Reckoning

Choy Biu went back to his hotel. After they left, Leung Bok-Lao spoke to Leung Jan and asked him to arrange the place, time, and advertising for the fight. Bok-Lao told Jan this fight was first for revenge, and second for the fame of Wing Chun. Choy Ga had been famous for a long time in the area, Bok-Lao told Jan that when he advertised the fight he could say Choy Ga is famous and Choy Biu learned directly from the founder, his father, while Bok-Lao had learned directly from Wing-Chun. Bok-Lao wanted people to know that not only was it Choy Biu against Leung Bok-Lao, but Choy Ga against Wing Chun. That way, when he won people would know Wing Chun was better than Choy Ga.

Leung Jan got things in order and arranged to use the opera stage at Jo-Miu temple. Since Leung Jan had long supported the temple, they were happy to lend the stage for the fight. Jan did the advertising as Bok-Lao had asked, and everyone knew it was to be Choy Ga against Wing Chun. The news spread quickly and all the local martial artists were going to come watch.

The next day, Leung Bok-Lao wrote down the history, saying he had been the student of Choy Ga but had changed to Wing Chun. Choy Biu was the youngest son and had a school in Siu Hing for many years. Now they would compete and people could see which system was best. Everybody saw the introduction and people were very excited. The next day, people gathered early at the Jo-Miu temple.

Choy Biu stayed in his hotel. The hotel manager, upon finding out Choy Biu was there, told him he had not realized he was the one set to fight. Because Biu was a stranger and didn't know the town well, Biu asked the manager for directions. The manager said he would support him and go with him. Biu was happy, since this meant he wouldn't have to go with Bok-Lao. When Biu and the manager arrived at Jo-Miu many people were there, as was Bok-Lao. Biu went up on stage and Bok-Lao said he was an honest man, arriving on time. Choy Biu said that because Bok-Lao had been misrepresenting himself, Biu must come.

When the time came, Choy Biu asked what method of fighting they would be using, wether fists or weapons. Leung Bok-Lao said that because both systems were famed for their fist techniques, they should fight without weapons. And besides, it was less harmful. Biu agreed but pointed out the fist could also harm, so they should agree that if someone were injured, it would only be their own fault - they could not hold the other responsible. It was agreed, and they began.

Leung Bok-Lao stood there and assumed the Yee Gung Ma Chut Lap. Choy Biu saw his stance with the front arrow and back bow and his two hands held high like knives protecting the chest. Biu thought it was not very useful and asked Bok-Lao if he was really ready to begin. Bok-Lao said this was the Wing Chun ready posture, and invited Biu to come try him.

Choy Biu launched forward with the Black Tiger Steals Heart, attacking Bok-Lao's center gate very fast. Because of his long training in Choy Ga, Bok-Lao new the technique and that it was a hard hand, easy to break. Bok-Lao used a soft hand to counter. He let Biu get very close to him, almost touching, and then stepped to the side and applied the Scissors Hand to stop it. The Scissors Hand used the elbows and a strong body, with the chest in so the opponent could not press in. The technique can block and attack, and sticks so the enemy can not retreat easily, and if they tried, they could be struck easily. This was a common Wing Chun tactic.

Choy Biu felt that Leung-Bok Lao's bridge was very strong, like iron. Although the stance looked very wobbly, when in contact he could not move Bok-Lao and recognized it as soft outside, hard inside. Biu wanted to withdraw his hand, but Bok-Lao was stuck to him so he could not pull back. Biu decided to bend his arm at the elbow towards his chest and then struck forward with his elbow. Bok-Lao took half a step back and countered with Double Palms, similar to the Tiger Pushing Mountain technique, very fast. Biu knelt down to avoid it and swung a punch at Bok-Lao's leg. Because Bok-Lao's Wing Chun stance is narrow, it was out of range and Biu's punch could not reach it. Bok-Lao took another half-step back and knelt down as well, using his hands to lightly touch the floor, he swept his leg at Choy Biu.

Choy Biu jumped up to avoid the sweep and Leung Bok-Lao rose as well. Bok-Lao attacked with a Small Ghost Hand Butterfly Palms. The high hand went at Biu's face while the low one went at his groin. Biu Used the Cross Shape Hand to protect both his head and groin, and then clawed at Bok-Lao's face. Bok-Lao moved his head back and blocked with both hands, at the same time kicking at Biu with his leg. Biu knelt down again and tried to grab Bok-Lao's leg, but it returned too quickly and Bok-Lao brought his fist down at Choy Biu.

Choy Biu was unable to block the hand and Leung Bok-Lao grabbed him by the hair. Biu could not move, and Bok-Lao pressed his head down. Bok-Lao asked him if he admitted defeat. Biu could not lift his head and conceded the contest. Bok-Lao told him the fight had not just been between them, but between Choy Ga and Wing Chun, since they were both direct students. Bok-Lao said many people had seen his defeat, but since he remembered the good old days he would not continue. But if Biu did not agree, they could continue. Bok-Lao released his grip on Biu's hair.

Choy Biu was shamed, but knew he could not win. He told Bok-Lao that Wing Chun was the best and said he would leave Foshan. Biu left with Chao Bing after bowing to Bok-Lao and the audience. Everybody clapped and knew Wing Chun was special.

Leung Bok-Lao returned with Leung Jan to the pharmacy. Bok-Lao told Jan that before he had learned Wing Chun, Choy Biu had defeated him. Bok-Lao stated that now he had had his rematch and Biu had failed, they can say Wing Chun is very good and the style should become famous in Foshan. Bok-Lao informed Jan he had been teaching him for a long time, and had given him all the secrets of the style. Bok-Lao maintained it was now time for him to move on, and the spreading of Wing Chun was to become Jan's task.

Knowing his teacher would leave soon, Leung Jan worked very hard. About six months later a letter arrived from Yim Wing-Chun for her husband, Leung Bok-Lao. Wing-Chun told Bok-Lao in the letter that she had fallen ill and could no longer maintain the tofu shop. When Bok-Lao read this, he knew he had to return to Guangxi immediately. Although Jan asked him to return when he could, Bok-Lao said it was now Jan's job to spread Wing Chun in Foshan and that he inteneded to take the style to other parts of China. Jan knew Bok-Lao had great ambitions, and he understood that he would not see his teacher again.

Leung Bok-Lao left right away and journeyed straight to Yim Wing-Chun's side. His wife was quite ill, but she asked him how his dissemination of Wing Chun was progressing. Bok-Lao told his wife he had taught it to a good student who would spread it now. Wing-Chun smiled and knowing her fathers dream of spreading the style was succeeding, she died in peace. Bok-Lao arranged the funeral, and sold the tofu shop. Swearing he would never marry again, Bok-Lao used the money he saved to travel and spread Wing Chun all over China, on both sides of the Long River. Thus Wing Chun was spread around the banks of the Long River.

Leung Bok-Lao eventually passed away, although where and how has not been recorded.

These stories were translated by Rene Ritchie, and have been included here with his permission. Visit the Yuen Kay-San Wing Chun home page to see the originals.