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

Sue Lochiro looked no different than normal. She walked over to the therapeutic apparatus and examined several screens of data at a glance. She then said with a mild expression, "All right, you can come out."

"Oh." Only then was Chen Mu comfortable pulling all the probes off his body, feeling a sudden strength in his limbs. He felt as though he'd never been wounded at all, which brought him great joy. He easily crawled out of the therapeutic instrument and stood in front of Sue Lochiro, sopping wet. "Are there any clothes?"

"First, dry yourself." Sue Lochiro had her usual calm expression, though what she said was full of concern. Chen Mu broke into a grin, knowing from what she said that she wasn't really angry. Taking the towel Sue Lochiro handed him, he straightforwardly wiped all the water dry on his body. She then gave Chen Mu some clothes.

A Windfall