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

<p>To see a sallow-faced youth sitting cross legged and frowning in the middle of the hallway was something that would draw attention around that place. Everyone walking by was looking at him a little surprised. The card masters and card artisans who would show up there all had a lot of power and therefore high social standing, and so in that kind of atmosphere to see some guy so bold to sit there as Chen Mu was would naturally draw some strange looks.</p>

<p>Chen Mu didn't pay any attention to such looks. Before, when he was treated as a beggar allowed into Eastern Wei Academy, he'd gotten naturally accustomed to it. And he didn't have time just then to pay attention to those peoples' looks, concentrating as he was on what that insight which had moved him so much just then.</p>

Breath Control!