Does anyone know much about a branch of Wing Chun called Pao Fa Lien?
It apparently is a line that developed independently of the more famous Yip Man Wing Chun, and is said to be much much bigger, and with more internal training. Supposedly it has 10 empty hand forms (the 3 that Yip Man style does, plus seven more), as well as several dummy forms and lots and lots of weapons.
Weapons include whip chain, broadsword, kwan-do and tiger fork in addition to the more familiar butterfly knives and long staff. Also, the history of this style is very different to that claimed by the Yip Man Wing Chun. For example, all the stuff about Ng Mui and Yim Wing Chun is not part of the origin myth.
Highly interesting stuff. Is it possible that the Wing Chun we are now familiar with is actually the remnants of a much bigger system?