Any Novels with a Highly Intelligent, Ruthless Protagonist? 有没有主角高智商，手段狠辣的小说

1. 451 山 A Dream of Nation and Homeland 山河国士梦 Wisps of Twilight Smoke暮烟袅袅Historical402k WordsCompleted (This novel is also known as: The Qing Dynasty, 1865) (This novel is also known as: The Great Qing Really Is the Celestial Empire) (This novel is also known as: Reborn in the Late Qing: From Provincial Governor to World Leader) (Alternate history + late Qing + modern era + real political intrigue + country and family + pledge of allegiance) If Heaven gave you another chance, what would you do? Would you keep treading carefully, clinging to safety in a troubled age? Or would you endure hardship a 9Reads—Score—Shelves

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   The top power struggles in the late Qing Dynasty, from internal factional strife to global competition, involved the central government and local governments, the Qing Dynasty and foreign powers, the Westernization faction and the conservative faction, the reformists and the diehards, and the emperor's faction and the empress dowager's faction, starting from 1865.

2. 452 杀 Bai Quan, the God of Slaughter 杀神白权 Snow Woman雪女Urban314k WordsCompleted [Suit-wearing thug + no saintly heroine + no protagonist suffering] Starting out as a transcendent force disguised as a company, he grips a long sword with a black hilt and black scabbard and barges headlong into the supernatural world. Beneath his refined, courteous appearance in suit and tie lies a cold, sinister heart that stops at nothing. Behind his enviable success and dazzling life in public lies a path built on mountains of bones and rivers of blood. He rises from humble beginnings and f 1.8kReads9.1Score116Shelves

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   I read half of it, and in short, the protagonist is absolutely inhuman, ruthless to the extreme. His mentor taught him to either not do something at all, or to go all the way; if you don't nip it in the bud, it will grow back. In the end, the protagonist killed his entire family, nipping the danger in the bud. After killing his family, he even had someone monitor his friend, fearing retaliation. Then, his partner's brother, who was an awakened superhuman, was also killed.

3. 453 一 A Loser’s Godforsaken Life 一个屌丝的混账人生 Qizai Who Loves Electronic Instruments喜欢电声乐器的七仔Urban728k WordsCompleted This book follows a loser who starts out as a penniless wage laborer and, through the twists of fate, makes a comeback to become a wealthy man. But then, with a great hand in his grasp and a winning card to play, he falls into a trap meticulously laid by those in power. In the end, he loses everything, leaving only chaos in his wake 275Reads—Score—Shelves
4. 454 惊 A Case That Shook the Nation 惊天巨案 Qizai Who Loves Electronic Instruments喜欢电声乐器的七仔Urban299k WordsCompleted This is an anti-corruption novel about an interest group that abuses its power to fabricate wrongful convictions and seize the assets of a local private company. The story follows the people’s police, represented by Gao Fei, as they investigate this miscarriage of justice, uphold social fairness and justice, defend the authority of the law, and protect the lives and property of the public. Undaunted by sacrifice or hardship, they pit their wits against the interest group in a grueling struggle, 31.3kReads9.1Score2.8kShelves
5. 455 生 Life and Death at Full Throttle 生死狂飙 Qizai Who Loves Electronic Instruments喜欢电声乐器的七仔Mystery293k WordsCompleted In the 1990s, two shocking murders took place in a row in Hannan City, in a certain province. Both victims were men, local officials and entrepreneurs, and both were found at the crime scene missing their lower parts. Was it a crime of passion? Or revenge? Thus begins a gripping story of political power struggles, the darkness of human nature, the hand of fate, and the helplessness of life in this world... The ending is mournful and beautiful, deeply moving and heartbreaking. All one can do is s 797Reads—Score—Shelves
6. 456 开 One Brain to Scheme for the World from the Start 开局一个脑子谋划天下 Mature Feiyangyang成熟的沸羊羊Historical219k WordsCompleted [I’m terrible at coming up with titles (இдஇ; )] [Studying the Thirty-Six Stratagems as I write] [Schemes] Wang was sentenced to five years in prison for phone scams. He was caught after escaping prison and committing murder and robbery. But after being executed, he transmigrated. Even during his transmigration, he was struck by five bolts of thunder. After transmigrating, the protagonist reflects on his mistakes, repents, and vows to become a good person. As he stabs the person beside him, he sa 124Reads—Score—Shelves
7. 457 重 Reborn in the Hehuan Sect, I Refine My Master into a Slave 重生合欢宗，师尊被我炼化成奴隶 Lone Smoke over the Long River长河孤烟Eastern Fantasy3.6M WordsOngoing [No System + no clichés + villain protagonist + multiple female leads + bizarre + ruthless and decisive, no saintly behavior] “Would you pick the Seven Fairies or the Seven Spider Demons?” “Only kids pick the fairies. Those who know, know.” “What if you really transmigrated to the Joyful Union Sect, where there are only female demons? They're fanatically devoted to the male body and worship you as a god?” “Wouldn't that be heaven on earth?” “Heh.” The young man smiled faintly. “I'm afraid it wou 86.8kReads9.4Score10.1kShelves
8. 458 六 The Six Gates: A Battle Against the Demons 六扇门：与魔争锋 Niu Dun牛墩Mystery1.5M WordsCompleted [Full-cast audio adaptation now available] [Court and martial world, political intrigue and mystery, decisive and ruthless] Who is caught in the scheme, and who stands outside it? Who is a pawn, and who has been cast aside? The only thing that makes their enemies tremble isn't the pair of blades in their hands... With a group of like-minded friends by their side, they can find the strength to keep going, no matter how dark the road ahead! 1.2kReads8.8Score104Shelves

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   A thrilling mystery unfolds as the head constable of the Six Doors is tasked with investigating a major case. Along the way, new and old cases appear one after another – what are the connections between them? Use your brain to follow the protagonist and uncover the truth! Is there only one truth? Will it be mind-bending? Find out for yourself!

9. 459 我 My Strange Neighbor 我的诡异邻居 Qizai Who Loves Electronic Instruments喜欢电声乐器的七仔Mystery18k WordsCompleted My Eerie Neighbor 254Reads—Score—Shelves
10. 460 命 Fate: A Woman’s Redemption 命运，赎罪的女人 Qizai Who Loves Electronic Instruments喜欢电声乐器的七仔Modern Romance19k WordsCompleted Fate: A Woman's Atonement 76Reads—Score—Shelves
11. 461 你 You’re the Expert Team, So Why Are You Learning Criminal Investigation from Me, a Fugitive? 你专家组，怎么跟我一逃犯学刑侦 Ling Jiu San Yao零九三妖Mystery3.3M WordsOngoing Su Chen, who specialized in unsolved cold cases, transmigrated to a parallel world and was selected for a reality show about escape. He would be the show’s sole fugitive, hunted by a team of top experts selected from within the public security system! The show’s purpose was to showcase the power of the police and show the public just how easy it was to catch someone in modern society. But no one expected Su Chen to infiltrate the public security system from the start. Using his own methods of si 14.7kReads9.3Score1.9kShelves

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    "Escape Show: I'm a Detective, Let Me Escape!" Su Chen transmigrates into the body of a "fugitive" on the reality show "Operation Sky Eye," immediately becoming a nationally wanted fugitive! The production team uses Sky Eye and facial recognition to bring him to justice! But he's a detective with top-notch counter-surveillance skills, leaving the production team exclaiming, "The script is broken!" A female celebrity is so scared she cries, creating explosive entertainment! Su Chen: "I'm just an ordinary person, please stop chasing me!" Production Team: "You call this an ordinary person?!" High-energy plot twists, technological showdowns, and hilarious moments—a non-stop laugh-out-loud experience! Watch how Su Chen uses "ordinary operations" to drive the production team to despair and have the entire audience in stitches! Come witness this hilarious escape legend!

12. 462 大 The Ten Great Mysteries of the Song Dynasty 大宋十大奇案 I Am Prince Fish在下鱼亲王Historical1.6M WordsOngoing No harem, no formulaic tropes, no invincible protagonist, no System, no golden finger, and no transmigration. This is not a power fantasy, so read at your own discretion! A pure historical mystery set in the jianghu, offering an immersive experience of everyday life in an ancient town and the suspenseful twists and turns as officials use their wits to solve cases… 7.3kReads8.6Score643Shelves

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    Do you like pure ancient martial arts detective novels? 🙂🙂

13. 463 刑 Criminal Investigation: I Can See Crime Records 刑侦：我能看见犯罪记录 Beneath the Fuli Shrine佛狸祠下Mystery1.3M WordsOngoing Cen Lian was a junior-college general education teacher who did just enough to get by, and always thought he would keep coasting through life. Then a cheat ability fell into his lap: every criminal revealed their crimes in front of him. Driven by a simple sense of justice, Cen Lian began matching wits with criminals, both smart and stupid. He became a specially appointed consultant and, alongside a group of like-minded partners, embarked on a career solving criminal cases. 27.5kReads9.2Score1.7kShelves
14. 464 重 Reborn in 1992: From Middleman to Business Mogul 重生1992：从倒爷到商业教父 Xu Nan Buyi徐南布衣Urban241k WordsCompleted Chen Jianguo was a small-business owner who died of late-stage liver cancer in 2025 at the age of 35. Deep in debt, he had lost both his wife and his family. Reborn in 1992 at the age of 28, he is a laid-off worker from a state-owned factory. Using his knowledge of the future to rapidly build capital, he seizes the opportunities of the era in industry and creates his own business empire. 39Reads—Score—Shelves
15. 465 全 Manhunt Across the City: I'm Really Not a Criminal 全城围捕：我真不是罪犯啊 Yuan Mu圆目Mystery657k WordsCompleted When he opens his eyes, Chen Mu, a former criminal police officer in his previous life, discovers that he has been reborn in a parallel world. And he has become an escaped convict wanted for an entire family’s murder! Shrill police sirens ring across the city as heavily armed officers close in from every direction. A net of traps leaves no way out. Ding! [Escape System issuing a mission] [Main Mission: Publicly serialize and update the story of your escape] [Side Mission: Find the real culprit b 57.6kReads8.5Score4.7kShelves

    Reader note

    He must be highly intelligent; this is a case study about clearing a wrongful conviction and solving a crime.

16. 466 入 The Day I Went to Prison: She Blazed a Trail Alone and Smashed My Shackles 入狱当天：她单枪铺路，为我砸镣 A Big Bug Is Still a Bug大虫也是虫Urban160k WordsOngoing [Not Reborn]+ [No System]+ [One Female Lead] The last big sister of the underworld! The day I went to prison, she broke into the jail and smashed my shackles, clearing a path for me with a gun in hand! If the rest of my life is destined to be without light, at least in this moment, she is by my side! Some even call her the last big sister of Southeast Asia! Truth is, she was just forced to take charge in a crisis, with no other choice! Since we're already fugitives, then let's take our dark love 174Reads7.9Score—Shelves

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    Stop asking what the ultimate masterpiece novel is. Based on my seven years of experience in various book circles, I can tell you that there is only this one. The whole text is concise and to the point, decisive and ruthless, with revenge taken on the spot. It is a story of ordinary people and their brothers and sisters being forced by real life to experience a series of fierce battles and open and covert struggles in the world of martial arts.

17. 467 女 My Daughter Was Murdered, So I Turned Evil and Became a Max-Level Celestial Master to Get Revenge! 女儿被害，我黑化满级天师复仇！ Making Money to Feed Yang赚钱喂洋Urban1.0M WordsCompleted “Dad... I’m sorry. I’ll be a good daughter to you in my next life!” “In that other world, there shouldn’t be any more pain.” “Dad, please forgive me...!” Chen Feng is a single father who has lived his entire life for his daughter, Chen Xiao. He went to great lengths to get her into an elite school, but who could have known that the news awaiting him would be so devastating? Chen Feng received a call from his daughter just before she jumped to her death. Only after arriving at the scene did Chen 10.3kReads8.2Score812Shelves

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    ① The male protagonist was a police detective in his previous life, but he transmigrates into the body of a wanted criminal at the beginning of the story. He not only has to evade capture but also solve cases to prove his innocence. ② The male protagonist's daughter is murdered, and he immediately becomes corrupted. ③ The male protagonist awakens a system and, facing false accusations at the beginning, sends the accusers packing with a single slap. ④ The male protagonist's system grants him lifespan by helping people fulfill their wishes, thus making him a champion of justice.

18. 468 烽 Apricots Beneath the Flames of War 烽火栓杏 Witty and Clever妙语玲珑Modern Romance330k WordsCompleted The 1930s: a turbulent and unsettled era. The extraordinary story of a remarkable woman, who weaves her own spectacular life. Join the author as we open the door to that tumultuous age through a unique perspective. 43Reads—Score—Shelves

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    A protagonist with crystal-clear thinking, a cast of highly intelligent and ruthless characters, and an unconventional style! A novel recommended by Tomato, with over 100,000 reads!

19. 469 我EN My IQ Can Be Recharged 我的智商能充值 Meat-Eating Panda吃肉的熊猫Urban1.5M WordsCompleted “Your IQ balance is running low. Please top up immediately!” Chen Zhao, a high school student, accidentally acquires a System that can raise his IQ and transmigrates to a parallel world much like Earth. As long as he completes the System's missions, he can top up his IQ and become the smartest person in the world! And just like that, he becomes insanely impressive! He glances at the questions on an exam and calculates the answers in his head! As a gaming streamer, his lightning-fast judgment mak 8.6kReads9.0Score954Shelves
20. 470 这 How Is This Protagonist Even More Homelander Than Homelander?! 这主角怎么比祖国人还祖国人！ Puk Gai Xiaojie扑该小杰Urban348k WordsOngoing Good news: I've gained superpowers. Even better news: This power is so overpowered that I seriously suspect I've become a Great Luo. This is the story of an ordinary person gaining power beyond mortal limits, and of a fun-loving troublemaker wreaking havoc across the myriad worlds. “They all call me the Silver Fiend of the Myriad Worlds, the source of chaos, the beginning of gluttony.” “To be honest, I don't like those nicknames. Everyone knows I'm a good person.” “If you don't believe me, ask a 354Reads6.8Score126Shelves
21. 471 烟 Love Amid the Fireworks of Life 烟火今生情 Witty and Clever妙语玲珑Modern Romance108k WordsCompleted The story of a young woman studying biopharmaceuticals as she grows from an inexperienced college student into an adult making her way in the world, encounters a terrible man, and struggles through a thorny path. Along the way, she finds a close male friend and a soulmate, and grows through her independent efforts... 33Reads—Score—Shelves
22. 472 末 Apocalypse: The Whole Company Denies the Existence of the 18th Floor 末世：全公司否认18楼存在 On Jiufeng Mountain九峰山上Sci-Fi & Apocalypse783k WordsCompleted [Apocalypse + No System + Reborn + Mystery + One Female Lead + Zombies + Hard Sci-Fi + No Mindless Decisions + Revenge] Reborn six hours before the apocalypse, Chu Yan has not only retained his memories of the future, but also mastered the ultimate secret of genetic evolution! He can become the most powerful god in the apocalypse! He frantically stockpiles supplies, builds weapons, modifies vehicles, and saves his parents, racing against time! He will kill his enemies with his own hands and turn 3.4kReads8.7Score290Shelves

    Reader note

    I highly recommend this post-apocalyptic novel! The protagonist is reborn, but the world's script has been completely rewritten. High-IQ strategic battles unfold throughout, with realistic and profound depictions of human nature. There's no system or cheat code involved, and it gets more exciting as it progresses, with constant plot twists. You'll be thoroughly hooked after reading it.

23. 473 反 I Think Backward, Yet I’m Forced to Become a Detective 反向推理的我，被迫成神探 Cui Henshan, Who Loves Cellar-Aged Liquor爱吃窖酒的崔恨山Mystery471k WordsCompleted After being mysteriously murdered in his previous life, Zhou Ran was reborn. As an upstanding young man, he resolves to catch every criminal. But his powers of deduction seem a little... [The killer murdered the victim ahead of time, then lowered the room's temperature to mislead the police about the time of death.] Haha, so I disproved Xie Qiaoling's alibi! Haha, I found the murder weapon, and even caught Xie Qiaoling destroying it on camera! Haha, this is ironclad proof! [The killer and a non 223Reads6.3Score—Shelves
24. 474 系 System Transmigration: The Devil's Avenger 系统穿越，恶魔申冤人 Wrote a Pile of Crap写了一坨屎Urban237k WordsOngoing [System] + [Transmigration] + [Ruthless] If the law of this world can’t punish you, then let the devil descend! After Xie Anzhi’s heart is ripped out, he inexplicably transmigrates to another world that is strikingly similar to his own and obtains a “Wish System.” Have nowhere to appeal your grievances? No problem. Just make a wish to me... —Reads5.7Score—Shelves
25. 475 青 Chaos at Green Mountain 青山乱 Li Youcan李友参Historical2.6M WordsCompleted [Historical transmigration + high-martial-arts world + power struggles and passion + war-era romance + mature, trope-defying + high quality, no fixed heroine] Original title: Green Mountains in Turmoil 1: From Death to Life (The turbulent life of the heaven-chosen one. A slow-burn, growth-oriented male lead. Deliberately paced, not a power fantasy. If that’s not your thing, don’t read.) My wish came true!!! A retired assassin dies, his soul vanishing, then transmigrates to another world. His gre 44Reads8.9Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The protagonist is cunning but lacks real strength; he relies entirely on his intellect. It's a very exciting book.

26. 476 皇 My Prince's Title Was Stripped, So Now I'll Just Unify the Continent 皇子被废那么我只好一统大陆了 Who Wasn't Reckless in Their Youth?谁无年少轻狂时Eastern Fantasy1.1M WordsCompleted While the people of the world scheme for wealth, beauty, and power, he has already secretly set his sights on half the realm! There’s no problem that can’t be solved. And if there is, just get rid of whoever caused it! Chosen one in ten thousand, the Earth Fiends strike! They charge a thousand miles, sweeping all before them! 147Reads5.4Score—Shelves

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    The original owner gouged out his eyes to repay his mother and slit his throat to repay his father. The protagonist who transmigrated into this world is one of only seven out of ten thousand orphans to survive. What are his methods? A decade of behind-the-scenes planning. [Laughing][Laughing]

27. 477 让 I Asked You to Simulate Crimes, but You Created the Perfect Crime Scene 让你模拟犯罪，你却制造完美现场 Wen Xin闻信Mystery1.0M WordsCompleted [Mystery + deduction + detective work + occasional comedy + no romance] Zhou You transmigrates and joins a show called Simulated Crime. After being selected for the criminal team, he discovers that his teammate is a beautiful campus belle. Together, they become unstoppable. “The detective world needs Zhou You as much as the West needs Jerusalem!” “When Teacher Zhou wanted to quit the detective scene, I slammed my hand on the table.” “Confirmed: he’s a man who knows how to kill!” “Zhou You, pleas 64.2kReads9.1Score7.1kShelves
28. 478 修 A Guide to Cultivation Civilization: Prologue 2, A Lonely Road to Immortality 修真文明指南——序章2，仙途陌路 Crispy Pork Belly香脆五花肉31k WordsCompleted A Guide to Cultivation Civilization: Prologue 2, The Immortal Path Diverges 768Reads—Score105Shelves

    Reader note

    This is already a dark fantasy story. The protagonist kills three beautiful girls, two of whom are killed in explosions, leaving no trace of their bodies.

29. 479 模 I Simulated Crimes a Hundred Thousand Times and Somehow Became a Top Detective 模拟犯罪十万次，我竟成王牌神探 Chilly Early Autumn初秋微寒Mystery1.4M WordsCompleted [Crime Investigation + Crime + Invincible + All-Rounder + Hardcore Detective] A killer capable of committing the perfect crime must also be a master detective. Su Ming should have become the perfect criminal, but instead he aced the entrance exam for the criminal investigation team and chose to stand on the front line of the fight against crime. He has pored over tens of thousands of case files and scrutinized hundreds of millions of cases. In his eyes, every crime is riddled with laughably obvi 80.8kReads9.1Score7.6kShelves
30. 480 凶 The Vicious Horse 凶马 Sword-Grinding Young Master磨剑少爷Mystery561k WordsCompleted [Urban + Suspense + Deduction + Genius + Social Life] A news story sent shockwaves through society: a real estate tycoon and his family of three had been murdered. The case brought in homicide detectives, and their investigation of the surveillance footage at the scene revealed that the killer was... a horse. But the strangest part was yet to come... 5.9kReads8.8Score507Shelves

    Reader note

    My advice from experience is to first check if a book is completed before reading it. Then, read the synopsis and reviews. Generally, if a book captivates me after reading three chapters, it's likely to become a hit. I have many good books, but I only recommend one at a time. Don't be misled by ratings; there are too many bad books with inflated Tomato scores. This book features suspenseful cases that are intricately linked yet realistically relatable to everyday life, drawing the reader in effortlessly... I read it in several sleepless nights, completely engrossed... This book offers a glimpse into the harsh realities of life and teaches readers how to navigate interpersonal relationships. The plot is poignant, but it won't make you cry or become cynical. Highly recommended for those new to society; it can help you avoid pitfalls and provide valuable insights...

31. 481 残 Seeking Life Amid Lingering Regrets 残念觅生 Yu Cangjue御苍爵Mystery318k WordsOngoing [Infinite-flow, rules-based horror, extreme escape, eerie games, no harem, no formula, no invincible protagonist, no System, no mindless plot, not a feel-good power fantasy] I’m a ballet doll, grinning as I watch them kill themselves. I throw people into “my” mindscape and lay out an inescapable path to their doom. But that lunatic Li Yu finds a loophole in every stage. I crank up the difficulty of surviving, but he uses game theory to beat me. I forbid him from speaking, but he has the whole t 237Reads—Score—Shelves

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    [Unlimited Twists | Horror & Thriller | Group Battles | Mind-Bending Battles] — Ten-Day Same Experience — Werewolf is so lame! Playing in an escape room with a person in a vegetative state is insane! The tattooed fat guy goes crazy and gives up the first kill... The man in the suit starts by brainwashing everyone with "You're all dead," and the whole team's suspicion and infighting is 100 times more exciting than a murder mystery game. There are no overpowered protagonists, only a battle of wits — ▼ Click below ▼ — to browse and try it out

32. 482 赵 In Zhao Mengsheng’s Name: From the Start, I Take Qi Tongwei on a Wild Ride 赵蒙生的名义开局带祁同伟狂飙 Destiny's Decree掵中注定Male-Channel Fanfiction1.1M WordsCompleted From the start, I took in a little sidekick named Qi Tongwei. Li Yuanchao insisted on showing up to offer me an investment. Gao Yuliang: “Secretary Zhao, how’s my goose-stepping?” Chen Yanshi: “I’m the subordinate of a subordinate of your father.” Zhong Xia’ai: “I could drain every last drop of my blood and still not be as red as he is.” Li Dakang: “Secretary Zhao, what do you think of my hurdling technique?” Sha Ruijin: “That layup of yours reminds me of Michael Jordan.” As for Zhao Ruilong, te 1.2kReads6.1Score111Shelves

    Reader note

    At the pinnacle of power, I am Zhao Mengsheng.

33. 483 黄 A Dream of Huangliang: The Mad Heroine Hates Me to the Bone 黄粱一梦，疯批女主竟恨我入骨 Cowherd Boy of Lonely Mountain孤山放牛娃Eastern Fantasy4.1M WordsCompleted [Play the Pig to Eat the Tiger + Decisive and Ruthless + Cunning and Devious + Invincible Among His Peers] Ye Lingtian transmigrates into a romance-and-intrigue novel as the villainous Third Prince of Great Zhou. From the start, he’s supposed to marry the heroine, Feng Huojun? On their wedding night, the crazy heroine tries to kill me. The reason? She loves me to the point of obsession? As the poison-coated dagger sinks into my heart, I know I’m done for. This villain really doesn’t survive pa 68.2kReads8.8Score7.6kShelves

    Reader note

    Not only are they highly intelligent, but even the supporting characters aren't stupid. Their actions are incredibly ruthless.

34. 484 国 The Nation’s Heart, the Merchant’s Soul 国心商魂 Cloud Chess Across the World云弈天下Urban1.2M WordsCompleted This novel follows Tang Xiaoyu, a special forces soldier who returns reborn. In his previous life, he fought for his country, failed the girl he grew up with, and watched the woman he loved die on the battlefield saving him, a regret that haunted him for the rest of his life. He also had a wife with whom he shared a life of mutual devotion. This time, he returns with the X-Star Orb and memories of the future. He’ll build a fortune and strengthen his country, protecting it with fiery devotion, bu 45Reads8.3Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Tang Xiaoyu's present life is a long-planned journey—to win back his childhood sweetheart from a past life. On the university campus, his outstanding appearance attracts the attention of two campus beauties. This attention, however, subtly breeds jealousy and resentment. Unable to obtain his affections, his suitors lurk in the shadows, waiting for their chance. The fuse of the storm is lit in the hands of those who seem close. His roommate's girlfriend, after being rejected by Tang Xiaoyu, turns her admiration into hatred, secretly colluding with a professional assassin to repeatedly leak Tang Xiaoyu's whereabouts, ultimately kidnapping someone important to him and setting up a deadly trap. She smiles coldly: "What I can't have, no one can keep." Even after the conspiracy is foiled, the malice doesn't cease. The woman lures her boyfriend into a pyramid scheme. Upon hearing this, Tang Xiaoyu doesn't hesitate—for his brother, he's willing to plunge back into the abyss.

35. 485 蝉 Cicadas Sing as the Sun Sets in the West 蝉声且送阳西 Rain Falls, Bamboo Turns Cold雨落竹冷Eastern Fantasy2.6M WordsCompleted [Wuxia + swordsmanship + political intrigue + scheming protagonist + comedy + multiple leads] The world’s great currents form a chessboard, and all living beings are its pieces. One player commands the black pieces, another the white. One person has double pupils and looks down coldly on mortal life, overturning heaven and earth with a single gesture. Another is refined and graceful, laying schemes one after another, each linked to the next. Another, though only at the second rank, takes one ste 7.5kReads9.3Score759Shelves

    Reader note

    The protagonist ranks first in intelligence. In the early stages of the main storyline, players engage in court intrigue and scheming to control the world. The main storyline focuses on the human heart in the martial arts world, and the journey of riding through the martial arts world. From a refined young man amidst the chaos of the world to a mastermind scheming against all odds. From the foolish Chen Ziqi to the deadly Ning Bufan who can kill in ten steps.

36. 486 全 Demons Across the Globe: From the Start, My Sign-In Reward Is Sekiro’s Mortal Blade 全球妖魔：开局签到只狼不死斩 Seeking an Affair with a Neighbor's Wife寻红杏出墙Eastern Fantasy756k WordsCompleted [Invincible + System + decisive and ruthless] Li Nan transmigrates into a strange world that looks highly advanced but everywhere promotes tales of gods and demons. Demons return, heaven and earth are reborn, and the gods come back. With the sign-in System, he can sign in and gain one of a demon’s abilities whenever he kills one... After killing the Deep-Sea King Davy Jones in the Endless Sea, he signs in and gains the ability to command gigantic sea beasts. After killing Shuten Doji in Kawasaki 334Reads8.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The first book. High IQ. Decisive and ruthless. The second book, Shura, needs no introduction; it just had a terrible ending. The third book, needless to say, is a must-read; it's mind-blowing and highly intelligent. The fourth book is a multi-dimensional infinite flow novel. It contains no emotions. The fifth book, starting with Blood Buddha. Incredibly exciting!

37. 487 苗 Night Watcher of Miaojiang 苗疆守夜人 Fallen Blossom Sect Master落花门主Eastern Fantasy1.0M WordsCompleted Set in the final years of the Western Han dynasty, this novel tells a chilling tale of various factions raiding ancient tombs across the Ten Caves of western Hunan. Blending in folk legends, it offers readers a glimpse of the mysterious natural scenery, local customs, and people of this ethnic region. It’s the perfect companion for getting to know western Hunan on your travels. 53Reads9.4Score137Shelves

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    Looking for a high-IQ, ruthless protagonist? This post-apocalyptic novel is definitely for you! The protagonist is reborn only to find the world's script completely altered. He outsmarts everyone and navigates every step with meticulous planning. There's no system or cheat code; the suspense unfolds layer by layer, revealing human nature in such a realistic way that you'll be left with nothing to read after finishing it!

38. 488 皇 The Emperor’s Favorite Minister? No, I’m Rebellious to the Bone! 皇帝宠臣？不，我一身反骨！ Lun Dong伦东Historical1.5M WordsCompleted [Power Struggles] + [Political Scheming] + [High-Stakes Play] + [Not Mindless] The great clans grew powerful and took control of the imperial court. The emperor wanted to use me as a weapon to reclaim imperial authority, but he devised countless ways for me to die. Once he realized how useful I was, he even wanted to castrate me and turn me into a eunuch, so I could continue serving as his blade. The Left Chancellor, head of the great clans and a man of unfathomable depths, pointed to the fish 7.5kReads9.0Score714Shelves

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    ✨The protagonist is not brainless and does not have any cheat codes. Those who hold great power all want to make him a pawn♟️, and the one above even wants to castrate him and turn him into a sharp blade in his hand, but he insists on being the one who holds the pawn, engaging in power struggles and vying for supremacy.

39. 489 镇 The Nation-Protecting Prince Consort 镇国驸马爷 Xuan Zhi轩轾Historical3.1M WordsCompleted [System + political intrigue + mind games! The story only gets better as it goes] Ji Ping’an, a die-hard Three Kingdoms Kill player, passes out while gaming. When he wakes up, he’s transmigrated to the Dayu Dynasty and, by some fluke, become its biggest doormat of a son-in-law: the princess’s husband. He also activates a Three Kingdoms Heroic Spirit System. With enough gold, he can summon any general, strategist, warlord, or beauty from the Three Kingdoms. From then on, Ji Ping’an sets out to ge 67kReads8.9Score5.1kShelves
40. 490 我 I Help Ying Zheng from the Start and Become the Six Kingdoms' Public Enemy 我，开局辅佐嬴政，成为六国公敌 A Leaf in Guazhou一叶瓜州Anime Fanfiction1.4M WordsCompleted Zhang He transmigrates to the Great Qin dynasty and gains the strongest support System. As long as he helps Ying Zheng, he gets a ten-draw summon. So Zhang He sets out on diplomatic missions to the six kingdoms. He roars through their courts, berates the King of Han, points his sword at the King of Zhao, sweet-talks the King of Chu, sows discord with the King of Qi, schemes against the King of Yan, and outmaneuvers the King of Wei. With Zhang He's help, Great Qin's iron cavalry crushes the six k 10.6kReads9.2Score775Shelves

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    This shouldn't even be said!

41. 491 全 Global Manhunt: You’re Crazy! You Call This an Escape? 全球通缉：疯了！你管这个叫逃亡 Snow at Dusk in the Clouds云中暮雪Urban1.1M WordsCompleted Ten major conglomerates are investing, a hundred billion dollars in prize money is up for grabs, and elites from every field are taking part! Urban parkour, high-altitude skydiving, wingsuit flying. Everything... is for the sake of escape! A global manhunt! This is a show that drives people wild! Its goal is to uncover vulnerabilities in security systems and public safety in today's information age. Su Yu is sent to prison from the start, but no one could have expected what came next. Su Yu brea 42kReads9.3Score4.4kShelves
42. 492 我 I Really Don't Want to Live Forever 我真不想永生了 Fang Yebai方夜白Urban1.1M WordsOngoing An ordinary person who devotes their whole life to mastering a single craft can be called a genius. But time is the one thing Chen Luo never lacks. He has lived too long and learned too much. Criminal investigation, martial arts, medicine, psychology, finance, gambling, mechanics, firearms... Fields that take ordinary people their entire lives to master are, to him, just a few things picked up along the way through endless years. The dead ends others face are just problems with a different solut 87.2kReads8.5Score7.5kShelves

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    Immortal, and a criminal police officer.

43. 493 仙EN The Harsh Road to Immortality: Built on White Bones 仙路难行，白骨筑长生 Octopus Who Loves Watermelon爱吃西瓜的章鱼Eastern Fantasy3.5M WordsOngoing “Rules? On the road to immortality, my rules are the only rules!” [Mortal Cultivation of Demonic Arts] [Founding a Demonic Cult] [Decisive and Ruthless] [Profit Above All] (Already at the Nascent Soul stage, with plenty of content to enjoy) Protagonist Qing Chen: He knows when to yield and when to stand firm, is utterly self-serving, greedy for money and women, and will stop at nothing to achieve immortality! He will found a demonic cult, dominate the world, and climb step by step to the very to 80.9kReads9.1Score7.5kShelves

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    Mortals cultivate demonic arts, embodying refined egoism, using any means necessary to train humans and refine demons.

44. 494 黑 Dark Awakening: Invincible After Falling into the Blood Buddha’s Clutches 黑暗觉醒：从堕入血佛开始无敌 Tian Xiao天笑Eastern Fantasy1.0M WordsCompleted Beneath the pavilion, the moon shines; on the far shore, a companion awaits. In the mortal world, all living beings face calamity! The last young man of a fallen sect only wants to live in seclusion and peace. But life is unpredictable, and the sect's enemies eventually find him. Nearly killed in their attack, he clings to his last breath and finds the divine pills treasured by his sect. He swallows hundreds of them in a fit of rage and, by a stroke of fate, awakens an invincible divine physique 961Reads8.2Score121Shelves
45. 495 让 I Sent You Abroad to Study, Not to Achieve Technological Immortality 让你留洋海外，没让你科技永生 The Moon Comes to Wash Away the World's Dust at Dawn月来洗俗晨Urban275k WordsOngoing [Cutting-edge technology + cunning protagonist + self-interest + independent development] Li Shaoyang accidentally transmigrates to a parallel world and returns to his younger college days, where he activates the God-Tier Technology System. He thinks the System will help him reach the pinnacle of life, but it falls dormant after using up too much energy. Relying on all the differences between Blue Star and his world, he starts out as a ghostwriter and steadily accumulates all kinds of “resources 369Reads8.2Score—Shelves

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    This is a type of technology that develops independently, without cooperation with any state, following a purely capitalist path. It focuses on developing artificial intelligence, carbon-based chips, and superconducting quantum chips. Ultimately, it aims to implant these chips into robots, creating Terminator-like machines and unifying the world.

46. 496 纵 After Setting Myself Ablaze, I Was Reborn as a Human Succubus 纵火自焚后竟重生为人形魅魔 Hope Is Out of Reach希不了望Urban694k WordsOngoing (Rebirth + entrepreneurship + no System + multiple heroines + sweet romance + love-triangle drama) Alone and on the run overseas, Yang Shiguang was betrayed and hunted down. In a fit of fury, he set the gasoline ablaze, consigning himself and his memories to the flames. But though he had grown prematurely worldly, he was reborn in 2007, during the summer before college. This time, he was determined to make the most of his youth and stop being a doormat. Starting in the food business, he would bu 1kReads9.2Score107Shelves

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    Fellow Daoists, get ready for "Urban Rebirth: A Hot New Arrival"! This novel is absolutely amazing! It's stunning, exciting, satisfying, mind-blowing, and intellectually stimulating. The plot is unparalleled, with unexpected twists and turns, and rigorous logic. The entire novel is flawless and flows seamlessly. Come and check it out!

47. 497 绝 The Doomed Witness 绝命证人 Chaser of the Sunset追夕阳的人Mystery420k WordsCompleted What is evil? Anything born of weakness is evil! Fang Ya survived a massacre that wiped out his entire family. Nourished by the flowers that bloomed from the seeds of evil, he resolved to become a police officer. Ahead of him lay countless baffling cases: A murder in a locked room at a wealthy family’s estate, a deranged artist who kills, a deadly game of love, a killer who hovers at the boundary between life and death to carry out euthanasia, the vicious crimes of a social group whose members a 32Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The villain is highly intelligent, ruthless, and taciturn. How would you deal with him?

48. 498 一 A Pair of Delicate Red Hands 一双红酥手 Fifteenth of the Tenth Month拾月十五Urban2.1M WordsCompleted Reborn in 1996, I planned to strike it rich with the lottery numbers from the one thing I remembered about my past life. Who knew it would still turn out to be just a dream!!! There are only 98 days left until the college entrance exam, and I’ve forgotten every bit of what I learned in my previous life. What do I do... Fine, I’ll come clean. I just want to be a couch potato, enjoy life with a beautiful wife, and live a quiet little life... This story is entirely fictional. Any similarities are p 12kReads9.0Score718Shelves
49. 499 最 The Strongest Man 最强人 Wang Yiwang王已忘Urban6.1M WordsCompleted The strongest person isn’t the one who defeats others, but the one who refuses to be defeated by anyone or anything. Zhuang Xiaoqiang grew up in a poor family. His father’s downward spiral left the family on the verge of falling apart when Xiaoqiang was just eight. From then on, he shouldered the burden of supporting his family. He learned early how important money was to a household, and knew there was no one he could rely on. Everything he wanted had to be earned with his own hands, whether a 42.5kReads9.2Score4.9kShelves

    Reader note

    Awesome Klass

50. 500 2 Saving the World in 24 Hours 24小时拯救世界 Si Hui司绘Urban2.3M WordsOngoing What would you do if you had only 24 hours to save the world? After countless rebirths and resets, Zhu Shijiu has endured the unbearable pain of dying tens of thousands of times. With each endless loop, his will has teetered closer to collapse. He has tried everything to escape, but nothing has worked. Every time he dies, he returns to the day before that damned world is destroyed! All he can do is follow every thread and search for clues, using each death to uncover the truth. 24 hours to save 3.6kReads8.8Score372Shelves

    Reader note

    Aside from crime fiction, this book is truly high-IQ. Even the supporting characters are incredibly intelligent... Every line of dialogue is laced with wit, the scheming is almost exaggerated... However, after finishing this book, you'll be in a reading slump for a while, because other books will seem too childish.

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