That night, Chen Chong went to the Bamboo Sea.
Yu Che was still on that Bamboo Platform. It was fully dark now, and there was no lamp on the platform. He sat there in the darkness, utterly still.
Chen Chong walked to the foot of the Bamboo Platform and stood there for a while.
"Junior brother."
The figure on the platform stirred.
"Senior brother?"
Chen Chong took the little green jade bottle from inside his robe and held it up.
"Catch."
Yu Che did not take it.
"What is it?"
"A Marrow Cleansing Pill."
The Bamboo Platform swayed. The young man jumped down and landed in front of Chen Chong, his feet touching the bamboo leaves without a sound.
"Senior brother, I can't accept this."
"Why not?"
"It's too valuable."
Chen Chong smiled. "Keeping one won't do me any good."
Yu Che raised his head.
"Elder Yang told me something when he pushed the bottle over to me," Chen Chong said. "A person can only take this pill once in their lifetime. The first pill cleanses the roots. The second follows the same path and can't cleanse anything new. Taking it would be a waste."
He held out the bottle.
"I've already taken one."
Yu Che stood there without moving.
"Senior brother."
"Yes?"
"You could keep it, or exchange it for silver."
"What would I do with the silver?" Chen Chong said. "In less than half a month, we'll be entering the secret realm together. If you die in there and I come back alone, how am I supposed to answer to our master?"
The wind passed through the bamboo grove in wave after wave, the leaves rustling.
Yu Che remained silent for a long time, then reached out and took the bottle.
"Thank you, senior brother."
"Enough of that,"