In the Emperor's palace, where rooftops curled like happy dragons, lived a dog who was not just a dog. His name was Panhu, and he had the heart of a dragon and the fluffiest tail in the kingdom.

Panhu's best friend was the Princess Li-Li. They did everything together. They chased butterflies in the garden and shared sweet rice cakes under the willow tree.

One morning, a low rumble echoed from the mountain. *GRUMBLE, RUMBLE, ROAR.* In the palace garden, the bright peony flowers began to droop, their petals losing their happy color.

"The Mountain Spirit must be angry," whispered the Emperor. "But why?" Li-Li looked at the sad flowers. "I will go and ask him," she declared bravely.

Panhu nudged her hand with his wet nose. He would not let his friend go alone. Together, they crept out of the palace gates and began to climb the winding path up the misty mountain.

The rumbling grew louder. They found a dark cave, and inside sat a grumpy Mountain Spirit made of moss and stone. "My flowers won't bloom!" he grumbled, and the whole mountain shook.

Panhu tilted his head. He sniffed the air with his magical dragon nose. *Sniff, sniff, snuffle.* He smelled thirsty roots and dry earth. He bounded past the spirit, deeper into the cave.

Behind the spirit, a giant boulder blocked a small underground stream! The water couldn't get to the flowers. Panhu planted his paws, took a deep breath, and *PUSHED* with all his dragon might.

*C-R-A-C-K!* The boulder rolled aside! Cool, clear water rushed out, gurgling happily as it flowed down the mountain. Outside the cave, tiny flower buds began to open, painting the mountainside with color. The Mountain Spirit gasped with joy.

Back at the palace, the peonies stood tall and proud. Li-Li and Panhu were heroes! Panhu got extra sweet rice cakes, and everyone agreed that the heart of a dragon and the loyalty of a dog was the best combination in the whole world.