The emperor of the South Sea was named Tiao, the emperor of the North Sea was named Hu, and the emperor of the central region was named Hun Dun.
Tiao and Hu were close friends who often met in Hun Dun's central territory, where he always received them warmly.
One day, while discussing how to repay Hun Dun's kindness, Tiao and Hu realized a key difference: all people have seven orifices—eyes, ears, nostrils, and a mouth—to see, hear, smell, and taste the world's pleasures. Only Hun Dun lacked these and could not enjoy such experiences.
Determined to help, they devised a plan: they would bore seven holes into Hun Dun's head so he could be like everyone else.
Without seeking his consent, Tiao and Hu set to work. One held a large chisel while the other swung an iron hammer, carving one hole each day. However, on the seventh day, Hun Dun bled to death from the seven newly made orifices.