Back to the Past to Become a Fishing King-Chapter 56: Little Medicine

To be honest, Zhang Yang is not someone who likes to pick fights. The first time he met Lang Junfeng, he didn’t feel anything special. Just another local fishing gear salesman, either they worked together if they had the chance, or went their own ways.

But for Lang Junfeng to strike at the root like this, that crossed the line!

Even if he had figured out the secret formula for Marukyu bait and sold it in his own shop, Zhang Yang wouldn’t have been upset. But to publish the formula’s ingredients and approximate cost like this was plainly malicious.

This was aimed at ruining Zhang Yang’s business from the ground up, which is unforgivable!

Zhang Yang is not the type to seek trouble, but at the same time, he’s not the kind to take a hit without retaliating. And now that they’ve met at the fishing ground, it’s time to settle the score.

"What’s up? You’re not looking quite right!"

Normally, Zhang Yang is slow and steady, but this is the first time Old Zhao has seen Zhang Yang looking and talking like this.

"Nothing much, just checking where he’s sitting! If there’s a chance, I’ll teach him a lesson!" Zhang Yang said dominantly.

"Are you serious?" Old Zhao instinctively straightened his back at Zhang Yang’s words.

"Yeah! A gentleman doesn’t let a grudge go unavenged. From the bait formula incident, I’m sure he was deliberately targeting me!"

"Alright, what do you want to do? Want me to call a few guys over?" Old Zhao also turned serious.

Listening to this, Zhang Yang was momentarily stunned, then grinned, "What are you thinking, it’s a harmonious society, we don’t do personal attacks!

Since we’re all in the circle, if there’s a conflict, we’ll handle it in circle-related ways! Just keep an eye on where his fishing spot is, tonight I’ll handle him!

He brought people here to fish, didn’t he? I’ll make his spot silent, see how he dares bring people fishing again!"

"Alright, whatever you need, just say it, don’t be shy!"

"Good!"

...

While Zhang Yang was watching Lang Junfeng, Old Lang was also keeping an eye on the happenings at the fishing ground.

Last time, Qian Wenbo and a few others got the short end of the stick from Zhang Yang, this time they got savvy with the fishing spots, deliberately leaving a strip on the shore, which is why Zhang Yang and his two friends were fishing in the middle of the south bank today.

Qian Wenbo and his group were all on the north bank next to each other, thereby avoiding the embarrassment of having a silent spot with no catch.

Old Lang’s spot was also reserved by Qian Wenbo, in the mid-north, slightly west spots on the north bank. Not the best, but generally stable for catches.

Especially Lang Junfeng, his spot was next to Qian Wenbo, sitting diagonally opposite Zhang Yang.

"Wenbo, nice job getting a hot spot on the north bank! Thanks!" Lang Junfeng took out a pack of cigarettes, offered them around, smiling contentedly.

"It’s just a spot, no big deal! What made you decide to bring a crew to the dark pit today? Even got Old Liu and Old Sun, the big shots from the reservoir, to show up!"

Lang Junfeng blew a smoke ring, and said calmly, "No big reason, just that the reservoir fish aren’t biting this season, so we thought we’d have a few rounds at the dark pit!

Also, a friend helped me get something, came to test its effect in practice! There are only so many clients, if we don’t come out and play, they’ll all be snatched away!"

"What are you talking about, Master Lang, you’re the boss of the W City’s fishing gear circle, who dares snatch our clients, must be out of their mind!" Qian Wenbo immediately flattered him.

"Hehe," Lang Junfeng smiled without warmth, not continuing the banter.

"By the way, you mentioned some secret weapon? What good stuff, let me take a look?" Qian Wenbo, seeing Old Lang’s avoidance, pressed with another topic.

"It’s nothing much, just got some imported bait scent (Note 1)! Currently not available on the market, specifically for farmed carp scenarios!"

"Bait scent? What is it, show me! If it’s good, I’ll buy some too!"

Qian Wenbo had heard of this term from friends but didn’t have a clear understanding of what it was or its use. Seeing Old Lang had some, he immediately perked up.

Lang Junfeng opened his tackle box, took out a small plastic bottle slightly larger than an eye drop bottle, and handed it to Qian Wenbo.

The label had been removed, revealing a pale brownish liquid inside, with a sweet, rotten sweet potato smell. The small bottle wasn’t much, only 40ml, with a structure similar to an old-fashioned oil can spout and a rounded bottom.

Seasoned anglers may recognize this description as classic bait scent from Taiwan’s 101 series, Sweet Wilderness. For secrecy, Old Lang had removed the label.

Sweet Wilderness, an additive before barley sweet potato paste took over, was a classic carp fishing scent, sweet with a potato flavor that carp loved, with notable attractant and feeding stimulation effects.

Add 3-5ml to a pound of bait to adjust flavor and stimulate feeding. Before bait additives became widely used, it was hard currency.

Qian Wenbo carefully examined the small bottle, opened the cap, and sniffed, finding the aroma quite mellow, different from the commodity baits on the market.

"Is this the bait scent? How much for one bottle? How do you use it?"

Qian Wenbo, seeing this legendary item for the first time, became curious, firing off questions like a curious toddler.

"Not for sale yet, the price is high, and I don’t have much! Just about a dozen bottles, distributed among the brothers!"

Lang Junfeng knew Qian Wenbo’s type well, a client full of little schemes.

At this point, outright promoting it would only make him suspicious. Keeping it under wraps made it easier to crook a transaction.

Sure enough, after hearing Old Lang’s words, Qian Wenbo’s eyes shifted, tucking the bottle into his pocket shamelessly.

"Everyone else got one? Then this one’s mine! Name the price, I’m not letting it go this time, I’m like a pixiu, only in, not out!"

Old Lang had intended to sell it to him at a high price; seeing Qian Wenbo fall for it, he feigned reluctance but ultimately didn’t take it back.

"They got it for 160; this one’s been tested, so for you, 150! I have only a few bottles left!"

"Alright! 150 it is!" Qian Wenbo took out the money from his pocket, straightforwardly settling the deal on the spot!

"How do you use this bait scent? Tell me! I’ll try it today!" Qian Wenbo pocketed the bait scent, continually scrutinizing it.

"Add it to the water when making bait, 2-3ml per pound. Once mixed, the bait naturally carries its scent. You can watch when I prep my bait in a bit!

This little bottle may not look like much, but used economically for bait prep, it lasts 5-6 uses!"

"Alright, I’ll try it, if it works, I’ll head to the shop to grab more!"

"Whoa, Master Lang’s fishing today, got some secret weapon, eh?" At this moment, a voice from Zhang Yang, smiling, came suddenly from behind Lang Junfeng.

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Note 1: Bait Scent: Additives into bait, initially used as attractants or feeding stimulators in feed and commodity bait, later popularized in competitive fishing. They cover a wide range of components—amino acids, vitamins, fragrance bases, etc., and weren’t cheap when first introduced due to their perceived specialization.

Even in 2021, bait scents remain a pivotal product in competitive fishing and have become a hallmark of dark pit fishing culture.

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