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In the courtyard of the Primary Hall stood a pomegranate tree. Whenever it bloomed, Master Zhuge would personally pluck the pomegranate blossoms from its branches to reward the schoolchildren for their studies. The children took great pride in wearing Master Zhuge's little red flowers. Thus, every time the blossoms opened, they would vie with one another to recite their lessons to him.\nMaster Mu praised him for devising such a clever method. He shook his head, only replying that his own master had done exactly the same in the past. Mu Wenying laughed: "I never expected the Literary Champion Lin to possess such a delicate mind." Zhuge merely smiled, offering no rebuttal.\nThe master he spoke of was not the current Grand Scholar, or Wenyuan, of the Inkbound Order. Master Lin treated him exceedingly well, but the one he referred to was actually another master, the one who had enlightened his youthful mind when he first entered the Inkbound Order. This master did not merely teach him poetry, history, the classics, and the four scholarly arts; he also led him to listen to the bubbling springs in summer, and to admire the blooming flowers in spring.\nBy the time Zhuge reached the age to begin practicing martial arts, his master was summoned away by the great affairs of the realm. Before departing, he planted this pomegranate tree, leaving Zhuge Feifei with a promise: "Your master leaves to seek peace for the world. When this endeavor succeeds, the tree shall bear fruit, and you shall achieve glory in the exams."\nThus, Zhuge was entrusted to Master Lin. Though they shared no formal title of master and disciple, Zhuge was, in truth, the first pupil Lin Xiansheng taught upon entering the Inkbound Order. Lin held nothing back in his teachings, and Zhuge learned rapidly. The martial arts Lin Xiansheng imparted, he could memorize after watching but once, and execute flawlessly after watching thrice.\nLin Xiansheng marveled at his talent. Yet, for the very same swordplay, others might perform it with fierce sharpness or ethereal grace; when Zhuge performed it, it was as perfectly standard as a sword manual, but utterly devoid of emotion.\nLin Xiansheng knew that what a master should do is not merely transmit poetry or martial arts; he must also impart the Great Way and dispel his confusion. These things required Zhuge's true master to accomplish in person; Lin could not overstep his bounds to usurp that role.\nTherefore, Zhuge Feifei simply read books and practiced martial arts all day long, waiting quietly beneath the pomegranate tree for news of his master's return.