Novels like The Bad Guys
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as The Bad Guys, best match first.
- 151 Northeast Storm: A Gangster Legend 东北风云之黑道传奇 With my brothers by my side and blades and guns in hand, I’d like to see who in this underworld gets to call himself the boss! If we don’t enter the underworld, so be it. But once we do, every thug will bow to us and every boss will clear the way. We’ll become the... heavens of this underworld. 120Reads—Score—14d adds
- 152 The Reckless Youth 不良之狂妄青春 “Smash anything you see! Hit anyone you see! Flatten No. 6 High School!” I’m Zhang Ling. I’d only just started high school when I crossed the school’s resident delinquents. At first, I fought back just to protect myself. But as one problem after another came along, it wasn’t so easy to walk away. Before I knew it, I’d become the top delinquent in the school... 15Reads—Score—14d adds
- 153 Shadow of the Black Wolf 黑狼影 Do you believe in wolves that live in the light without fear? People say light can cover the whole world, so how can the world have shadows? And in those shadows, are the ones who live there wolves or people? 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 154 Ten Years Later, I Became a Gang Boss One Step at a Time 十年后，我一步一步成为帮派大佬 Ten years ago, I, Lei Zhen, was nothing but a good-for-nothing whom everyone despised... But remember this: You may look down on an old man with white hair, but never look down on a young man just because he’s poor... Ten years later, a mysterious gang quietly rose from the shadows of the city. Its leader, Lei Zhen, used his exceptional leadership and iron-fisted methods to carve out a path for his men through the city. But their rise drew the covetous attention of other powers, and one bloody c —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 155 The River-Crosser: A Fugitive 过江龙：亡命之徒 His parents died in a mining disaster, and he was forced out of work. Wang Yue only wanted to tend his barbecue stall and live quietly and honestly with his brothers. But the son of a powerful family kept pushing him, refusing to leave him even a way to survive! With nowhere left to retreat, he would retreat no further! (This book has a gritty style and realistic plot. Proceed with caution.) 54.7kReads8.2Score3.9k14d adds
- 156 My Brother and I Take on the Underworld 我和兄弟闯社会 [No System] [Passionate martial world] [Realistic style] “You're a junk picker. What makes you think you can change your fate?” “I can't. So I plan to change yours along with mine.” This is more than the bloody tale of a boy from the bottom fighting back against all odds. It's also the wild rise of an underground tycoon, a record of a generation's explosive growth. The winds rise in Leicheng; undercurrents stir in Guangcheng. See how a roughneck swallows the sky. 11.3kReads7.8Score71414d adds
- 157 Chop First, Ask Questions Never 拎刀就砍之无法无天 This book was originally titled Life and Death Are Fated, Righteousness Comes First. It is the first installment in the Life and Death Are Fated series. An ensemble-focused story, with a fast-paced plot and lots of hilarious Northeastern Chinese banter. There is very little depiction of the police in this book. The story follows several poor boys who grew up being fed by their neighbors. After accidentally killing someone in Northeast China, they have to flee south to a city called Nan'an. Th 642Reads6.9Score10914d adds
- 158 Hong Kong Films: All My Disabled Underlings Are SSS-Rank 港片：我的残废小弟全是SSS级 Chu Feng transmigrates into the most miserable enforcer in the Hongxing Society. From the start, Chen Haonan treats him like a dog, and his underlings are all either blind or lame, missing arms or legs! He activates the “Pay-to-Enhance System”... 20Reads—Score—14d adds
- 159 The Gangster Heiress 黑帮名媛 In a dog-eat-dog world, only the capable rise to the top, whether man or woman. When self-interest is at stake, family ties are the most likely defense to hold until the end. Every member of the Song family is a fine actor. 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 160 A Man of the Jianghu 江湖混的人 What kind of people are these? They’re a rowdy bunch, a bunch who think they’re better than everyone else. The brothers we ran wild with back in the day. When our youth had passed and we looked back, some familiar faces were nowhere to be seen. Some had gone far away, some had faded into silence, and some were still eating from the same communal pot. Why? Because the road we took was one we could never turn back from. 1.4kReads8.2Score—14d adds
- 161 The Brothers’ Comeback 哥几个的逆袭人生 The six brothers each have their own area of expertise. They struggle up from the bottom of society until they reach the very top. (This story is entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual events is purely coincidental.) 763Reads—Score10314d adds
- 162 Hidden Dragon in Troubled Times 乱世潜龙 Xiao Yu is an ordinary man at the very bottom of society in these chaotic times. Just when he’s at a loss, a vast fortune suddenly falls into his lap. Will he rise from obscurity to become one of the elite in the Peace District, pursue his true love, and make his fortune? Or will he risk his life to enter the war zone for his brothers and become a warlord in this turbulent age? Watch as I and my five trusted, wolfish companions stir up the winds of chaos! 102Reads—Score—14d adds
- 163 Live, and Never Bow Your Head 活着，不低头 In the shifting urban landscape, the rat race surges like a tide. Degrees lose their value, people worry about their status, incomes are unstable, and relationships become emotionally draining. Reality is harsh, ideals are lofty, and every step is a struggle against life. Some grit their teeth and work overtime until they become machines; some lie awake at midnight, lamenting how hard life is; others set off elsewhere in pursuit of their dreams, trying to find themselves amid the endless hustle. 8Reads—Score—14d adds
- 164 The Thirteen Guardians of Tang City 唐市十三太保 The Tang City Underworld Duology, Part One: The Thirteen Guardians The bigwigs of Tang City’s martial world fell one by one during the 1983 crackdown. But wherever there are people, there will always be a martial world, and new forces are already stirring! Who will become Tang City’s next underworld boss? The story of the Thirteen Guardians of Tang City begins after Qin San, Wang Wu, and Ma Liu witness their father’s execution by firing squad! 891Reads—Score—14d adds
- 165 Southwest Storm: Turmoil on the Black Sea 西南风云：黑海沉浮 When I was eighteen, I met someone who led me down a certain path. Some describe this path with the idealistic word “jianghu.” But the jianghu you actually find yourself in is better summed up by a rather funny saying: “After all this time, I’ve made no friends, only learned lessons.” My name is Lin Dongxia, and I’ve learned my fair share of lessons. 32.7kReads9.3Score3.2k14d adds
- 166 The Godfather of the Underworld 黑道教皇 Brothers for a day, brothers for a lifetime. Their vow of loyalty rings out amid the fanfare of youth: impulsive days, blazing passions, love that lasts until death, and brothers who stand together for life. Whose youth isn't filled with fire? “What do they call you?” “Long.” “I asked for your name.” “People like me don't have names.” “But one day, the world will tell you mine.” “People today don't recognize a tree that will reach the clouds, only praising it once it has grown that tall!” 627Reads7.1Score—14d adds
- 167 The Pinnacle of Dark Martial Arts 黑武之巅 Sorry, everyone, for posting the prologue so late. You can skip ahead to the beginning of Chapter 102 first, then come back and start reading from Chapter 1. Apologies. A novel featuring the underworld, supernatural abilities, the city, and campus life. He and his friends will rise together to the pinnacle of the Black Martial Path. This is the story of his growth... People are often at their most brash and carefree when they are young. That’s what it means to be young and reckless. This is an e 7Reads—Score—14d adds
- 168 King of the Underworld: I Rule with Unmatched Power 黑道之王：权势滔天我为王 [Urban + underworld + feel-good power fantasy + big shot + no System + two heroines + mildly risqué] This novel is also known as "After Storming the Prison, I Became the Underworld Emperor" and "The Underworld King Who Rose from the Dark Zone", the first part. This is the second part and can be read on its own. Two chapters are all it takes to get your fix. Qin Shiyi came from the Dark Zone. He brought his brothers to Pearl City in District Two, hoping to make something of themselves. By fightin 824Reads7.0Score—14d adds
- 169 The Northeastern Transfer Student Conquers Tokyo! 东北插班生制霸东京！ [Tokyo + hot-blooded action + System + hard-hitting fights] Li Yuan, a crime boss, died unexpectedly, and his soul transmigrated into the body of a transfer student from Northeast China at Suzuran High School. On his very first day, a delinquent gang cornered him at the entrance. When Li Yuan faced the gang, he awakened the Villain System. As long as he defeated delinquent gangs, he could keep getting stronger. [Defeat the punks who came looking for trouble. Gain +1 physique.] From then on, he t 1.3kReads6.8Score10214d adds
- 170 Tales of Black and White: Leaping Through the Dragon Gate 黑白往事之跃龙门 (Hardcore underworld, a rise from humble beginnings, ensemble cast, smart characters, a realistic coming-of-age style, not a mindless power fantasy, not first-person! Readers under 18 should exercise caution!) How much impact can one misunderstanding have? Enough to change someone's entire life! Can someone with a damaged brain still be a gang boss? Not only can he, he can be a great one! In the early 1990s, the tide of the market economy swept across all of China, stirring up everyone just like 2.3kReads7.0Score15814d adds
- 171 1998: My Bloody Era! 1998：我的血色年代！ When I hit the streets, I rely on just three things! Being ruthless, having money, and having tough brothers! These are passionate, fiery times! These are times when tough guys are everywhere! The moment I picked up a three-edged military dagger, I was destined to spend my life battling through the underworld! Don't talk to me about big shots in the underworld. That won't work on me! Welcome to my story of life on the streets! 6.3kReads8.5Score47514d adds
- 172 The Wolf Raises Its Head 狼抬头 When a wolf turns back, it has its reasons: either to repay a kindness or to take revenge! I stepped over one pile of bones after another, climbing step by step, rung by rung... Years later, standing on a rooftop and looking down at this city, at all those strangers who somehow seemed familiar, I knew I could never turn back! 966Reads7.1Score10114d adds
- 173 The Years I Spent as the Big Brother 我当大哥那些年 To live in this world, you have to chase girls, make friends, and take good care of the people around you! Being a good-for-nothing isn't the end of the world. What's important is having the drive to improve! My name is Wu Liang, and I'm a delinquent. I've gotten into fights, gone down the wrong path, and even worn handcuffs! But I've never regretted the mistakes I made when I was young, or the people I loved... We poured our passion into our youth. We were young once, and now we've grown up. In 11Reads6.4Score—14d adds
- 174 Bad Boy: King of the Streets 坏小子：街道之上，我为王 Li Yizhen was an ordinary student at Jiangchuan No. 1 High School. But the school bully, He Min, singled him out, teasing and tormenting him as she pleased. Too timid to fight back, he endured group beatings and was even forced to eat ice pops mixed with dirt. She also led him astray, getting him to smoke and drink. Day after day, year after year… Then, when Li Yizhen finally confessed his feelings to the school belle, she mocked him in front of the whole class. He Min joined in, too. Overcome w 282Reads—Score—14d adds
- 175 Bandit City 匪城 [Not a wish-fulfillment power fantasy, and the protagonist isn't invincible: a comeback story + underworld conflict + a rock-bottom start + personality reversal + ruthless decisiveness + brains and brawn + ruthless bandits and war criminals abound] I'm Shen Liu. Ever since my father was imprisoned for seriously injuring someone when I was seven, I've endured humiliation at every turn. Then a girl appeared, and my life began to change... Once again, they knocked me down. As they unzipped their —Reads—Score2.2k14d adds
- 176 Jianghu of Snow City, 1986 雪城江湖之1986 What? Young men shouldn’t get too cocky? If you’re not cocky, what kind of young man are you? A story set in the gritty underworld of Northeast China. The moment you pick up a gun or a blade and step into the gangland, you’re destined to become ruthless. If you’re going to live this life, you have to be vicious, cruel, and wild! A veteran returns home from the Vietnam War. To survive and protect his friends, he becomes a blood-soaked, ruthless weapon, wielding blades, guns, and cannons. It’s a w 8.6kReads9.0Score65914d adds
- 177 After I Got Out of Prison, My Sister Forced Me to Inherit a Billion-Dollar Fortune 出狱后，姐姐逼我继承亿万家产 Food delivery rider + Sanhe drifter + brotherhood in the underworld + rise to the pinnacle of power. Revenge and face-slapping + unexpected fortune + underdog's rise + tight, logical plotting. A Southeast Asian power struggle + fierce mercenary battles + leading your brothers to the top. My ex-girlfriend clings to a rich man and mocks me: “All you'll ever be in this life is a garbage picker!” Late one night, three sexy older women corner me beneath a bridge. “Your parents left you hundreds of mi 9Reads—Score—14d adds
- 178 The Actor and the Pawn 戏子与棋子 Passion, the martial world, ambition, the line between black and white: these were all words that once seemed far removed from my life. A chance confrontation pushed an ordinary student like me to a crossroads. Life is like a vast chessboard, with everyone playing a different role. This is my story, and it could be yours, or theirs... 2Reads6.4Score—14d adds
- 179 Reborn: It All Began When I Went to Visit My Brothers’ Graves 重生：从给兄弟们上坟开始 [Reborn + no System + fiery action + brotherhood + invincible] The first thing Yi Hui did after getting out of prison was visit the graves of his dead brothers. In that gang fight, all his brothers died except him. He survived, but was sentenced to life in prison. Later, his life sentence was commuted to a fixed term, and he was finally released. Guangzi, A Long, Debao, Feifei, I’m sorry. If only we could do it all over again… Yi Hui was reborn in 1998. In this life, he would make good money wit 422Reads7.4Score—14d adds
- 180 Everyone Else Has Transmigrated and Stands Unrivaled. Why Haven’t You Changed? 都穿越谁与争锋了，你还不改变？ A feel-good story with a slow pace and no soap-opera drama. It won't change the direction of the five-man group. After the protagonist meets them, the story focuses on him in another district, with the city's development revolving around him. My name is Xiang Yun, and I'm someone even a dog can kick around. I'm an orphan, and at school the school bully would often demand money from me and pick on me. Then one day, I couldn't take it anymore. I beat him so badly he ended up in the hospital. I tho 335Reads—Score—14d adds
- 181 A World of Scoundrels 渣混的世界 What is a hero? In truth, everyone is a hero. Those who face reality and still live earnestly instead of letting themselves go are heroes. Under the laws of survival, everyone makes different choices. Those who hold fast to what’s in their hearts are all brave souls. Watch as the winds shift. 308Reads8.4Score10414d adds
- 182 A Top Law-and-Politics Graduate Joins the Underworld: That's Normal, Right? 政法高材生，混个黑道正常吧？ A gambling-addict older brother drags Gu Tian into an accident. A top student at a university of political science and law, Gu Tian accidentally kills someone. In the process, he escapes detection by assuming the identity of his victim, Li Yu. From then on, he finds himself on a path that takes him further and further from his dreams! 17Reads8.2Score—14d adds
- 183 Twenty Years of Gangland Turmoil 黑道风云二十年 I had just gone to prison when my girlfriend got together with my big brother. My name is Wang Chao, a street punk who takes loyalty seriously. The passion of the 1990s is my dream. And the youth an entire generation can never get back. With my story, I’ll look back on the glorious years we shared! 495Reads6.3Score—14d adds
- 184 My First Half of Life: A Bloody Underworld 我的前半生：血色江湖 [The rating just came in and it’ll keep rising, so don’t let it scare you off! This book is entirely handcrafted, and writing it isn’t easy. Hope you enjoy it!] Eight years in the army, decorated for valor, only to have his future stolen by a substitute! He moves to the city for work and tries to keep his head down, but is forced into a dead end! His brother goes to prison, and his sworn brother dies a tragic death. Good people have no way out, while the wicked run rampant! He abandons the strai 1.2kReads8.4Score13014d adds
- 185 Underworld Storm: The Uncrowned King 黑道风云：无冕王侯 (First person, period setting, underworld) A big brother? A big brother isn't some glamorous, all-powerful emperor who does whatever he pleases. A big brother is just the guy who picks up the tab. The underworld? It's brotherly loyalty, deceit and betrayal. It's a place that strips the tenderness from gentle-hearted men and hardens them, and turns green young boys into grizzled old gangsters. My name is Zhao Qingfeng. I've been around the underworld, and I was once a big brother! 37kReads9.2Score3.8k14d adds
- 186 Tales of the Hong Kong and Macau Underworld 港澳黑道往事 Told from a third-person perspective and set in the otherworldly port city of Aocheng, this novel explores the social issues of a particular era in Hong Kong and Macao. It also depicts the tragic fate of the underworld and the darkness of human nature in another world. At the same time, it reflects on gang culture, showing readers the cruelty and unsustainability of life in the underworld, and the harm it causes to individuals and society. The story is entirely fictional. Please don’t imitate it 4Reads—Score—14d adds
- 187 Underworld Tales: One Hand Shrouds the Heavens 黑道往事之只手遮天 [Realistic, not overpowered, no harem, no System, not reborn] A novel about the southern underworld, telling the story of several young men who avenge their brother and gradually rise to become crime bosses. Whether it is the underworld or organized crime, it is all just a game of chess, a set of rules, fraught with danger and human cunning, and driven by power and desire. Behind the bustling city lies a shadowy underworld filled with darkness and desire, where power and money intertwine, and te 395Reads8.6Score—14d adds
- 188 The Jianghu: I Am the Kingpin 江湖：我即为枭 [Underworld] [Brothers United] [Mind-Bending] [Passionate and Thrilling] Three years in prison couldn't dull my edge. My name is Wang Xiao. I spent three years behind bars for offending a powerful figure. After my release, I returned to my old stomping grounds with my brothers and the skills my master taught me. Some want to trample me underfoot. Some want to stab me in the back. And my enemies, lurking in the shadows, are watching me like hawks. But my life is no longer something just anyone ca 119Reads—Score—14d adds
- 189 Legends of Jiangbei 江北风云传 Jiangbei is a tangled city, its underground forces deeply entrenched in a balance of power that no one has been able to shake for decades. No one could have guessed that the person to stir up this muddy pond would be a transfer student at a vocational high school. Su Yan transfers in and plunges straight into a school rife with conflict and chaos. Faced with the law of the jungle, he neither hides nor backs down. He makes his fists his blade and his courage his edge, carving out a place for hims 9Reads—Score—14d adds
- 190 Hong Kong Crossover: Starting in Tsuen Wan, Rebuilding a Money Empire 港综：从荃湾开始，重铸金钱帝国 “Big D, you're a big shot now. Stop going around hacking people up, and try to be a little more level-headed.” White smoke rose from the cigarette between Zhang Zhen's fingers as he spoke with a hint of teasing. “Out here, if you don't hack people up or fight for territory, how are you supposed to make money? Ah Zhen, didn't you say there were three things you needed to make it big: people, money, and the guts to take risks?” Big D said from the sofa, holding a glass of liquor. “Remember this, B 42.3kReads5.6Score2.4k14d adds
- 191 A Journey Through Troubled Times 浊世征途 This is not a brainless power fantasy, and there is no System or golden finger. After seventeen years of writing, my specialty is fabricated reality and real fabrication! If you do not like it, please do not read it. Thank you for understanding. Those years, those brothers, those stories! Let us set sail and renew our old bonds! May all the brothers who pass by, come in, follow along, and offer their support live to be a hundred, enjoy abundant wealth, and have all their wishes come true! 41.2kReads9.4Score3k14d adds
- 192 Reckless Youth: I'm Going to Be Number One Under Heaven! 年少轻狂：我要当天下第一！ Our youth was wild and rebellious, our lives carefree and reckless! Wang Tian transmigrates into the world of Young and Reckless and decides to unite the underworld with Wang Hao and the others... My name is Wang Tian! Wang as in “king of the world,” Tian as in “answer to no one”! 1.2kReads6.8Score10214d adds
- 193 A Generation’s Mad Tyrant 一代狂枭 “Hey, punk! You got the guts to tell me your name?!” “I’ll give it to you straight! Your grandpa’s Li Xiao! Li as in the wood-and-child Li, Xiao as in a great hero!” He’ll take a knife for his brothers! He’ll risk his life for the woman he loves! He knows when to yield and when to stand firm! He bears humiliation and carries heavy burdens! He never shows his enemies any mercy! Young and reckless, he pursues his dreams; full of ambition, he strives to achieve greatness! 160Reads6.8Score—14d adds
- 194 The Mystery of the Golden Beans Crossing Borders 金豆子跨国疑云 The Mystery of the Golden Beans 4Reads—Score—14d adds
- 195 The Black Son of Heaven 黑天子 [Realistic Underworld + Everyone Is Smart + First-Person] An unconventional workplace in a bygone era, where people deal in social connections as well as bloodshed. This “workplace” is hidden behind two veils. One is called the world beyond the law, and the other is called the underworld. My name is Chen Chunsheng, a survivor who experienced both worlds firsthand. 30Reads7.3Score—14d adds
- 196 The Nine Arts of Strategy: The Winning Chess Game 纵横九术之胜天棋局 Wang Shu is an ordinary young man who was raised by his grandfather after his parents died when he was little. He suddenly finds himself caught up in a bank robbery, but as he fights to save himself, he discovers that this seemingly unfortunate incident is more than a simple robbery: it is part of a plot targeting him. The calamity grants him an extraordinary inheritance and leads him to clues about his family's legacy, but it also draws him into even greater danger. To escape the hidden enemy w —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 197 Fate in the World of Wind and Cloud 风云江湖之宿命 Society is the underworld, and the underworld is society. The blades flash unseen, and old grudges and tangled affairs are impossible to sort out. All I can do is keep myself alive and keep the people around me alive. But I have no idea how many overt and covert killings I'll have to face each day. I don't believe in fate, yet I struggle desperately against it. 12Reads—Score—14d adds
- 198 Shadows of the City: Ling Dongyang 都市暗影之凌冬阳 This novel explores the undercurrents lurking beneath modern urban life and the growth of an individual. With its suspenseful plot, complex relationships, and keen social insight, it portrays an ordinary person's struggles and perseverance in the city, as well as his journey to find hope in the darkness. Through Ling Dongyang's eyes, readers will gradually uncover the truth and experience a battle of courage, wisdom, and humanity. The protagonist, Ling Dongyang, is a young man who has been throu —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 199 My Days of Being Bullied at School 校园被欺负的日子 The main characters are Wu Ming, Zhang Qiang, and Zhou Yao. This isn’t a brainless power fantasy, but a bumpy story of growing up. When my brothers fight, I run; I’d never touch a friend’s wife, but if my friend’s away, anything goes. A life of gaming on credit and gambling for tokens in the arcade. 11kReads8.2Score67114d adds
- 200 The Underworld King of Campus: The Campus Belle Falls for Me 高校黑道枭雄，校花为我倾倒 Qin Ling should have grown up happily under his parents' protection, but they were brutally murdered. Qin Ling had a rough childhood and even spent three years in prison after being framed. By the time he left prison, he had grown into a young man standing 194 centimeters tall. He also happened to find his way onto a university campus. [Violence?]“Sorry! I like it too.” [Stealing?]“My bad! I'll pay you back double.” [Loan sharks?]“Isn't this basically free money?” [Human traffickers?]“Prepare to 731Reads5.8Score—14d adds
