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>Yikes, wasn't that the female card artisan from that day? Howie was paying rapt attention. Even though the girl had been completely covered by the orange energy cloak, his eyesight was good; he could still see what she looked like. He remembered very clearly the surprise he had felt at the time. For a female card artisan to have such power wasn't common.</p>

<p>Butchie had changed into more casual attire that day, though Howie had still been able to recognize her at a glance. What kind of person was she? The crowd had attracted his attention. They were all on alert, and it was clear they were all wearing battle-style apparatuses. Among their behaviors could be seen signs of discipline. He was inwardly shocked that so many card artisans would suddenly come to Pomelo. What was really going on? Could it have something to do with what he was just in the middle of?</p>

The Fuse