During these years, Sifu Mark Cheng had learned from many different teachers, cross referencing the material from the different styles and schools to better understand the evolution of the styles that made up his study. However, he longed to find a teacher that would embody all the qualities that made up his childhood ideal of a martial arts master. He found that teacher in David C.K. Lin, the head of the American Combat Shuai-Chiao Association.

Personal differences with Dr. Weng and his son caused Cheng to distance himself from the US Shuai-Chiao Association. But soon afterwards, he met James Lin, the elder son of Master David Lin, who had relocated to Los Angeles from Atlanta to pursue an engineering career with Hughes' digital satellite systems department. This chance meeting gave Cheng new enthusiasm for Shuai-Chiao, as Lin's teachings were technically closer to the direction that Cheng himself had been leaning. Prior to Master Lin, Cheng had never seen a Chinese martial artist who clearly showed an understanding of how to combine the full gamut of kicks, punches, locks, and throws in a logical, effective manner. In addition, the Lins were able to convincingly deliver their theory in a full-contact manner without so much as a faltered step.

On a human level, Cheng knew he'd found something very special. The Chinese say that one can see the quality of a man through his son. James Lin would drive half an hour to West Los Angeles, where Cheng and some of his students trained privately, to join in the workouts and generously share his father's knowledge. He had no compunction about training with everyone else, and regularly let even the beginners throw him to assure proper technique on their part. Outside of the training hall, James became a loyal friend, much like a brother that Cheng never had. He soon introduced his father to Cheng, who, after long hours of conversation, accepted him as a student. The rest, as they say, is history in the making.

Master Lin struck his new student as all the things a master should be: a tremendous technician, a proven fighter in Taiwan, a loyal student to Grandmaster Ch'ang Tung-Sheng, a loving father to his sons, a loyal husband to his wife, a hard-working entrepreneur, an eloquent instructor, and an honest man. On his regular visits to see his son, James, Master Lin has made time to share his story and his art with Sifu Cheng.