037 The Nine Ranks

Some time had passed since they left Wuligang. The narrow forest path gradually broadened. Now, it wasn't just two groups of people on the way. Carriages, ox - carts, and peasants shouldering loads on poles all hurried forward in a bustling stream.

The increasingly thick layer of footprints on the ground and the scattered animal dung signaled to Li Huowang that Jianye Town must be nearby.

"Zhao Wu, are people like troupe leader Lü and his actors of extremely low status?" Li Huowang asked Zhao Wu, who was intently learning to write.

Zhao Wu, who was scribbling characters with a twig, looked up, shot a surprised glance at Li Huowang, and then stole a peek at the Zhao Family Troupe ahead.

"Well, although they receive applause from the audience when performing, they're just like the women in brothels. Admiration is one thing, but social status is quite another. Actors rank at the very bottom of the Nine Ranks."

"Really? What exactly are the Nine Ranks?" Li Huowang asked in astonishment. If it weren't for what had happened before, he truly wouldn't have paid any attention.

"The first rank consists of emperors and prime ministers; the second, military officers and generals; the third, gentry, merchants, and traders; the fourth, religious and sectarian groups; the fifth, craftsmen and teachers; the sixth, doctors, farmers, and those toiling on the land; the seventh, witches, beggars, and slaves; the eighth, thieves, swindlers, and robbers; the ninth, actors and prostitutes."

"Moreover, it's not just that they're looked down upon in terms of status. They also receive different treatment. For instance, people from the lower three ranks are prohibited from marrying into well - respected families. There are also restrictions on their clothing and means of transportation. They can neither ride horses nor sit in sedan - chairs. They're not allowed to wear brocade, damask, or silk. Even when suing in court, their cases carry less weight."

Hearing Zhao Wu rattle it off so smoothly, as if he were reciting a well - rehearsed poem, Li Huowang was greatly surprised. "I didn't expect you to know so much."

"Senior Brother Li, you're being too modest. After all, my family lives in the town, so I'm familiar with these things. Most people should know about them. Where did you come from before, Senior Brother Li? How come you don't even know this?"

Zhao Wu had long sensed that there was something different about this Senior Brother Li, but he'd only found the chance to ask today.

"Hehe, a very, very distant place." Li Huowang was too lazy to explain his origin. It would be a hassle, and besides, these people might not understand.

Seeing that Li Huowang didn't answer, Zhao Wu didn't press on and continued instead.

"We're quite fortunate here. No matter which rank one belongs to, the emperor still allows people to take the imperial examinations. Although success isn't guaranteed, at least there's a glimmer of hope. I heard that in other places, people from the lower three ranks aren't even allowed to take the imperial examinations, and they and their descendants can never turn their fortunes around. Actors are doomed to be actors for a lifetime."

"So that's how it is." Li Huowang gained a fresh understanding of this world.

"What about a Taoist like me? What's my status here?" Li Huowang asked again.

"Taoists belong to one of the three major religions and aren't part of the Nine Ranks. Most people show respect when they meet a Taoist. Even if they don't respect, they'll steer clear, because who can really fathom matters related to gods and ghosts?"

Zhao Wu's words made Li Huowang, who was about to take off his Taoist robe, abandon that thought.

Since he was going to travel far and wide in the future, wearing this Taoist robe would obviously be much more convenient than wearing plain clothes.

"By the way, Zhao Wu, what about someone like Master Danyang? Their status should be very high, right?" Li Huowang immediately asked the crucial question.

"To be honest, Senior Brother Li, I don't know. Before I was captured by him, I really had no idea that there were such powerful people in the world. I thought those were just made - up tales by storytellers."

"I see..." Li Huowang mused thoughtfully. It seemed that the information in these places was very limited. Logically, there should be quite a few people like Master Danyang, but Zhao Wu, a local, actually didn't know.

However, he guessed that there must be someone who could rein in people like Master Danyang. Otherwise, he wouldn't have to retreat to the deep mountains and old forests to secretly practice cultivation.

"Little Taoist! Little Taoist! Look at that city gate. We're here!" Hearing Lü Zhuangyuan's shout, Li Huowang looked up and ahead.

At the end of the path they'd been treading for so many days loomed a row of low, moss - covered city walls. Inside the walls lay their destination, Jianye Town.

The Lü Family Troupe entered smoothly, but Li Huowang and the others weren't so fortunate. Due to their extremely unusual appearances, shortly after they arrived, the constable of the town came with his men to make trouble.

"Clang!" The constable grasped his sword with both hands and demanded of Li Huowang with a highly wary expression, "Stop! What's going on here? What's all this?"

"Constable Yan, it's me. These are all people I know. They have no ill intentions. They specially escorted me home." Zhao Wu on the donkey - cart greeted.

As soon as the constable saw Zhao Wu's face, his hostility diminished significantly, and he sheathed his sword.

"Oh, it's the fifth son of the Zhao family. Where have you been these days? Keep these people in line. Buy some straw hats with black cloth to cover your faces so as not to scare the neighbors."

"Thank you, Constable Yan. How's my family recently?"

"Fine, of course. By the way, your second sister got married. It's a good family. Hurry back and have a look."

To avoid further trouble, under Zhao Wu's guidance, Li Huowang went to a straw - hat stall and bought several straw hats with black cloth.

After the medicine - guides put them on, although they were still very eye - catching, at least they wouldn't terrify people.

After making an appointment with Lü Zhuangyuan for the next departure time, Li Huowang said to Zhao Wu, "Where's your home? Let's go to your place first."

Looking at the familiar surroundings, Zhao Wu grew a bit emotional. He didn't wear a straw hat because everyone in the city knew him.

The weak - limbed Zhao Wu struggled to prop himself up on the donkey - cart with both hands and then jumped down.

Just as Gouwa beside him was about to reach out to help, Li Huowang stopped him. He drew the long sword from behind and handed it to Zhao Wu.

Then he reached into his bosom and took out the death - note papers, starting to sort them out.

Zhao Wu staggered unsteadily towards his home, leaning on the long sword with both hands.

Jianye Town seemed bustling with people coming and going on the streets, yet it wasn't very large. Zhao Wu quickly found his home.

It was a small rice store. Looking at his busy family members inside, Zhao Wu's eyes welled up with tears. "Dad! I'm back!"

Zhao Wu's trembling shout made everyone in the rice store look up.

"Fifth brother!" A strong young man with his upper body bare, who was carrying a rice bag, tossed the bag on the ground, rushed out excitedly, and hugged him tightly.

Then a little girl with ox - horn braids on her head also rushed out, excitedly dancing around Zhao Wu.

Just as Zhao Wu was excitedly forgetting everything around him, Li Huowang, who was watching coldly from the side, noticed something amiss.

Except for the two who rushed out of the house, the expressions of the others inside were very calm. This was not how an ordinary family should react.

"Senior Brother Li, what's wrong?" Bai Lingmiao, who was sensitive to the strange atmosphere, gently tugged at the corner of Li Huowang's clothes.

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