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

Ning Jia looked at Bo Wen in surprise as her eyes misted over, never having imagined that her brother would talk to her in that tone of voice.

Bo Wen forced himself to calm his tone, "Be nice and go quickly Jia Jia," Then his voice became more urgent, "In the innermost shelves of the library pavilion, there is a grey and brown notebook on the bottom right. Quickly!"

Hearing the urgency in her brother's voice, Ning Jia bit her lip and held back her tears, then grunted her response, as she ran out of the bedroom. She understood the importance of the situation, and that if it weren't something very important her bother would never have forced her like that. He had never compelled her once ever since she was little.

"Jia Jia, it's so late. Why aren't you asleep?" Ning Jia's mother had been awakened when she heard the door open and she called out.

The Night of the Cross