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

"The ten fiery dragon cards you left on consignment have been sold out. From 800,000 Oudi overall, minus 80,000 Oudi, leaves 720,000 Oudi. Please check your account."

The message that had popped up on his apparatus made Chen Mu immediately happy. Just as he was saying he had no money on hand, the money came, which would make anybody happy. He couldn't help but feel that it really was a big city with the cards selling so quickly. Somehow, all ten of the three-star cards at 80,000 apiece had sold out in a day's time. What amazing speed.

Chen Mu wondered if all the mid-grade card masters around there were rich as he remembered again when he was making one-star power cards. Now he was making more in a day than it used to take him a year to make. Knowledge really was money; Chen Mu finally understood the saying more deeply.

Wei-ah Style Training