Ancient Chinese history records that during the "Spring and Autumn" and the "Warring States" periods (770 BC - 221 AD), the King of the Zhou kingdom ordered a sword contest.  A young woman by the name of Yu Niu emerged from three thousand swordsmen as the ultimate victor in a seven-day contest.  Her sword methods and philosophies were passed down for a thousand years.  Some of her writings expound timeless Wushu philosophies.  For example:

"When fencing, though highly alert,

The appearance is as calm as a fair lady's

But when in action, a vicious Tiger emerges.

"Weak and exposed in appearance;

But powerful when unleashed.

One's reactions may start afterwards,

But the response arrives there first.