Chapter 9: Training

The dawn of the next day brought with it a new challenge for Li Yang. As he expected lessons directly under Red Phoenix, he was surprised when she introduced him to the villa's head butler, Mr. Zhou.

"Li Yang, meet Mr. Zhou," she said, gesturing towards an imposing figure. The old butler stood tall, his face bearing a fearsome scar that ran from his left eyebrow down to his cheek, hinting at a tumultuous past.

Red Phoenix continued, "Before he became a butler, Mr. Zhou was one of the most respected gamblers in the underground circuit. He will be your mentor."

Mr. Zhou, without wasting any time, quickly sized up Li Yang. "You're the new blood, huh?" he grunted, before beckoning him to follow.

The vast estate was equipped with several specialized training rooms, each designed for a different skill. Mr. Zhou's rigorous training program was to be shared between Li Yang and Red Phoenix's two younger brothers, Lin Wei and Lin Fei. Although the brothers were hostile at dinner, during training, they were professional, perhaps recognizing that here, they were all students.

The first training module focused on 'Hand Techniques'. In a room filled with card tables, roulette wheels, and dice games, Li Yang was taught the importance of swift, precise hand movements. Hours were spent practicing shuffling, dealing, and even palming cards without detection.

Next came 'Eye Techniques'. This involved closely observing recorded gambling sessions, identifying the smallest of tells and cues from players. Li Yang learned to pay attention to the minutest of details: a twitch of a lip, a fleeting look, a nervous blink. The brothers and Li Yang would then role-play, trying to catch each other's tells.

Lastly, there was 'Ear Techniques'. In a soundproof chamber, Mr. Zhou would play subtle noises: the rustle of cards, a whispered conversation, even the rhythm of a heartbeat. Li Yang had to identify these sounds accurately, even distinguishing between different players' breaths and the sound of dice rolling on different surfaces.

The training was grueling. Days turned into nights, nights into days. Mr. Zhou was a strict taskmaster, pushing his charges to their limits. But with every passing day, Li Yang could feel himself improving, sharpening his senses, refining his techniques.

However, the presence of the scar on Mr. Zhou's face served as a constant reminder of the risks involved in their world. During a short break, Li Yang mustered the courage to ask, "Mr. Zhou, how did you get that scar?"

Mr. Zhou paused, his gaze distant. "A result of a game gone wrong. But that's a story for another time," he said tersely.

Determined to master his lessons and not meet a similar fate, Li Yang threw himself even more earnestly into his training, preparing for the high-stakes world of gambling that awaited him.