According to Chu Changqing, the River of Oblivion was located in the Underworld. To find the sacred relic at the bottom of the River of Oblivion, one had to go to the Underworld.
To pass through the Gate of the Underworld, a guide from the Yin-walking realm was necessary.
Therefore, Chen Xiao's immediate priority was to find a Yin-walker.
A Yin-walker was someone who traveled between the Yin and Yang realms, working for ghost officials.
These individuals were born with weak constitutions and their souls were prone to detachment. Thus, they were chosen by ghost officials to apprehend the souls of the dying and guide them into the Underworld.
They lived their lives like ordinary people, only detaching their souls when performing tasks for the ghost officials.
Their physical bodies would fall into a deep slumber during these times.
However, finding such a person was not an easy task, as Chen Xiao did not know any.
He quickly thought of a solution. Yin-walkers frequently dealt with the deceased.
Where would one find the most deceased people? Naturally, in hospitals!
This was precisely Chen Xiao's profession!
However, the next moment, Chen Xiao realized that this approach might not be very reliable.
After all, Yin-walkers detached their souls when performing their duties and did not need to inform doctors.
Chen Xiao then thought of Gu Zhendong.
Among the people Chen Xiao knew, Gu Zhendong was the only one with some connection to the supernatural and feng shui circles. Perhaps he knew a Yin-walker.
But when Chen Xiao found Gu Zhendong and explained his situation, Gu Zhendong revealed a hint of disdain. "Yin-walkers belong to the Feng Shui and fortune-telling lineage. That's considered a low-tier profession. I have no dealings with them."
"..."
Chen Xiao was speechless.
Calling them low-tier, as if he himself were of high standing... His own Five Great Evil Sects weren't even as reputable as those low-tier professions!
However, Gu Zhendong's words were not entirely useless. At least, they opened up a new avenue of thought for Chen Xiao.
To find a Yin-walker, one could start by looking for fortune tellers.
From ancient times to the present, society had no shortage of fortune tellers. They belonged to the "Gold" category among the "Eight Great Deceptive Arts" which included Gold, Chess, Colors, Hanging, Bee, Hemp, Swallow, and Sparrow.
They relied on their mouths for sustenance; all their skills were in their tongues.
Of course, among them were also genuine Feng Shui masters who studied the I Ching diligently and could offer pronouncements with absolute certainty.
And it was this type of person Chen Xiao was looking for.
Chen Xiao didn't need to search personally. He made a phone call to Qi Tianhu, asking him to investigate who the most accurate fortune teller in the city was.
This was the advantage of being a leader; for minor tasks like running errands and gathering information, one could delegate them to subordinates.
Less than half an hour later, Qi Tianhu called back.
"Boss Chen, I've investigated the matter you assigned me. There's a fortune teller in the city named Yin San'er. It's said he speaks with absolute certainty and is incredibly accurate. Many business owners consult him before opening their businesses."
Chen Xiao was overjoyed. "Do you know where this gentleman lives? I want to see him immediately."
"I've already found out. Boss Chen, where are you? I'll come pick you up!"
"Alright, come pick me up at my place."
About ten minutes after hanging up, Qi Tianhu arrived to pick up Chen Xiao, and the two set off to find Yin San'er.
Qi Tianhu drove to the outskirts of the city and stopped in front of a detached courtyard house.
After knocking, a young boy, no older than fifteen or sixteen, opened the door, looking at them suspiciously.
Qi Tianhu smiled and asked, "Is this Mr. Yin San'er's residence?"
"What do you want?" the boy asked, a hint of arrogance in his eyes.
"We've come to visit Mr. Yin San'er and have some questions." Qi Tianhu replied.
"My master said that today's divination is inauspicious, and he is not receiving visitors. You should leave." the boy said impatiently.
Qi Tianhu's brow furrowed slightly. "I am Qi Tianhu!"
The boy's expression froze. The "Gold" sect was part of the martial world, and he had naturally heard of Qi Tianhu.
The underworld boss of Jiang City was not someone to be trifled with.
"Please wait a moment, sirs. I will inform my master."
After Qi Tianhu announced his name, the boy's attitude became much more polite. He scurried back inside.
Soon, he returned, panting, opened the door, and gestured for them to enter.
"Please, come in."
Chen Xiao and Qi Tianhu stepped into the courtyard.
Inside, there was a rock garden and a self-dug pond filled with colorful koi.
The courtyard's layout subtly incorporated the principles of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements, indicating careful planning.
From this, it was evident that Yin San'er possessed some genuine skill.
This made Chen Xiao even more expectant, hoping to obtain information about Yin-walkers through this person.
The two followed the boy into the house, which was filled with smoke.
However, it didn't evoke a sense of being in an ethereal realm, but rather a feeling of being in a smoky, stuffy environment.
Yin San'er seemed to be from the north, and there was a large heated brick bed inside the house.
A thin, withered old man was slumped crookedly on the brick bed, his eyes closed in meditation.
His black tunic was so greasy it shone, suggesting it hadn't been washed in a long time.
The ashtray in front of him was full of cigarette butts, clearly indicating that the smoky atmosphere was largely due to them.
"Master, Mr. Qi is here," the boy said, stepping forward and bowing.
Yin San'er slowly opened his eyes, his aged pupils cloudy and indistinct.
"You two are here for divination, I presume? Unfortunately, my divination today is inauspicious, and it is not suitable for casting lots. Please come back another day."
As soon as Yin San'er spoke, he issued a dismissal.
Qi Tianhu immediately became agitated. If they didn't want their business, they should have said so earlier. Why let them in only to kick them out?
Did they think they were pushovers?
Qi Tianhu, the underground emperor of Jiang City, was not someone to be easily provoked.
However, before he could lose his temper, Chen Xiao gently placed a hand on him and shook his head.
"Old sir, we are not here for divination today. We merely wish to trouble you with a different matter."
Chen Xiao's tone was gentle and polite, making one feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze.
"What is it? Tell me first," Yin San'er said, glancing at Chen Xiao with an air of command.
Although he didn't show it outwardly, he was somewhat puzzled inwardly.
This young man looked young, but he could subdue Qi Tianhu, indicating his status was clearly extraordinary. He might be a wealthy young master from a prominent family.
Chen Xiao cut to the chase. "Elder Yin, I've heard you have many acquaintances. Do any of your friends happen to be Yin-walkers?"
Yin San'er was slightly taken aback. He then let out a hiss, stroked the few hairs on his chin, and hesitated.
"Hiss, well..."
Chen Xiao understood immediately. "Elder Yin, if you can provide me with some information, I will offer you a generous reward."
Saying this, he gave Qi Tianhu a meaningful look.
Qi Tianhu, understanding the hint, took out a stack of money from his pocket and placed it on the edge of the brick bed.
"This is some incense money. It's a small token of my appreciation. I hope Elder Yin will accept it."