Three warhorses crossed the mountain at the end of the valley when the sun hung right above in the sky. Xia Lei sat on horseback and looked back at the valley. He could not see the White Hun Tribe anymore. Behind him was a swath of primitive forest and barren mountain terrain lay before him, going on without end. The valley in the midst of mountains really was a paradise which should not be disturbed. 

“Let’s go,” said Dayetia, “Our road is still long and we have to get out of this valley before nightfall.” 

Xia Lei turned back and looked ahead of them. “It’s all mountains - can we get out? I need to know your route.” 

Szlamy looked at Xia Lei, all smiles. “We’re going through the Wakhan Corridor, then into new territory. The ancient Silk Road. You should know about it.” 

“I thought we would go to Pakistan and get on a flight to China,” said Xia Lei. 

“Your suggestion seems safe and it is the fastest, but it is the most dangerous. We have already been marked by the American military. If we go to Peshawar, we will have to deal...