More than two thousand years ago the Han Emperor sent his army to the far western border of China, way beyond the Gobi Desert in order to subdue rebellious tribes. It was a treacherous and inhospitable zone, where when winter comes, the land belongs to the wolves. After much war and bloodshed, Commander Lu and his men have given up the battle and begun their retreat. Trapped by a blizzard, they take refuge in a village of the 'cursed' Harran tribe where Lu commandeers a shack and where, initially to his distaste, he finds a beautiful but mysterious Harren widow hiding in a pit beneath it. Passion quickly overcomes their mutual distrust and suspicion, and they become lovers.. but Lu does not comprehend the great price that he will end up paying for their illicit passion...