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

"Mr. Mark Victor." Chen Mu shouted out just as Mark Victor was preparing to leave. That was the third week after they had entered actual combat confrontation.

Mark Victor looked surprised, as he turned around with a sense of questioning, "What is it?" Apart from asking about things he didn't understand, it was the first time Chen Mu had called to him after practice was concluded.

Chen Mu presented a card, "This card might be useful to you."

"What card?" Mark Victor asked as he took it, finding it a little strange. He suddenly thought about Chen Mu's other identity. He was a little startled to realize that he had been leaving out important information regarding Chen Mu's identity as a card master, which he hadn't understood at all.

What kind of ability did Chen Mu have? What kinds of cards was he good at making? What was his position at the base? And so forth. He didn't have any idea.

Good Cards and Good Pens