"Very well," says Eric, "I shall not pass through the...pass".
With that, Eric continues in the direction he was going...down the road, past the minotaur...but he does it by walking overland on the hills, very conspicuously NOT taking the road/pass. So he obeys the letter of the minotaur's command, but definitely not the spirit. And yes, he does this in full view of the minotaur, very obviously trying to provoke a reaction, and keeping an eye on the minotaur the whole time.