Chapter 4: The 72 Shuffling Techniques.

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Chen Jiang tilted his head to look at Silent Snake, who had just emerged from the adjacent side room, which also housed an altar. Just as every magician has a partner, his master had one too. Over the years, his master’s partner had taken Silent Snake as a disciple, imparting all his secret techniques without reservation.

“Let’s head back to school.”

Chen Jiang said little, simply donning his distinctly magician-like attire that clashed with the students’ casual wear. Leaning on his cane, he stepped into the McLaren parked at the entrance, took the driver’s seat, and with Silent Snake beside him, pressed the accelerator, heading toward the university.

As he had said, his master was a magician, but not the kind commonly understood by the public. Therefore, money was never a concern. Especially after his master’s death, he had inherited a vast fortune—enough to squander through three generations if he were idle and indulgent.

A "secret" magic trick—the specially crafted magical props often commanded astronomical prices. Moreover, the actual stage performance accounted for only one percent of the entire magic preparation. The remaining ninety-nine percent was completed behind the scenes, a process demanding immense wealth, which formed the foundation of a magician’s craft.

Without money, one could only be a clown who fumbles with tricks.

...

Thirty minutes later.

Chen Jiang pressed the accelerator, driving along the street toward Chaoge University, one of the top universities in the entire federation.

He was a freshman, having just enrolled in early September.

“Brother Jiang,” Silent Snake, sitting in the passenger seat, glanced at the cluster of boys and girls along the road near the campus gate, excitement flickering in his eyes. “They say university is the best time of your life. I wonder what our university life will be like.”

Chen Jiang smiled silently, skillfully maneuvering the high-end McLaren supercar to the campus gate. The engine roared like a demon’s growl.

Neither he nor Silent Snake had ever attended school. Their master had taught them everything. They had never taken the university entrance exam.

How, then, had they entered such a prestigious university with no academic records? The answer was simple: recently, his master had signed a donation contract with the university for a new library building, paying the full amount in one lump sum on the spot.

The dazzling McLaren, bearing the license plate "Chaoge A·88888," drove unimpeded through the campus gate, drawing the admiring gazes of students and parents alike. The security guards at the entrance stood at attention, respectfully raising the barrier as the car passed, commanding all eyes.

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After parking inside the campus lot, Chen Jiang stepped out of the driver’s seat. Though hundreds watched him, he showed no hint of nervousness. Smiling, leaning on his cane, he and Silent Snake headed toward the academic building.

Murmurs floated behind him.

“Is that a student? No, it can’t be a parent—too young.”

“Why does his outfit look like a magician’s?”

“Probably another rich kid playing at cosplay.”

His master had taught him since childhood: a magician must never be low-key. The phrase "playing the fool to fool the wise" was poison in a magician’s dictionary. A magician must be flamboyant, drawing all eyes upon himself. Only then is there room to maneuver.

A magician’s best prop is but one— the audience’s attention.

The more focused people are, the more easily they overlook crucial details.

For a magician, neither the sleight of hand nor the props matter most; it is the philosophy behind the magic that counts.

He glanced down at his phone. The first class today was at 10 a.m., Room 312 in Building A.

As soon as he entered the classroom, a crisp female voice rang out.

“Hey!”

“You two are being unreasonable!”

“It's only the fourth day of school, and you’ve been missing for three, without even notifying the counselor. What’s going on? Is there something urgent you can’t tell us?”

Before him stood a girl in a revealing tank top and jeans, hands on her hips, eyes blazing with frustration.

“...”

Chen Jiang was momentarily taken aback, then chuckled. “And then?”

University was truly wonderful. He hadn’t seen such pure-hearted people in a long time. She seemed like a righteous heroine straight out of a comic. He remembered her—the girl who was elected class president on the very first day of university.

“Then what? Skipping classes without reason will cost you credits. The counselor said when you two show up, they’ll make you pay.”

“Besides, you’re a student. A student should dress like one. Why do you look like a magician?”

“I am a magician.”

“Really?” The girl’s anger turned to laughter as she crossed her arms. “The counselor will be here in fifteen minutes. Can you perform a trick to stop him from scolding you?”

“Of course.”

Chen Jiang grinned and pulled out his phone. Searching through thousands of contacts, he found one and dialed. After a brief wait, he spoke, “Uncle Wang, this is Chen Jiang. I heard my counselor’s going to give me a hard time soon. Can you talk to him for me?”

Then he hung up.

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Almost immediately—

The classroom door was flung open, and a young man rushed in. With a respectful expression, he stood before Chen Jiang, his voice hoarse but earnest.

“Greetings, Young Master Jiang. I’m your counselor, Xiao Li. You can just call me Xiao Li. Principal Wang has already informed me. If you need anything, just let me know.”

“All right, you may leave now.”

Chen Jiang couldn’t help but smile, waving his phone before the stunned class president.

“See? I told you I’m a magician. How’s that trick?”

“This...” The girl stood dumbfounded for a moment before suddenly remembering something. Hopeful, she grabbed Chen Jiang’s sleeve.

“The school is hosting a freshman welcome party. If you really are a magician, could you perform a magic act for our class?”

“Me?”

Chen Jiang pointed at himself and then at Silent Snake. They exchanged glances, both amused.

Just then—

Before he could refuse, a chubby boy in the classroom grew restless, standing up indignantly and approaching.

“Jiang Min, that’s not magic; it’s just intimidation.”

“Weren’t you supposed to perform a magic act for the freshman welcome party?”

“Buddy, watch this. You ready?”

Taking a deep breath, the boy pulled out a deck of playing cards. He fanned them out face down, then faced the deck toward Chen Jiang, challenging him.

“Pick any card, shuffle it back into the deck, and I’ll find your chosen card precisely. Believe it or not?”

“No.”

Chen Jiang shook his head decisively, his gaze distant. He thought he had come to terms with his master’s passing, but this scene reminded him of when his master first took him in and performed this very trick in the car.

“Don’t believe it? Then pick any card.”

After a pause, Chen Jiang casually drew the Ace of Hearts. Jiang Min, standing on tiptoe, examined the card, then carefully took it from Chen Jiang’s hand, shuffled it into the deck, and looked seriously at the chubby boy.

“I’m the judge now. Your turn to find the card.”

The boy’s expression grew solemn as he began shuffling swiftly. He performed an Indian shuffle and a dovetail shuffle in the air, the display quite impressive.

Playing cards—the most common prop for magicians.

There are seventy-two standard shuffling techniques.

Chen Jiang watched silently, memories stirring of his childhood when every mistake at shuffling was met with his master sternly striking his palm with a ruler. Afterwards, he would cry, his reddened hand forced to continue shuffling.

He had mastered all seventy-two techniques in three months and fully internalized them within a year.

It was clear the chubby boy had some skill, likely having practiced diligently with online tutorials. But his level was far below... Silent Snake’s.

Though only a partner and not a performer, Silent Snake had absorbed some basic magician’s sleights through constant exposure.