A Place to Stay in the Wind and Snow (10,000 words)

"There's another possibility." Yu Xing thought for a moment. "The inn is hiding some kind of benefit, and it's valuable enough that everyone's fighting for a spot."

But it was hard to say.

If he was wrong, the reward might not be as great as he imagined.

"Then how should we choose? Ahem, Captain, if two people can stay in the same villager's house..." Zhang Yu looked at him expectantly.

Yu Xing smiled. "You want to stay with me."

Of course!

Zhang Yu's heart raced with agreement. It'd be a huge loss not to stick with the captain!

If the villagers' houses were as dangerous as he imagined, there was no way he'd go alone. He was far too poor at protecting himself.

But as long as he stayed with the captain, surely even the most dangerous place would be manageable. The captain would protect him.

Mostly, he had some confidence in himself. If he went, he'd definitely find valuable information at the scene. His detective skills weren't for nothing.

Zhang Yu had planned everything out. He'd even been about to ask Gao Yiling if she could make an exception for him, but his captain rejected the idea for the first time since they'd entered Nanshui Town.

Yu Xing said, "I'm going to the inn."

"Huh?" Zhang Yu froze. Naturally, he wouldn't argue. He just asked, a little confused, "Is it because you're worried I can't handle the danger?"

"Something like that. I have a hunch." Yu Xing tightened the art tube at his waist. "Let's hear the guide's plans for tomorrow first. I just have a feeling... that, as the day before the Snow Festival, tomorrow will bring something unexpected, and it'll be related to the choice we make tonight."

"Oh." Zhang Yu immediately became obedient.

He had a