Novels like A Pillow Between Mountains and Rivers
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as A Pillow Between Mountains and Rivers, best match first.
- 1 A Wandering Without Direction 无方游 [Slow burn + no System + no harem + not a power fantasy; a wuxia/cultivation/fantasy world, proceed with caution if these aren't your thing] A spiritual qi revival in a wuxia world (perhaps?) While everyone else is still caught up in the turbulent jianghu of the martial world, the protagonist has already embarked on the path of cultivation. In the arena, a martial arts master thrusts a divine weapon at his opponent. Then comes a clang, and the weapon snaps in two. On the battlefield, as two arm —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 2 The Swordsman Who Is Both Ruthless and Tender 剑客无情却有情 Fifty years ago, an assassins’ organization known as the Thirty-Six Towers burst onto the martial world, killing until no one dared claim supremacy. Ten years ago, martial world overlord Liu Yuxuan and his entire family were slaughtered. Only his sole son, Liu Feng, escaped with his life. Fate played its tricks: ten years later, Liu Feng returned after completing his training and became sworn brothers with Mo Guanxian, an assassin from the Thirty-Six Towers. The grudges of the older generation h —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 3 The Lotus Heart's Funeral Record 莲心花葬录 He hopes to break free of this world and find his closest family. He hopes to break free of this cycle and reclaim the one he loves. How can he mend the leak in the heavens, take the lotus as his heart, and face the apocalypse? When one day all the flowers are buried for him, will he be able to find what he seeks and win back what he has lost? 78Reads6.3Score—Shelves
- 4 This Martial Saint Seems a Little Too Extreme 这个武圣疑似太极端了 [High Martial Arts, Low Fantasy]+ [The Martial World and the Imperial Court]+ [Political Intrigue] In the twenty-seventh year of Chengye, the Nine Cauldrons fell, and the armies of ten states carved up the Central Plains. That year, the white-haired Grand Tutor held Tong Pass to the bitter end. Behind him lay the skeletal remains of starving refugees, across three thousand miles ravaged by locusts. That year, the dying Martial Saintess brandished her spear and demanded to know whether the Empero 12Reads6.3Score—Shelves
- 5 The Unofficial History of the Martial World: Moonlit Pass 武林外史之明月关山 A Gu Long-style wuxia tale meets an adventure in Hexi, featuring the youthful ensemble of the original work, Shen Qi and Wang Mao. After fleeing Happy Forest, bounty hunter Shen Lang becomes the target of a manhunt. Wang Lianhua and Zhu Qiqi get themselves into trouble and end up carrying a mysterious Ancient Hexi Scroll. To escape the pursuit of the Happy King, the four set out on a thousand-mile journey through Hexi in search of the legendary treasure of Tuyuhun, encountering a string of cases 305Reads—Score—Shelves
- 6 Record of the Return of the Nine Steles 九碑归人录 [Alternate Jianghu] [One Heroine] [No System] [Chivalrous Jianghu] [Plot-Driven] Three years ago, the old case of the Sword-Washing Tower was closed, and the Cold Rain Sword became a forbidden name in the jianghu. Three years later, Xiao Shiyi, a disciple of Phoenixcry Valley, entered the world with a fragmentary manual and met the swordsman Wang Zhaoye on a rainy night at Bluestone Ferry. The jianghu calls him the remnant of the Cold Rain Sword, and he is like an old case that should have died 122Reads—Score108Shelves
- 7 The Brahma Sword's Heavenly Song: Turning Clouds and Cleaving Seas 梵剑天鸣之翻云斩海 A wuxia tale about the paths to adulthood taken by a poor boy and the son of a noble family. Their childhood meeting sets the story in motion. It follows the bond of friendship that will last a lifetime, and their determination to fulfill every promise they have made, as their story gradually unfolds. But keeping a promise is hardly as simple as a kiss, and nothing in this world goes smoothly. Can Jian Ming, born into poverty, break free of fate's chains and deliver a warning about the martial —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 8 A Journey Through the Jianghu 游江湖记 A simple-minded young man has spent years practicing the blade under his master's tutelage. After bidding his master farewell, he ventures into the martial world of his dreams. Along the way, he encounters kindred spirits, extraordinary people, and all sorts of fascinating martial-world adventures. Let me tell you all about them. —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 9 Game Invasion: Starting with Wild Ball Boxing 游戏入侵：从野球拳开始 [Game Invasion + Martial Arts World + Sect Ascension + Martial Arts System + Equipment Forging + Dungeon Exploration + Player Trials] College student Xia Tian earns the right to take part in a trial for the otherworldly game Eternal Trail of Heroes after reaching level ten in Wild Ball Fist in the game The Legend of the Condor Heroes. The System judges that he has thrown more than ten thousand punches. From the start, he finds himself in the wilderness with no golden finger, no talent, and no wa 8Reads—Score—Shelves
- 10 Wuxia: The World Is Too Noisy, Yet I Insist on Listening 武侠：人间太吵，可我偏要听 At Luoyang's city gate, the minor official asked the usual three questions. “Name?” “Wang Zhaoye.” “Who was your master?” “Han Tingxue.” The tip of the brush suddenly stopped. Three years ago, Han Tingxue had died on a snowy night, branded a traitor. Now his apprentice had swaggered into Luoyang with the Cold Rain Sword on his back. Wang Zhaoye actually only wanted to find out one thing. What had happened back then? Because after Han Tingxue's death, what he hated most was people keeping things 5Reads—Score—Shelves
- 11 The Legendary Heroes of the Central Plains in Wuxia Novels 武侠小说中原侠侣传奇 Introduction to Wolong Sheng's wuxia novel, The Legend of the Heroes of the Central Plains: The Legend of the Lovers of the Central Plains: Ximen Yushuang, leader of the evil martial arts sect Plum Blossom Gate, intends to unite the martial world, but is thwarted by Bai Xixiang, a brilliant young woman suffering from a terminal illness. Ximen Yushuang hates her to the core and wants her dead, yet Bai Xixiang's cleverness fools her time and again. The two women match wits across the martial world 26Reads—Score—Shelves
- 12 The Border Moon Fills the Western Hills 边月满西山 In this age of rule by the Five Kings, every trade is flourishing. When you have nothing to do, head to a pleasure boat on the Taishang River, pick a courtesan, and share a cup of wine; if you get carried away, sleep at the Xiangteng Inn until noon the next day. If you're pleading with a stubborn face to get a seafood delicacy from Yuntai for your sweetheart, be sure not to discuss court affairs in the bedroom. The barbarians of Monan prize loyalty above all, while the people of the grasslands a —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 13 Raging Inferno 业火狂澜 Synopsis: A pure wuxia novel. From the start, the female lead is already max-level. The story centers on wuxia with an undercurrent of political intrigue, featuring jianghu adventures and a light ensemble cast. It is not a power fantasy. The male lead, Xi Da, specializes in mind control. The jianghu story gets underway in Chapter Four! The first three chapters move too slowly, and I can’t revise them now. Please read a little further before deciding whether it suits your taste, QAQ. Legend has i 1Reads—Score—Shelves
- 14 The Owl's Cry in a Chaotic Age 乱世枭鸣 The general trend of the world is that what has long been divided will unite, and what has long been united will divide. Six thousand years ago, the Dao Ancestor opened the heavens. Five thousand years ago, the Martial Emperor strode across the land. Four thousand years ago, the Buddha saved the world. Three thousand years ago, the Confucian Ancestor spread the Way. Two thousand years ago, the Great Sword Immortal cut down every illusion. A thousand years ago, the Mystic Ancestor established ord —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 15 Dreamless Rest in the Western Abyss 西渊休梦 [Wuxia] + [Historical Romance] + [Flash Marriage] + [Light Mystery] The legendary Sword God of the martial world once concealed his identity. When he meets the most gifted woman at court, a twist of fate brings them together to investigate a case and embark on a jianghu journey in search of the supreme art, “Xiyuan Xiumeng,” completing what he left unfinished years ago. Thirteen years earlier, Chu Yuanmu wielded his Qiyu Sword and looked down upon the entire jianghu. His Crane Shadow Reaching th 33Reads—Score—Shelves
- 16 Xiao City 萧城 No System + thoughtful protagonist + wuxia + one heroine + medicine + the martial world Far from court, he finds refuge in Shu, where everyone follows their own dreams. At summer’s end, a westerly wind rises, and intrigue spreads throughout the martial world. What? I’m a genius? You want to pass on a peerless martial arts manual to me? Only if I become the disciple of a woman I’ve never met? And you’re going to teach me your secret hidden-weapon techniques too? The old doctor gives me a pill w 1Reads6.3Score—Shelves
- 17 Late on the Road to Cangwu 此去苍梧晚 To future readers: Eastern fantasy, an epic ensemble cast, boundless imagination, and intelligent characters. No System, no invincible protagonist, not a wish-fulfillment story. I want to break from convention, so I’ll rise above the North Wind! From an intriguing martial world to the vast heavens, this is a story of rambunctious young men, and of the dazzling, grand affairs of the mortal world! Snow and wind before the steps, a bright moon behind; warm wine in a clay pot, a cup of green-ant win 1Reads—Score—Shelves
- 18 The Jianghu Between Two Worlds 二界江湖 Jiang Lu's Xiangqi skills are the talk of the Great Xia! He drives out the Mongols and repels the Fusang invaders, using modern Xiangqi knowledge to fight the aggressors. Amid the clash of blades in an ancient martial-arts world, he sets off on a romantic journey through the jianghu... —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 19 The Tale of the Released Blade 释刀传 A blade concealing a secret, and a man concealing a secret. The day Lu Li obtained the Sword of Release, he had already stepped into the martial world. 3Reads7.5Score—Shelves
- 20 Tales of the Jianghu: The Fengyue Tower 江湖传之风月楼 Love, hate, passion, and revenge, yet no trace of the past remains. A butterfly decree, a peerlessly beautiful woman, and a shocking conspiracy set off a wave of slaughter in the martial world. The Poison Doctor and his friends are swept up in a storm of bloodshed… A tale of the martial world: The Tower of Passion, also known as The Martial World’s Butterfly Decree. Danger lurks at every turn in the martial world, while passion draws you in. Please follow Yunlong and The Tower of Passion. With t 2Reads—Score—Shelves
- 21 The Hero's Dream: The Long River Sings Easily 侠梦之长河易歌 Everyone has a wuxia dream: the greatest heroes fight for their country and its people! By the lakeside, we stride across the flowing water at sunset, a spear and a sword wiping away old grudges! The Nine Provinces Cauldron, symbol of peace throughout the Nine Provinces, is suddenly stolen, and turmoil once again grips the Central Plains! The imperial court is in upheaval, while ambition stirs in the martial world! The theft of the Nine Provinces Cauldron, a massacre on Mount Qingcheng, a marria —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 22 Ballad of the Swordsman 江湖剑歌行 The Ballad of the Jianghu Swordsman is a sweeping novel about legendary heroes of the ancient Chinese martial world. Set in the final years of the Tang Dynasty, it unfolds in an era of political turmoil and conflict throughout the jianghu. The story follows Li Jianqiu and Zhao Ling’er on their adventures, depicting a world of heroes and deep-running conspiracies. In the final years of the Tang Dynasty, the forces of the martial world and the imperial court are tangled together, with hidden curre —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 23 Wandering the Martial World, an Old Man in a Lonely Boat 江湖客，孤舟翁 A wanderer of the jianghu, an old man in a lone boat 3Reads—Score—Shelves
- 24 The Realm Is at Peace, the General Retires 山河稳，将军隐 (Content warnings: no golden finger, no wild fantasy, no transmigrate, no rebirth, no palace intrigue. A pure wuxia novel.) Lin Yuanyi thrives in the Embroidered Uniform Guard thanks to her unique skills, becoming, for a time, the man most feared in the Kingdom of Xiyan. Unfortunately, she falls for a man she shouldn't have. She uses every means at her disposal to win him, hoping to soften his heart with a lifetime of tenderness. In the end, however, they part ways, and their story ends in heart —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 25 A Survival Guide to the Jianghu 江湖保命指南 Tang Haoyu wondered: he had only come to the capital to get revenge. Who had he offended? Why was everyone chasing after him and trying to kill him? The innocent are punished for possessing a treasure. An astonishing deception unfolded the moment Tang Haoyu set foot in the capital. Can’t beat them? Then turn them to your side. 1Reads—Score—Shelves
- 26 The Lone Hero of Mountains, Rivers, and Seas 山河江海孤侠 A hero is a person caught between two sides: benevolence on the left, righteousness on the right, with the sky above and the earth beneath. Love gives rise to hate; compassion gives rise to sorrow. Since victory crowns kings and defeat brands villains, we aid the weak and support the downtrodden. Since the world has strayed from the Way, we take up arms against its laws... If you missed Jin Yong and Gu Long, then you must not miss this sweeping ensemble tale of wuxia. —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 27 Lament of the Autumn Rain 秋雨叹 Autumn Rain Lament is a gripping wuxia novel about the legendary journey of Lu Jueming, a young hero who endures countless hardships in the martial world and ultimately becomes a grandmaster. When his family is suddenly wiped out, Lu Jueming has no choice but to enter a world of grudges, rivalries, and tangled affections. As he searches for the truth, he meets a group of like-minded friends. Together, they face powerful enemies, overcome crises, and grow stronger. The martial world is treacherou —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 28 The Black and White Sword: A Wuxia Tale 武侠小说黑白剑传 [Fated villain + domineering + cunning + ruthless] Synopsis of Wolong Sheng’s classic wuxia novel, The Black and White Sword: The Black Sword Sect, an assassin group that kills for gold and silver, has slain countless heroes in the martial world and is on the verge of becoming its undisputed ruler. To destroy the sect, martial heroes Zhou Qianli and Jiang Datong travel the jianghu, persuading the various sects to gather their best fighters and join forces. Using the Four Seas Escort Agency’s inf 24Reads—Score—Shelves
- 29 The Wuxia Tale of Yuan Ziyan 武侠小说袁紫烟传 Yuan Ziyan, a wuxia novel by Wolong Sheng Yuan Ziyan is a character in Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Emperor Yang of Sui gathered beauties from across the land in his harem. Since there were so many, he ordered people to divide them into three ranks, high, middle, and low, so he could choose among them. One of them, Lady Hou, was proud of her talent and beauty and refused to bribe the people selecting the women. As a result, she was sent to the Cold Palace. After Lady Hou took her own 25Reads—Score—Shelves
- 30 Fireflies in the Ghost Realm of the Celestial Steps 天阶之萤火鬼蜮 Even the faintest firefly has a light of its own. Wield a sword and champion justice, even at the cost of your life. Mystery + detective work + xianxia + fantasy. A high-IQ, mind-bending masterpiece with excellent writing, airtight deduction, and none of the usual tropes or simplistic storytelling. This is a brand-new kind of mystery novel. In a vast world of xianxia and fantasy, follow the protagonist as he takes up his sword to champion justice and solve one bizarre case after another. It cast —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 31 Wuxia: The Second Greatest Under Heaven 武侠：天下第二 At Fengling Ferry, their first meeting; one glimpse of Yang Guo, and a lifetime is lost. A heavenly book, a sword, a guitar: whose heartstrings will it stir? I am Yang Guo, and I’ve always thought I was a pretty good person. (This story brings together "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils", "The Return of the Condor Heroes", "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer", and "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber". It’s a feel-good story with multiple heroines, leaning toward traditional wuxia. It is not a System novel!) 266Reads—Score—Shelves
- 32 Sword Without a Trace 【剑无痕】 Introduction to Woniu Sheng’s wuxia novel Sword Without a Trace: The beautiful twin assassins Yulan challenge the renowned young hero Seven Swords Chasing Souls. Without a flash of blades or a clash of swords, the hero is captured without resistance. An obscure little town suddenly fills with countless figures from the martial world. Both sides of the law, and every school and sect, send their experts to conduct secret deals amid open and covert struggles. On Dongting Lake, a desolate little isl 4Reads—Score—Shelves
- 33 Sword Shadows Across a Thousand Mountains 千山剑影 Dynasties rise and fall, and brilliant talents emerge in every age. Carrying the burden of his family's vengeance, the young Yan Yunsheng journeys from a scion of a distinguished family to a great hero of the martial world, from the splendor of the Tang Dynasty to its decline. Through hardship and upheaval, he writes a stirring tale of bold, passionate heroism. —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 34 A Drunken Tragedy of Love in the Golden Age of the Martial World 江湖盛世情殇醉 A moving wuxia tale of compassion… A brave young man is thrown into a ravine by his enemies. His childhood sweetheart believes he is dead, but he survives by sheer luck. From then on, he conceals his identity and travels the jianghu alongside his enemy’s daughter. The jianghu is a place of bloodshed and turmoil, where compassion and affection mingle, and where right and wrong inspire endless sorrow… —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 35 Online Game: I Joined the Evil Sect from the Start and Got My Master Killed 网游：开局误入邪派，把师父扬了 Synopsis: Virtual reality + wuxia + games becoming reality Yan Fei, once a master thief, fell into despair for eight years after a bet. Now back in the martial world, he wants to enter a game and defy fate. But from the start, through a twist of fate, he accidentally joins the Blood Saber Sect. Changing sects is no easy matter. So he decides to scatter his master’s ashes. —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 36 The Chicken Slayer: The Last Emperor's Life as a Martial Hero 杀鸡重重：末代皇帝的武侠人生 [Wuxia] [Transmigration] [History] [Lighthearted] [No System] [Comedy] [Foodie] He transmigrates as Chai Xun, the young emperor of Later Zhou, only to have Zhao Kuangyin seize his throne in the Chenqiao Mutiny. He gets unwillingly caught up in a conspiracy, as princes, royal brothers, ministers, eunuchs, and the entire martial world gradually unfold before him like a painted scroll. The neighboring Northern Han, Southern Tang, Dali, and Khitan all eye the Central Plains and the Song dynasty with —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 37 The Petty Troubles of the Martial World 江湖这点破事儿 A hundred years climbing to the heavens, Ten set out, and none return. Those who once stood before the gates below Are now immortals beyond the heavens. The Heavenly Edict Palace atop Heavenly Edict Peak is where Heaven and Earth communicate. No one knows whether the martial world came first, or the Heavenly Edict. Below Heavenly Edict Peak stands a colossal pillar, neither gold, jade, nor stone, its material unknown. Brilliant light shines throughout it, making the land within three miles as 2Reads—Score—Shelves
- 38 In a Time of Chaos, I Protect My Country and My Love 我在乱世守护国家与爱情 I Protect My Country and Love Amidst Turmoil —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 39 Jiang Ling'er's Qin Dynasty Revenge 姜灵儿大秦复仇记 Jiang Ling'er’s Great Qin Revenge —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 40 I Died of Illness, Transmigrated to Ancient Times, and Became the Savior of an Empress 因病身故，穿越古代成女帝救星 After Dying of Illness, I Transmigrated to Ancient Times and Became the Empress’s Savior —Reads—Score—Shelves
- 41 The Gray-Robed Agent of Great Wei: An Old Friend Returns Through Wind and Snow 大魏青衣：风雪故人归 [Alternate history, court politics, the martial world, power struggles, martial arts, multiple heroines, no System] As the winds rise over Great Wei, a man in blue sets forth. He stakes his life on the game and wins half a move against Heaven! With an age of chaos on the horizon, who will shape the world? Qingyi Bailu placed third in the imperial examinations, only to become a puppet magistrate controlled by the Taiping Sect, with his life no longer in his own hands. Just then, Gu Xiaolou transm 1Reads—Score—Shelves
- 42 Wuxia Novel: Silver Moon and Flying Frost 武侠小说银月飞霜 About Wolong Sheng’s wuxia novel Silver Moon and Flying Frost: The righteous martial world, led by Qin Wangwo, Xiao Jiaojiao, Han Bohu, and Wang Shouyi, are all outraged by Second Master’s wanton slaughter of innocents. When they learn of his sinister goal, their anger only grows. To safeguard the martial world and spare the common people from devastation, the heroes unite and engage this evil force in a battle to the death. The story is full of twists and turns, with a thrilling plot that often 716Reads—Score108Shelves
- 43 The Seven Deadly Sins of the Jianghu 江湖七宗罪 When the Minister of Rites serving at court dies suddenly under mysterious circumstances, every lead goes cold. The emperor orders a thorough investigation, leaving the whole court on edge. Three unconventional figures from the martial world are entrusted with the case in its hour of need. But as they investigate, they discover that things are far from simple: a much greater conspiracy lies behind it all! 17Reads6.9Score—Shelves
- 44 Swordplay in the Misty Rain 剑走烟雨 During the Northern Song dynasty, a young man carrying two sharp swords emerges from the misty rain of Jiangnan. Bearing a blood feud, he ventures alone into the martial world. One sword splits mountains and rivers; the other brings order to heaven and earth... 1Reads—Score—Shelves
- 45 Night Prince: Starting with the Empress Choosing Concubines 夜天子，从女帝选妃开始 [No System] [Traditional Fantasy Setting, Passionate Story with No Tragedies, Multiple Heroines Without a Harem Free-for-All, Dual Cultivation of Martial Arts and Confucianism, Martial World and Imperial Court] [Not Fast-Paced. The early chapters have a lot of setup, so proceed with caution! Proceed with caution! Proceed with caution!] He can be Li Fengyang, a scholar in white robes who brings peace to the realm with his brush. He can also be Li Ziye, the Night Son in black, wielding a blade to 300Reads6.7Score—Shelves
- 46 The Sword Falls in the South 南花落剑 [The feuds and grievances among the four great families] And the rise of the dark Murong family... Ten years ago, as the great families fought bloody battles for dominance in the martial world, no one expected the Murong family to rise to power and seize control, becoming the undisputed number one in the world of martial arts. Ten years later, a young man emerged from nowhere, only for his family to suffer annihilation. With danger pursuing him, he presses on, bearing the burden every step of th 6Reads—Score—Shelves
- 47 The Vast Jianghu of Wuxia Novels 武侠小说浩荡江湖 The wuxia novel "Vast Jianghu" Zhao Yufei, a supreme master of the Shaolin Sect, uses the Buddhist “Great Golden Bell Divine Skill” to break the “Seven Demonic Notes” of the Water Immortal Palace at Water Immortal Boat No. 3. His peerless bearing wins him the heart of Wu Xianke, its hostess. Later, at Water Immortal Boat No. 1, Zhao Yufei elopes with the hostess Yu Biting and steals the “Sound Measuring Device,” throwing the Water Immortal Palace into chaos. To save a beauty’s life, Zhao Yufei b 9Reads—Score—Shelves
- 48 A Dream in the Jianghu, Veiled in Mist and Rain 江湖一梦，烟雨朦胧 A fanfiction based on the game Jianghu in the Mist. The final two chapters are a chronicle of Jianghu in the Mist, which fellow writers planning their own fanfiction may find useful. Don't use this book as a guide to the game's story. I didn't follow the game. That's all. I'm sorry I wasn't capable of helping more people discover this game. 43Reads—Score—Shelves
- 49 The Record of Gathering Wood 敛木记 This is a new book, so the rating will improve over time. [Wuxia + One Female Lead + Not a Brain-dead Story + No System + No Golden Finger] Once the young Sword God, he vanished from the world overnight and opened a coffin shop in a border town. When old acquaintances return, bringing old grudges with them, he raises not a sword but a coffin nail. He intends to hammer the final nail into the entire martial world with his own hands. Eight martial arts masters, a massacre that wiped out a clan, se 15Reads—Score—Shelves
- 50 Wife, Come Save Me! 娘子，捞我！ Tianling City is about to host a wedding between two prodigies. The Xie family’s prodigy is marrying the Shang family’s prodigy. It was supposed to be a marriage joining two powerful families. But now everyone knows it’s a sham. The Shang family’s prodigy cultivates a technique that forbids her from losing her chastity, while the Xie family’s prodigy is on the verge of dying from illness. This marriage is nothing but a transaction. The whole city is waiting, waiting to attend the wedding feast, 16Reads6.0Score—Shelves
