Martin Li

    martin.mouse@163.com

    CAI PENGFEI, who is also known as Liufei, is a 13th-generation descendant of the Songxi School of Wudang kung fu. He is skillful at Chinese boxing, as well as the use of knives and swords.

    Wudang kung fu is one of the two leading schools of Chinese martial arts, and was created and developed by Zhang Sanfeng, a Taoist of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

    Liufei, head coach of Wudang kung fu academy in Shenzhen, teaches tai chi and medicine cultivation for free each Saturday morning.

    He has also coached more than 20 students in Shenzhen, who all have a great interest in Wudang kung fu.

    Liufei said he believes he is destined to carry on the traditions of Wudang kung fu into the future.

    Kung fu kid

    Liufei’s father started practicing martial arts in childhood, learning many kinds of martial arts from masters. However, his father finally gave up the pursuit of becoming a kung fu master due to the stresses of life.

    Liufei grew up with his father’s stories of martial arts. His father sometimes practiced Chinese boxing in front of him. The little boy also saw sorrow in his father’s eyes over not being able to pursue his kung fu dream.

    “I thought I wanted to fulfill my father’s dream and became a kung fu master,” Liufei recalled.

    After entering primary school, Liufei asked his parents to let him practice martial arts. The boy’s suggestion pleased his father, but invited objection from his mother.

    Liufei then refused to eat or drink anything for several days, in an effort to gain his mother’s agreement. She finally surrendered to the boy’s hard determination.

    Liufei was sent to be coached by You Mingsheng, a descendant of the Songxi School.

    The founder of the Songxi School was Zhang Songxi, who is one of the seven direct disciples of Zhang Sanfeng and one of the two most outstanding disciples of the original master.

    Hard practice

    At the age of 10, everything was new to Liufei during the early stages of his apprenticeship, but he did enjoy practicing.

    However, Liufei soon started to miss his home. Hardships in training basic skills led to pain in his waist and back. He was not even able to hold a pair of chopsticks in a stable way.

    “Dad, I want to go home,” Liufei called to his father.

    “Son, I don’t expect you to become a kung fu master. Instead, I hope you can improve your fitness and increase willpower through practicing. If you choose to give up when meeting some difficulties, you will never succeed,” replied his father.

    He asked Liufei to practice basic skills for three years and then let himself decide whether or not to continue.

    After three years, Liufei completed basic skills training and continued his martial arts studies.

    At that time Liufei disliked practicing tai chi, which is the quintessence of Wudang kung fu, defined by slow and patient body movements.

    The master, You Mingsheng, urged Liufei to spend more time on internal exercise, and to refrain from impatience and restlessness.

    “Only when your mind stays calm can you truly feel the essence of Wudang tai chi and achieve internal balance,” said Liufei.

    Master’s death

    Starting in 2003, Liufei performed and took part in various competitions at home and abroad, winning many awards and increasing his profile.

    However, Liufei started to reflect on his life when the 58-year-old master, You Mingsheng, died suddenly from a heart attack after six consecutive performances in the Wudang Mountain Resort on April 24, 2008.

    You’s death dealt a heavy blow to Liufei, who started questioning why he had wanted to practice martial arts.

    He and his fellow apprentices then refused to participate in performances and competitions, living a quiet, frugal and isolated life in Xiaoyao Valley on Wudang Mountain.

    Their valley life featured vegetable planting, no TV and seldom use of mobile phones, which lasted for five years.

    During the five years, Liufei started thinking about You’s wish to carry on Wudang kung fu and introduce it the world.

    Liufei gradually felt a strong sense of responsibility to fulfill You’s wish.

    New life in Shenzhen

    The Wudang Mountain special tourism economic zone government cooperated with Royal Suites and Towers Hotel to open a Wudang kung fu academy in Luohu District, Shenzhen, in May.

    Liufei and his fellow apprentices were invited to teach in the academy, and Liu was invited to be the head coach.

    “I’m accustomed to life on the mountain and find it hard to fit into urban life,” he said.

    However, Liu finally made the decision to accept the invitation in order to fulfill his master’s wish.

    He and his colleagues started a new life in Shenzhen.

    “It’s very difficult to find a Wudang kung fu master in Shenzhen. I became more positive after practicing tai chi between two and three months under the guidance of Liufei. My pains in the waist and neck have disappeared,” said a female student of Liufei, surnamed Cheng.

    Liufei sometimes misses his peaceful valley life. However, his sense of mission is stronger.

    “I will do my utmost to carry Wudang kung fu into the future,” he said.

    “I will do my utmost to carry

    Wudang kung fu into the future.”

    — Liufei, a 13th-generation descendant of the Songxi School of Wudang kung fu