Counterattack of Tid Qui Sarm
by Bucksam Kong, Kung Fu (Qigong) E-zine

During the peaceful time after the war, "Tid Qui" Sarm was known among the kungfu masters by his strong forearms and nicknamed "Iron Arms" Sarm. He was famous for being one of the Canton Ten Tigers. His real name was Leung Ah Quon. Since he was the third child in the family, friends and acquaintances called him Ah Sarm. Originally, Tid Qui Sarm learned the Hung Style kungfu from a monk named Wei Chung from Bak Wun monastery on the White Cloud Mountain. Wei Chung, the monk, mastered the superiority of the Tid Sin Kuen (Iron Thread Set) and passed it on to his favorite student, Tid Qui Sarm. Having a naturally structured body for martial arts, with strong arms, plus devotion and talent, Tid Qui Sarm perfected the Iron Thread Set.

At one festive occasion Tid Qui Sarm demonstrated the strength of his arms. Standing on the terrace, Tid Qui Sarm fully extended both arms sideways. Four men, two on each arm totaling a weight of approximately 800 pounds, hung on his arms, their feet not touching the ground. With all their might the four men could not bend Tid's arms. Tid Qui Sarm gained much fame from those witnessing this amazing act.
Diligently, Tid Qui Sarm practiced the Iron Thread Set. He believed that in order to master the Hung Style, he must start with the strength of his mid-section. Through endurance and continuously practicing the set he would gain inner strength as well as build the forearms equivalent to the iron bridge. Through practice, he could also transform his chi down to his legs and root them to the ground. He proved his strength by having twenty people tug on a rope tied to his leg, ten on each side. He was not moved from his original position in this experiment. The assimilation of the force, the element, and the energy was achieved from the Iron Thread set.

One day, the champion met his match from a northern monastery, a high priest named Won Sing, who had traveled to Canton and stayed in Hoi Tung Temple as a guest. It happened that Tid Qui Sarm was continuing his study of kungfu from Yuen Kwon, the high priest of Hoi Tung Temple. Won Sing was introduced as a highly rated, top ranking master with superior techniques in the Hung style. Tid Qui Sarm was instructed to call him Si Bak. During the introduction, Tid showed a facial expression that did not express the highest regards. With a smile, Won Sing, the high priest exclaimed to Yuen Kwon, "Considering Tid's age, I believe he needs a lot more training before he can claim to be the Iron Thread expert...his attitude may be getting in the way of his progress. Tid is overly confident."

Being quite young, Tid Qui Sarm interrupted, "Si Bak, you have not seen my kungfu yet - certainly you can't determine my power." Won Sing, the high priest answered, "It is through perseverance and years of practice before one can reach the highest level. By observing your age and your proud attitude, I can see that you have not reached that level yet. A better competitor can tell the difference."

Tid Qui Sarm was not convinced. He said, "If you can bend my arm then I'll concede you are better." Yuen Kwon apologized to Won Sing saying, "Si Hing, please show him a few techniques that will help me teach him humility. Then he will know there can always be one person better than him."

With a smile, Won Sing nodded and instructed Tid Qui Sarm to prepare for the challenge. With years of practice, Tid could not have been more ready. He demonstrated his best pose of "Gung Bo," front bow back arrow stance, by transforming all his chi to his extended right forearm, and affixing his strength, rooting his feet to the ground. Anyone could see the extraordinary strength in his performance. It would be impossible to bend his arm. Won Sing continued, "Get ready and generate strength to your arm. I am going to bend it."

Won Sing then advanced forward, holding Tid's right wrist with his left hand. It did not show much strength in the beginning, but slowly the pressure increased. Tid felt like a thousand pounds of pressure were on his arm. Without much resistance, Tid's arm was lowered. Won Sing continued, "I am going to lift up your right arm, try to resist the lifting."

At that moment, in spite of the chi Tid generated to his right arm, it was lifted high up into the air. At the same time, Won lifted Tid's body as well. With both feet dangling in the air, his body felt weak and out of control. Then he realized there was always a higher mountain in the world. Humbly he bowed to Won Sing, the high priest, saying, I am not even your match, I have learned humility."

With the demonstration of the "lift/lower" chi, and the transformation of internal and external control by the master, Tid learned these techniques through experience. He also learned the increased mobilization of the Gin Lek transition. The concept behind the theory of what he could comprehend was due to his amazing encounter with a true master.

After that event, Tid Qui Sarm studied for a few more years under Yuen Kwon before he left the Temple. Tid was twenty-four when he opened his first school near the Kun Yum Temple, located in an area occupied by a clan from the Ching government...

by Bucksam Kong, Kung Fu (Qigong) E-zine