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 12 only needed to go in to train for 20 minutes, but the card artisans who hadn't finished the 50 sets needed to endure a 40-minute ordeal.

The sounds of screaming constantly wafted through the building. In the eyes of those card artisans, Chen Mu's danger and scare index had already shot up to the highest level. What turned their hearts the coldest was the White Commander's indifference.

In the old house of the beloved manor:

"Four men recently came to serve the third master."

"Oh." Tai-shu Yong was a little interested; the Shadow was well-informed, his nose even more acute than a dog's. Since he had taken the initiative to talk about the matter, there would certainly be something to it.

A Decision