fix from copilot review + doc fix

lib/helpers/path_helper.dart

@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ class PathHelper {
   /// - 1: Single byte per hop (256 unique nodes)
   /// - 2: Two bytes per hop (65K unique nodes)
   /// - 3: Three bytes per hop (16M unique nodes)
+  /// - 4: Four bytes per hop (4.3G unique nodes)
   static String resolvePathNames(
     List<int> pathBytes,
     List<Contact> allContacts,

lib/screens/channel_message_path_screen.dart

@@ -47,14 +47,12 @@ class ChannelMessagePathScreen extends StatelessWidget {
         final hops = _buildPathHops(primaryPath, connector, l10n, hashByteWidth);
         final hasHopDetails = primaryPath.isNotEmpty;
 
-        // Convert path byte length to hop count using the packet width.
+        // Convert observed path byte length to hop count using the packet width.
         // Legacy messages fall back to the current connector width.
+        // Reported path length (V3+) is already stored as a hop count; preserve
+        // the negative flood sentinel when present.
         final observedHopCount = _hopCountFromBytes(primaryPath.length, hashByteWidth);
-        final reportedHopCount = message.pathLength == null
-          ? null
-          : (message.pathLength! < 0
-            ? message.pathLength
-            : _hopCountFromBytes(message.pathLength!, hashByteWidth));
+        final reportedHopCount = message.pathLength;
         final effectiveHopCount = observedHopCount > 0
           ? observedHopCount
           : reportedHopCount;