[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-surviving-the-doomsday-apartment-with-infinite-c":3,"chapter-surviving-the-doomsday-apartment-with-infinite-c-surviving-the-doomsday-apartment-with-infinite-c-chapter-226":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Surviving the Doomsday Apartment—With Infinite Clones!",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},949498,1242,"Chapter 226: The Wandering Merchant","surviving-the-doomsday-apartment-with-infinite-c-chapter-226",226,"\u003Cp>The bald man had been waiting for this very sentence!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His joyful, Buddha-like smiling face now beamed even more benevolently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Jiang Ye had initially proposed modifications to the mask earlier, the bald man's gaze had been practically murderous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, he looked at Jiang Ye as if he were family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The studio once again echoed with the bald man's hearty laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even generously praised Jiang Ye:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I like smart and straightforward youngsters like you! You've got potential!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unlike some people who hesitate endlessly and can't make up their minds!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he understood the bald man was deliberately buttering him up, worried he might change his mind after agreeing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having accepted the flattery, Jiang Ye decided to demonstrate his decisiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sweeping gesture, he declared firmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you've put it that way, Master, I won't hesitate any longer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where's the Skin Sand? I heard there's unlimited supply? Let's get started!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man burst into laughter again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately produced a large basin of Skin Sand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he scooped out the substance, he enthusiastically promoted:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young man, your face is truly handsome, but don't worry—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My special Skin Sand formula is uniquely modified.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ordinary Skin Sand would cause severe pain during application, and after five or six masks, the user's face would become paralyzed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But my special Skin Sand is virtually painless, and even after fifty or sixty applications, you'll only experience slight stiffness rather than full paralysis.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While enthusiastically applying the special Skin Sand to Jiang Ye's face, the bald man suddenly asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That handsome face of yours... it's not enhanced, is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Minghan (the original owner of Jiang Ye's current face) had relied on his looks for his career.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So yes, this handsome face had indeed undergone cosmetic procedures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But only minor adjustments—no bone restructuring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye answered honestly: \"Just minor—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish, the bald man pinched and examined his face, then sighed in relief: \"Good thing there's no bone work, or your face would stiffen after just one application.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I once applied my special Skin Sand to a beautiful woman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After just one application, her face became completely immobile—more terrifying than my puppet models...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our relationship soured afterward—she blamed my Skin Sand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Turned out it was her cosmetic surgery that caused the problem...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time the bald man finished this brief gossip, Jiang Ye's [Disguise Mask] was ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After storing the new mask, the bald man pressed his advantage:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young man, have you heard this saying—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In this world, things only have two states: zero times or countless times.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once you break the seal, there will inevitably be a second, third, and endless repetitions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And this principle applies perfectly to making [Disguise Masks]!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me be frank—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nearly all my customers who've provided me with [Disguise Masks] never stop at just one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can probably imagine—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whether you surrender one mask or two to others, the risk remains similar.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So since you've already made one...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How about making another?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll pay 100 Survival Points per mask.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And these 100 points will be converted into VIP store credits even if you don't spend them here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Think about it—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You just need to let me use your face to make masks, and you get 100 Points and 1 VIP point for free!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Much easier than hunting Madmen with your [Enforcement Mask], right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man had clearly figured something out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since this kid planned to use the [Enforcement Mask] to farm Survival Points...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must be short on points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This offer was irresistible to any VIP customer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a points-starved youngster like Jiang Ye? Even more tempting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the bald man was absolutely right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This temptation...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was simply impossible for Jiang Ye to refuse!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even thought—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those free masks he'd given away using Wu Ying's clones were such a waste!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he have given them away for free?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He should have charged at least something!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a blunder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Must remember—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his [Disguise Masks] have significant value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No more freebies!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye took a deep breath, ecstatic internally but maintaining a calm facade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked directly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At 100 Points per mask, how many can you buy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man, seeing his serious expression, thought he might refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, he nearly laughed aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But clearing his throat, he replied solemnly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahem, while things tend to repeat endlessly, we also say 'rarity creates value,' right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"[Disguise Masks] are the same—if they become too common, their value decreases.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So at 100 Points, I'll take 9 more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Beyond that, I'll pay 10 Points for up to 90 additional masks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Any more would be worthless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Also, even with my special Skin Sand, over 100 applications would ruin that handsome face...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye quickly regained his composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He vaguely suspected—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he sold masks of his face to the bald man...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man probably wouldn't resell them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But would keep them as collectibles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So these masks likely wouldn't be used by players to create more clones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, 100 Points per mask was a great deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye almost agreed to sell 100 immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he worried—what if collecting 100 masks granted the bald man special privileges?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After careful consideration, he stated firmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"100 Points each is acceptable, but 10 Points loses its appeal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How about this—I'll sell you 8 more at 100 Points each.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This decision made the bald man's cheek twitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn kid—did he guess that collecting 10 masks would unlock special effects?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Purposely stopping at 9 masks?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too clever! Too devious!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man cursed internally but agreed: \"Fine, 8 it is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus began eight more Skin Sand applications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye received 800 Points for eight new masks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Easy money indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye thought—maybe he should have other clones sell masks too. Easier than hunting Madmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he shouldn't overdo it with one clone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suspected the bald man had other uses for collected masks beyond identity upgrades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the mask transaction complete, it was Jiang Ye's turn to select masks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man didn't plan to introduce each mask's identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked directly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're choosing masks to use with the [Mask of Deceit], right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Any specific targets? Or just seeking powerful abilities?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye already had an answer:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In your collection, do you have any [Wandering Merchant] masks?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question visibly affected the bald man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Buddha-like smile froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joy drained from his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a heavy silence, he asked gravely:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You mean... the [Nomadic Merchant]?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye raised an eyebrow: \"Nomadic Merchant? Another privileged identity? How does it relate to the Apartment Merchant?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man's expression darkened further, his voice dropping:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you mean the Apartment Merchant...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the bald man's reaction, Jiang Ye nodded cautiously: \"Yes, is there a problem?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man took a deep breath, looking at Jiang Ye with indescribable complexity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, he explained wearily:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Apartment Merchant IS the Nomadic Merchant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you think he was confined to the beginner apartments like the Administrators?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In truth, Nomadic Merchants have no restrictions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They appear in beginner apartments, Doomsday Apartments...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even in the Mist itself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holy shit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's insane!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though surprised, Jiang Ye wasn't completely shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Merchant he'd encountered did have godlike capabilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the Mist seemed plausible for such an entity...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then Jiang Ye asked: \"The Nomadic Merchant appears in Doomsday Apartments?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yet during my time there, I never encountered one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither Wu Ying's nor Zhang Minghan's memories contained any Merchant encounters in the Doomsday Apartment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man rolled his eyes: \"What standing did you have there? Of course you wouldn't meet one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only privileged players in Doomsday Apartments can summon the Merchant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I see...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye pressed further:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can you, as a Mask Master, summon the Nomadic Merchant? Have you? Do you have his mask in your collection?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1306,"2026-06-03T07:17:36.055Z","2026-06-03T07:17:41.424Z",1,"novelbin.me","140390e4570fa3694896351980edbaa2afd2b6b2597a1388a7c3e1de4228196d","surviving-the-doomsday-apartment-with-infinite-c-chapter-227","surviving-the-doomsday-apartment-with-infinite-c-chapter-225",575,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsurviving-the-doomsday-apartment-with-infinite-c-cover.jpg"]