He could kill with any weapon, ranging from the multi pronged kusarigama to the flat wooden spoon. He was a master of the five animal arts the warrior monks of south Xi'en taught and all the secret methods that they didn't teach. In a world without magic, he would definitely be the most dangerous killer alive.
The passage describes a character who is incredibly skilled at killing using various weapons and fighting styles.  He is described as being exceptionally proficient in combat, even without the use of magic.