chapter 10 The Inn at the Mountain Pass
By the time they reached the small mountain town, the moon was high, and even the streets had gone quiet. A single lantern swayed outside a modest inn, the warm glow spilling across the snow-dusted road.
Inside, the innkeeper recognized the Yun Clan's crest and hurried to offer them rooms. Wei Xie and Yun Mao took one, while Yun Zhan and Wang San ended up sharing the other.
The room was simple — two narrow beds, a low table between them, and a single paper lantern flickering against the wall.
Wang San dropped his pack onto the bed with a dramatic sigh. "Finally. A real bed. Not that I don't love sleeping on rocks and listening to you snore."
"I don't snore," Yun Zhan replied without looking up as he removed his sword and placed it within arm's reach.
"You do," Wang San said with a grin, flopping back onto his bed. "But that's not the real problem."
Yun Zhan raised an eyebrow. "…And what is?"
Wang San propped his head on one hand, his expression turning mischievous. "What if the monster eats you and then throws you back up because you're too boring?"
Yun Zhan blinked. "…That's ridiculous."
"It's possible," Wang San said solemnly, though his eyes sparkled with mischief. "Monsters have taste, you know. I bet it would prefer someone exciting — like me. I'd probably get swallowed and invited to tea."
For a moment, Yun Zhan just stared at him. Then, unexpectedly, the corner of his mouth twitched upward. "…You're impossible."
"That's why you like me," Wang San said, rolling over and pulling the blanket up to his chin. "Don't worry. If the monster does eat you, I'll write you a heroic song. It'll be terribly dull, though — just to keep it accurate."
Yun Zhan shook his head, but for the first time that night, the tension in his shoulders eased.