Chapter 34: A Magical Town Life (Part 1)
Sherlock could be said to have thoroughly misled Rumlow in the car. Sherlock didn't believe for a second that there were no recording devices in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s vehicles. These words were meant for HYDRA and Nick Fury.
The only three potions Sherlock intended to sell to S.H.I.E.L.D. were Bai Xian Potion for external injuries, an antidote for poisoning, and Polyjuice Potion for transformation. Of these, the quantity of Polyjuice Potion was the smallest; in fact, Sherlock planned to have a quantity that could be counted on one's fingers.
While the other two potions weren't as rare as Polyjuice Potion, they weren't abundant either. In short, it was a matter of scarcity creating value.
This also made it convenient for Sherlock to extort a hefty sum from S.H.I.E.L.D. Furthermore, the uncertain side effects—whether heroic or disastrous—would effectively deter HYDRA, who currently favored stability.
As for Nick Fury, Sherlock always believed one thing: Nick Fury was certainly invested in his potions and might even be opposed to them.
Thor's appearance was the catalyst for this matter. The mysterious race of gods, coupled with the enigmatic wizard from Sherlock's alias, left Nick Fury no choice but to worry excessively about whether Sherlock's potions would truly produce those god-like side effects.
Moreover, putting everything else aside, the mere effects of the potions themselves were enough to make Nick Fury pay close attention to him after his experience with Thor.
Only then could Sherlock firmly establish his identity as a potion master.
Returning to the present, Rumlow, who had been almost completely bamboozled by Sherlock, couldn't wait to drive back after dropping Sherlock off at the edge of the town.
As an agent in the field, he faced Sherlock's deceptive tactics, inherited from Uncle Benshan's 'nine truths, one lie' routine from the Spring Festival Gala of his previous life, which made his brain ache. In the car, Rumlow even regretted not studying more when he was younger.
Watching Rumlow disappear in a flash, Sherlock stood at the outskirts of the town and couldn't help but curl his lips. He hadn't even started inquiring about Rumlow's family situation, so why did this guy run off so eagerly?
This level of combat effectiveness was far too inferior compared to the village grandmas from his previous life.
Seeing Rumlow drive off in the 'Yellow Emperor' (a slang term for a car) with smoke trailing behind him, Sherlock no longer dwelled on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s affairs and leisurely turned to walk into the town.
The town was a very typical Western town, a classic 'redneck' town. It wasn't very large but was fully equipped.
All necessary amenities were available in the town. Sherlock was very satisfied with the town's setup and leisurely found a hotel to check into.
There weren't many tourists in the town, so correspondingly, the hotel wasn't very big, but it was clean and had the feel of a Western cowboy movie. Sherlock was extremely pleased with his living arrangements.
After securing his accommodation for the next few days, Sherlock sent his address to the surprisingly contrasting field investigator from the insurance company. Only then did he lock his room door, ready to go out and appease his stomach.
In such a rural-like place, food in small restaurants mostly consisted of meat dishes, and most were family-run establishments, without many chain businesses.
Naturally, the taste was much better than those chain fast-food places. Sherlock casually ordered a few specialty dishes from the menu that he was looking forward to, then leisurely watched the TV in the small restaurant to pass the boring time.
Just as Sherlock was lost in thought, watching Tony, who was doing good deeds everywhere, being reported on TV, his phone unexpectedly rang.
Looking at the caller ID, which read 'Stark,' with a puzzled expression, Sherlock slowly answered the call.
"My dear nephew, I heard your trip was interrupted by a hammer falling from the sky? And you got entangled with those troublesome guys from S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
As soon as he answered the phone, Tony's gloating voice came through. Sherlock rolled his eyes in annoyance before retorting,
"My dear uncle, your news is quite well-informed. May I ask where exactly you heard it? As for those troublesome guys you mentioned, I'm afraid to tell you, they might be listening to our conversation right now."
Listening to Sherlock's words, Sherlock could feel the other side clearly stunned for a moment, then Tony's voice came through the receiver.
"Holy f*ck! That bald Nick Fury is actually tapping my phone? Jarvis, remember to encrypt my calls starting today! I don't want my private life exposed to that Marxist f*ck!"
Sherlock listened to Tony's continuous verbal abuse for about five minutes through the receiver. Seeing that his ordered dishes were starting to arrive, Sherlock looked at the sparsely populated restaurant, then turned down his phone's volume a bit and put it on speaker, planning to enjoy his meal to the sound of Tony's breakdown.
After a while, Tony finally stopped his cursing session and quietly asked Sherlock if he was still there.
Sherlock calmly swallowed his food before slowly replying,
"Of course, my dear uncle. Your exasperated expression just now was exceptionally appetizing. I even feel that the food I just ate tasted several times better."
Listening to Sherlock's words, Tony broke down again. After about five minutes of verbal sparring with Sherlock, Tony finally declared that he had lost this round.
After the banter, Sherlock finally remembered to discuss some serious matters and asked,
"No more games, let's get back to business. How did you know my car was totaled by a hammer? The insurance investigator should have been made to sign a non-disclosure agreement by those S.H.I.E.L.D. guys, using the FBI's name, if I'm not mistaken."
Listening to Sherlock's question, Tony, who had been down because he lost the verbal argument, quickly became cheerful again and replied proudly,
"It's simple, because that insurance company is one of my businesses! Besides, no one can refuse Stark's 'benevolent' inquiries!"
This time it was Sherlock who broke down. After nearly five minutes of ridiculing the damned capitalist Tony using Marxist theories from his previous life, Sherlock finally felt satisfied.
Once Sherlock finally shut up, Tony's voice came through the phone.
"Alright, alright, let's talk business. Tell me, is that hammer really as magical as the insurance investigator said? Like, completely unmovable and stuff."
Just as Sherlock was about to say something to brush off Tony's curiosity, he suddenly heard the sound of glass shattering. Before Sherlock could react, a muscular blond man had already grabbed Sherlock's shoulders and started shaking him vigorously.
"Are you telling the truth? A hammer that can't be lifted, and it fell from the sky? Tell me, where is that hammer?!"