Can anyone recommend a novel (fantasy with cultivation or other powers) where the mc is a character that leads the plot but acts behind the scenes. Behind the scenes can be vague, so what I mean is- the mc can either be a observer leading others to a certain events and controlling them without them realising it or the mc can be a participant himself but hides within the crowd and still pulls the strings to a direction he wants to. it doesnt matter whether its CN, JP, or KR and it doesnt matter whether the mc establishes a organisation to help him or not. If anyone has read To be a power in the shadows then this is the type of novel i want to find. I would like it if it isnt "misunderstanding" based like Power in the Shadows. Romance/harem isnt preferred either. Edit: among recommendations, finished novels are preferred. if they are ongoing then please dont recommend ongoing orignal novels ie novels on royal road, scribblehub webnovel original etc.
My Death Flags Show No Sign of Ending, is just like that. The mc did everything behind the scene though he needed others to help him. But he is a Mastermind behind the scenes. He thought that if the plot proceed as is, he can go home to Japan. It's still on going though.
https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/28601/arrogant-young-master-template-a-variation-4 (on hiatus) This story kinda fits. After the MC realized he had transmigrated into an arrogant young master's body, he knew he'd be a magnet for every person who needed a stepping stone to crush. So he made full use of his rich family's resources, personnel, and influence to keep himself as safe from all of those fated people as possible.
Dungeon Defense Akuyaku Reijo Ni Koi Wo Shite - iirc mc is behind the scene a lot when he is a butler for FL then he starts to be main focus