The Dragon-Slaying Princess Comes from the East

Every proper princess will face hardship and eventually be rescued by a prince. This is a universally accepted truth throughout the fairy-tale realm.

Until one day, Mulan arrived, bringing with her the mysterious power of the East.

She face-slaps princes, tears monsters apart, and exposes the true face of the knights.

Wake up, you fool! Why talk about romance when you could be building a career?

*

Every proper dragon kidnaps princess after princess until a prince slays it. This, too, is a universally accepted truth throughout the fairy-tale realm.

Yi Jin used to think so as well.

Until one day, he discovered that the princess he had kidnapped did not have blonde hair and blue eyes, but black hair and dark eyes.

A silver sword gleamed coldly at his neck, almost like a kiss. The young woman half closed her eyes and murmured, "Have you ever heard of a dragon in the distant East?"

[Fairy-Tale Realm's "Fifty Most Influential People" Awards Ceremony]

The elegant daughter of the world's richest man signed: "Master Hua taught me to write and print, helping me become the richest person step by step. She also encouraged me to give back to society."

Sleeping Beauty and the Princess and the Pea walked onstage arm in arm: "The traditional Chinese medicine and gua sha techniques we promote help people sleep soundly every night. Our master brought us the blessing of the god of sleep!"

The Little Match Girl exclaimed, beaming: "Everyone, look behind you! Those fireworks are a gift from Master!"

Navigation magnate Snow White wiped away her tears: "Master said that the Big Dipper belongs to the whole world!"

The audience erupted in applause. The host announced, "Let's meet this great master!"

The princesses instantly put on awkward but polite smiles. "The dragon has abducted our master again..."

*

While the evil dragon slept, Mulan held up a ruler and sized him up. "His neck is so short. I wonder if he even has..."

Scalding dragon breath suddenly brushed her ear. "Has what?"

Mulan blinked. "A seven-inch spot. Oh, Eastern dragons are snakes that cultivated into dragons, and their seven-inch spot is their most vital point. Do you have one?"

Yi Jin seemed thoughtful.

In the next instant, light shimmered, and the evil dragon became a silver-haired, golden-eyed young man.

He pulled her into his arms, his lips as fiery as flames. "How could I not? It's right here in my arms."

Theme: Cultural confidence