Chapter 814: Genki
A hundred years was more than enough time for the people of Fenglin to familiarize themselves with the Daoist Order’s Nine-Rank System.
To outsiders, low-ranking Daoists were generally called Daoist Masters, fourth-rank priests were known as Mages, third rank as High Mages, second rank as Sages, and first rank as Great Sages. Only members within the Daoist Order would use internal titles among themselves. Such familiarity was a privilege.
At first, the leader’s use of “Honored Mages” to address them was just a polite gesture, much like how commoners might casually call any military officer “General.”
Similarly, they flattered any Daoist they met as a Mage, never expecting that the visitor would be a High Mage.
The leader nearly dropped into a full Dogeza bow on the spot.
Qi Xuansu stopped him from performing the grand gesture. “We’re not particular about kneeling. What’s your name? Are you from this jin’ya?”
The leader replied humbly, “High Mage, my name is Kinoshita Shin’uemon. I’m in charge of transporting ore to the jin’ya.”
Qi Xuansu asked, “Judging from your name, are you a samurai?”
“Nothing escapes you, High Mage,” Kinoshita Shin’uemon said hastily. “I once served as an ashigaru for the daimyo, so I was granted the Kinoshita name. Later, I was injured and reassigned here to haul ore.”
Qi Xuansu nodded, unsurprised.
Though the common folk of Fenglin had no last names, they did have paths to rise in status. One such path was to follow a daimyo into battle. Those who earned merit could be granted a last name and become the lowest class of samurai. This was similar to being granted Daoist Priest Kindred status. The higher-ranking samurai were hereditary, usually from local noble families.
Qi Xuansu got straight to the point. “I want to see your hatamoto. Please lead the way.”