Famous stylists from the area have included Si Tu Xuan Kong, who was better known under the name Bai Yuan Gong (White Ape Man). Credited with the invention of Tong Bei style, which mimics the movements of a monkey to flail the arms like whips, he was also famous for a sword style which was studied by the emperor's wife, Yue Nu. Another famous stylist was the semi-legendary Bai Mei Dao Ren (White Eyebrow Daoist), who lived during the Southern Song dynasty. Known as a powerful martial artist, he was called upon by the imperial court to put down martial artists who opposed the emperor, including some Shaolin stylists (which is why there are many legends that claim Bai Mei was responsible for the destruction of the Southern Shaolin Temple.). Bai Mei martial arts became popular in Guangdong province and have subsequently travelled to the west, although not in large numbers.
Emei martial arts researchers inevitably credit the influence of Daoist internal practices on wushu in the area. The Yellow Emperor was said to have practiced and taught the practice called 'San Yi Wu Ya', which uses yin and yang and Five Elements theory to develop inner essence, whilst many local people believe that Zhang Dao Ling was the first person to develop Daoist sexual practices and martial arts exercises for health.
The Wushu Scholar team, while privileged to have travelled to the Emei area and observed a number of exceptionally professional wushu schools and stylists, believes that we have barely scratched the surface of a martial tradition that has developed in one of the most thriving and colourful regions of China.
