Three days later, southern Venezuela, near Maro Town.
The Orinoco River flowed through the dense jungle, its banks covered with lush vegetation forming verdant barriers that seemed like nature's most meticulously arranged decorations.
A Toyota SUV slowly climbed up the hillside along a dirt road and stopped in a clearing at a turn.
The passenger-side door opened, and Song Heping, still with his left palm bandaged, stepped out to the edge of the hillside, looking into the distance.
The view from here was excellent, overlooking the entire expanse of jungle.