On their first day of being chosen for the Crucible, their instructor had taught them a principle: An assassin needs no friends. This was exactly how Su Changhe ultimately answered Su Muyu. However, there was no doubt that after this incident, the relationship between the two grew much closer.

Both were outsiders among this batch of Nameless Ones. Su Muyu was quiet and reserved, maintaining a polite but distant relationship with everyone. Su Changhe was arrogant and aggressive, like a porcupine covered in quills, looking down on everyone. However, after that incident, Su Changhe tempered his temperament, not only refraining from seeking revenge but also no longer being confrontational with others in daily life. And the once-solitary Su Muyu now had someone to share meals and practice swordplay with.

All of this was observed by the Dark River’s instructors. Without question, Su Muyu and Su Changhe were the most talented among this batch of Nameless Ones, especially in swordplay. The Su Clan elders in charge of sword arts had already added them to their family roster. They even privately instructed their family’s teachers to bring them to the Su Clan’s Sword Pavilion, allowing them to choose from precious sword manuals. Su Changhe selected the “Cun Zhi Jian” [Inch-Blade Sword], the Dark River’s most advanced dagger swordsmanship technique, extremely dangerous to both opponent and wielder—fitting Su Changhe’s personality perfectly. Su Muyu chose an incomplete manual called “Eighteen Swords,” created by Su Clan’s master Su Eighteen a century ago, long since lost to time.

But it wasn’t just the Su Clan watching them. Elder Mu Zizhi of the Mu Clan, the head instructor of this batch of Nameless Ones, also kept a close eye on their every move, naturally seeing through the Su Clan’s intentions. He understood their talent better than anyone, and he didn’t want both of them to be recruited by the Su Clan. So during the trials three years later, Mu Zizhi placed Su Changhe and Su Muyu in the same group.

“This is the true meaning of Ghost Wail Abyss’s existence. Two kindhearted sword masters are worth less than one top assassin devoid of all emotion,” Mu Zizhi smiled as he told the angry Su Clan elders.

The Dark River’s triennial Nameless Ones trial divided twenty people into a group, then threw them into Ghost Wail Abyss, leaving them to kill each other. The last one to emerge alive would be accepted by Dark River, becoming a new “family member.” The list of twenty was decided by each batch’s head instructor, who typically distributed the talents reasonably, never placing two strong candidates together. So Su Muyu and Su Changhe were completely unprepared, but they had no time to resist before being thrown into the Ghost Wail Abyss.

“Stay with me, don’t get separated,” Su Muyu said to Su Changhe the moment they entered Ghost Wail Abyss.

Su Changhe could only smile bitterly: “It seems I have no choice but to stay with you.”

In Ghost Wail Abyss, the remaining eighteen people of their group allied entering, jointly targeting Su Muyu and Su Changhe.

“Everyone knows you two are superior in swordplay. If we work together to kill you first, the rest of us will have a chance when we fight each other!”

In the end, even with all eighteen attacking simultaneously, they were no match for Su Muyu and Su Changhe, whose skills had already surpassed many formal Dark River disciples. After killing all eighteen, the two faced each other, and at that moment, Su Changhe raised his dagger…

And plunged it into his chest.

Fortunately, Su Muyu grabbed the blade handle in time, or Su Changhe’s entire chest would have been torn apart.

“I told you, I would repay the debt I owe you!” Su Changhe said stubbornly.

Su Muyu just shook his head: “And I told you, there’s no need to repay it.”

“Dark River’s century-old rule: of twenty people, only one can walk out of Ghost Wail Abyss! If you won’t accept my gratitude, then we both must die!” Su Changhe shouted angrily.

Su Muyu continued shaking his head: “There must be a way! I’ll talk to them! They want assassins, and we’re the most suitable candidates they’ve found in years. They won’t want to lose us both!”

“You’re too naive!” Su Changhe tried to reclaim his dagger, “Let go!”

“When you’re strong enough, you earn the right to be naive!” Su Muyu flung Su Changhe’s dagger away, then hoisted the blood-lost, unsteady Su Changhe onto his shoulders, “I’m carrying you out with me.”

“Fool,” Su Changhe gave up struggling, only smiling bitterly.

Su Muyu carried Su Changhe out of Ghost Wail Abyss, shocking everyone present.

The observing Su Clan elders’ faces darkened. This was the last outcome they wanted to see. They had already accepted that whether Su Muyu or Su Changhe emerged, they would welcome either. But two emerging together violated ancestral rules—both would have to be eliminated.

Mu Zizhi, however, smiled: “Excellent. It’s been a long time since anyone dared to challenge Dark River’s authority.”

“As you can see, two of us have emerged,” Su Muyu calmly looked at Mu Zizhi.

“Kill the man on your back, and you can participate in the naming ceremony, officially joining our Dark River. Otherwise, both of you will be erased,” Mu Zizhi said softly.

“I won’t kill him. We both must live,” Su Muyu shook his head.

Mu Zizhi paused, seemingly surprised by this answer. He laughed heartily: “Excellent, excellent. In times of danger, unwilling to abandon others—it seems you’ve become friends. Too bad assassins need no friends.” Mu Zizhi stood from his chair, cold intent emanating from his hand, ready to strike.

The Su Clan elders’ faces grew darker still. They simultaneously looked toward the Su Clan Leader who was also observing, but he remained silent, offering no words.

“You’re wrong, we’re not friends!” Su Muyu suddenly shouted.

He had always been quiet and reserved, speaking gently and politely to others. This was the first time anyone present had heard him speak so loudly.

“Assassins shouldn’t have friends! But if we both join Dark River, then we’re family, and how can family abandon each other!” Su Muyu stared at Mu Zizhi, shouting through gritted teeth.

Mu Zizhi slightly furrowed his brow, stepping forward: “Do you understand what you’re saying?”

Su Changhe spoke with great difficulty: “Kill me… don’t be foolish. You’re no match for him.”

Su Muyu set Su Changhe down and drew the blood-stained sword from his waist, pointing it at Mu Zizhi: “Take one more step, and I’ll kill you.”