And Bilam rose and went and returned to his place; and Balak also went on his way.
Sanhedrin 106a — he returned only to counsel the women of Midyan; he did not truly “return to his place” in peace.
English: “And he returned to his place” — but did he not go and give counsel to Midyan? Rather, what is “he returned to his place”? That he returned to his [original] curse.
Reinterpretation of the closing verse in light of the Peor counsel.
The peaceful-looking exit is the hinge to the next disaster — Bilam’s “return” is the advice that leads to Baal Peor.