It didn't seem to convince Aok in the slightest, but Kui had already made up his mind. He really wanted to talk to Guilin and find out what had happened back in his territory. There were still far too many unanswered questions, and Guilin was probably the only person who could tell him what had happened after they were separated.
Besides, Guilin had once held a fairly high position so he might also be able to help them find somewhere safe to stay.
So, despite Aok's obvious reluctance, Kui followed Guilin.
Guilin happily led them to one of the finest inns in the village, a grand two-story establishment built around a spacious courtyard. Its wooden balconies were decorated with carved railings, red lanterns hung beneath the curved eaves, and intricate patterns had been painted across the doors and pillars. Potted plants and carefully arranged stones lined the walkways, while several small ponds reflected the warm glow of the lanterns.
