"Antidote," Jing Jiu said.
Little Lotus knew she absolutely could not play any tricks with someone like him.
Filled with regret, she took a medicine pouch from her belt with her left hand and handed it over.
Jing Jiu took the pouch and tossed it to Zhao Layue, then continued, "What is your standing in the Never-Old Forest?"
Little Lotus was an exceptionally clever girl. Not daring to hesitate, she said, "Middle-ranking, but highly valued."
From certain details, Jing Jiu was certain she was the Man in Black's superior. His only question was why her cultivation realm and strength were clearly inferior to his.
"Why?"
"Because I can deceive anyone... except you."
Little Lotus said earnestly to him, "I truly don't understand how you saw through me."
"Little Lotus of Ying City is a vicious female cultivator. That is one layer of disguise. In reality, she is a fox spirit with seduction in her very bones. That is another layer. Tear away those two layers, and perhaps you will discover a gentle, innocent, pure-hearted girl. But who would imagine that this, too, is a disguise?"
Zhao Layue took the antidote and said, "But so long as we are not beguiled by outward things, how could any of this deceive a Clear Sword Heart?"
Tears fell from Little Lotus's eyes. "Who exactly are you?"
Jing Jiu did not answer her question. He said directly, "I want you to do something for me."
Little Lotus's lashes trembled slightly, presumably in hesitation. After a moment, she finally raised her head and asked in a trembling voice, "What is it?"
"Next year, or perhaps later, you will meet someone. Whatever he wants to do, I want you to help him."
Jing Jiu said, "Accomplish this, and I will help you leave the Never-Old Forest."