Meng, Xiao-Feng 孟晓峰

The great master Meng, Xiao-Feng was the 11th generation lineage holder of Wudang Dan Pai Wudang Sword. A dedicated practitioner, grandmaster Meng was the only person to pass down the traditional form of Wudang Sword. Originally named Meng, Guang-Shan, Grandmaster Meng was An Guo County, He Bei Province. From a very young age, Grandmaster Meng studied martial arts. In his teenage years he joined the military and fought under the banner of General Feng, Yu-Xiang.

In 1928, Grandmaster Meng entered the National Lei Tai Free Fighting Martial Art Competition. This competition was the first of its kind in China, bringing together fighters from all different backgrounds and pitting them against each other with little or no protection. Grandmaster Meng drew a lot of attention in this competition and was highly recognized.

The competition was organized by 10th Generation Lineage Holder of Wudang Dan Pai, Grandmaster Li, Jing-lin. Grandmaster Li and Grandmaster Meng both entered the military at a young age. That is where they first met and became colleagues. As the time past, they grew to be very close friends.

In 1930, Grandmaster Meng, Xiao-Feng was assigned as the Second-in-Command to the Chair of Shan Dong Province. At this time, Grandmaster Li, Jing-lin traveled to Ji Nan to meet with Grandmaster Meng to discuss plans to set up a martial arts academy in Shan Dong. Grandmaster Li stayed at the Reception Palace for High Ranking Officials. The old friends met again and again to plan for the project. They were very fond of each other. Together they were able to set up the Shan Dong Martial Arts Academy.

After the Academy was founded, Grandmaster Li wanted to repay his friend by giving him a leadership position in the Academy; however Grandmaster Meng did not care to have a role in the running of the school. Instead he asked his friend to repay him by teaching him the traditional Wudang Dan Pai Sword that was passed down by great master Song, Wei-Yi. Grandmaster Li agreed and taught Grandmaster Meng the complete set of traditional Wudang Sword techniques.

Grandmaster Meng was able to retain the whole collection of Wudang Dan Pai arts for health and fighting. These arts were almost lost to world as Grandmaster Li seldom taught disciples these techniques, and those he did teach did not pass them on after his death. Grandmaster Meng treasured what he learned and practiced diligently every day, whether it was cold or hot, regardless of the conditions.

In 1937, Grandmaster Meng, Xiao-Feng retired from the military and came back to Tianjin, where he lived as a hermit for many years. During this time he stayed at home and dedicated himself to the study, research, and refinement of Wudang martial arts. After reaching a very high level of ability, Grandmaster Meng taught what he had learned.

In his lifetime, Grandmaster Meng had many students, but only one disciple was able to receive the complete techniques and inherit the lineage as was traditional for ancient Wudang Dan Pai practitioners. That disciple was Grandmaster Max, Jie, who was taught the complete anthology of Wudang Dan Pai techniques. Grandmaster Meng died in 1977 at the age of 93.