The tunnel ended up leading Grant and his companions back to the surface through a trap door hiding by foliage that grew around it. With some quick calls, the authorities were on the scene to both assess the crime scene and congratulate them for their find.

Grant gave answered some questions from the press. News channels based in Vietnam and China were quick to arrive and question them all. Grant imagined that Gordon was calling up assassins as he watched the news feeling rather upset.

Though Grant sent his companions home he himself stayed to help the experts who arrived on the site. The scientists, historians, and archaeologists listened to Grant recall the whole trip with a mix of shock, disbelief, and wonder. Looking back, Grant himself had a hard time grasping the reality of it all.

"How do you plan on spending the fortune you have made here Mr. Foreman?" asked a reporter from a Chinese news station.

"I don't know maybe I'll pay for my own college education from here on out."

"Is it a little overwhelming to know how famous you will likely become as a result of this great find?"

"Very much so," Grant answered with a smile. "I'd prefer not to stay in the spotlight for too long though. I would rather most of this stuff go to a museum. I couldn't take it all in good conscience."

After four days, Grant had finished making the arrangements with the workers analyzing the Taiping hideout. He would receive a handsome share of the Taiping treasure was told he could expect to be called in for more interviews, events, and help with the removal of the treasure from its vault.

Grant's informative speech on the search fro the Heavenly Kingdom's riches was one that had every student in the communications class wide awake. Because of the number of extra audience members, including journalists, journalism students, university professors, and other curious people the class had to be moved to a large auditorium on campus to accommodate.

"I believe that is an A+ speech Mr. Foreman," said Professor when Grant was finished. "Well done to you and your friends. Let us give a hand to Grant, Frankie, and Monty! Let us also not forget Makenna from the history department!"

Grant nodded and grinned as the crowd thundered in applause. The university received quite a boost in attention and in its reputation due to Grant's finding of the treasure. Though the life of a new celebrity was tiring it was also humbling and gratifying.

"A lot of ladies will be lining up," said Monty to Grant and they played "Dino Hunter" on their computers.

"For you and me both man," said Grant. "But I already have a girl."

"So you and Makenna are pretty official now huh?" Monty, said with a tone of teasing and amusement.

"That's my business," said Grant. "Focus on the game."

"Fair enough."

Ling had called earlier in the day informing Grant that Gordon had been caught thanks to Frankie, whose phone they tracked. The stranger creature had been taken away to a secure lab in Europe. It was unclear as to what they were going to do with it. Grant prayed that it wouldn't be used for military applications but it was out of his hands.

"Do you believe in God now Grant?" said Monty suddenly after they finished their gaming session.

"What?!"

"I mean we did see a demon summoning with our own eyes."

Grant sighed and rand his hand through his hair. "I don't know what to believe anymore. One things for sure though. We aren't alone. Whether its aliens or monsters, I think their out there somewhere."

"What about the underground church?" Monty asked. "What happened to them?"

"Gordon's killed most of them but some got away. They didn't really give me the details but it seemed like they were going to be questioned thoroughly. I bet some people want to crack the secrets to their sorcery tricks."

"So you think it really was magic?"

"Maybe magic, science, and the power of gods are one and the same," said Grant. "Let that sink in."

"Hong wasn't a younger brother of Jesus."

"No," said Grant, standing up to get ready for a shower. "That we can be sure of. But he did encounter some force from the outside or whatever you want to call it. A demon maybe gave him his power. Frankie tells me that the communist party of China took a lot of inspiration from Hong and his ideology. The things they set in motion despite their defeat cannot be understated. Everything happens for a reason even if the ending isn't what you wanted."

Monty nodded and Grant grabbed his towel before heading for the door.

"Hey Grant?"

Grant turned. "Yeah?"

"Thanks for being my friend. It's really made my life a lot sweeter. Treasure or no treasure."

Grant grinned. "Sure."

Grant opened a package that Ling had sent him. There was only one item, carefully wrapped and cushioned. It was Jiang's journal, taken off of Gordon's hands. Of all the artifacts he had kept for himself, Grant decided that the journal would stay by his side. The coins, jewelry, and artworks were kept in storage. Grant had donated one of the Buddha statues to the university for study and display in the on campus art museum.

It had been a week since they found the treasure and Grant was begging to feel a little melancholy. The feeling was uncertainty, not knowing what was next or finding meaning after such a task had been accomplished.

Makenna had invited him out of a night walk at park across the street from the university, telling him about her new computer.

"My parents really enjoy seeing me on t.v.," said Makenna. "They enjoy the spoils even more. Dad says he's taking us to the fanciest restaurant he can find when I fly back home."

"I'm glad I get to keep the Lexus," said Grant. "I was afraid for a moment back then that I'd have to give it away. Then again I could probably buy a dozen cars if I sold the treasure.”

“How does it feel to be famous and rich?”

“I don’t mind being rich but I’d rather not stay in the limelight for too long.”

Grant felt a sense of purpose from his discovery. It was an even grander feeling than what pile of gold coins had given him. “Did you still want the car?”

"Nah I think I would have let you keep it," said Makenna. "I'm not cruel. By the way what was the favor you wanted from me? You did win the bet after all."

Grant smiled. "I didn't have anything in mind back then but now I think it would to have you go out with me on a date."

Makenna laughed. "Well isn't this a date right now? Where do you want to go?"

Grant scanned their surroundings. The park had all these little hills, providing a sort of up and downhill course for bikers. He nodded toward a restroom shack sitting atop one of the hills, overlooking a grass field.

"How about there?"

Makenna raised an eyebrow at him. "You mean the small water park over that hill? Or is there a restaurant in that direction?"

Grant learned into her ear and whispered, "I just thought we could use a little more privacy."

A minute later the two of them burst into the men's restroom, kissing furiously. Grant locked the door quickly to the single room restroom. Grant smiled and watched as Makenna unbuttoned his jeans slowly. She used two fingers to gently tug his jeans and boxer down by the fly, putting his hairy cock into full view. She admired it with a wonderful look on her face for a good long moment.

"Jesus you’re making me really fucking hard the way you look at it," said Grant.

Makenna flashed him a foxy grin. "And what about when I do this?" She gently stroked his rod with the tip of her fingers before going into a full massage with her hands.

"Your pretty good at that," said Grant breathlessly. "You had practice?"

"I've never actually touched one before," said Makenna, continuing to massage and thoughtfully gaze at his cock. "It feels really warm in my hands."

"Do you only want to feel it in your hands?"

Makenna stopped and looked up into his face. She closed the distance between their heads and whispered, "I want to feel you everywhere.”

Makenna unbuttoned her shorts and pulled them down, exposing her white panties. Grant gently tugged on her panties and slid them down her fit legs. As he did Makenna's legs closed up, likely out of embarrassment or shyness.

Grant looked up into Makenna's face. She almost seemed afraid.

"We can stop if you want," Grant said. "I won't disrespect you."

"No I'm fine," said Grace softly. "Just be slow. I heard that it can hurt."

Grant nodded and parted Grace's legs, putting the pinkness between her thighs into view and allowing him to get into position. She sat on the edge of the sink and laid back a little. He felt a tight warmth as he slid inside her. For a minute he savored the feel of his cock buried in her womanhood, the comforting warmth of her inside. It was the ultimate union between two bodies, when the two most sacred possessions of their bodies connected and he became a part of her. Grace whimpered a little so Grant held the back of her head. As he began pumping she shut her eyes tight. Sometimes blood would trickle out during a girl's first time so Grant was careful not to go too deep or too fast.

For twenty minutes or more they made love. The only sounds between them the adorable grunts Makenna made every time Grant thrust forward.

"Grant?" she asked suddenly.

Grant quickly stopped, feeling worried. "Yes?"

"Was it better with me or with that Chinese woman?" said Makenna. The insecurity in her voice was just too cute.

"There will be plenty of time for you to top her," said Grant, giving her a kiss. "C’mon lets go for a walk."

As they neared the park exit Grant felt his stomach gurgle.

"I'm hungry," said Grant.

"I think some places around here open late," said Makenna.

Grant chuckled and took out his gold Taiping coin necklace. "Do you think Chinese restaurants will accept coins like these?"

"They'd think you are trying to buy the whole restaurant," said Makenna, holding his arm to close her head.

"Right" said Grant, slipping the necklace back under his shirt. "But really you want Chinese?"

"Chinese sounds great," said Makenna.

Grant knew of a inexpensive Chiense takeout place close to the park. They gave generous portions and it was a small intimate eviroment. He didn't want to go anywhere fancy even though he chould now easily afford it. He decided he would take Makenna somewhere really nice in the future. Perhaps they could even take a cruise around the world. Grant figured that he had a knack for travelling the world, he felt like he could do anything. There was so much to see and so much to do.

“By the way you should buy a new house with your treasure,” said Makenna.

“A new house huh? For just the two of us?”

Makenna snorted. “Ok ok let’s not skip too many steps here.”

"Say I learned of a legend of Aztec gold hideen beneath Mexico city. Maybe---"

"Let's worry about dinner first," Makenna cut him off quickly. "If it's hidden and buried, then it isn't going anywhere."

Grant smiled. "You got me there."