This is one of the typical moves of a regressor, or even some Heaven's Chosen, especially when they need rare or large amounts of resources for their cultivation but are afraid to show their faces for fear of being suppressed.
They usually act this way because they lack powerful connections while being too weak to carry weight in negotiations. They also fear being backstabbed or simply want to avoid trouble, which is a valid reason.
But the main reason is still their weakness. They are simply too weak. In this world, weakness is a sin. It brings inconvenience and invites disaster.
Wei Chen had tried to reduce this, and it had improved due to his public broadcasts. But it was still not enough. Only this city maintained an air of civility, because it lay within the range of his broadcasts and had strict enforcers.
In other cities, that was not the case.
