Maiden Of The Splitting Moon

Everyone shouted in agreement before mobilizing, marching into humid swamps. Along the way, the groups separated and moved to their positions. Hidden in plain sight was a small bunker, covered in grass and moss. The only trace of there being one would be the hatch opening on the ground. 

"Stay hidden, do not move unless the signal is made. Then again, I've already placed a formation to conceal this place. But be alert, there is no guarantee that this will escape their eyes", Zi Jing instructed. 

"We understand, commander." 

At the two bunkers, the sub-groups each entered, leaving behind no trace. There was only Ming Yue, Zi Jing, and Ya Lang's hunting group.

"Alright, let's head for the Vore Demon's base, as soon as the sun sets, we will light it aflame and draw them out", said the commander. 

And then the main force continued on their way towards the Vore Demon's base. Moving forward, they hiked through the uneven terrain, crushing wet grass and making sure not to fall into the waters. 

Following not far from them were two of Jadewood Sect Disciples, sneaking through the tall grass and the trees. A man and a woman dressed in their uniforms, the green accents helped to let them blend with the surrounding flora. 

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Brother Yu?"

The woman, a rather tall person, carried a pair of metal tonfa by her hips. Her face showed a somewhat regretful expression as she looked at her fellow disciple.

"We're just here to watch, Sister Ting. They said the Vore Demons have terrifying mouths but they didn't say anything about noses. We'll be fine and look, we even have the talismans that the Sect Leader handed to us. As long as we activate, we will be sent back to senior sister!"

The one named Brother Yu wielded a simple broadsword, double-edged and a bit of weight to it as well. Unlike his sister disciple, he had an excited look and his tone was full of confidence bordering arrogance even. He was fit and his hair was cut short. 

"Come on, Sister Ting! If we don't hurry, we won't be able to catch up!"

He spoke quickly before moving forward as Sister Ting tried her best to stay hidden. The pair followed as quietly as they could, making sure to keep themselves out of harm's way. 

After a few more hours of hiking, Ming Yue suddenly stopped and looked around. The other stopped as well, looking at her. 

"Is something wrong?" asked Ya Lang.

She was silent and then whistled for Xiao Yin and Hei Yue returned to her side from scouting, awaiting her instructions. 

"You feel it, don't you?"

Xue Yue mutter to her. 

She couldn't help but nod. 

"Something is watching us... no, they're here."

In these marshes, it was nothing but water, grass, and a few sparse trees. The air was heavy and wet, the only sounds they heard were the rustling of grass and the buzzing of insects. And in this place, there was an eerie feeling around them. 

And without missing another beat, the voices of giggling and hissing intermixed, echoing through the swamps. 

"What?! Everyone! Prepare your weapons! Follow the path!" 

Zi Jing shouted as everyone armed themselves and looked around, turning every so often. But the noise came from everywhere, making it difficult to pinpoint where they were. But the voices were undeniable. 

"Look, sisters! A snack! Do you think we should bring some back to the Mistress?" 

"I mean, she told us not to let it go to waste. We should just snack first! An appetizer before the meal, no?" 

"Yes! A little taste before we have some fun with the rest of them, don't you think?"

"I wonder if one of them killed Fourth Sister? Or do you think they're with the other humans?"

They laughed and hissed, talking with a playful tone. 

Everyone else was alert and wary, carefully looking around them, even glancing at the waters.

"Damn these demons, it's like a game to them!" one of them muttered. 

"Keep your eyes and ears open! Assess their numbers and move with the plan! Trust in the commander!" Ya Lang shouted out, trying to keep everyone's spirits up. 

Try as he might, the reputation of a Vore Demon was one to be afraid of. And with the words of these sisters, it was hard not to be scared

"Oooh, a commander... I wonder which one of them is the commander. I bet their flesh tastes the best."

"Who wants to go first? Or do we all want to play together?" 

Zi Jing looked around whispering under his breath. 

"Five different voices... Then there's at least five of them."

Flying out of their scabbards were his five swords, pure white in color and glowing with an iridescent light. 

"Oh! that must be the commander! He looks strong! Let's devour him!"

Their teasing voices gave off a more sinister tone as five shadows shot out of the trees, revealing themselves to be the five daughters of Qing Chai. The scarfs covering their mouths were loosened and their horrific mouths were all but hidden. 

But Commander Zi Jing was not going to freeze under such a sight. Even as he knew they were all going after him, he was not panicking. 

"Impalement!"

An expert of the Dao of Metal, his words controlled the blades and they shimmered with light before flipping towards the skies. The next moment, they split apart, flying towards the five Vore Demons at a blinding speed. 

But as they came close to the five sisters, none of them were worries in the slightest. Instead, they all opened their mouths, widening them enough to swallow a man whole. If they could eat a dozen men at once, a single sword was nothing. Not to mention, the countless rows of teeth, ready to grind them to bits. 

But ZI Jing was prepared, putting his hands out and controlling all five swords at once. 

They swerved out, avoiding the fate of being eaten, and turned around, driving themselves into all of their bodies. 

"Aghhhh!"

They all screamed out in pain as the swords pulled out and returned to his side. 

GLaring at Zi Jing, their red eyes seemed to glow as the three horns on their heads grew from short stubs to something that could pierce a man through the chest. 

"You'll pay for this! If you want to play this much, we'll play!"

Dropping to the ground, they landed on their hands and legs, looking up at the soldiers. Their mouths grew even more horrific by the second as the jagged teeth grew by another inch. Even worse was the appearance of a tongue, forked like a snake's and long.*

Having surrounded the group, drool dripped from their mouths as they eyed the soldiers. 

Ming Yue looked at them all before glancing at Xiao Yin. 

"Now!" she yelled to her owl. 

Xiao Yin chirped and flew just a few feet above everyone. 

"Cover your eyes!" she shouted to the others who did it in an instant, fully knowing what would transpire. 

The Star Owl's body began to glow as the Vore Demon's circled them like sharks. 

"What's that little bird doing? Does it want to die?" 

"Why don't we eat that first?" 

"Yeah, that's a really quick snack!" 

Their voices were slurred, deep, and guttural. Quickly making their decisions, the five sisters ran forward on all fours, readying to leap towards Xiao Yin and rip the owl apart. But they were too naive and took too much time. 

Xiao Yin was ready.

Having gathered enough energy, the Star Owl spread out her wings before producing a blinding flash of light. It was so strong that it stung their eyes and they could not help but fall back, clutching their eyes in pain. 

"My eyes! My eyes! They hurt so much!"

They shrieked in pain while the prey they had found took this chance to escape. But Ming Yue wouldn't leave so easily, this was a chance!