Chapter 198: Congratulations, Luo Han, You've Finally Become a Man
Before long, once everyone had finished eating, Luo Han stood up with a genuine smile on his face.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?"
"Nothing."
Everyone was simply puzzled by the strange smile on his face—it was something they had never seen before. Even Cole looked confused. He'd never seen this expression either.
"So weird..." Luo Han muttered. He had just stood up, and everyone stared at him like he'd done something suspicious. I haven't even moved yet!
Still, his smile remained sincere.
"Aishi ."
"What?"
"Are you full?"
"You... What are you planning?"
Aishi looked at him warily. Luo Han was acting strange tonight, and the smile on his face gave her an uneasy feeling.
It just felt like... something was going to happen.
Luo Han's smile stiffened. Ugh... you weren't this sharp during the day—pulling on my arm and sending warning signals. Now that I'm in the mood, you get suspicious?
But he kept a serious expression.
"Didn't you ask me to spar with you earlier?"
"You will?"
At the mention of this, Aishi instantly perked up. She had been feeling frustrated about her lack of progress lately. Seeing Ellis awaken Armament Haki with a few punches from Luo Han had made her really envious.
"Come on! Let's go spar in the forest."
Luo Han extended the invitation.
"Okay! Let's go now!"
Aishi eagerly accepted and even rushed ahead of him into the forest.
Luo Han was left a bit dazed. Wasn't she super suspicious just now? Why the sudden change? Still... he liked it.
His body moved on its own to follow her.
"I'm going with Aishi . Don't come looking for us unless it's urgent—we'll be training!"
After walking a few steps, Luo Han reminded the others.
He would use Kyoka Suigetsu to conceal all noise, but it never hurt to be extra cautious.
"Go on then."
No one thought much of it. Only Sister Spoon watched them leave with a thoughtful expression.
...
"Luo Han? Look at that big fish!" In the colorful glow of the forest, Aishi tugged on Luo Han's arm and pointed upward.
The nighttime scenery on Fish-Man Island was breathtaking. Though there was no moon or stars, countless glowing fish swam in the deep sea beyond the bubble, forming a living, moving sky.
"Yeah... it's huge and beautiful."
Luo Han looked up. Among the colorful fish was a whale the size of an aircraft carrier. Its underside glowed with soft white light, just like moonlight—truly stunning.
"No, not that!"
Aishi frowned. "Don't you think its meat would be perfect for sashimi?"
"Glowing white meat, sliced thin with a hint of moonlight... dipped in wasabi and scallion oil!"
"Delicious and beautiful! Just perfect!" she said, already drooling in a food fantasy.
"..." Luo Han was speechless.
That's the difference between a foodie and the rest of us. Everything is edible in their eyes...
"This way, Aishi ."
Luo Han grabbed her hand and led her deeper into the forest.
"Ah!"
Aishi stumbled slightly, surprised. Her cheeks flushed. This was the first time Luo Han held her hand...
"We're here."
"This place?" Aishi looked around. It was just a small clearing that could fit ten people—nothing special, just well-lit.
Does sparring here make Haki awaken faster? she wondered.
"Yup. It's well-lit." Luo Han replied, staring at her with burning eyes.
He liked this spot—light was important for appreciating the beauty ahead.
"What's wrong...?" Aishi stammered, taking a step back. She could sense his intent and began to feel nervous.
"Relax, Aishi ."
Sensing her unease, Luo Han softened his gaze and placed both hands gently on her shoulders. "Aishi ... I've never said it out loud, but you should know how I feel about you."
He pulled out a necklace—crafted earlier using telekinesis. It glowed with a sea-blue light, clearly a match to the ring he had given Amatsuki.
But he didn't care. With heartfelt sincerity, he said, "Aishi , would you be my woman?"
"Uh... well... Big Sis Spoon told me to go back."
Right after he said it, Aishi froze, her cheeks burning. She fumbled for words, then suddenly turned and bolted.
She ran.
Just ran.
Ran.
...
What the hell?
Wasn't this the part where she's supposed to blush, move closer, and the two lovers become one?
"Why are you running?!"
Luo Han stood frozen, stunned. When he saw her vanish into the distance, he chased after her.
Whoosh! As he gave chase, Aishi exploded with speed, leaving him behind in the dust.
"That speed! Incredible!"
Luo Han stopped, dumbfounded.
He didn't dare keep chasing. Sister Spoon and the others would definitely ask questions. How could he say, "I confessed and got rejected"?
Me? A great pirate of the New World, the Blue Demon who wounded Rocks and beheaded a Celestial Dragon… rejected by a woman who clearly likes me?
"Wait a minute! My emotion sensing isn't wrong. She does like me! Then why…?"
Luo Han couldn't figure it out. Was his confession off? Did he misread the situation?
"Hehe… looks like someone just got rejected~"
A telepathic voice rang in his head—it was Ellis.
Luo Han stiffened. I forgot that old bachelorette can eavesdrop via spirit waves...
"You heard?!"
"I knew from the start," Ellis admitted bluntly.
Luo Han's face darkened. Getting rejected was bad enough—now she'd witnessed the whole thing live.
"Stop eavesdropping, Ellis."
"Otherwise, you might overhear something not suitable for children."
Ellis pouted in her thoughts. She didn't even know what "not suitable for children" meant.
And it wasn't like she did it on purpose. She had just been channeling natural energy through the plants and happened to sense Luo Han and Aishi 's interaction through the trees.
But she didn't argue and simply replied, "Okay, I won't eavesdrop anymore."
Not like you'll ever know when I do. she thought cheekily. From his reaction, she had already learned his spiritual sense couldn't detect her through the plants.
"Good."
Luo Han let it go.
...
Over the next few days, Luo Han spent his days at the Poneglyph, studying the special force field and trying to enhance his Haki's density. At night, he would invite Aishi to "train" in the woods.
The result?
Every single time, Aishi would agree... and then run away at the last second.
"Hehe! Got rejected again~" teased a certain ancient bachelorette.
Luo Han's face darkened. Ellis seemed to enjoy trolling him, and he still didn't know how she kept bypassing his spiritual sense.
...
On the fifth night, after dinner, Luo Han stood up—and paused.
"Why are you all looking at me again?"
"Nothing!"
They were just curious. Luo Han usually waited until Aishi finished eating before standing up. Why was he so early today? Aishi was still scarfing food down.
"Whatever." Luo Han muttered and walked into the forest. No invitation tonight.
Aishi froze, her movements pausing mid-bite. She stared at his back, guilt and longing in her eyes.
"Don't overthink it. Just follow your heart," Sister Spoon said, patting her shoulder.
She understood. For the past few nights, every time Luo Han invited Aishi into the woods, she'd return blushing furiously.
Even the dense Cole could guess what was going on.
Sister Spoon had once been young too. That's how she snared Rayleigh, after all.
"I... I didn't mean to… I just… sigh…"
Aishi couldn't explain. She just sighed.
Sister Spoon smiled quietly. Some things, you just have to accept yourself.
...
In the forest clearing, Luo Han lay on the grass, gazing at the "starry sky" above Fish-Man Island, lost in thought.
"It's been twenty years since I arrived in this world. I can barely remember Earth's night sky. So much of the plot here is fuzzy now—I wonder what the future holds."
He waited, wondering if Aishi would come.
"If she comes on her own this time, she's probably ready. No more running."
After all, over the last few nights, all he got was a few hugs—couldn't even get a kiss before she bolted.
Four nights in a row. He was starting to lose patience.
Maybe it was the strength he had now—no more threats to his life. And now that he had freedom... physical desire had crept in.
His cravings were growing stronger. He suspected it might be due to the sea serpent lineage he'd acquired. Didn't they say serpents were naturally lustful?
But whatever it was, he could control it with willpower.
He just… didn't want to anymore.
Wasn't the point of getting strong to do whatever he wanted?
And tonight—finally—Aishi came.
"There you are."
Luo Han smiled faintly. His spiritual sense had already picked up her slow approach.
Tap, tap, tap… That wasn't footsteps on the ground—it was the sound of her sandals flapping.
Aishi arrived, visibly shy.
"Luo Han… I…"
"Come here. Lie next to me."
Luo Han gently cut her off, helping her decide before she could run again.
"Ah… okay."
Relieved by his decisiveness, she lay down beside him—only a hand's width apart.
"Aishi ."
"Mm?"
"Do you love me?"
"I do."
Hearing her answer, Luo Han smiled and turned to face her. Under the soft "starlight," her side profile was both elegant and charming.
"Look at me," he said, reaching under her arm and pulling her close.
Aishi stiffened, but didn't resist. She allowed herself to be turned, facing him.
In that gentle glow, Luo Han's handsome face was clearly visible. And at that moment—Aishi finally relaxed.
"I feel calm now."
"Mm."
She had made her decision. She had come. She was ready.
"Luo Han, will you always treat me well?"
"I will. Always."
"Mm."
...
Some time passed before Aishi , having made up her mind, whispered, "It's okay now."
She closed her eyes—her body lying peacefully, ready for him.
Now it was Luo Han's turn to freeze.
In his past life, he'd never gotten this far. Despite his vast theoretical knowledge from the internet… practical experience? Zero.
But he didn't hesitate. He moved on top of her, bracing himself with his arms.
As they merged, it was as if a great mountain had risen on a plain, piercing the clouds and basking in divine light.
At that moment, Luo Han felt like he had reached Nirvana—ascended to immortality.
He had become a man.
...
"Do we really have to do it like this, Luo Han?"
"Just pretend you're riding a horse."
"But—"
"You don't even know how to ride? Come on, Aishi ."
"Okay… I'll try."
...
"It hurts a little."
"Then go easy. I'll have Ellis heal you later."
At that moment, a spiritual pulse rang in Luo Han's mind—Ellis's annoyed voice:
"You perverted little creep! I'm not healing her, you perv! Go die, you jerk!"
Heh. That's what you get for eavesdropping, Luo Han thought smugly. He had known she was listening again.
"Why does it feel bigger now…?" Aishi asked, puzzled.
Uhh… Luo Han sweated nervously. "Because you're too beautiful."
"Hmph, stop it!" she giggled, giving him a soft punch. And the exercise continued.
...
Elsewhere, Ellis's face turned crimson. Her body felt… different.
"That damned Luo Han! He said that on purpose!"
She cursed, but couldn't deny that something strange had happened to her. Over hundreds of years, she had sensed countless... activities.
But none ever made her feel like this.
Blushing and flustered—this was a first.
Just like how someone might feel watching dogs do things in the street… and then having an unintended reaction.
She couldn't explain it either.
...
In the forest clearing, under the starless sky of Fish-Man Island, deep into the night—
Luo Han lay with Aishi curled in his arms, her eyes hazy.
"It's really good to live in a superhuman world," Luo Han mused.
With this kind of stamina, he could go all night. No wonder transmigrators always preferred high-power worlds.
He glanced at Aishi , nestled in his arms.
"You're mine now."
(END CHAPTER)
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