Novels like The Bone Painter
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as The Bone Painter, best match first.
- 1 Don’t Mess With Her! She Has an Entire Clan of Ancestors Behind Her! 别惹她！她身后全是祖宗！ [Gods + drama queen + the occult + ghost hunting + comedy + revered ancestor + fortune-telling + powerhouse] When Su Li opened her eyes again, she found herself in the body of a spoiled heiress from a wealthy family who was terrible at acting. Everyone said she had nothing going for her but a pretty face: she was a lousy actress with plenty of sugar daddies. A highly respected monk called her his revered ancestor? The King of Hell called her “Your Excellency”? She was the real daughter of th 106Reads—Score—14d adds
- 2 Zibuyu: Encountering a Dragon 子不语：遇龙 Are there really dragons in this world? Yao Wuyou, a descendant of the Dragon-Touching Granny, doesn’t believe dragons exist. Yao Wuyou is a miracle doctor who treats no humans, only spirits and monsters. A flower spirit formed from resentment, a Bixi tormented by love, a ghostly demon sworn to kill every faithless man in the world, a Rakshasa bird that wreaks havoc among mortals... She speaks with all manner of spirits and monsters, listening as they tell her about life in this world, and heari 6Reads—Score—14d adds
- 3 If the Stars Could Talk 假如星星会说话 A collection of short stories. The Cat and the Boy: “You left, then quietly came back. Luckily, I still managed to find you.” The Secret Crush: “When the wind dies down, I’ll let you go.” The Tyrant and the Maid: “Your Majesty has been so good to this servant. How could I ever harm you?” Reborn as the Tragic Supporting Heroine: I became the top student’s cherished girl. There are also train games and more. Take your pick from all kinds of short stories. There are no limits to the themes in this 2Reads—Score—14d adds
- 4 The Midnight Tavern 深夜酒肆 [Short supernatural tales + humans, ghosts, spirits, and monsters + no romance + episodic stories based on real-life cases] Bai Yan runs a supernatural tavern in the city. It opens every night at midnight. The tavern specializes in custom-brewed drinks, and every one comes with a story. Knock on the door ring, and you are a customer. Each person may order only three special drinks per night. A knock-knock at the door means a ghost is calling; a jingle from the door ring means a spirit or monster —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 5 Where the Parachute Lands 落伞有肆 Changjiu Street stretches long, its name taken from its sunny position. There is a girl here who sells umbrellas... Fallen Umbrella is a little shop that makes its living from umbrellas. Its proprietor is Qin San'er, and its odd-job helpers are Tang Xiaozhi and Yuan Xiaozhao. Their principle is this: they don't do favors for people, only accompany ghosts on their way. If you can settle something with your fists, don't even think about reasoning it out. An immortal shopkeeper's tales from the ji 277Reads—Score10114d adds
- 6 Amber Years, Flowing Like Water 琥珀似水流年 The cold heroine, the goddess Hupo from ten million years ago, is reborn in the Republic of China era and meets Gu Liunian. But as it turns out, they had already met ten million years ago. What kind of story could a gramophone possibly tell? As Gu Liunian listens to opera on the gramophone, the tune “General’s Command” unexpectedly carries him back ten million years, sending his soul into another man’s body! This man’s identity is no ordinary one either. Ten million years ago, there were humans, —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 7 Chronicles of Qingqiu Foxes 青丘狐事录 A collection of fantasy short stories about the foxes of Qingqiu “Everyone has a story. Some are spoken aloud, while others are kept in the heart.” Lingshan’s Story: “Immortality” The righteous fox Lingshan travels to the human world to study the arts. By a twist of fate, she meets a pair of lovers whose lives are full of hardship. Death is not the end. Never seeing each other again is. Wangyou’s Story: “Jade Bamboo” The beautiful fox Wangyou travels to the human world in search of sights she ha 55Reads—Score—14d adds
- 8 Ten Thousand Thoughts Drawn In [2] 万念引【2】 My profile has Myriad Thoughts, Part One, completed ✓ Little stories about all living things in their purest, most sincere forms ✓ The ancient spirit god Nianyue has fulfilled her merits and virtues, and travels the world with her master, Taigu. Yet the stories in the Book of a Hundred Knowledges continue. There are humans, gods, demons, devils, spirits, and beasts. At the edge of the Eight Wastes, beyond the Six Realms, my heart still yearns for what might have been. Fate brings people together —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 9 Master Ling, Forced to Change Careers 被迫改行的凌大师 In these dangerous murder cases, they still have a long road ahead. Where should they begin investigating the Cement Killer case to bring justice for the girl? And what hidden identity does the newly appeared boy, Li Zairan, have? Was the girl's death connected to him? What has Ling Qingyi seen in him? Liang Junchen has sent his friend Yi Bin to investigate Li Zairan in secret. Will Yi Bin make it back unharmed? Is Gong Junling safe inside Organization K? Is An Jingsen's soul really by his si 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 10 The Demon Bureau Has Fallen, and the World Is Doomed 妖司被端，人间要完 The realms of humans and demons have a bureau that oversees spirits. As the century turns, supernatural incidents begin happening one after another. Meng Huai, head of the bureau, descends to investigate. Along the way, she witnesses the affairs of humans and demons and ponders the bonds between them. Once everything is settled, she discovers that the bureau has been destroyed and her home is gone. Nobody said a business trip could get you laid off! Beneath the fog, who is really behind it all? 26Reads—Score914d adds
- 11 A Dream of Dunhuang: The Whirling Dance 敦煌遗梦·胡旋舞 Dream of Dunhuang: The Whirling Dance 3Reads—Score—14d adds
- 12 I Started Out Guiding Ghost Hunters and Awakened the Five Mystical Arts 开局指点捉鬼，我竟觉醒玄门五术 After his soul transmigrated into another world, he had barely enjoyed a few days of a rich heir’s lavish life when he discovered that ghostly energy was slowly reviving. Countless hideous ghosts and monsters had appeared in what used to be a peaceful world. Fortunately, he had the Heavenly Eye, and Heaven had rewarded him with the Ancient Ghost-Exorcism System. From then on, he called the shots in his livestream. Greedy ghosts, infant spirits, thousand-year-old female ghosts, haunted skyscraper 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 13 My Ex Is a Spy 我的前任是间谍 After Graduation, I Became a CEO Thanks to Penny Stocks, and My Ex-Girlfriends' Conglomerate Came Looking for Trouble After being dumped 20 times, Niu Youai unexpectedly discovered that the penny stocks he had bought in college had soared in value. Even more unexpectedly, infighting among the shareholders of the listed company led them to appoint him, a minor shareholder with just 1% of the shares, as CEO. On his first day at work, Niu Youai spotted eight familiar names on the employee roster. T —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 14 Crossing the Wheel of Rebirth 轮回渡 [Short Episodic Stories + Xuanhuan + Deep, Tragic Love + Multiple Couples] Legend has it that after death, the soul enters the underworld. Only after drinking Meng Po's soup and crossing the Naihe Bridge can it reach the Hall of Yama and be reincarnated. All things under heaven have their own ties from past lives! [Breaking the Vows] Obeying his master's orders, he descended the mountain to travel the world. In a barren land, he used the little water he had left to save her dying life and help h 162Reads8.2Score—14d adds
- 15 Strange Tales of Lingze and Bianjing 灵泽汴事 [Fantasy anthology] In the Northern Song capital of Bianjing, a Lingze House appears, offering to fulfill the wishes of both mortals and beings from beyond the human world. Its mysterious owner, accompanied by a little mouse, witnesses the rise and fall of dynasties. This is a place longed for by immortals, spirits, a hundred ghosts and a thousand demons, and all manner of fiends. Whether you are a commoner, a high-ranking official, a prince or minister, or an enigmatic visitor whose nature cann 11Reads8.1Score—14d adds
- 16 At Midnight, I Witnessed a Killer at Work 半夜，撞见杀手杀人 After accidentally stumbling onto a crime scene, he becomes a murder suspect. As he tries to clear his name, he realizes he never wandered into the scene by chance at all: someone had led him into a trap… No grand ambitions here, just a story that will uncover the truth. 12Reads—Score—14d adds
- 17 Record of a Hundred Strange Demons 百妖异闻录 She is a lively, cunning spirit mage with great skill and a kind heart. He is a stunningly handsome wandering swordsman, steady on the surface but mischievous underneath. Together, whether they are catching ghosts or subduing demons, each does things their own way. He says, “In this life, I’ll spoil only you…” 18Reads—Score—14d adds
- 18 The Strange Tales of Baize Pawnshop 白泽典当行异闻录 Bai Ze, under the alias Xuan Xiao, runs a hidden pawnshop in the mortal world. Only those burdened by unfulfilled obsessions can see its vermilion-lacquered gates on the night of a full moon. A boy named A He wanders into the shop and becomes an apprentice, gradually uncovering the secrets of the divine beast who guards the Book of Karma and gathers trials of human nature. The final chapter reveals that Bai Ze was punished with a thousand years of tribulations for secretly altering fate. A He tu —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 19 Meng Po's Soup-Brewing Chronicles 孟婆熬汤笔录 Meng Qianqian had been taking it easy at her desk, doing her job without much fuss. Then one day, with her supplies running low and her performance targets unmet, the King of Hell dangled a big promise in front of her. Meng Qianqian’s take: “I can enjoy the promise, simmer some soup, admire beautiful people, and feast my eyes. Life’s pretty sweet.” But she just couldn’t escape the jealousy of the person beside her. [The chase to win her back + amnesia + one-on-one romance + strong male and femal 5Reads—Score—14d adds
- 20 The Illustrated Compendium of Bai Ze's Spirits 白泽精怪图 [Historical fantasy + xianxia + one story for each creature + sweet and bittersweet tales in a variety of styles] Xi Feng was once a renowned war god and general in the Celestial Realm, but by order of the Heavenly Emperor, he became the sidekick of the mythical beast Bai Ze. And so Bai Ze took Xi Feng on a journey through the world, searching for the various spirits whose names had once appeared in the Illustrated Guide to Strange Creatures by Bai Ze. “Nine-Tailed Fox”: Beneath a willow tree, a 36Reads—Score—14d adds
- 21 The Ultimate Manhunt 绝地追凶 A contemporary criminal investigation mystery, full of unexpected twists and deductive case-solving. Feel free to dive in. The story will never go on hiatus. Entirely original, with a deliberate pace. Take your time and follow the investigation. Pay attention to the casual remarks and gestures of certain people. 15Reads—Score—14d adds
- 22 Love and Sin 情与罪 This book tells the story of a crime born from love. To make her his, the culprit kills everyone close to her, leaving no survivors. His methods are ingenious, and every move is meticulously planned. 48Reads8.2Score—14d adds
- 23 The Campus Cloud of Mystery 校园迷云 Do you ever really believe what your eyes show you??? After the college entrance exams, everyone should have been celebrating. Instead, a series of bizarre “suicides” took place at the school. But as the truth was painstakingly pieced together, it became clear that the cause was far from simple. 18Reads—Score—14d adds
- 24 Falsely Accused After a Confession, My First Case Shocks the World 告白被诬陷，第一次破案震惊世界 He transmigrates to a parallel world. Ning Changhe becomes a police academy student about to start an internship at the police station. He also awakens the Police God Crime-Solving System, receiving from the start an array of terrifyingly powerful skills, including forensic medicine, professional criminal psychology, and professional trace analysis. Planning to keep a low profile and bide his time, Ning Changhe hopes to quietly build up his skills and find someone he likes who likes him back. Bu 7Reads6.4Score—14d adds
- 25 Terror 惊魂 At midnight, let's take a look at the little stories that circulate around us. Maybe you've heard these tales too, or even experienced them yourself. Those moments that become terrifying the more you think about them go perfectly with the darkness beyond the window... 310Reads8.8Score1014d adds
- 26 The Guanfu Files of Strange Occurrences 观复灵异事件簿 [Supernatural + Horror + Episodic Stories] *The heroine comes from a world of cultivation. She is very powerful, but her strength is still slowly returning with the spiritual qi revival. Most of the time, she can only resolve cases for now using ordinary occult methods.* My name is Song Du. I’ve lived for a very long time. Every few decades, I fall asleep, and when I wake up, the world has changed its face again. The last time I awoke was decades ago, and I discovered something My master had va —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 27 A Tale of Heartless Love: Strange Creatures and Oddities 薄情欢之精怪志异 [Fantasy + healing + ancient Chinese tales of the uncanny] Ever since A Tong’s great-aunt, a half-immortal, fed her those strange eyes, a new chapter of her life began. But she wants to make one thing clear: this isn’t a natural gift. She was forced into having this gift, okay? And so the timid girl begins her adventures. Luckily, she has an immortal by her side to lean on. Through those eyes, she sees all manner of spirits and monsters, and all their love, hate, anger, and obsession: birth, old 33Reads—Score—14d adds
- 28 Come On In! This Bookshop Owner Can Make Wishes Come True 快来！这个书店老板能实现愿望 No CP + powerful heroine + light comedy + everyday life No one knew when it happened, but a bookstore appeared on a street corner. It stood there all by itself, with no name or sign. The storefront looked old, as if it had been there for ages. Yet whenever anyone asked the people nearby, not one of them knew when it had opened. It was as though it had appeared out of nowhere. Although the street was in the heart of the city’s busiest district, not a single passerby ever stopped to linger outside 2Reads6.6Score—14d adds
- 29 The Lure of a Thousand Thoughts 万念引 A fierce wind rose, carrying a sweet, fishy smell. A book appeared beside them, and Nianyue’s red lips moved. “Born in the breeze, evil emerges. Lacking in strength, yet fond of human souls. Once it becomes a menace, it will surely join forces with the evil spirits in the mountains. Name it Taowu. From this day on, it is bound to a good soul.” As she finished speaking, another page appeared in the book. “Which of you will come and seal the pact?” Nianyue looked up. The eldest brother stood and w 12Reads—Score—14d adds
- 30 The Demonic and Supernatural Records 妖诡簿 The Book of All Spirits is shattered, and the Daoist sects are in decline. My sharp-tongued master drags me down the mountain: “Come on. We’re finding homes for those homeless ‘beings.’” In the Qingzhou case, a spider demon everyone wants dead winds a silver thread around my palm: “Little Daoist, do you believe me?” On the banks of the Yuan River, a destitute river god on the verge of vanishing seals a vow with me in a high five: “Lend me your wind and rain, and I’ll protect my mountains and riv 13Reads—Score—14d adds
- 31 The Sinheart Master 罪心师 Ever since comic artist Yi Yang received a heart transplant from police captain Zhang Tianlai, he has been plagued by nightmares. To escape them, he has no choice but to search for the truth... One bizarre, bloody, and twisted murder after another sends chills down the spine. Is it human evil, or a warped psyche? The paper effigy murder, the feng shui sorcery case, the deadly gu insect case, the cultist Taoist master case, and the nationally infamous Lanzhou University dismemberment case... A 62Reads8.4Score—14d adds
- 32 My Undying-Bone Ancestor Is Neither Good nor Evil 我的不死骨老祖宗亦正亦邪 My Undying-Bone Ancestor Is Both Righteous and Evil Phoenix blood, the soul of a qilin, an undying bone, the Art of Immortality... A thousand-year-old conspiracy stirs once more, sending the world into turmoil. See how young Master Feng meets every move with a counter of his own! 2Reads—Score—14d adds
- 33 A Chance Encounter with a Demon 撞妖记 The demon hunter Nan Jinyi, both righteous and wicked, lives in seclusion in Anping County as a female physician. Each day, she treats the sick and saves lives, then hunts demons and makes medicine. But ever since she accidentally rescued Liu Hanshan, the magistrate of Anping County, who has an extremely light birth chart and is prone to attracting ghosts and spirits, her once peaceful life has become tangled in endless trouble. One baffling case after another, demons tormented by love, and peri 59Reads7.6Score—14d adds
- 34 Tales from the Monster House 妖舍物语 Antique curios that bear the full range of human emotions and desires, imbued with strange, uncanny spirits; a mysterious shopkeeper carrying a scroll of green bamboo slips, who has drifted through countless years at his leisure; a lively, spirited boy with catlike eyes and an outlandish style of dress; an ancient shop, weathered and quaint, waiting for someone fated to find their way inside... This is Yaoshe. It has appeared amid the bustle of prosperous cities, and opened its doors to customer 73Reads9.1Score—14d adds
- 35 Tales of a Floating Life V, Part Two: Shaluo and Aochi 浮生物语·伍（下）裟椤敖炽 Jia and Yi have betrayed them, taking the landlady's dearest friends from the Inn of No End. She and Ao Chi set out in search of Ximing's Nether Sea, the source of all monsters. To find the Insect Emperor, who knows everything worth knowing, they venture deep into dangerous Atula and discover the Dark Web, where evil thoughts grow rampant. Then an old grudge pulls them in, bringing the past to light. Behind a “prophecy” lie Ao Chi's “disappearance” and a crisis threatening the Dragon Clan. But t 35Reads7.4Score—14d adds
- 36 Tales of a Floating Life IV, Part One: Lord of Fishgate 浮生物语·肆（上）鱼门国主 The innkeeper returns to the East Sea with her whole family to visit relatives. Through a series of twists and turns, she is exiled to the “Kingdom of Fishgate” and made its ruler. Yet this secluded land in the depths of the sea is full of mysterious stories: a local dog that guards the road, a “tiger” that repays a kindness, a snake that loves wearing wedding robes... The innkeeper returns to her old trade and opens Neverending once more, specializing in finding lost things for people. Through 23Reads7.2Score—14d adds
- 37 Tales of a Floating Life II 浮生物语·贰 In Floating Life Tales 2, the tree-demon innkeeper and her husband, the evil dragon Ao Chi, stop running a teahouse and open an inn instead. It still bears the name “Neverending.” Their helpers have changed, too: now they are Paper and Young Master Zhao. All kinds of guests check into the inn, bringing their stories with them: a white steed faster than time, a spider spirit skilled at mending broken hearts, a peace-loving jiaolong, and a bowl demon who has wandered into the legend of Liang Shanb 40Reads7.4Score—14d adds
- 38 Tales of a Floating Life: Volume Three, Part Two 浮生物语·叁（下） The lost ancient Azure Amber still has to be gathered in full. The pregnant landlady sets off with her husband and friends, surviving one life-and-death ordeal after another and meeting six unruly former deities: Fu Lao, who switched careers to become the God of Death; Jin Lao, who pinches every penny; Yue Lao, who breaks up couples... Their seemingly cold actions conceal kind intentions. Along with the touching and startling encounters brought by these new friends, the Inn of No End finally wel 17Reads7.0Score—14d adds
- 39 Tales of a Floating Life: Volume Three, Part One 浮生物语·叁（上） Tiandi heads to the East Sea to claim the mysterious Twelve Coffins of the Spirit Phoenix. For this, the pregnant tree-spirit landlady drives her motorhome north, a full load of tea on board, and sets out to find eleven mysterious Azure Amber stones. Along the way, she meets all sorts of people and hears even more fascinating stories: Tao the Doll, whose heart is clouded by jealousy; the little bear Ganji, covered in ears that can hear people's thoughts; the donkey Jiu Shi Ba, who loves berries 24Reads7.1Score—14d adds
- 40 Case Files of the Eerie 诡案录 The Jiangzhou City police force has a mysterious department called P.C.I, dedicated to investigating strange cases that science cannot explain. Its members are a handful of young people with special abilities. Because Qin Lang has a pair of yin-yang eyes that let him see ghosts, he joins the department through a twist of fate, embarking on a journey into the uncanny world of bizarre cases... 102Reads6.7Score—14d adds
- 41 Murder in the Golden House: My Opponent Is a Bit of a Letdown 金屋藏凶：我的对手不太行 [Alternate Republic of China setting + episodic mystery-solving + happy ending] During the Republic of China era, the body of socialite Xu Ruolan is discovered in a suburban villa. The police station hastily closes the case as an accidental fall. Officer Jiang Shuyi suspects foul play and continues investigating, only to be dismissed without explanation. Just as the truth is about to be buried, a year later, dancer Dong Yujiao moves into the villa to track down a missing treasure. There, she cro 3Reads—Score—14d adds
- 42 Tales from Lanruo Studio 兰若斋轶闻录 Rumor has it that whenever it rains, Lanruo Studio appears. A demon dwells within and can grant any wish. Yet those who get what they wish for all suffer misfortune within days and die, but people still flock there, and many spend their whole lives searching for it. The son-in-law of a city’s richest man went inside seeking an object, only to fall ill and die suddenly three days later. On the night he was buried, his wife was also killed in their grand mansion. So many tragedies are born in this 922Reads8.5Score12214d adds
- 43 Tales of a Floating Life IV, Part Two: The Heavenly Garment Marquis 浮生物语·肆（下）天衣侯人 The landlady's family is finally reunited, and they continue running the Inn of No End in the Kingdom of Yumen, facing all kinds of customers every day: Boss Ma, searching for his son's soul; the mysterious Marquis Tianyi; Boss Cheng, looking for his house; the unsmiling Nie Qiaoren; and a pair of siblings who have lost their shadows... The seemingly peaceful Kingdom of Yumen is shrouded in mystery and strangeness. The Three Prefectures examination is being held again, but does the “Dragonbone L 16Reads7.1Score—14d adds
- 44 Tales of a Floating Life V, Part One: The Nether Sea of Ximing 浮生物语·伍（上）西溟幽海 The landlady's family has returned from the Kingdom of Yumen to Wangchuan, only to be ambushed. It turns out that Wu Cang Shuangqing, the Dragon King of the North Sea, has come specifically to “deal with” Ao Chi and the landlady because of a Dragon Clan prophecy. Meanwhile, one of the Twelve Divine Stones, the Silk Fox Eye, has gone missing. The landlady helped recover it, so the Heavenly Emperor sent people to the East Sea to find her. To protect those around them and clear their names, the lan 23Reads7.0Score—14d adds
- 45 The Strange Corpse Case 奇尸案 Do you think there is such a thing as the perfect crime? If so, what would it look like? Would it make a body disappear completely? Make sure no one ever discovers it? Or leave no evidence behind? 1.9kReads8.1Score16514d adds
- 46 Dreambound Bookshop 缘梦书局 A gifted detective with special abilities teams up with a beautiful agent of extraordinary strength. Using a bookstore as their base, they investigate the dark side of society. One baffling case after another, layer upon layer of domestic and foreign forces lurking in the shadows: whether through perfect teamwork or overwhelming ability, neither corrupt power brokers, rampant criminal gangs, nor traitors within national security can escape the bookstore’s scrutiny. French gangsters, Vietnamese p 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 47 Strange Tales from the Folk 民间吊诡故事 [An ensemble cast] [Multiple protagonists and storylines] [A wild imagination] [Mystery] [Conspiracies] [Open schemes] [Political machinations] Pangu split the earth with his axe. Fuxi and Nuwa established marriage customs. Chiyou and the Yellow Emperor fought for the throne of the gods, only for the battle to end in defeat at Mount Buzhou. After a century of war between gods and demons, the Yellow Emperor abdicated, taking the blame. Humanity gained gods, then lost them, and so a new tale of cr 20Reads—Score—14d adds
- 48 Record of a Hundred Remedies 百药记 Red plum blossoms, sleeves folded, gathering frost; herbs as her soul, healing all who live. Bound by the fate of such spirit herbs as purple vanilla grass, astragalus, and Liuhe yeast, they weave a fragrant, fantastical epic amid the divide between humans and immortals, love and law. 7Reads—Score—14d adds
- 49 Shooting the Breeze with Ghosts 和鬼唠唠嗑 Xiaoxiao is an orphan in this life. She has been able to talk to ghosts and monsters since childhood, and she gets to know Long Ao, the eldest young master of the Long family. Now that they’ve met again, Long Ao decides to live in the moment. But the demons and monsters still refuse to give up! The Red Robe has borne a false accusation for thousands of years. Who was really pulling the strings behind the scenes back then? An ancient great demon comes to help, falling into a love-hate relationshi 3Reads—Score—14d adds
- 50 An Antique Shop 一间古董铺 Two female leads (the romance is a smaller part of the story, so please skip this if that's not for you) + episodic stories + the supernatural + mild horror A mysterious antique shop, a glamorous owner, and an ordinary office worker of a shop assistant. Together, they uncover one strange, fantastical little world after another, along with human stories of past entanglements and karmic debts. 54Reads8.2Score—14d adds
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