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

"You've turned handsome, Boss!" Bogner circled Chen Mu, clucking his amazement. To his side, Xi Ping was also astonished. The boss had completely changed his look right before their eyes.

Compared to his previous yellow, waxy look, his appearance was now a lot more pleasing, though still quite ordinary. There was nothing handsome, formidable, or ferocious about him, and his perfectly ordinary look made everyone who had become used to his sickly, waxy yellow quite excited. It was also easier to tell his age.

He was so young, after all! He looked to be about 20, although there was none of the peculiar tenderness and impetuousness of youth to be seen on him. On the contrary, the boss exuded a kind of calm that felt entirely comforting. Without knowing whether it was because of the influence of the boss's temperament, he was more and more pleasing to look at.

Getting Rid of the Disguise