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

1. 601 生 The Battleground of Life and Death 生死场 Xu Guzi虚谷子Mystery1.1M WordsCompleted An obscure finance professional gets caught up in what seems like a simple financial fraud case. During the police investigation and prosecution, he pleads guilty to every charge, but at the public trial, he suddenly changes his story. After a fierce courtroom battle and compelling evidence, he is acquitted on the spot. At the same time, however, an old case from years ago is brought back to light. He orchestrated the whole thing himself, all to bring the wrongful conviction from back then befor 455Reads8.5Score102Shelves
2. 602 无 Infinite Battle Cops 无限战警 The Brain of a Shoelace托鞋的脑仁Sci-Fi & Apocalypse977k WordsCompleted The world has changed, and humanity can survive only inside bases. When darkness falls and devours the world, the real destruction has only just begun! Li Qiang returns from a bloody fight in the slave arena! He becomes a battle cop and embarks on the path to power! He leads Earth beyond the Milky Way and breaks through the darkness! His fury shakes heaven and earth! His rage makes the universe tremble! 32Reads—Score—Shelves
3. 603 北 North American Tough Cop: Starting Out as a Patrol Officer in Los Angeles 北美悍警：从洛城巡警开始 Ice Descends on the City冰临城下Urban2.8M WordsOngoing A cleaner from the gray world becomes a sun-loving Los Angeles detective. What a wonderful thing, to live in the sunlight! Rock stood beneath a Hollywood landmark, gazing at the bikini-clad beauties on Santa Monica Beach. He pushed his sunglasses up the bridge of his nose. From now on, he would protect Los Santos... 82.4kReads9.2Score6.9kShelves

   Reader note

   Of course!

4. 604 非 Nonli, I Must Have You 非离，不可 The Brain of a Shoelace托鞋的脑仁Urban413k WordsCompleted [Urban Romance] [Relationships] [Marriage] [About Love] Can’t two people just be together and live happily? If they chose to get married, why are they always arguing? How did a good life turn into such a mess? Why insist on getting divorced? 275Reads—Score—Shelves
5. 605 风 The Way of Feng Shui Cultivation 风水修行路 Kai Zhong Feng Shui凯中堪舆Urban1.0M WordsCompleted The protagonist, Guan Tianlong, is the heir to the Guan clan of the south. After grasping the essence of his family’s core technique and receiving an infusion of spiritual energy from Heaven and Earth, he soars to greatness, and his clan’s power surges as well. He unexpectedly acquires the Nine Dragons Cauldron, which enables him to pioneer a new method of forming a golden core. With the help of feng shui, formations, alchemy, and artifact forging, he embarks on a legendary journey, even contrib 533Reads6.1Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   Exciting, engaging, unpredictable, and increasingly captivating! Kai Zhongkan's novels, starting with "The Path of Feng Shui Cultivation," followed by "One Man and One Mouse Cultivate Immortality," and then "Mecha Immortality: Invincible from Exile to Mars," are all now complete. These three books form a cultivation trilogy. Now, he's back with a new book, but this time he's not writing about cultivation. Instead, he's focusing on things closer to home: feng shui, human nature, kung fu, strategic planning, breaking through barriers, the eight major martial arts sects, and his journey of overcoming obstacles to build a business empire and leverage regional military power… This new book is called "The Hidden Game of Horsemanship," where horsemanship represents yin and yang, and the hidden game of human nature represents the world. The book's message: ... You can't be afraid; if you are, you lose! Highly recommended!

6. 606 佛 Buddha's Son of Heaven 佛子天 The Gods Want to Go Wild神想出去浪Urban1.9M WordsCompleted [No System, no golden finger, an underdog's comeback, a grim early story and a thrilling later one! Anti-drug operations + counterespionage + a brutal start + underworld conflicts + love of country and family] With a mysterious background, a strange family, and a vast shadow lurking behind him, a student with a tragic past is driven to become a madman feared by both the underworld and the legitimate world! A madman who wants to turn the entire world upside down! He crushes the demons and monster 14.7kReads9.4Score2.4kShelves

   Reader note

   It's watchable, quite good.

7. 607 大 The Imperial Consort of the Great Sheng Dynasty 大盛皇妃 Shu Yiyu书亦娱Ancient Romance1.4M WordsOngoing Ensemble cast + revenge + black lotus heroine + not both virgins + high-IQ palace intrigue rising to political power struggles + tragic romance + alternate history + love rivals The palace is the main battleground: beneath its dazzling, extravagant facade are witty, charming daily moments and a brutal core of deadly conflict. Palace secrets are portrayed in meticulous detail. Some content may be upsetting. A bad ending. If you enjoy it, please leave a five-star review. Ling Longxiu was born to a 684Reads—Score102Shelves

   Reader note

   A palace intrigue story where the intelligent survive, while the less intelligent are crushed or even killed…

8. 608 罪 Crime Domain: A Web of Wits 罪域：智慧的迷局 Only Writes Dark Fiction专写暗黑文Mystery147k WordsOngoing This is an urban crime novel filled with high-IQ crimes, complex deduction, and deep psychological insight. The story revolves around a criminal mastermind who uses meticulous planning and profound psychological manipulation to plunge a modern city into an unprecedented game of terror and murder. This genius commits serial killings, thinking through every step in advance. He manipulates hidden forces at every level of society and engages law enforcement in a battle of wits. Behind each case lies 7Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   Urban crime novels feature a protagonist who is a genius criminal planner who commits serial murders through meticulous planning and psychological manipulation, engaging in an intellectual battle with law enforcement. The stories showcase high-IQ crimes and complex reasoning while also exploring profound aspects of human nature.

9. 609 重 Reborn as a Demon Emperor: The Road to the Pinnacle of Power 重生妖帝权力巅峰之路 Twilight Sky Pool暮空潭Historical301k WordsOngoing After his uncle usurps his throne, the male lead, Lou Yufeng, is poisoned and killed. By a strange twist of fate, he is reborn in the body of the emperor of an enemy nation. Using the enemy emperor’s body, he begins plotting to reclaim imperial power, then conquers his homeland and takes back the throne that belongs to him. The male lead borrows strength and influence, making use of every person and resource at his disposal. Through careful planning at every turn, he ultimately becomes the true 6Reads—Score—Shelves

   Reader note

   No cheat codes, the male lead is cunning, loves to set up schemes, and is decisive in his actions!

10. 610 我 A Younger Man and Me: A Romance in Skirts 我与裙臣年下恋 Mud Mason泥巴匠Modern Romance274k WordsOngoing A younger-man romance between Su Jin, a PR queen and CEO, and Jiang Yezhou, a scheming top-tier star. As the entertainment industry’s number-one PR ace, she can turn a losing hand into a royal flush. But on the eve of taking the entertainment empire she helped her scumbag boss build, after three years together, public, she is betrayed and cheated on. Burdened with a staggering tens of millions in breach-of-contract penalties and facing an industry-wide blacklist, everyone waits to see this forme 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Top PR professional Su Jin suffers a double betrayal and falls to rock bottom. Jiang Yezhou, in a dual capacity, offers his full assistance. Together, they sever the foundation of Xingyao Glory, ultimately leading to Lin Yan's complete disgrace and ruin.

11. 611 大 The Benevolent Ancestor of the Tang Dynasty 【大唐仁祖】 Tang Renzu of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors三皇五帝唐仁祖Historical973k WordsCompleted [Golden Finger] [Transmigration] [Li Ke] [Political Intrigue] [History] From the start, he transmigrates into Li Ke. Facing certain death, he uses Li Shimin as a chess piece and goes head-to-head with the Changsun clan and the Guanlong aristocratic families, deftly resolving the struggle over the crown prince's succession. From the start, he is trapped in a dead end: Changsun Wuji has already begun plotting to frame him, and the deadly purge of Zhenguan Year 17 is less than six years away. He 5.5kReads—Score494Shelves

    Reader note

    It's truly rare for a protagonist to not personally kill anyone in a million-word novel! Recommended as one of the top three most-read books by fellow readers, the nearly million-word completed historical fiction novel, *The Great Tang Emperor Renzu*, resolves all foreshadowing, has no unresolved plot holes or a disappointing ending, and focuses on pure political maneuvering. The author's grand vision, profound themes, astonishing writing skills, ingenious plot, unsolvable political strategies, mature political maneuvering, and deep literary skill are unparalleled in the online novel world. I suggest reading the comments section at the end first; the author has summarized the entire novel, which will aid in reading. If you don't like it after reading it, you can slap me in the face!

12. 612 风 The Blade's Shadow in Love and War: A Choice Between Power and Loyalty 风月刀影：权谋与情义的抉择 Pine Sounds Beneath the Inkstone砚底松声Historical500k WordsCompleted When a great fire devours the red gates of the Jun family estate, the young man who emerges through the smoke is no longer the dashing, carefree playboy who once spent his days cockfighting and chasing dogs. His eyes hold fire and blood, and in his hand he clutches half of a broken jade pendant, the last keepsake his father gave him before the family fell. Fate sweeps him like a tide into one abyss after another. From a life of luxury to utter poverty, from the son of the powerful to an outcast 79Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Everyone is highly intelligent, cunning, and meticulous in their planning; one wrong step and they're doomed.

13. 613 我 I'm a Cash-Grabbing Streamer! But the Big Spender Really Does Send Gifts! 我，圈钱主播！但大哥是真刷啊！ Blue Chalk蓝色粉笔Urban1.8M WordsCompleted Jiang Feng transmigrates to a parallel world and awakens a livestream money-grabbing System! As long as he earns gifts and tips and meets his cash-grabbing targets, he can receive random rewards from the System! And so, the internet's most shamelessly money-hungry streamer is born! "Boss! Singing, dancing, doing stunts, rapping, standing on my head, whatever other streamers can do, I can do too. And whatever they can't do, I can do even better!" "Boss, just tell me what you want me to do! As lon 162.5kReads9.4Score14.7kShelves

    Reader note

    If you're looking for something different, check these out; they're all quite interesting.

14. 614 爆 Going Viral Starts with Calling the Cops 爆红从报警开始 Yu Siyuan余四元Urban1.1M WordsCompleted Microdrama style, silly and lighthearted. The protagonist has no romantic pairings, male or female. Actor Mo Fei gets a Role System. From a holy monk, he gains an ability to attract criminals; from a serial killer, he learns human anatomy; from a detective, he learns to talk to cats; from a master thief, he learns sleight of hand... To everyone else, all of this seems downright bizarre. Would a normal actor radiate murderous intent? Would a normal actor know the human body so well? Would a norma 59.7kReads9.5Score8kShelves
15. 615 老 The Husband Rules 老公最大 Windblown Sword风吹剑Modern Romance1.5M WordsCompleted The campus belle, the top student, and the domineering CEO. This is the love story of Li Luoluo and He Kuang. Li Luoluo runs into He Kuang at her best friend's home, where a drunk He Kuang forcibly steals her first kiss. That unexpected encounter brings them together, taking them from bickering enemies to lovers. Their relationship begins by chance, caught between society's prejudice and the relentless advances of rivals, while danger and intrigue swirl through the business world. Li Luoluo does 775Reads6.7Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It just finished airing. Hope you're happy every day.

16. 616 老 My Wife Comes First 老婆最最大 Windblown Sword风吹剑Urban513k WordsCompleted Fang Jianqiao never imagined that his first time would change his life so dramatically, all because of a married woman. What shattered him even more was that after just one brief lapse, the woman became pregnant with his child! From then on, the wheels of fate spun wildly. Su Jiaoru entwined herself around his life like a vine, pressuring her husband to divorce her at any cost and stubbornly demanding that Fang Jianqiao marry her, dragging him into a storm of emotions and moral conflict. This s 205Reads—Score102Shelves
17. 617 混 Half-Blood Lone Wolf: A Beer Hunt in Ice City 混血孤狼：冰城啤酒围猎录 Three Clangs of the Nail钉铛三响Urban328k WordsCompleted If the previous novel, "The Hunt", told the story of those painful days best left in the past, then "Half-Blood Lone Wolf: The Beer Hunt of Ice City" is an epic tale of the sweeping changes China underwent during its 40 years of reform and opening up. It has business rivalries, romance, and revenge. I hope my readers will enjoy it. I'll do my best to tell every story well! 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    From a poor boy to the head of a Chinese beer company, his life is full of ups and downs. There's revenge, business battles, and even some romance—it's a truly captivating tale.

18. 618 围 The Hunt: Smoke and Wolves Rise on All Sides 围猎之狼烟四起 Three Clangs of the Nail钉铛三响Urban286k WordsCompleted His father was thrown from a building and killed. His mother, disgraced, took her own life, and he was forced to part from his only sister... How can he survive in the face of adversity? How can he avenge this blood-soaked feud? My fate is mine to command, not Heaven's. Can the wheel of destiny be turned? 3Reads—Score—Shelves
19. 619 清 Cold, Untouchable Moonlight? No! I'm the Villain Chosen by Fate 清冷白月光？不！我是天命大反派 A Clear Song by the Pool一曲潭清Ancient Romance578k WordsCompleted [System-driven + villainess protagonist + egoist + top prodigy + near-invincible power fantasy + no romance (no male consorts)] After transmigrating, Nan Xian becomes a fake prodigy used by a top family to save face. She is about to fight the real prodigy. Should she just wait to die? No rush, the System is here to help. [Ding! The Ultimate Villain System is at your service.] [Humiliate your arrogant fiancé and get a divine beast mount as a reward.] Nan Xian: Kill him. Her younger siblings are d 37.6kReads9.5Score6.4kShelves

    Reader note

    The protagonist is the villain type. How could someone with a saintly heart be a villain?

20. 620 大 A Stick in the Tang Dynasty 大唐一根棍 My Name Is Wang Dabao我叫王大宝Historical1.8M WordsCompleted [Comedy + Suspense + Brainy Wish Fulfillment + Historically Grounded Tang Dynasty] A farm boy with a serious lack of virtue gradually grows into the Tang dynasty's number-one troublemaker (no, wait, strike that). He grows into a pillar that holds up the sky, a beam that spans the sea. If I'm having a good time and you're not, I'll beat you until you are. If I can't reform you, I'll cremate you. I crush foreign kingdoms, dissect the aristocratic clans, discipline princes, and slap emperors I can' 3kReads8.7Score235Shelves

    Reader note

    No system, from an ordinary person to the most powerful, humorous yet realistic, with a tortuous story, father and son betraying each other, lighthearted and funny, a group of fun-loving people, war, political intrigue, loyalty and righteousness, and depravity, completed.

21. 621 赌 Stone Gambling: One Touch and I'm Rich 赌石：让我摸一下就发财 Ultimatum After Drinking醉后通牒Urban1.5M WordsCompleted [Myanmar + Jade Gambling + Pocket Dimension + Wish Fulfillment + Appraisal + Tycoon] In the mining districts of Myanmar, he gains the ability to gamble on jade and a small portable pocket dimension. Just by touching a piece of jade with his left hand, he can tell its quality. So it makes perfect sense that every top-grade jadeite rough stone should belong to him, right? 15.9kReads8.6Score1.2kShelves

    Reader note

    This one is pretty good; ruthless and decisive.

22. 622 世 The World Became a Game, but Forgot to Generate the Players 世界游戏化，却忘了生成玩家 Red Bean Tea红豆茶Eastern Fantasy3.3M WordsOngoing The physical edition of Volume One will soon be available for preorder. Follow @0RedBeanTea0 for details. Everyone says that the Dao is waning, demons are growing stronger, and the Heavenly Tribulation is imminent, but Zhou Yuan disagrees. Undying, indestructible demons? Those are just monsters respawning in a game. Paradise realms and wondrous secret realms? Those are just game dungeons. Humankind sealing and suppressing demons? That just means not exiting the dungeon, preventing its monsters f 209.6kReads9.3Score18.9kShelves

    Reader note

    This is absolutely amazing! The author's writing is divine; the story unfolds seamlessly, with no dull moments. The plot development is logically sound, and the author's intelligence is consistently high throughout. It's truly incredible. Trust me, once you take one look, you'll be hooked and won't be able to stop reading!

23. 623 浮 Under Currents in a Floating World 浮世潜流 Fortune and Blessings福禄善庆Urban343k WordsCompleted A You is a brilliant top student who graduated with a law degree. Rising from the grassroots and fighting in the halls of government, he throws himself into the battle against corruption in the name of fairness and justice. Along the way, he experiences love and hate, the dangers of the world, and a life full of ups and downs. He asks only to find a little peace amid the bustle of the world, but that has become difficult to achieve. All he can do is navigate the hidden currents beneath the surfa 130Reads8.6Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    It gets better and better the more you watch it!! The best is yet to come!!!

24. 624 权 The Winds of Power and Intrigue 权谋之风波起 Broke and Hungry没钱干饭Two Male Leads224k WordsCompleted Setting: Alternate world, no central romance, revenge, court politics, warring states. After his clan is wiped out, he is branded a traitor who sold out his entire people. He struggles to survive in the capital, believing he can overturn the world, but obstacle after obstacle stands in his way. Can he get his revenge? Yet he says, “Wen San, hate me. Give all your love and all your hate to me.” 5Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Even ordinary people have their shining moments; the multifaceted nature of humanity is vividly portrayed. Responsibility, freedom, struggle, and a series of climaxes create a fast-paced story. It can be read as a romance novel or a pure love story, and the choice of which couple to pair is up to you.

25. 625 大 The Great Qi Marquis of One Step 大齐一步侯 A Single Thought of Nothingness一念无Historical846k WordsCompleted [Alternate history, airtight logic, a treat to listen to, multiple heroines, lighthearted daily life, the jianghu and court politics, love and hate, national and family vendettas...] A modern-day criminal investigator transmigrates into the body of a minor official in the State of Qi. At first, his only dream is to stay alive. But when foreign barbarians invade the Central Plains, slaughtering and pillaging until the kingdom falls and families are torn apart, he has no choice but to enter the fr 16.3kReads8.2Score984Shelves

    Reader note

    Alternate history, no system, multiple female leads, clear logic, well-developed characters, rich plot, concise writing, national and personal vendettas, court intrigue and martial arts world, laughter and tears intertwined—please enjoy! [Sparrow's Masterpiece]

26. 626 权 The Road to Power: Starting as a Temporary Transfer to the General Affairs Section 权力巅峰：从借调综合科开始 Morning Glory Big Bro牵牛一哥Urban419k WordsCompleted That’s right, Zhang Zheyuan was reborn. His last life was just too hard! This time, he’s aiming for the pinnacle of power! People who want to win don’t smile, so why can’t I stop the corners of my mouth from turning up?! 21Reads6.0Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    The protagonist is neither a saint nor brainless; the character is exceptionally well-developed.

27. 627 官 Reborn in Politics: What's Wrong with Rising Through the Ranks? 官场重生：青云直上怎么了 Morning Glory Big Bro牵牛一哥Urban180k WordsCompleted [Reborn] + [Officialdom] + [Scheming] + [Revenge] + [play the pig to eat the tiger] + [Multiple Heroines] + [Urban] + [Political Intrigue] Every success is different, but every failure is much the same! In his previous life, Liang Fusheng was a complete failure. He was reborn on the very day he started his civil service job. He really… wants to get ahead! (Laughter, anger, and banter, all just to make you smile!) 765Reads6.3Score137Shelves
28. 628 重 Back to the 1990s: My Unrestrained Life in the Countryside 重回九零，我在农村的肆意人生 Old Man Shoes老头鞋Urban818k WordsOngoing Liu Zhijie, now in his forties, has lost everything and is saddled with hundreds of thousands in debt. He plans to take the little cash he has left and return to his village to retire, but then he suffers a cerebral thrombosis. Unwilling to keep suffering, he steels himself and decides to end it all. Unexpectedly, he is reborn in the 1990s, back when his family was still prosperous and his parents hadn't divorced. 885Reads8.8Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Ruthless, shameless scoundrel, scumbag, quack doctor

29. 629 来 The Bad Woman from Prison 来自监狱的坏女人 Who Could Be My Match谁与为偶Mystery1.0M WordsCompleted Original title: The Chaste Police Commissioner: I've Locked Away Your Heart Workplace romance + suspenseful romance + soul swapping + unhinged villainess forces her love + forbidden cop-and-criminal romance + the queen returns I'm Su Yu. The “Goddess of Finance” admired by everyone in the business world. A meticulously planned car accident sent me tumbling from the clouds into the mud. I became the “suspect” everyone cursed and was personally delivered to a detention center. My best friend betra 839Reads9.2Score114Shelves

    Reader note

    A female-oriented story featuring high intelligence, a female thug in a suit, a financial queen versus a male police officer. Returning from detention, she plots, sets up schemes, breaks the deadlock, and seeks revenge to reclaim everything. [The female CEO, now a suspect, rampages through the detention center, incidentally winning over a high-ranking, aloof police inspector.]

30. 630 重 Back in the Game: Cleaning Up Officialdom 重出江湖之整治官场 Millennium Stone Monkey千年石猴Urban228k WordsCompleted A mob boss shakes up and cleans house in the political arena! [No idiotic characters, no System, light mystery] Black is black, and white is white, but the two can also change places! Even the righteous may do shameful things, while the wicked may do good for the country and its people. What matters is how you see things and what you believe, and whether you can answer to your conscience! 56Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    A gangster boss who manages to purify the bureaucracy is intelligent, logical, and doesn't lose his mind.

31. 631 我 Slaying Dragons on the Road to Power 我在仕途斩群龙 Muha of the Celestial Masters' Palace天师府的穆哈Urban2.6M WordsCompleted 3.6kReads8.2Score331Shelves

    Reader note

    Through a battle of wits and courage, they rose from ordinary citizens to revolutionize history.

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