I was in Macao in the early 90's, for only 9 months, working at my Uncle's Casino ( he was security manager and more).
While there I befriended a few of the guys that work there and they took me around and to Taiwan too ( and more but that is another lifetime).
I saw my very first NHB matches there, and saw a lot of coin being won and loss.
I also saw, for the very first time, Taiji in action.
One of the fighters was a Hung Kuen and Chen Taiji guy, he did very well and I was introduced to him ( his cousin or whatnot worked in the Casino).
I was able to meet both his Hung Kuen teacher and his Taiji teacher.
First time I ever saw "the real stuff".
While the HK sifu was very good it was the Taiji one that made a lasting impression, not only by what he AND his fighters ( notice I didn't write students) coudl do, but by his MA philosophy.
When I mentioned about how kung fu and Taiji in particular, takes too many years to be effective, he turned to my co-worker and told him to tell me that I need to stop watching kung fu movies because it rotted my brain.
LOL
He asked me what systems I have trained in and I told him, he then asked me how quickly I could use them in a fight, "a few months" I said.
He replied," and you think my kung fu is so weak that you need years to make it work?".
My nuts sank to the floor, I felt like I was a dead man !
he said that, though like ANY other MA OR physical skill, it takes many years to be a MASTER, it should only take a few months for even the most dim witted student, like myself he added, to be able to use it, if not, of what use was it ??
He then proceeded to demonstrate power like I had never seen before.
First was fajing and he did that while demonstrating his IP ( first time I had seen that too), I was volunteered and, putting on my motorcycle helmet ( everyone had a bike), I got to see firsthand what it feels like to get smacked.
The helmet was useless after that.
"perhaps you doubt the ability to use it in a fight, yes?", he asked.
NO !!! was my reply, but that didn't work.
It was a most interesting experience, but what I recall the most was his final words before I left for Canada months after our first meeting," trust nothing you can't experience for yourself".
Psalms 144:1
Praise be my Lord my Rock,
He trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle !