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

"Someone has finally gotten out of Pomelo! Who could it be? What has really been happening in Pomelo? I'll be getting to the bottom of that right away!" The host's tone was high and excited, but it then changed. "Don't go away! Don't go away by any means! Don't take your eyes off of us, or else you will regret it for the rest of your life. What will follow will be a moment seen by throngs! There will be a lot to marvel at after the following advertisement!"

Cursing abruptly sounded up in the big hall. Every card artisan who had just had his appetite whetted was dying to go up and tear that host to pieces. Even Chen Mu just stared. He couldn't help but think the host was really funny. Bogner didn't have that many scruples. He just hurled the abuse, cursing.

The awful advertisement made the fire in everyone's belly grow. Fifteen seconds of that seemed to drag out forever. The ads finally finished, and the abnormally noisy big hall abruptly quieted down.

A Big Shock