The current situation was very strange to Shang.
For over two centuries, he had kept only to himself, not daring to tell anyone about anything related to his powers.
He couldn't let anyone find out that he was the Child of Calamity.
Because of that, he had to keep secret that he had four Affinities.
Because of that, he had to keep secret that he had four States.
Additionally, Shang also had an entirely separate issue that also forced him to keep secrets.
Shang was being pursued by the Lightning Manor. They knew that they were essentially searching for the strongest warrior in the world, and if anyone found a really powerful Fifth Realm warrior, they would be easily able to connect the two people.
Because of that, Shang even had to keep his identity as a warrior a secret.
He even had to keep his name a secret.