The way to topple venal chief, looking back (4)
I believe the answer is:
lane
'the way' is the definition.
(lane is a kind of way)
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lane that I've seen before include "Narrow country road" , "Byroad" , "Rough path" , "Narrow street" , "Narrow track or path" .)