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

It was indeed good news for everyone that Xiaobo had made his passage. Xiaobo was the number-three ace at the base, and he had a lot more battle experience than Chen Mu. On top of that was the Wheel, which Chen Mu had gone to such great lengths to make. Xiaobo's power had gone far beyond that of card artisans at his same level. The snow pit method had pushed him to the tipping point in one fell swoop. Being shut up in the ravine, one could imagine his power was bound to surge after coming out from that seclusion.

"And the others?" Chen Mu asked, finding it a little strange. If Xiaobo had come out from seclusion, he ought to be connecting with him.

Bogner said helplessly, "He's already gone off looking for you. We had him watch the card play recording of your battle with Jin Yin and Dang Han, and the guy just charged off, deciding to look for you on the spot."

Xu Jia