The correct answer is C.
The traveller enquired to the farmer if he could tell him the way to the nearest inn. This means that the traveller is asking the farmer for directions to the nearest inn. The most polite way to ask for directions is to say “Can you tell me the way to the nearest inn?” This option is also the most concise and direct way to ask for directions.
Option A is incorrect because it does not include the word “tell”. The traveller is asking for directions, not just the location of the inn.
Option B is incorrect because it uses the word “which”. The traveller does not need to know which way to go, just the way to the nearest inn.
Option D is incorrect because it uses the word “where”. The traveller does not need to know where the inn is, just the way to the nearest inn.