangs; fifth, artisans, scholars, and craftsmen; sixth, doctors, geographers, and farmers; seventh, shamans, beggars, and slaves; eighth, thieves, swindlers, and robbers; and ninth, actors and prostitutes."

"It's not just about social disdain; there are also tangible differences in treatment," Zhao Wu continued. "For instance, people of the lowest three classes are forbidden from marrying into respectable families. Their clothing and mode of transport are also restricted; they cannot ride horses or sedans, nor can they wear fine fabrics like brocade, damask, or silk. Even when seeking justice from officials, their word carries less weight."

Li Huowang was quite surprised to hear Zhao Wu rattle off the information so fluently, as if reciting a tongue twister. "I didn't realize you knew so much," he remarked.

"You're too kind, Senior Brother Li. My family lives in town, so I'm familiar with these things. Most people should know them, in fact. Senior Brother Li, where are you from that you don't even know this?"

Zhao Wu had long sensed that Senior Brother Li was different, but he only found an opportunity to ask today.

"Heh, from a very, very distant place." Li Huowang was disinclined to explain his origins; it would be too much trouble, and these people likely wouldn't understand anyway.

Seeing that Li Huowang didn't answer, Zhao Wu didn't press him further and continued speaking.

"It's still better here than in some places," Zhao Wu said. "Regardless of one's class, the emperor still allows people to take the imperial examinations. While success isn't guaranteed, at least there's a chance. I've heard that elsewhere, people of the lowest three classes aren't even permitted to take the exams. Their families are trapped for generations, and actors, for example, can only ever be actors."

"I see," Li Huowang mused, gaining a new perspective on this world.

"What about Taoist priests like me, then? What's our status here?" Li Huowang inquired again.

"Taoist priests belong to one of the 'Three Teachings' and are not categorized within the nine classes," Zhao Wu explained. "Most people show respect when they encounter a Taoist; even if they don't, they'll usually keep their distance. After all, who can truly explain matters of spirits and ghosts?"

Zhao Wu's words made Li Huowang, who had been considering taking off his Taoist robe, reconsider.

If he was going to travel extensively, wearing the Taoist robe would clearly be far more convenient than plain clothes.

"By the way, Zhao Wu, what about individuals like Danyangzi? Their status must be very high, correct?" Li Huowang immediately asked the crucial question.

"To be honest, Senior Brother Li, I don't know," Zhao Wu admitted. "Before I was captured by him, I truly had no idea that anyone in this world could possess such power. I always thought those were just tall tales concocted by storytellers."

"Is that so..." Li Huowang mused, deep in thought. It seemed information was very restricted in these parts. Logically, there should be many individuals like Danyangzi, yet even a local like Zhao Wu was unaware.

However, he surmised that individuals like Danyangzi must be kept in check by others; otherwise, why would Danyangzi need to hide away in the deep mountains and ancient forests to cultivate immortality in secret?

"Little Taoist Master! Little Taoist Master! Look at the city gate! We've arrived!" Hearing Lu Zhuangyuan's shout, Li Huowang looked up and gazed forward.

At the end of the path they had traveled for days, a low, moss-covered city wall appeared. Their destination, Jianye Town, lay within.

The Lu family troupe entered without issue, but Li Huowang and his companions weren't so fortunate. Their unique appearances quickly drew attention, and it wasn't long before the town constable arrived with his men, looking for trouble.

"Clang!" The constable raised his knife with both hands, his expression wary as he questioned Li Huowang: "Hold on, hold on! What's going on here? What is this?"

"Constable Yan, it's me," Zhao Wu called out from the donkey cart. "These are people I know; they have no ill intentions. They specifically escorted me home."

Upon recognizing Zhao Wu's face, the constable's hostility immediately waned, and he sheathed his knife.

"Oh, it's the fifth son of the Zhao family," the constable replied. "Where have you been all this time? Tell these companions of yours to behave. Buy some cloth-covered conical hats to obscure them, so they don't frighten the neighbors."

"Thank you, Constable Yan. Is my family doing well these days?"

"Good, of course they're good. Oh, and your second sister got married. It's a good family. You should go home and see them soon."

To avoid further trouble, Li Huowang, guided by Zhao Wu, found a stall selling conical hats and purchased several with black cloth coverings.

Once the 'medicine ingredients' put them on, they were still quite conspicuous, but at least they wouldn't startle people anymore.

After arranging the next departure time with Lu Zhuangyuan, Li Huowang turned to Zhao Wu and said, "Where is your home? Let's go there first."

Zhao Wu grew emotional as he observed the familiar surroundings. He didn't wear a conical hat because everyone in town knew him.

Weak-limbed Zhao Wu used his hands to push himself off the donkey cart with effort, then jumped down.

Dogwa, who was standing nearby, moved to help him, but Li Huowang stopped him. He then drew the long sword from his back and handed it to Zhao Wu.

Next, Li Huowang reached into his inner pocket, pulled out several slips of paper containing 'last words,' and began to sort through them.

Propping himself up with the long sword in both hands, Zhao Wu stumbled as he hurried towards his home.

Jianye Town, though bustling with people, wasn't very large. Zhao Wu quickly located his home.

It was a small rice shop. Seeing his family busy inside, Zhao Wu's eyes immediately welled up with tears. "Father! I'm back!" he cried.

Zhao Wu's trembling cry made everyone in the rice shop look up.

"Fifth brother!" exclaimed a robust, shirtless young man who was carrying a sack of rice. He immediately dropped the sack from his shoulder, rushed out excitedly, and embraced Zhao Wu tightly.

Right after, a small girl with ox-horn braids on her head also dashed out, excitedly circling Zhao Wu.

As Zhao Wu was lost in his emotional reunion, Li Huowang, observing dispassionately from the side, noticed something amiss.

Apart from the two who rushed out, the other family members inside the shop maintained very calm expressions, which didn't seem typical for a regular family reunion.

"Senior Brother Li, what's wrong?" Bai Lingmiao asked, keenly sensing the unusual atmosphere, as she gently tugged on Li Huowang's sleeve.

Li Huowang patted the back of her hand but said nothing.