The rules of Jade City are rigorous, with layers of hierarchy that naturally lend themselves to discrimination. "Miscellaneous people" refers to those who are not registered, without surname or name, and even if they die on the streets, there is no one to mourn or remember them.
They are only employed in menial labor, like hard labor, porters, and canal workers, jobs that pay little, come with dirt and grime, and require them to sell their Qi Power for a living.
Li Xian, having paid off his debts, was freed from being a Debt Slave and became a "miscellaneous person." He approached things carefully and, under the guise of seeking medical treatment, was actually "seeking a career in medicine." Just like striking a snake at its three-inch weak point, he first showed his medical skills, naturally attracting the attention of the elderly gentleman.
