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

Things quieted down all around right away, with all eyes falling on the youth in front of Chen Mu and those three. He had a shaved head, and the top half of his body was half naked, revealing his bronzed skin and powerful muscles. The other half of his upper body was wrapped in a strange ancient-style metal armor, which extended up from his waist to his left ribs. Combined with his grave expression, he had an impressive bearing. On his left shoulder he wore a metallic arm band.

The clan elder's expression went cold, as he shouted without pleasure, "Colin, how can you be so rude?"

Colin saluted the elder, as he respectfully said, "Colin meant no offense, elder. I am only curious about what kind of person the one who was able to wound little Three is."

Then his gaze fell onto Chen Mu and the three of them, finally focusing on Bo Wen. Among the three, Bo Wen was doubtless the one whose demeanor showed the most ability, and he was the most eye-catching.

The Challenge