Once upon a time, some monsters kidnapped young daughters and old women, devastated rice fields, and caused problems for people. The people requested to Shennong, “Please chase out the monsters and help us.” Shennong heard these requests, and ordered his followers Sarumaru Tayu, Inubomaru, and Chokai Yasaburo to boil lots of taro, sweet potatoes, chestnuts, and persimmons. With this food on hand, the four of them set out on their journey.

Together with Tayu, Inubomaru, and Yasaburo’s strength, Shennong navigated a boat, and the four of them set out across the sea. They sailed before the wind, and as they passed over to an area far, far away, they clearly saw “Yokaigashima” (island of monsters) in the far distance. When they landed on this island, Shennong said, “We reached this island after facing violent winds. We will wait for a day when there are good winds, and then we will depart.” Hearing this, the monsters were relieved they were going to leave, and the monsters took the four men to their great king.

The great king of the monsters who lived in a fortress in a grotto was very hospitable to Shennong and his men. The four of them kneeled down in front of the great king, and told him, “We came to this island because of violent winds. Let’s drink together. There now!” Shennong made Inubomaru drink a cup of wine and Tayu perform a dance. The banquet soon became very festive. After the banquet was over, everyone retired to their rooms to sleep, and the great king also returned to his sleeping quarters.

After the monsters fell soundly asleep, the four men ate the yams, chestnuts, and persimmons that they had brought with them until they were full. The sleeping quarters of the great king were closed off by large doors made of stone. After Shennong’s men farted tremendously like a cannon, the doors became loose. When Tayu, Inubomaru, and Yasaburo followed suit and farted themselves, the monsters were hit with fart poison and keeled over. The great king, who could not bear this any longer, offered the men his heirlooms. Having chased out the ogres, Shennong and his men returned to the west sea with their treasures.