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

Chen Mu came out from his trance, and checked on his points. One thousand three hundred points. The number baffled him somewhat, wondering how there could be so many. He shook out his head to make sure he wasn't seeing things and then finally relaxed.

Ah, now I can buy those materials! That was the first thing on his mind.

He had been sitting for quite a while, and his legs had gotten numb, so he struggled somewhat to get up, then looking around a little, he was startled.

How could there be so many people? He looked quizzically toward Lan Feng, who was chuckling, "Mr. Chen is too magical, you have really rocked the club this time."

"Oh." Chen Mu responded, although his face still looked a little uncertain. He sure didn't intend to get tangled up in the matter, and he asked Lan Feng directly, "I've already reached my eight hundred points, so can I buy the materials?"

An Invitation