Wooden Depository

The previous group of young men hastily approached Shin Youm and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Senior Brother," Shou Tou said, a hint of familiarity in his voice. "Remember me?"

As he spoke, Shou Tou retrieved something from his pocket and held it out for Shin Youm to see, a subtle smile spreading across his face.

Shin Youm chuckled and slipped the item from Shou Tou's hand into his own clothing, his smile warm and nostalgic. "How could I forget you? You're Brother Tou's little brother, aren't you?"

"Yes, Senior Brother!" Shou Tou declared proudly, feeling superior to the others in the group for two reasons.

Firstly, Shin Youm had recognized him in front of all the Handymen disciples, a public acknowledgement that boosted his prestige.

Secondly, his brother was an outer sect disciple, a distinction shared by Shin Youm himself, further elevating Shou Tou's sense of status.

He felt invincible as he walked beside Shin Youm, who seemed unfazed by Shou Tou's newfound confidence.

Shin Youm's voice dropped to a low tone, ensuring others couldn't overhear. "You know the procedures inside, right?" he asked.

Shou Tou nodded, acknowledging that his brother had already briefed him on life within the depository. "Yes, Senior Brother. We have to stick with the elder in charge and follow his every command."

"Good," Shin Youm said, his tone turning serious. "Remember this: never question him, no matter what. Even if he orders you to kill someone, you must do it without hesitation. Disobedience will only lead to one outcome - your own death."

Shin Youm's words hung in the air, a stark warning, as they continued on their journey, venturing towards the rear of the vast mountain.

Shi Jian observed the scene unfolding before him, a knowing glint in his eye. "It's the same as before," he muttered to himself.

"With the backing of two outer sect disciples, Shou Tou will soon join hands with Fatty Dumpling, harassing female disciples and bullying others."

His gaze shifted to Shin Youm, and a hint of a smile played on his lips. "If I recall correctly, Shin Youm vanished suddenly, and no one knew where he went. But I later discovered that he was killed by Shou Tou's brother over a female outer sect disciple."

Shi Jian's smile grew wider as he anticipated the impending drama. "Soon, their friendship will turn into bloodshed. But this time, I'll make sure to savour every moment of it as they fight for their lives."

Shi Jian's mind recalled the past, remembering how Shin Youm and Shou Tou's brother had ruined many female Handymen disciples.

The two men had been the only ones from their batch to join the sect as outer sect disciples.

Their victims, traumatized and shattered, had either left the sect, died or remained, trapped and vulnerable to further exploitation by Fatty Dumpling.

Shi Jian and the group proceeded to enter the smaller mountain located at the rear of the grand mountain of the Sky Heaven Sect. This secluded area was known as the Wooden Depository.

The Wooden Depository's vast expanse stretched out before them, with a grand, mansion-like structure standing at the far end.

The front area was empty, flanked by rows of small, wooden houses. As Shi Jian's gaze swept across the familiar landscape, a wave of nostalgia washed over him.

His eyes dropped to the ground, and memories of the past came flooding back.

He recalled the days when he was brutally beaten, forced to crawl back to his quarters, his body battered and bruised.

The shrieks of female disciples, harassed and tormented daily, still echoed in his mind.

The sobbing of men and women, the moans of female Handymen disciples from Fatty Dumpling's mansion – all these haunting sounds resurfaced, transporting Shi Jian back to a time he thought he'd left behind.

Shi Jian's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a familiar, and unpleasant, voice. "Ah, Disciple Shi, you're here. And with a new batch of our disciples, I see," Fatty Dumpling said, his gaze roving over the group, lingering particularly on the female disciples.

Fatty Dumpling's eyes sparkled with a lecherous glint, and his voice dripped with malice.

The new Handymen Disciples exchanged uneasy glances, shocked by the obese man's state of undress.

He wore only a tattered cloth wrapped around his waist, leaving his bulging stomach exposed for all to see. The sight was both repulsive and intimidating, making the newcomers squirm with discomfort.

Shin Youm bowed deeply, "Greetings, Elder." He then instructed the new Handymen disciples to follow suit.

"This is the elder in charge of you. If you wish to join as outer sect disciples, you must follow his every command." The Handymen disciples exchanged nervous glances before bowing in unison, "We greet Elder."

Shi Jian also bowed; his eyes cast downward in a show of deference.

He was acutely aware of his current weakness in the face of Fatty Dumpling, a formidable 5th-stage Qi Awakening cultivator.

He decided to bide his time, opting to ignore Fatty Dumpling for the moment, as he waited for the perfect opportunity to begin his plan.

However, his eyes gleamed with a fierce intensity as he glared at Fatty Dumpling, marking him as his first target for elimination.

Memories of his past life flooded his mind, including the painful recollection of carrying a traumatized female disciple after she was brutally assaulted by Fatty Dumpling.

In his previous life, Fatty Dumpling had met a gruesome end at the hands of Su Linye, who had discovered Shi Jian's plight and the heinous practices within the Wooden Depository. Her fury had driven her to destroy the Depository, rescuing Shi Jian and the others.

Fatty Dumpling nodded, a self-satisfied smile spreading across his face. "Listen carefully, my dumplings," he began, his voice dripping with condescension.

"The rules here are simple: follow my every command," Fatty Dumpling declared, his smile abruptly giving way to a stern expression.

"Those who fail to comply will face punishment. You can ask your fellow Handymen seniors about the... consequences of disobedience."

With that, Fatty Dumpling turned towards his mansion, his voice taking on a slightly more indulgent tone. "Disciple Shin, you may enter."

Shin Youm nodded obediently and followed the elder, signalling for Shou Tou and his group to trail behind him silently.

As Shou Tou stepped into the mansion, he was taken aback by the sight of only female disciples within.

His surprise, however, quickly turned to astonishment as he entered the room and was met with a shocking sight. However, his surprise turned to astonishment when he stepped into a room and found two naked female disciples sleeping on the bed.