Fang Xiang

This is both a work of science fiction and an exploration of the meaning of life, love, literature and art. Brainpower is no longer the main ingredient for being human in this far distant future world.  Spirituality, physical balance, and diligence all come together as integrity for Chen Mu, the Card Apprentice.  The cards which Chen Mu masters in his own scrappy way, distill all the powers of the cosmos –  human and nonhuman –  into something that is not a book, not technology, and neither art nor magic, but is these and more.  Learn about these strange cards, which can embody everything you might imagine for the future of technology, but also a future beyond technology which promotes the best, and sometimes the worst, from mankind’s past.

The Card Apprentice

Clenching his teeth with his eyes wide open, Chen Mu's normally clear eyes were all red. Chen Mu was using up the last of his energy to mobilize the last trace of perception, while still keeping the motion of his hand as gentle as could be, like the brushing of a light breeze.

A light hook, and then the pen nib brought out a wonderful and very fine arc. There was a shimmering glow which would be difficult to perceive with the naked eye. Then a turn of the wrist, suddenly forceful, but restrained by overwhelming power. The last trace of Chen Mu's perception was that same overwhelming power pressing down into the card.

The whole card surface suddenly exploded with radiance – where before there was only a slight flash from the glimmering surface of the card – and then returned to normal, becoming a fantasy card which didn't look like there was anything special about it. Only the afterimage of that last explosive flash remained on Chen Mu's irises.

The First Card Play (2)