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 battling seemed to have resumed a state of balance. Being more concerned with Zu Ning's death, Tang Hanpei hadn't taken advantage of the perfect opportunity to attack with Qiao Yuan having been wounded.

There were a lot of doubts about the entire affair. According to the reports of those under Zu Ning, they had set up a defensive card artisan that night. Since there was only one, that clarified quite a few issues.

The card artisan had been educated in the orthodox reconnaissance type of card. His accomplishments in the Federation Comprehensive Academy had always been excellent. Not only that, but he also excelled in his tactical curriculum. What gave Tang Hanpei still more faith was that every teacher had included the same item when assessing him: He had a rigorous attitude, he was never negligent, and he was very self-disciplined.

Trying Out the Tactics