Just as Frankie Burke was doubting his many years of experience as an insurance investigator because of the hammer he couldn't even pick up, or rather, couldn't move.
On the other side of the horizon, a convoy made entirely of Cadillac Escalades appeared not far away, and the dust kicked up by the full-size SUVs quickly caught the attention of Sherlock and Frankie Burke.
In just a short while, the convoy arrived near Sherlock and parked neatly not far from the wreckage of Sherlock's vehicle.
A group of men in black suits emerged from the vehicles and began to secure the area. Frankie Burke didn't understand what was happening, but Sherlock knew the identity of this group of people.
The reason was simple: Sherlock saw an old acquaintance among these men in black suits, the village chief of the Novice Village, Agent Coulson, whose hairline was worrying.
Coulson seemed to have seen Sherlock too, and he walked up with a smile to greet Sherlock.
"We meet again, Sherlock. We've met a few times. You should know, Phil Coulson."
Unlike Frankie Burke, who was sweating profusely in the face of such a grand scene, Sherlock appeared much calmer, extending his hand to shake Coulson's.
"Of course, Agent Coulson, it's thanks to your help that Uncle Tony was able to return. By the way, why are you here?"
Facing Sherlock's question, Coulson's smile remained unchanged, and he answered Sherlock's question.
"We detected a powerful energy fluctuation near this area. While investigating, I received information from headquarters saying that you were also nearby, and your car was smashed by a hammer that fell from the sky, so we came to take a look."
Although Sherlock had expected Coulson's explanation, he narrowed his eyes slightly, seeming a bit unhappy, and retorted.
"Are you monitoring me?"
Seeing that Sherlock didn't seem very happy, Coulson quickly explained.
"Not at all, Mr. Sherlock, you've misunderstood us. We don't monitor your daily activities; we only report special circumstances. You know, ever since Tony was in danger last time, everyone around him has been on our priority care list.
Don't overthink it, Mr. Sherlock, it's simply a precaution. After all, what happened with your uncle last time was truly a big deal."
Of course, Sherlock didn't believe a word of Coulson's explanation. Nick Fury's suspicious nature, combined with HYDRA, made S.H.I.E.L.D. extremely unscrupulous.
Sherlock wouldn't believe they were just preventing danger. It was more likely that they hadn't found out who the magic user was who fought Iron Monger that night at Tony's place, so they started monitoring people around Tony.
Fortunately, Sherlock and Tony rarely discussed anything related to Sherlock's alter ego over the phone, which left S.H.I.E.L.D. helpless.
Sherlock nodded expressionlessly at Coulson, not saying much.
Seeing that Sherlock didn't seem very eager to talk to him, Coulson turned to Frankie Burke, who had been standing to the side, and said.
"Mr. Frankie Burke, I'm very sorry, but you cannot disclose the on-site photos to anyone. We need you to sign a non-disclosure agreement. This matter has been classified."
Coulson's words successfully angered Frankie Burke again. The chubby Frankie Burke stared at Coulson like a mad wild boar and said.
"I'm sorry, sir, which department are you from? I don't think I can act according to your wishes. My employer, Mr. Sherlock's property, has suffered losses, and I need to bring back photos from the scene to help my employer, Mr. Sherlock, with the insurance claim."
As an old hand, Frankie Burke had encountered such situations more than once or twice. He had even encountered cases where employers hired actors to pose as relevant individuals to commit insurance fraud.
In the United States, such situations are not uncommon, as both the FBI and those guys from Langley indeed have immense power in certain matters.
Coulson was not surprised by Frankie Burke's statement. He continued to smile and showed his ID to Frankie Burke.
"Mr. Frankie Burke, this is my FBI ID. We will issue you a statement that you can use to handle Mr. Sherlock's insurance claim."
Seeing Coulson's seemingly fearless demeanor, Frankie Burke was momentarily indecisive. He took Coulson's FBI ID, glanced at Sherlock, who was still standing expressionlessly, and then continued.
"Alright, I need to contact headquarters to verify the authenticity of the ID. If what you say is true, then Mr. Sherlock will still receive the compensation he deserves."
With that, Frankie Burke ignored Sherlock and Coulson and ran off to the side to make a series of phone calls.
Sherlock and Coulson only glanced at him and then stopped paying attention to Frankie Burke.
Instead, Coulson looked at the scene with great interest and said to Sherlock with a sigh.
"Mr. Sherlock, judging from the traces at the scene, your accident was exceptionally horrific. Your luck is truly remarkable; you didn't suffer a single injury from such a terrible scene."
Hearing Coulson's sigh, Sherlock's heart still fluttered for a moment, but very quickly, a bold idea appeared in Sherlock's mind and began to become increasingly uncontrollable.
"Not at all, my dear Agent Coulson. The reason I wasn't injured is because I have some special medicines for special situations. These potions have various effects, but without exception, their effects are remarkably significant.
It can even be said that as long as there's still a breath left, they can be saved if there's enough potion. It's precisely because of these potions that I was able to survive, although the side effects of these potions are a bit peculiar."
Sherlock's words successfully caught Coulson's attention. The two foxes had their own thoughts, and Coulson even feigned surprise as he looked at Sherlock and said.
"Really? Mr. Sherlock, can I see these potions of yours? Your file doesn't say you can make such potions."
Regarding Coulson's question, since Sherlock dared to say so much, he must have already thought of a countermeasure. He naturally pulled out a bottle of Bai Xian Potion and handed it to Coulson, answering.
"Of course, Mr. Coulson, this bottle is one of the potions I made. Its purpose is to quickly heal external injuries, without even leaving scars. As for why I can make these potions, all I can tell you is that I read about them in a very ancient book.
To be honest, at first, I didn't believe it could be real, but because of an accident, I had no choice but to believe that it was real.
Oh, and remember, the side effects of this thing are completely random. The same potion will have different side effects for everyone, and even after the side effects end, using the same potion again will result in different side effects."