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

Because he was in a state of disbelief, Chen Mu simply remained silent.

Caesar was emitting his murderous aura without the least misgivings, which had quickly cleared the streets. It wasn't like everyone in the five flourishing districts was a card artisan, but everyone had learned perception since they were small. Such a dense murderous aura and such brutal breath had long since scared everyone away. Even the garrison card artisans hid discreetly far off. In such a huge street, Chen Mu and Caesar were actually the only two there.

The garrison card artisans gathered at least two kilometers away. "Sheesh, where did this nut come from? I hadn't heard there were such people in Dongrui!"

"Yeah. He must have killed lots of people with such a powerful murderous aura!"

"Powerful people will be powerful, after all, and plenty arrogant!"