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>"Damn! We're finally about to get to Zargan! It's been driving me f****ng crazy not to get here!" Jeremy and the rest of them had gotten to the edge of the forest and saw that they weren't far from Zargan. They knew their behavior would absolutely never be forgiven by Wen. Once they were on their way, they moved very carefully, in fear of being pursued.</p>

<p>It was difficult along the way because of the hoards of wild beasts and the low morale of their troops. Their manpower losses had been grave. There were only seven of them left, the rest having died in the forest. But Bao Le and Jeremy were like stray dogs in a constant state of anxiety; they were not in the right frame of mind to take care of those people's lives.</p>

Yuchi Bai’s Silk