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In distant lands, amidst towering mountains and dense forests, a kingdom was born. People built homes and raised palaces, planted seeds in fertile soil, drank clean water from wild rivers, hunted and fished. There was abundance in everything, and the people lived in peace and prosperity, lacking nothing. Truly a blessed land, favored by the gods!
But it was not the gods who protected this realm — it was an ancient and mighty dragon. He patiently waited for the people to settle in and call these lands their home. And then, one day, he appeared at the gates of the royal palace.
“Pitiful mortals! How dare you enter my domain, hunt my game, and drink from my waters?! I shall now unleash my wrath upon you!” thundered the dragon, shaking the heavens with his roar.
The people fled in fear and hid, once-brave warriors dared not lift their weapons, and the royal couple knelt before him.
“Have mercy, mighty dragon! Ask whatever you wish, but spare our people!”
That was precisely what the dragon had been waiting for. No longer exhaling threatening steam from his nostrils, he nodded his horned head solemnly and declared:
“Let us make a pact. You may live in peace and enjoy the gifts of my land, but in twenty years, I shall return, and you will give me your most precious treasure!”
The king and queen exchanged glances and bowed once more.
“So be it, mighty dragon! We thank you for your mercy!”
The deal was struck. As he departed the kingdom, the dragon left his mark on the palace walls — a seal of their agreement, and a reminder that he would return to claim what was his.
True to his word, the dragon no longer disturbed the people. Under his unseen protection, the kingdom continued to flourish.
But the king and queen were puzzled. What was this “most precious treasure” he spoke of? Soon, however, the royal scholars came forth with a logical explanation: everyone knew dragons had a weakness for gold. Clearly, this one was no different. And so, the people began to gather gold and jewels, preparing to repay their debt when the time came.
***
The dragon turned the page of the calendar, happily marking the day with red ink. He polished his horns, trimmed his claws, lined his eyes with cinnabar, and chewed a sprig of peppermint for fresh breath.
The day of debt collection had arrived!
In high spirits, the dragon flew toward the royal palace.
“Mortals! I have come to claim what is now rightfully mine! Bring me the treasure!”
With trembling reverence, the people and the royal couple bowed their heads.
“Oh mighty dragon! For twenty years, we gathered the finest gold and gemstones to present to you! Take them, and grant us your blessing once more!”
The dragon eyed the gleaming pile with skepticism. Gold bars, jeweled ornaments, diamonds and rubies, fine silks, and masterpieces of art — he already had plenty of such treasures in his lair and needed no more.
“Pfft! Get this trash out of my sight. I’ve come for him!”
To everyone’s shock, the dragon pointed a clawed finger at the young prince.
The young prince blinked in confusion.
“Me?”
His name was Xia Fei, and he was but twenty years old. Born soon after the dragon’s first visit, no one had ever imagined he was the “precious treasure” in question.
The dragon looked him over with a discerning eye, confident in his choice. The youth was indeed stunning — golden eyes gleamed with life, soft wheat-blond hair fluttered in the breeze, and beneath layers of regal robes lay a most tempting figure. A true treasure.
The royal couple and their subjects were horrified. They could not surrender their beloved and only prince to a terrible dragon — he was their hope for the future! The queen clasped her hands and wept, while the king drew his sword.
“Don’t even dream of it! Take whatever else you want, but we will not give you His Highness, the crown prince!”
The royal guards also drew their weapons, ready for a fatal battle with the beast. Giving up all their gold was one thing — losing their future was quite another. Who would rule next, who would continue the royal line, if the crown prince were gone?
With an exasperated sigh, the dragon gave a lazy flap of his wings, knocking a dozen warriors off their feet. Then something truly strange happened.
Before their eyes, the dragon’s massive body was enveloped in a crimson mist — and from it stepped a tall, handsome man. Strong wings spread behind his back, and his head was adorned with polished horns. Xia Fei peeked out from behind his father’s shoulder. So the dragon was actually a man! And quite... attractive.
Tossing his fiery red hair, he came to a halt and winked at Xia Fei. The prince blushed furiously.
“Hand over the prince. Or I’ll burn your little kingdom to the ground,” threatened the dragon, idly playing with jeweled rings on his long fingers. Xia Fei bit his lip. Those fingers looked very... nimble. Skillful.
The queen wept harder than ever, while the king once again shielded his son, sword raised in defiance.
“No! Take my life if you must, but I will not give you my heir!”
The dragon gave a dramatic sigh and rolled his eyes. These mortal theatrics were starting to wear thin. Just as he was about to issue another threat, the crown prince spoke up.
“Father, there’s no need.”
With a guilty look, Xia Fei placed a hand on the king’s shoulder, then stepped forward, meeting the dragon’s red eyes without fear.
“If my life is the price for our kingdom’s peace and safety, then I am willing to pay it.”
He spoke with noble resolve, though he couldn’t help but sneak glances at the man before him. So tall, so strong, so handsome, and oh, those horns...
Seeing the treasure approach him willingly, the dragon smiled charmingly and extended his hand. Xia Fei curled one corner of his lips into a playful smile.
The king, meanwhile, was still beside himself.
“My son! How can this be?! Will you truly sacrifice your young life? What of our kingdom’s future? A new ruler? Heirs? The heavens are so cruel!”
The weeping queen clutched her son’s sleeve, but he gently pulled free with a tight smile. Enough with the drama — he could hardly wait to get to know the mighty dragon better!
“Don’t cry, mother. I’ll be just fine.”
Perhaps the prince should’ve looked more sorrowful, as he seemed far too pleased while walking toward the beast that had come to abduct him.
But Xia Fei couldn’t help himself. When he looked at this alluring man who had so boldly claimed him, his lips insisted on curving into a most inappropriate smile.
"Great dragon,” Xia Fei bowed briefly, fluttering his long lashes flirtatiously.
“You may call me Vein,” Vein bowed in return, gallantly kissing the prince’s soft hand.
Several guards still holding weapons exchanged confused glances. Was this really how an abduction was supposed to go?
Then the dragon effortlessly scooped the young man into his arms and, with a triumphant laugh, soared into the sky.
Xia Fei wrapped his arms around the dragon’s neck, letting out a few token cries of fear for propriety’s sake.
“Oh, mighty dragon! I hope you won’t eat me?”
“That’s exactly what I intend to do~”
***
Five years passed.
The royal family still mourned the loss of their beloved prince. A massive reward was offered for his return and for slaying the dragon. Brave souls from all corners of the land set out to achieve this grand feat, but all returned empty-handed. The mountain where the dragon lived was surrounded by a wall of protective magic no one could break.
Until one day, three brave heroes arrived in the kingdom: a wise white-haired mage, a lively healer, and a courageous young warrior.
“We, Cheng Xiaoshi, Lu Guang, and Qiao Ling, swear to return the kidnapped prince and defeat the dragon!”
No one believed it was possible anymore, yet the heroes set off on their journey.
They broke the magical barrier! They braved a forest filled with bloodthirsty beasts! They climbed to the top of the mountain, to the ancient castle where even breathing felt like a chore.
They entered the castle itself — but the dragon was nowhere to be seen. Odd. Shouldn’t he have appeared the moment intruders crossed into his lair, ready to scorch them with fire?
Silently moving through the empty halls, the heroes pressed on.
And then...
They heard the prince’s voice!
He was crying out for mercy, moaning in pain. His sobs and screams echoed through the halls. Even after five years, the cruel dragon was torturing His Highness! They had to end his suffering!
“Leave him alone, foul dragon! We’ve come to free the prince!” shouted the knight Cheng Xiaoshi, bursting into the room from which the cries came.
His sword was already drawn, and Lu Guang was preparing a battle spell. But...
“What the hell?!”
The prince shrieked and wrapped himself in a blanket, while the dragon looming over him scowled in annoyance.
“Who are you? What do you want?”
The three heroes stood frozen, mouths agape. Judging by the atmosphere... the prince wasn’t screaming from pain...
“S-sorry... We didn’t mean to interrupt...”
Lowering their heads, they hastily shut the door. It seemed their help was no longer needed.
As they were leaving the castle, a swarm of children suddenly ran into them in the courtyard.
“Young masters, wait! Don’t run off!” cried an old governess, chasing after them.
Three boys, about three or four years old, were exact copies of the crown prince — only with red eyes and tiny horns.
The trio of fearless heroes returned to bow before the king and queen. Their expressions were... complicated. That evening, the crown prince Xia Fei sighed and said to his husband:
“Well, it seems it’s time to visit my parents.”
***
The king and queen couldn’t believe their eyes. Their son had returned — and not alone, but arm in arm with the mighty dragon and three children who looked suspiciously like him.
Unbelievable! And yet, all the royal family’s worries came to an end.
The crown prince? Alive and well. Son-in-law? Strong and wealthy. Heirs? There they were — running wild through the throne room.
And so ends the tale of the dragon and his most precious treasure.