On 1.20.1 Forge latest apotheosis version (has been like this before aswell) the Bleeding effect is bugged, it doesnt go off like normal effects do, it says on mobs forever when applied, heres a video:

How are you applying the effect to the creeper? Usually this is caused by erroneously adding the effect on the client or something of the sort.
Bleeding, like most mob effects, does not manage its own timing / removal.

I used an origins power, but when i changed that power to inflict poison instead, it worked like I wanted it to.